<p>Our yearling son headed back to USMA this morning after spending his post-Buckner leave at home. I asked him how this coming week before Acceptance Day would go.</p>
<p>He said he was looking forward to "reorganization week" and the chance to meet his assigned plebe(s) that he would mentor this academic year. Almost all the yearlings he spoke with during Buckner CFT were intent on helping their plebes get "squared-away" as soon as possible. "Squared-away" is a positive thing at USMA and means that the cadet is meeting expectations in all areas of house-keeping, uniform maintenance, knowledge and other cadet protocal. Some of the concern for their underclassmen is altruistic and some is selfish since your duties as a yearling go much smoother if your assigned plebe is "squared-away".</p>
<p>I asked about the plebes getting hazed during Re-Org Week. He said that was strongly discouraged and that most of the stress felt by the plebes during Re-Org was not hazing but the avalanche of new rules, knowlege and procedures they were getting exposed to. His memory of last year's Re-org week was that it was a busy week with a lot of boring waiting-in-line for newly-issued items, parade practice and then getting ready for the room inspections that no plebe ever passes the first time. Getting their new white hats (to replace the new cadet grey hats) for the Saturday A-Day parade was a highlight of the week.</p>
<p>Relax parents, Beast is almost over. Get ready to beam with pride as your "new cadet' is formally accepted into the USMA Corps of Cadets.</p>
<p>Those of you able to attend A-Day are in for a great weekend.</p>
<p>Your're right abt "multiple plebes", Aspen--D emailed us last night and said she had been assigned two to watch over, a male ad a female---waiting to hear how it went today---congrats to the new cadet parents--- almost Plebes!!!!</p>
<p>ummmm, i dont know what company your son is in but the hazing is definitley pretty bad during re-org week. maybe he just meant yuks are not encouraged to haze.</p>
<p>Reorgy week is tough, and sure there will some "hazing" (which is no more than putting plebes/new cadets in stressful situations with a variety of knowledge and information they're supposed to know, but can't possibly know all of it) as they are now outnumbered by upperclassmen instead of outnumbering upperclassmen. The yuks, as TLs, are there to guide, mentor, and encourage success in their plebes---so, most of them will do that--no milk and cookies of course, but standards and helping that new cadet get ready for the Academic Year. Things like getting them to book issue, showing them where their classes are, helping them get to know who their chain of command is, etc. But the new cadets, almost plebes, will eat at new tables where there are 2-4 of them, and the rest are upperclassmen. It's just another stepping stone that they WILL get through, and they will be SO PROUD (deservedly so) come A-Day...then all of it will lessen to an extent because then the academics take top shelf--but they will still have things to know, still have things to learn (many that are the TLs responsibility to teach), and stress (like duties, sports, and academics to deal with) to deal with. All in all though, these are the things that will mold, shape, and make these young plebes into officers 4 years down the road...it has a purpose...as a plebe, I didn't think some of it did, as a firstie, I didn't think some of it did...as an officer and combat vet now (headed off for round II this week) I WAS definitely prepared thanks to those things. Don't stress parents of new cadets/plebes, it's good for them. Parents of upperclassmen, just stress professionalism and leadership with your sons/daughters, and EVERYONE comes out on top! Way to go 2010, you slayed the Beast! Now, Beat the Dean, and for goodness sake, BEAT NAVY! :)</p>
<p>Shogun, thanks! Am glad that little bro has computer and phone now so I can hear about their antics...and from what he's been saying, the upperclass are tough this week, but they are surviving just fine where he is thanks to teamwork, and that is one of the major foundational keys to success at USMA! Okay CC, signing off for a bit, but if I get time to check in the desert, I will! You parents keep supporting your kids, it makes all the difference in the world, and it is just the beginning--training for you too--for the departures and separations for duty afterwards. And for Zaphod especially--GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY (please...it will boost my morale in Iraq, truly, it will!)</p>
<p>Do travel safely & try to check in when you can. All would be so interested in your posts! I'd say the thing, ya know, the thing, if I could. Zap would put soap in my mouth. Just know I'm with ya in spirit! ;) If you should need any little thing, you know you have a bunch of friends here with boxes & stamps! Take care!!</p>
<p>Thanks all, y'all are great! :) I'll put some updates on here just for y'all...or if you're interested, I'm going to blog (minus OPSEC info of course) at <a href="http://texasmpgal.blogspot.com/%5B/url%5D">http://texasmpgal.blogspot.com/</a> It won't be as "exciting" as my platoon leader days from last time...but it'll be good nonetheless! Your prayers are coveted, and your support is appreciated! Adios for now!</p>
<p>MPCPTUSMA02 - We'll miss your advice and the benefit of your experience as a recent USMA grad. My nephew has orders to go to Iraq in November, this will be his second time there too. Good luck and stay safe.</p>
<p>Thank you for all the insight you have provided for applicants, current cadets and parents. I'll be praying for you and wish you well. Please be safe! </p>
<p>And here's wishing your little bro' well also.</p>
<p>"ummmm, i dont know what company your son is in but the hazing is definitley pretty bad during re-org week. maybe he just meant yuks are not encouraged to haze."</p>
<p>We're just back from A-day weekend (which was great).</p>
<p>From what I heard from many of the newly minted plebes, Homer09 had it right. Re-orgy week was fairly intense as far as hazing goes. General sentiment seemed to be that upperclassmen felt that Beast was "too easy" and so this was payback time. My understanding is that it is the cows who do the hazing.
Before I get bombarded with the definition of hazing today versus the hazing of old - I do understand that this is not 1960's style hazing.
Bottom line is the new cadets (now plebes) all survived the week and most had not lost their sense of humor about the experience. :)</p>
<p>Glad to hear you had a great A-Day and that the plebes still have their sense of humor . They will need that sense of humor as their time at USMA progresses.</p>
<p>Certainly, the measure of hazing intensity differs greatly depending on whether you are on the giving or receiving end. Our yuk son says that virtually all the activity classified as "hazing" nowadays is verbal rather than physical. </p>
<p>Your comment that the cows get into the hazing more than the yuks might be do to the fact that each yuk was assigned a plebe(or two) last week to mentor during the plebe's first year. Our son said his assigned plebe was pretty "squared-away" already and was looking forward to getting to know him better.</p>
<p>For point of reference, every plebe class's Beast is "too easy" when viewed by the current upperclass cadets. If you want the "boy do you have it easy" chatter to reach an even higher pitch, just as an alumni how life at USMA has changed since they were a cadet.</p>
<p>Hi Aspen: Yes, "the Corps has" sentiment was strong this year (for various reasons), and yes, the yuks are a buffer between the plebes and the cows. I'm glad to hear that your son has been good about getting his plebe "squared away".</p>
<p>LOL - Yes, boodle is now allowed. It was funny to watch the new plebes and their families (including us) cleaning out the supplies at the PX store. Many boodle boxes were bought and filled this past weekend :). There were even group e-mails being sent out about extra food (homemade cakes etc) that was available to share for those who wanted it. Facing adversity together certainly builds relationships, and it is nice to see the strong friendships and bonds developing.</p>