<p>I wish we could all sit down in our living room and talk...We (my husband, daughter, and I) are reading every post...Thank you, thank you...</p>
<p>Think of it this way....</p>
<p>If you hear the worst stories, and your reaction is anything other than, "Let those bastards try that crap with me, and I'll show 'em!", then don't bother applying.</p>
<p>You've got to want that ring more than your dignity for a year. You don't have to like it. You just gotta DO it!</p>
<p>And no one can stop you, save for that person who looks back at you when you're in front of a mirror.</p>
<p>Zaphod -</p>
<p>Hope the CC archive keeps this stuff! I'm looking forward to sending snippets of your writings to my son every week next year if he ends up at USNA (or any service academy for that matter).</p>
<p>Your a great addition to these forums - :)</p>
<p>You're too kind. </p>
<p>Just doing my bit to help and maybe elicit a chuckle or two. ;)</p>
<p>Just wondering if you have ever heard of someone liking Plebe Year?</p>
<p>Yes, but they weren't considered reliable witnesses due to mental disorder.</p>
<p>Ha Ha! </p>
<p>"Liking" is probably the wrong word. There are people who don't hate Plebe Year. Some actually find that they are very good at being Plebes -- doesn't mean they like it or don't look forward to it ending as much as the next guy, just means they aren't in constant misary.</p>
<p>A few common characteristics of these people seem to be (to me at least): top physical shape which gets you off to a good start during the summer; patience which lets you live with the stuff that sucks 'cause you know its temporary; and sufficient maturity not to need to rebel against authority for its own sake.</p>
<p>oiixxg,
I'm still working on this hypothesis, so feel free to comment. I agree about the common characteristics you mentioned. Other factors that may contribute to plebe success or enjoying plebe summer: being a military brat, having at least three to ten older siblings who tormented and tortured you, being spanked/yelled at by your parents on a daily basis, having lived in hicksville with horrible weather (hot and humid is preferable) where you had to perform back-breaking physical labor throughout the summer since you were five, not having a car or driver's license, other option was community college and a part-time job at KFC. ;)</p>
<p>Ouch! I know you're kidding (right?) Although I would agree that having siblings, particularly if you have a lot of them close in age, helps prepare you for the "close quarters" of Bancroft. And upperclassmen sure can behave like an older brother some times (not the loving, protective type, the domineering type with a sick sense of humor). Hard to imagine anywhere in the US with weather worse than Annapolis in the summer, but I'll take your word for it (can't quite explain why I've lived here for nearly 50 years...)</p>
<p>That was pretty much tongue in cheek except for the comment about the weather. ;)</p>
<p>Haha, I have five... think that's enough? Maybe I should convince my Mom to pop a few more out so I can better prepare myself? You know, anything to help.</p>
<p>"having at least three to ten older siblings who tormented and tortured you, being spanked/yelled at by your parents on a daily basis, having lived in hicksville with horrible weather (hot and humid is preferable) where you had to perform back-breaking physical labor throughout the summer since you were five"</p>
<p>usna09mom - you know my kid? Wow. And oiixxg, we've decided Jamz' older brother is really satan. They love each other tho and talk everyday. The older brother living here sends Jamz the weather report everyday without fail. Example: Hey Freak its 70 here. I see its 12 in NY. Have a great day you dork.</p>
<p>Haha, actually I think track in Florida might prepare me quite nicely.</p>
<p>five :eek: you'll have smooth sailing!</p>
<p>jamzmom,
oh sure, you really seem like "Mommie Dearest." In reality, I imagine you spoiled little jamz and his siblings rotten! I bet he even complains about the food at KP, and was eating like a condemned man when he was home over the holidays! :)</p>
<p>oiixxg,
Don't get me wrong, I love Annapolis and it's proximity to Washington, D.C., plus it's the sailing capital of America (or the world for that matter!), which means a lot to us. The Hudson River Valley may be picturesque, but not for university students after five minutes. Could you work on getting a mini-market next to Gate 1...</p>
<p>My mid has an older brother too -- sounds a lot like Jamz'. Maybe that's the real key to surviving Plebe year. Having experienced a lifetime with one or more people you "know love you" (or so Mom & Dad say...) when they've spent every minute of your life finding ways to torture you!</p>
<p>death<em>by</em>happiness: Central Florida in mid summer is indeed a lot like Annapolis. Miserably hot and humid. If you can run 5 miles at mid day there, I'm sure you'll be just fine here :)</p>
<p>For the rest of you, I've said it before but you won't believe me. Even Texan's agree that they've never, never experienced anything like Annapolis in August. The good news is by the second or third day of Plebe summer you'll resign yourself to being sweaty, sticky and stinky all the time. Just imagine what it was like before Bancroft was air conditioned!</p>
<p>oiixxg,
was your son a member of "The Stinky Squad?" How's the mini-mart at Gate 1 coming along?</p>
<p>usna09mom: no apologies necessary -- you are 100% right about the weather. Annapolis has so many other charms we all keep forgiving it for getting so wretched for a few months every year. The sailing is certainly part of it -- somehow the agony of the heat and humidity go away as soon as you're on the water. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, I don't know if our mids really get a chance to love Annapolis for its historic and natural beauty -- most seem to want to get the heck out there as soon as possible (can't really blame them). I hope they all come back some day after graduation and have a chance to appreciate one of the greatest towns on the east coast.</p>
<p>Just make sure to come in the spring or fall...</p>
<p>Are any squads not stinky! Do you remember on PPW when they come running along the seawall and the stench preceeded them by 100 yards? I'd heard about it, but didn't believe it till I smelled it for myself.</p>
<p>My most vivid memory of that morning is that my daughter got tears in her eyes when she first saw me. Excuse me, I have to go get a tissue now...</p>