Plebe Summer

Colleges & Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
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<p>You DO have to jump off the 10m youngster year, though (but not during sea trials)…only have to do it once but it’s a graduation requirement. It’s really hard for some people because inside Lejeune it looks a lot higher than it really is (you can almost touch the ceiling); it’s an optical illusion that scares a good number of people when 3/C swimming rolls around.</p>

<p>I haven’t done it yet, but the 40-year swim is a 2/C year thing and, I believe, 14 laps (1400 meters) in 40 minutes is an 80% (validation), and somewhere less than that (12?) is passing and (16?) is an A. Keep in mind that (1) you can’t touch the walls to kick off, (2) you’re in khakis which compounds the difficulties, and (3) you’re clawing and fighting with other people for much of the swim.</p>

42

<p>the swim station is the pool phase of sea trials. now that is one of the longest days ever. basically, the pool phase consists of doing various physical activities in and out of the pool: relay races swimming with a weight, build a raft and swim members of your team across…things like that.</p>

43

<p>The jumps are really the ONLY thing I’m terrified of if I go to USNA. Plus, after being pushed off the shorter one at NASS and getting a bruised sternum due to the resulting belly-flop, I have an ever-higher degree of horror.</p>

44

<p>I remember that 5 m platform. It looked so much higher than it actually was. It felt about 50 feet in the air. I can see why it is nerveracking to go up 15 more feet to the 10 meter platform. I am already dreading the sea trials swim station. I am not a big fan of swimming, but I can do it if I have to.</p>

45

<p>I’m the mom of a Plebe at USNA. There is a swimming rotation during the summer. (There’s also sailing, which takes you into the water. And an assault course that takes you into the Severn, as well…) There is remedial swimming if you are a non-swimmer, or a poor one. You are given the opportunity to go off the 10M platform. As has been stated here prior, it must be done before you can graduate or be commissioned. (If the ship’s on fire or sinking, they want to be assured you’ll be able/willing to abandon ship…so, there is a sound reasoning behind it. And, if you put that in your mind while on the 10M platform, it may give you the motivation needed to get it accomplished.) Our son said that during the entire time that others were going off the platform (3 company’s worth…so…120 Mids thereabouts), they had to tread water. So, it was exhausting (which is the constant we heard about Plebe Summer). </p>

<p>There is an “expert” on how to go off the platform that sits up there on the platform to instruct on how to go off it properly. </p>

<p>For the summer…our son has been a distance runner for some time; this was a God-send for him during the summer. The “runs” weren’t very tough for him, as the longest distance was maybe 4 miles, and he was very used to that duration of a run. (He runs XC and Track for Navy now…) He is, this week even, going to the Y every day possible to swim, as he’ll have swimming next semester for PE, and he wants to make sure his muscles are reminded of what they’ll be needing to do. (He’s also running at a nearby town’s indoor track, and doing distance road work, per Coach’s detailed instructions.) </p>

<p>His I-Day was not that awful, from what he told us. He did get tied up in medical for about 3 hours (they misunderstood what he said to them… SNAFU time), so he missed out on 3 hours of yelling. He had already done a short haircut to prep his head for the sun (which wasn’t really needed, as they mostly wear a cover throughout the summer when out of doors). He would offer that you should be well-hydrated BEFORE I-Day, so you can endure the heat/humidity better. Keep your “eyes in the boat” at all times (looking forward), and pay attention to what you’re being told to do. Learn the difference between walking very quickly (which is demanded you do) and running (which is not allowed). </p>

<p>Once you’ve been given an Offer, acquaint yourself with anything you can about USNA/history/grounds/names of buildings/touring the Yard, etc. It will serve you well in the summer. And, get your mind off yourself; you will be responsible for your roommates…so learn it early and do it well. </p>

<p>He’d probably also advise that parents should be prepared to not worry so much. He said that was a tough thing for some of the Mids in his company…that their parents were overwraught with concern about every little thing. If the mindset is right, and you’re physcially/emotionally prepared, you’ll survive Plebe Summer… Many have before you, and many will after you. Each one of the Cadre did it. They want you to be a success there, too. They also want you to know firsthand that you can succeed. And, if you’re waffling… they’ll work that through with you, too.</p>

46

<p>some people have talked about it before but can anyone describe the schedule on i day? all i know right now is that candidates enter alumni hall, get all their stuff and are bussed over to bancroft (this is what i saw on the c/o 2010 i day)… what happens after that? is it all in bancroft after that?</p>

