Plebe Summer Q's & A's

<p>I am a member of the class of '09 joining everyone this summer, but I'm not familiar with this American flag care package concept. This is really the first time I've heard of it. Can anyone please clarify exactly what it is? Thanks for the help everyone.</p>

<p>If there are more plebes in a room than there are racks (beds), it's considered a "Mutiny" and the Firstie can fry the plebes. If there's an American flag in the room, they can't!</p>

<p>I read this week that they need to bring a pair of mostly white running shoes and to start breaking them in now.</p>

<p>Heh. You know, I may sound sadistic, but all that seems...fun :) Yeah, I know. I won't feel that way when I get there, but the main thing with me is that as long as I'm not idle and I go to bed at night feeling tired (And I will, I'm sure) it's worth it.</p>

<p>What is the Blue and Gold time?</p>

<p>Before lights out,the Plebes and Cadre to go over the positives and negatives of that day. Everyone sings "Blue and Gold" and Taps is sounded. It's a way to wind down the day and come together as a company.</p>

<p>For a clearer picture of plebe summer, go to both of the parents' web sites and go to the picture pages of plebe summer. (The pictures are different.) It gives you a very visual understanding of what is ahead. Yes, they are dirty, sweaty and tired. BUT most of them look great!.
CM</p>

<p>Does anyone know if we can wear sunglasses for certain activities, e.g., sailing? Can we bring our own, or do they issue sunglasses? :cool:</p>

<p>No sunglasses for Plebes. You will be issued hats with brims to help with the sun.</p>

<p>don't worry too much about what to bring, they give you everything you need to survive. The one thing i would recommend is postcards with the address already written and stamps already to make it very easy to jot down a note to send home. As for time, you'll learn to make time</p>

<p>When would it be appropriate for plebes to have a camera, if ever? :confused:</p>

<p>Good question WM . . .</p>

<p>What about types of shoes? The parent's web-site, I think, says somthing about close to white but what about running or cross-trainers?</p>

<p>I thought I read somewhere that they are issued New Balance trainers. If that is so, it would be great to know which model number they are so that if you wanted you could get a pair and break them in . Blisters stink. One thing though that really helps is to duct tape your heels BEFORE you get blisters and it really prevents them.<br>
NAPS05mom</p>

<p>I know mids were off on Spring Break, but nobody answered my question, i.e., list three best things about plebe summer and three worst things...</p>

<p>Plebes can have their camera after Plebe summer, when they move into their rooms for the academic year. That's when they get back their stored gear, including civilian clothes they wore on I-day, and their cell phones. (Parents take civilian clothes back home with them, plebes are not allowed to have them at Bancroft.)</p>

<p>Select whatever shoes you like, but try to make them as inconspicuous as possible. As close to all white as possible, but I know that is difficult. Last year's issue was New Balance white leather ones. I do not know if they were only for the parades (marching in uniform), or also for PT and running, or if they were issued a second pair for PT.
CM</p>

<p>Are mids allowed to have photo-editing software on their computers? I know there won't be a great deal of free time especially during the first year to do that sort of thing...but it would be nice if one is using a digital camera.</p>

<p>I changed my user name from wstcoastmom--trying to get used to the idea that my lovely daughter will be an entire continent away in a few months. :) :(</p>

<p>Everyone:
The "court" shoes -- the 99.9% white ones must be worn during the summer for day-to-day activities, other than PEP. For PEP you can bring your own running shoes which should be reasonable colors -- mostly white if you can (i.e. don't bring pink or lime green). For parades, I never recalled marching in our court shoes. Usually it was White Works Foxtrot or Charlie...which includes black leathers or 'frams. </p>

<p>Not too much longer for '09. Spend your last 3 months wisely.
about 1 month for '08.</p>

<p>USNA09mom:
Yes, you can have that.</p>

<p>Thanks for answering all the questions. Jadler. I appreciate it.<br>
Keep any info coming!<br>
NAPS05mom (who only gets daughter back home for 5 weeks....sigh)</p>

<p>Thanks, Jadler. I remembered '08 marching in whiteworks w/dixie cups and their New Balance, but could not remember when. Looking back, it might have been on I-day following the swearing-in. I know I have several pictures of your first parades, but the feet are not visible!! I do know that for the later parades, when you wore your regular covers, that the white leather shoes (the ones that everyone wears with their regular white uniforms) were worn.</p>

<p>Good Luck on your 12 week Exams!!! (Especially calc and chemistry)
CM</p>

<p>Does anyone know where I can find the USNA training routine online. I think it's an eight week running program. They sent it to me but of course I misplaced it.</p>

<p>Try this link:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.usna-net.org/handbook.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.usna-net.org/handbook.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Click on Plebe Summer, then "Prep for I-Day", Encourage your plebe to: Then there is a place to click for exercise regime.</p>