Ppw!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Naval Academy - Annapolis
1

<p>Well, It's PPW...finally. Thus far, I've done a whole lot of relaxing and eating. This weekend is going to be all too short.</p>

<p>The summer, overall, wasn't too bad. My second set cadre were a whole lot more intense than first set. All the squad leaders had just returned from Leatherneck, so they were pretty motivated. I-Day seems like it was just yesterday. "The days are long, but the weeks are short." I lived the summer from Sunday to Sunday. Though, it's still not over...PFOREX on Monday. I'm looking forward to that. Then 'Hello Night'...that's gonna be like I-Day all over again from what I gather. I just want to get the academics going and feel like a (semi) normal college student again...though I know I never will. I validated Calc I and Chem I. I was pretty pumped about that.</p>

<p>Well, I'm gonna get back on the bed. Sorry for the rambling, just thought I'd let ya'll know I'm still alive and well. I'll be getting back online tomorrow, but it'll be a while after that, as computer issue isn't until the 15th and set up for 26th Co. is the 17th. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!</p>

<p>-DMeix</p>

2

<p>Hey DMeix, any of your buddies going to get a laptop for class? I've been entertaining the idea of getting one of Dell's because they're dirt cheap at the moment. And congratulations on your accomplishments thus far! </p>

<p>-David</p>

3

<p>Whoa DMeix, I could have copy and pasted your second paragraph in as my entry...I totally agree. The chaplains are the BEST people on the Yard!! Sunday to Sunday was the only way to think about it.</p>

<p>Dash -- I'm thinking about the laptop...talking to my squad leader for D&B, she used hers a lot plebe year because she went on so many MOs.</p>

<p>16th Co Spartans are moving with flaming balls of motivation (Holst, you wanna contest?)!!</p>

<p>God luck to everyone starting the process.</p>

4

<p>Well, Plebe Parent's Weekend is officially over. We dropped our Plebe off in time for her 6pm sunday report time....but hung around just in case they did an evening meal formation in T-Court, along with other families...we were not disappointed. To proud cheers and claps the Class of 2010, newly changed from their dress whites that we hugged them goodbye in, and back in Alpha White Works - lined up in their companies and marched into King Hall. What a wonderful last 'sighting' for us all.</p>

<p>This is what I think best sums up how things went for us:</p>

<p>Sunday afternoon, while we were getting a quick lunch with our Plebe in a restaruant, I got a call from my other daughter, married with a 2 year old girl. She asked me how it was going with our visit with her sister, our USNA plebe... </p>

<p>this is what I told her: </p>

<p>"Well honey, remember the first night you brought your baby home from the
hospital? How you peeked on her sleeping? How you marvelled at how perfectly formed and beautiful she was? How you stared at her just to gaze at her precious face? How you rejoiced over her form? How you felt like the most priveleged mother on the planet to have such an amazing child to call your very own? How you delighted in seeing her in clothes that looked so cute on her? How you couldn't wait to get to know her, see her grow, delight in all she will learn and develop into? How you felt a fierce determination and pride to be all that you could possibly be to support and love her for the rest of your lives togehter? How you wanted the whole world to know you were a mother and were so excited to have a baby daughter!!!??....." </p>

<p>Well, that's exactly how I felt this past weekend as I had
our Plebe daughter with us, and spending an overnight with us..The emotions, the joy, the choked up throat, the blurry vision...the moments of awe and wonder...the pride.....it was all there. </p>

<p>Our daughter is at HOME at USNA. We live 3000 miles away - so we won't be seeing much of her now that she is officially a member of the US Navy...but seeing her in her element at the Academy - as a mother my heart is at peace. She didn't 'fit in' as a middle school child ....she always felt strangely 'uneasy' in her 3400 member public high school - since almost no one else saw the world the way she did... But here - here at the Naval Academy there are literally thousands of midshipmen, faculty and military personnel with her heart's passions and drives. </p>

<p>It feels like our little ' duckling' has finally found 'her people' and she
really is the most perfect, beautiful, lovely swan in a pond of other wonderful
swans. </p>