47

<p>i know that alumni hall is more than just “get your stuff”. you go through medical there and get any shots you need. you also get your haircut there. as far as after the bus to bancroft, someone else will have to answer. my son was tangled up in medical for most of his i-day.</p>

48

<p>here’s last year’s I Day Schedule of Events</p>

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<p>For the ‘40 year swim’ in 2/C year, does it matter what form/stroke you use, or is covering the distance in time the only thing that matters? What about at any other time at the Academy? Is it important to be able to swim well a certain way? I’m sure I’ll get any necessary instruction/practice when the time comes, but I might want to start now if I can.</p>

50

<p>It seems that schedule relates mostly to what parents/relatives will see/do during I-day. I think a prior question related to what the plebes are actually doing during that time (i.e between 0600 and 1630).</p>

51

<p>yeah, what Time2 said.</p>

52

<p>Given the New Supe, parents/relatives should not base any expectations on that schedule of events. IDay for Parents and Relatives has the potential to be very different as does Plebe Parent Weekend. </p>

<p>Can swim any stroke - what matters is making it in the allotted time. For validating 4/c and 3/c swimming classes, your time will determine if you validate and what your grade for the class will be, 4/ is a 100 swim and 3/c is a 200. Do not remember what time is required for validating.</p>

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<p>I was just trying to clarify the prior question. What was asked is what do the PLEBES typically do during I-day?..Little too early to worry about the event schedule for parents/relatives.</p>

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<p>My answer, not to be sarcastic, is you will find out when you show up. That is all part of the I-Day fun. Of course, there are other sources to find out.</p>

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<p>Looking back 6 months after I-Day.. I asked Lola what she remembers from I-Day.. She told me “almost nothing”. I think Plebe Summer is now one big gray fog :slight_smile: Thank Goodness!</p>

<p>HOW IS EVERYONE? HAPPY NEW YEARS By the Way!!</p>

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<p>Although the page link below is dated 2003-2004, it is located on the current USNA web page. At one point, I located a grid that showed the swim grading criteria for the “40 year swim.” It looked pretty challenging. One thing dd has already found challenging during swim workouts is the “six to ten strokes per 25 m” requirement. Build that arm strength!</p>

<p>[USNA</a> - PE Department - PE Curriculum](<a href=“http://www.usna.edu//PEScheds/pecurriculum.htm]USNA”>http://www.usna.edu//PEScheds/pecurriculum.htm)</p>

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<p>For the plebes-to-be, like Jadler said, I-Day is not something you can really prepare for, it’s just something that you have to dive into without fully knowing what to expect (that’s part of what it’s all about!)…as much as I hate to sound cliche, you’ll see when you get there. People’s experiences vary, though; I-Day was the worst day of the summer for me; my sister thought “it was a blast.” It’ll be different than you expect, but 1200 people make it through every year…no reason this year should be any different.</p>

<p>The funny thing about swimming is, the validation test is based solely on time (stroke technique is not tested for validators) but for the non-validators an integral part of the class is technique (breast stroke and back stroke) that is meant to teach relaxation and endurance. That’s the goal of the 6-10 stroke requirements (it’s easy for some and hard for others). Mostly it boils down to who is most hydrodynamic in the water and can glide the furthest. The other part of the grade is based on 200 m (plebe year) and 400 m (youngster year) swim times…so swimming grades are based on both endurance and speed.</p>

58

<p>I looked at that curriculm and it looks like there is of at least was some plebe summer swimming so I guess I better spend some more time in the pool. Another question, when doing pushup ladders do you rest in the up or down position?</p>

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<p>Yes, there are about eight sessions in the pool during plebe summer. These are done with your company, but you are tested on some things at the end of the summer, so spend some time in the water are be comfortable with some basics. Rest in the down position during pushup ladders.</p>

60

<p>If you are going there alone for I-day and spending the night before:1. BRING FOOD/DRINK…Nothing was available and you don’t even know where you are once they put you in your room in Bancroft Hall.2. If nothing is set up in the room the night before—open the box in the middle of the floor and pull out the bedding.3. DON’T COUNT ON GETTING CELL SERVICE in your room.Maybe bring a book you can discard the next morning.
Of all of plebe year, this was the worst night for my son. I -day was ok and the plebe year was fine. 1 1/2 years later, all is good!</p>