<p>so I understand that Plebe Summer is extremely difficult and demanding but is it really as bad as it is cracked up to be? are there are any parts that anybody really had fun with? just kind of wondering. any other plebe summer info is appreciated</p>
<p>My plebe summer seminar squad leader told me that plebe summer isn't that bad as long as you're in shape and can tolerate being yelled at. She had gone to college for two years already, though, so she was more mature than a lot of people. At CVW, there was a general consensus that I-day was the worst day of their life! Different people in the company I was with told me different things; some thought it was really hard, and some thought it was easier than they had expected. I think that variations in mental preparedness might be why some thought it was hard and some though it was less hard.</p>
<p>Depends on how you define "bad." Most people find it challenging. </p>
<p>It's hard to explain because any explanation really doesn't cover it. Plebe summer is one of those things you have to experience to understand. It's physically demanding, mentally demanding and personally demanding. What more could you want?</p>
<p>Yes, there are parts that people "enjoy." It was a long time ago but I remember liking the pistol shooting and sailing. But plebe summer changes somewhat over the years -- you can argue about whether it's harder or easier but, in some ways (e.g., "Sea Trials") it is different. And, some parts of it never change. </p>
<p>All the above said, the overwhelming majority of people who start plebe summer finish plebe summer. Most of those who quit do so because they realize that they didn't really want to be at USNA not because it was too difficult for them.</p>
<p>I Day was the worst for my Mid. The rest of the summer he referred to as summer camp with guns! His advice to entering plebes - have small goals that you can achieve- even just making it to lunch, making it to dinner.... It helps!</p>
<p>^^^ so very true!</p>
<p>and to that I would add to keep a healthy sense of humor-
Don't personalize-
report "in shape" and with the right attitude-
and work with your team!</p>
<p>It's really not that bad. It's a lot fo stupid stuff and if you're in a chill company it's just more an inconvience. Just make it to wednesdays (no PEP) and Sunday (sleeping in until 0730) and you'll be fine. When it really starts to suck just go meal to meal. That was good on bad days.
And run lots before you come and just always be on your feet. Because you will never have something like that where you on your feet for hours and hours and hours a day.
And don't get injured. Everyone will hate you. Ask me how I know. :(
But it gets better. They can't kill you and they cna't stop time.</p>
<p>That's from Lola by the way. I'm home and too lazy to put it on my screenname.</p>
<p>Looking back on the summer... Once you get into the groove of things its not too bad. The days are incredibly long at first. Meal to meal feels like an entire day that first week, but you get used to it... Just be able to laugh anytime behind closed doors, Don't take everything too seriously (just act like you are), help out your squad mates when they need it, work hard and you'll do fine. At the end of the summer, the one word I used to describe it was... "annoying." And in the grand scheme thats not too bad</p>
<p>I'm not sure if this is odd or not but I am actually looking forward to Plebe Summer. I have been talking with my squad leader from NASS and asking her question upon question. She told me that I-Day was horrible but that overall just getting through each day was an accomplishment. I know it will not be easy whatsoever but it just gets me really pumped up!</p>
<p>^^^
zrm-
from what i'm told by my plebe and other posters here, this is winning attitude!</p>
<p>There is no possible way you can correctly gauge your plebe summer experience unless you actually go through it. You will have different squad members, a different squad leader, a different platoon commander, a different company commander than anyone that has ever gone before you. They may make your life hell, they may no. My honest opinion is to just stop asking what it's like and just prepare yourself for a challenge. You may have an amazing first two days and then the rest of the summer suck, no one knows. Your summer may be infinitely harder than the person next to you.</p>
<p>That's what makes the Academy unique- everyone's experience is different.</p>
<p>Now Krypter, don't rain too hard down on my little parade. Just kidding, I understnad what you mean but I can't help to be curious at how other's Plebe Summers went.</p>
<p>wait a second...i read on here or on another thread that plebes don't have pep on wednesday's or sundays?? is this true?</p>
<p>The USNA Workout Book, which documents PEP during Plebe Summer of 1997, has no PEP workout listing for any Sunday. The 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th Wednesdays have entries "take a day off and REST." :) However, there are workouts listed for the Wednesdays of weeks 3 and 4 during that year.</p>
<p>usnagirl: all you needed to say is that your squad leader went to college for two years and i knew exactly who she is. i would say that being "mature" is definitely a stretch: i have found that many of those who attended prep school or college have a hard time adjusting to the academy at first. she was no exception.
plebe summer is difficult no matter how you slice it: people who look back and say "oh it wasn't really that bad"....i always wonder what exactly they are gauging it against. a stint in prison perhaps? i think the best advice you can get is to go in the best physical shape you've ever been in. Your performance during plebe summer is a huge part of how your upperclassmen see you...and poor performance is hard to overcome. an important thing to remember is to tune the yelling out. you should still hear what they're saying....but plebe summer is largely a mental game. the cadre (of which i shall be one!) will yell and scream and rant and rave and you will have to sit there and take it. during plebe summer is when those who really want to be there are weeded out from those whose committment is more wishy-washy.
it is tempting, but DO NOT GO TO THE PEP TENT AND FAKE AN INJURY. by all means go if you are really injured, but your companymates and upperclass will remember if you were a chit surfer. you do not want to be that guy/girl hobbling around on crutches. it might seem like it conveniently gets you out of things during plebe summer, but in the end you want to have been there with your shipmates, as bad as it was.</p>
<p>Well...she was probably more mature at her age than I will be when I graduate this year, but I'm definitely committed so I certainly won't be faking any injuries to get out of running or whatever. Although I did hear from various people that swim pep, which I think they make you do if you get injured and can't run, is totally brutal. I'm getting my mind ready for the hardest couple months of my life. Assuming I get in, that is...</p>
<p>
[quote]
DO NOT GO TO THE PEP TENT AND FAKE AN INJURY. by all means go if you are really injured, but your companymates and upperclass will remember if you were a chit surfer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This is one of the things that sickened me about many of my fellow cadre members during plebe summer... There's this attitude among much of the cadre during plebe summer that most of the people at the pep tent are faking their injuries. A few members of my squad were hurt with legitimate injuries during the summer and would often refuse to go to the pep tent. Many cadre would talk down to the plebes simply because that they were at the pep tent, regardless of their ailment. That is complete bull$hit... On reg runs there were two or three people in my squad who I almost constantly watched because I knew they were running with injuries... For most of the summer I was getting bags of ice at Blue and Gold for half my squad, a few of which werent even on chit... Plebe summer is extremely taxing on the body. Its important that you come into the summer in good shape to reduce the risk of injury, however, things do happen, and many people WILL get hurt...</p>
<p>On a lighter note, I wonder how much yelling, ranting, and raving you guys will be able to do. Plebe summer cadre is tougher than most people think. Almost all the cadre in my company (myself included) completely lost our voice in a matter of days. Along with my voice, I also lost 10 pounds</p>
<p>i heard rumors at my cvw that 2010 is running plebe summer for c/o 2012. does anyone know if this is true or not?</p>
<p>2/c will be squad leaders. 1/c's will still be "running" plebe summer.</p>
<p>huh... they switched it back pretty quick</p>