<p>I will never forget the opportunity the Academy did for all of us parents this
past weekend. They are doing the right things with all the parent PR that they
are investing in. Especially as fewer and fewer members of our nation either
have served or even know anyone who has served in our armed forces....this kind
of weekend provides the personal connection that families need to understand and
support what their young people are doing. I salute the Supe...and all his
staff. </p>

<p>This mom is one contended, peaceful, greatful and blessed mom....thanks be to
God from whom all blessings flow</p>

5

<p>What a great weekend! Everywhere we went there were plebes. They (including my plebe) overran the Annapolis Mall. At least half of the crowd watching Pirates of the Caribbean II were plebes with parents (which reminds me, "Plebes of The Chesapeake Bay" was hilarious -- Tecumseh was painted as Jack Sparrow). It seemed there was a least one plebe at every table in Chili's, Outback Steakhouse and Macaroni Grill.</p>

<p>The Reaffirmation Ceremony was especially moving -- I was proud of each one of the young men and women there. The plebe hack was also EVERYWHERE, hopefully they will have an opportunity to recover a little before ac year begins.</p>

<p>My plebe loved showing us her room, and we must have really wanted to see it as she was on 4th deck. Her company's regular home is on 0 deck and she will be moving tomorrow.</p>

<p>Thank you to everyone who helped by answering my questions as we navigated this road. I hope everyone had as wonderful a weekend as we did.</p>

6

<p>Congrats to all. What a wonderful experience. So glad you shared it here. Peskemom! You made me tear up! Glad you're a member of this little community here. We soooo get it. Share more as it comes to your mind! </p>

<p>Dmeix & Marm!!! I'm so proud of you guys/gals.</p>

<p>Go away Plebe hack!</p>

7

<p>PM, you are so right about the Navy's effort to tend to the parents. I'm not quite sure why the Army/Air Force does not quite "get it" in this regard. The effect on morale [did they get to spend Saturday night with you?] seem to be great! Much of the weekend is directed towards the parents.</p>

<p>I just read, for example, that AFA just changed its rule regarding cell phones, which then limits c alls home to weekends [?] or something like that. Army's rule re: no care packages during the summer? Yeah, yeah, maybe that's the way it is in the field, but you can't beat how much better parents [and plebes] feel about the whole experience when a few freedoms are permitted.</p>

8

<p>This past weekend my mid and I kept commenting on how great it was that the plebes and their families were finally reunited! Did other upperclass families feel the same way, and did this year's PPW bring back vivid memories for you? Were you thinking about the class of 2010 this weekend? </p>

<p>My mid remembers the weekend ended with, "Sir, the summer is not over, Sir!" and the cadre playing Christmas music because they said that the next time plebes would see their families would be in December! ;)</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
Go away Plebe hack!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Hey! The detailers give them all the flak they can handle! Don't you go adding more to it!</p>

<p>;)</p>

<p>Plebe Hack must be a new thing. Only hack we ever got was Halsey Hack, and only after running the PRT in the Halsey Field House. Usually lasted about 2-3 days.</p>

10

<p>peskemom,
Wonderful analogy. I want to hear about peskedad's views on how life at USNA is different from when he was a midshipman. What did he think of the rooms? It must be very different to see women in the Brigade too. What were his impressions?</p>

11

<p>Having returned from PPW, I enjoyed it except for spending Thursday night in the airport having a flight cancelled. Talk about scrambling to find a flight. Delta offered us a flight to BWI to arrive there at 3 or 4 PM Friday evening. Instead we took a flight to Dulles, unfortunately, the cosmetics bag for three females and myself still went to BWI (even after assurances that the airline could reroute the bag to Dulles in the 6 hours they still had). Anyway, we missed PEP, the Admiral's brief, tours etc but got on the yard just as the noon meal formation dismissed for town liberty. Cutting it close. </p>

<p>My son said all was good but did look a little sad as we left "early" Sunday (5 PM) to catch our flight. All he did was eat seafood, walk around Annapolis and chill as he would say. The movie idea sounded good but I didn't think about it. </p>

