<p>I hope everyone received their 2nd brief phone call. Mine was very good and positive. He sounded hoarse but very upbeat. He was excited about going to the rifle / pistol range tomorrow. Told me about boxing and martial arts training and how much fun they were. He was looking forward to football camp starting next Monday and of course couldn't wait for PPW. That was about the crux of the call. Any others?</p>
<p>We had a great, if brief, call as well. It came just as the clock was ticking down the final minutes of the 3:00 - 6:00 EDT window. Son said he was healthy and plebe-hack-free (he actually said, "I'm invincible!"), loving crew practice, unsure about the second set of cadre, sending a letter w/ "fantastic news" re: validation of classes.</p>
<p>One thing he repeated (he mentioned this in a letter, too) that just breaks my heart, though, is hearing persistent rumors that plebes WILL get an PPW overnight 8/12. The Supe just couldn't have been clearer in talking to parents on I-Day: NO OVERNIGHT. I hate to have his hopes dashed. Maybe he'll be happy enough to be off the yard for extended periods that he won't be too disappointed?</p>
<p>(Please, don't anyone say 'Semper Gumby.')</p>
<p>^^^LOL I hate that too. The worst phrase, used way too much and really is somewhat condescending!</p>
<p>Well put, NT!</p>
<p>THANK YOU! I agree with the above... (and something that is repeated on ListServ continually)..</p>
<p>I, too, had a great phone call! And the countdown is on! 18 days to go, I believe, until PPW!</p>
<p>My son repeated the same rumor regarding a potential overnight at PPW, though he did qualify the rumor by saying they were told that is was up in the air and far from a given. His call was very positive, lot's of good things happening, enjoying crew, the ropes course, the run through the woods and rock climbing. Looking forward to his range time this week as well.</p>
<p>Hey KJ,
As I wrote to my boy... don't count the days , make the days count. Now there's some motivation mumbo jumbo for ya. I would hope that if this rumor was started by cadre, upperclassen etc. that it was used to motivate the kids to do well in their training and be rewarded with an overnight. If there is no way there will be an overnight ( according to Supe/Commandant) then that is just plain wrong. Oh...but I'm not criticizing the Acad. : )</p>
<p>^^^^something along the line of "don't make promises you can't keep, and keep the ones you make!"</p>
<p>Exactly, You know ... the whole trust and honor thing</p>
<p>I don't know about "the rumor" but in my phone call my daughter was very clear that she would not be able have an overnight with us during PPW.</p>
<p>Why would you think 'semper gumby" is condescending?</p>
<p>It's a fact in the military that plans change, orders change, commands change, etc., according to the "needs of the navy" (another phrase you'll hear quite often!). It doesn't matter who you are, what your rank is, what your plans are, or how many family birthdays, weddings, etc. you've missed - if the navy says 'Go!", you Go! Duty is duty, and the sooner everyone associated w/ the military (or someone in the military) learns that, the better.</p>
<p>I'm sorry to sound hard-nosed, but it's a very important point. Get used to it now & you'll save yourself some heartache & disappointment down the road.</p>
<p>There are stories about cardboard cutouts at weddings "standing in" for groomsmen who didn't make it, fathers missing births (common) & hundreds of other sacrifices being made by servicemen every day! (Just ask Peskemom what she had to go thru with her USNA Grad to get MARRIED!). </p>
<p>Let's keep things in perspective if you don't get the overnight - some people have sons & daughters in IRAQ, for goodness sake!).</p>
<p>Actually, I read a few of the prior posts to say that it is an 'integrity' (trust & honor) thing if the administration is 100% sure there will NOT be an overnight during PPW and then starts rumors to create false hopes knowing these are not true. To me that is totally different from talking about how in the military 'plans often change'.</p>
<p>I personally find it condescending as it implies anyone who is not of a military background certainly cannot have a grasp of the concept of things change, needs of the navy come first and be flexibly. </p>
<p>
[quote]
if the navy says 'Go!", you Go! Duty is duty, and the sooner everyone associated w/ the military (or someone in the military) learns that, the better.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Do people really think that only the Military has a corner on the “be flexible” market? </p>
<p>There are many processions out there that require families to be just as flexible and understanding, to imply there are not is condescending IMO. My family has missed my husband on many important family/ spouse functions. When one has a work ethic that puts patients first, we learned to live with it. He had to cancel our honeymoon plans for a three day stay at his parents summer home so that we were within distance to his practice, He has missed first birthdays, honor programs and yes graduations - mine from grad school to be exact, extended family weddings, and many more events in between. We celebrate holidays on odd days and joke about it. Does my husbands profession have some cute saying that we have to impart on the new “wives/husbands” I think not! Nor would I ever think about lecturing one of the new spouses on the subject. </p>
<p>And Time2 is correct. The Academy holds our Mids accountable and they (the Mids) need to hold the Academy accountable. Trust and honor is a two way street. If you hold the carrot out and take it away too many times the carrot will never work for you.</p>
<p>I hope that the new Supe will hold his “Supes Class Addresses” where the class (4/C or whom ever) on a whole has the forum to question decisions being made on the yard. Nothing ever changes but at least for the Mids, they have a forum to be heard and just maybe the Supe is listening. My Mid enjoyed those last year and there were times that I asked questions and he actually had sound answers to why something had changed rather than the rumor mill answers.</p>
<p>Totally agree, I just didn't "time to" write as much (no pun intended !!!)</p>
<p>The military isn't the only place where people are committed and dedicated to their jobs.</p>
<p>Well said... bravo ....</p>
<p>"Let's keep things in perspective if you don't get the overnight - some people have sons & daughters in IRAQ, for goodness sake!)."
-bz2010</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>Sorry for the semi-off topic post here, but does it sound to you parents of plebes(and past plebes) that Plebe summer is more and more tolerable(or less uptight) every day, or are your Plebes just getting used to routine?</p>
<p>Beat Army!</p>
<p>According to my plebe he writes that he is finally getting used to the routine. I'm not sure it is getting any easier, but the objectives may be changing. Maybe a little less yelling and more motivational company/squad building things. That's just my observation from my Son's letters and this should not be taken as official Academy information.: )</p>
<p>^^^ by now, most plebes have learned to "adjust".... it is an amazing transformation- one that you will be able to see for yourself come PPW. They really do come out the other end with a lot more confidence- </p>
<p>last year we were told that the first set of cadre were there to "break them down" (which is not to infer that they break their spirit, but more along the lines that "you are not in Kansas anymore" ) (sorry Kansas, no offense intended!).... with the second set there to "build them back up"....</p>
<p>I am not sure if the same philosophy holds for the Class of 2011, but I would venture to say it is something along those lines-
so I guess what I am trying to say is to "have faith" - the system really does work-
and the second half of the summer brings along with it it's own perks- trips to Washington and Baltimore, a baseball game, "real" uniforms, etc.....and there is PPW to look forward to as well!</p>
<p>My Son is already looking forward to the ball game and finally getting away from the yard for a bit. As far as overnight's go for PPW I hope the little rug rat doesn't get an overnight. I only have one hotel room and the o'Callaghan is booked. His Mama would have to sleep on the floor</p>