<p>I was really impressed with the parade (the color guard was outstanding...as a graduate it was the first time I've ever seen what they actually do...being in 35th company that was always out of sight of my view) and moreso with the reaffirmation ceremony (a little longer than needed...I guess the gentlemen didn't realize he was holding up liberty). Anyway, I was impressed with the emphasis they placed on honor and integrity. The ceremony is new; I don't know how long they've being holding it but it certainly is a positive change. </p>

<p>I was equally impressed with the diversity of the class, no. of females, no. of prior enlisted with experience (purple hearts, combat action ribbons, good conduct medals, Navy/Marine Corps medals with V for Valor, Navy Achievement medals...some real world experience that we certainly did not have back in the day). Pretty impressive and great to see.</p>

<p>This week and next will be especially tough on Plebes but if they made it this far, they can make it to that first football game when they'll get carry-on for a short time after the team beats ECU. That'll be their first highlight of Academic year.</p>

12

<p>mvljog440,
Sorry to hear about your travel nightmare. My mid and I really enjoyed reading your observations. The diversity of the Brigade impresses us as well. Thanks for sharing.</p>

13

<p>
[quote]
prior enlisted with experience (purple hearts, combat action ribbons, good conduct medals, Navy/Marine Corps medals with V for Valor, Navy Achievement medals...some real world experience that we certainly did not have back in the day).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I haven't been on the Yard while the Mids were in Summer Whites, but I bet that WOULD be a shock. In my day, it was sometimes tough to find a real prior-enlisted, let alone anyone with any "cool" medals.</p>

14

<p>mvl, what an airport nightmare. Glad it didn't ruin your week-end. </p>

<p>Playing Jingle Bells & I'll Be Home for Xmas to the Plebes? :) What a lovely sense of humor the upperclassmen have. LOL </p>

<p>Zap - Plebe Hack.... OoooWeee its a nasty. Its an upper respiratory thing that grabs hold & doesn't wanna let go. First they loose their voice, then the coughing begins. Lasts about two weeks from what I recall last year. My kid decided he'd keep his & let it turn into bronchitis for kicks. Thanks to Navy2010's help, I talked him into going to the med place. Said he could kick it himself & refused to go see anyone for two months. Speaking of Navy2010, where she be? Waiting for our story on Annabelle. She left us with a cliff hanger.</p>

15

<p>Annabelle's fine, but what was the cliffhanger? :confused:</p>

16

<p>See #18 post
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=223923&page=2%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=223923&page=2&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Don't tell me that everyone up there got to see Anabelle & I didn't get to? I'm gonna go on a serious pouting spree here if that happened. </p>

<p>So I'm wondering from Navy2010's post if USNA's goat will have a mascot friend hanging out with him. I'm out of the loop & ya'll are keeping secrets from me. Not nice. Spill the beans Navy2010! Come out come out wherever you are!!</p>

17

<p>It was great to my plebe this weekend. He looked great and was happy to see all 14 of us. We stayed in Annapolis and did not venture out to the mall. We walked around town, and went to a friend's house on Chesepeake Bay. My son enjoyed watching mindless tv and listening to his RAP on his IPOD and talking to his friends on the computer. It was great to see his eyes light up when he say his "other Plebe friends." As a mother it made me feel like this was the right place for him. All in all it was a weekend to treasure and we look forward to the next weekend we can spend with our plebe. Our daughter fully enjoyed her visit with her brother and her eyes lit up for the first time in 6 weeks.</p>

18

<p>
[quote]
Don't tell me that everyone up there got to see Anabelle & I didn't get to?

[/quote]

Correct.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I'm gonna go on a serious pouting spree here if that happened.

[/quote]

AWAY THE MERLOT PUMPING DETAIL! PROVIDE FROM CELLAR 2!!</p>

<p>THIS IS NOT A DRILL!</p>

<p>:D</p>

19

<p>Peske, thanks for getting the wise one Zaphod to the event at the end of PPW. We had a wonderful time.</p>

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<p>Aye Sir!!!</p>