Recognition

<p>Looks like it won't be til after spring back, reportedly a large number of plebes have not completed their high school visitation. Anybody else have any info on when it might happen, or any particulars?
Gee, i was so hoping that the class would be recognized before they came home for spring break.........it would have been a nice morale booster..oh well :(</p>

<p>They usually try to do it before break - but if enough haven't made their visits...maybe not. It's one thing if you're from AK, but another if from PA. I know my son did it on Oct. break as it was one of the few times when he was off and HS was in session. The upperclassmen want to get it done, too at this point.</p>

<p>Yea, my son did his when he was home after the 1st trimester break in Oct. He really enjoyed the high sch. visit and he was very well received.</p>

<p>Never gave any thought to how the upperclassmen would feel, especially seniors who have a lot on their plate...good point.</p>

<p>What do you have to do for the high school visit in order to be recognized?</p>

<p>BMeyer: Until you get there in July, none of this applies! If you haven't visited the campus, please try to before the end of the school year.</p>

<p>During your 1st year at USMMA, you go through several phases:</p>

<p>Plebe Candidate - From the day you arrive in July for "Indoc"trination.
Plebe - After you are "accepted" as a plebe on "Acceptance Day" in September. This is a huge day - most parents come to see you sworn in to the Naval Reserve and pin your wings on. And you get to go off campus for the first time.
4th Classman - After you have been "recognized" as a full member of the Regiment and you are no longer a plebe, but a 4th Classman. As a plebe, you learn many useful and trivial things and are tested, have group projects (come up with a class motto) and must complete various missions - like return to your HS and promote USMMA. The class is usually recognized sometime in March when the upper classmen deem the class has completed their objectives. There is a messy ceremony and everyone is very happy - they no longer have to run to class or square corners, etc.</p>

<p>BMeyers - For the high school visit, the Plebes go back to their old high schools when they get a break at home and more or less, talk about life at the academy to kids who may be interested. In my kid's case, he went to his old school at Xmas break and visited with all 7 periods of his old NJROTC unit and answered questions and showed them photos. Then his BGO asked that he come to his high school's NJROTC unit to do the same, so he did two schools. He seemed to enjoy it. Mostly walking through the halls to be seen by the girls in those snazzy summer whites. Its just one step of many that they have to complete before being recognized as Midshipmen and Plebes no more.</p>

<p>They are so looking forward to the big day and like Prayerful mom, I never considered that the upperclassmen will be glad too. Ready to pass the torch, so to speak, of paper work & what must seem to them as trival Plebe babysitting type duties. They'll surely be proud of the class of 09 when it does happen.</p>

<p>I remember how ecstatic our USNA plebe was when pinning on those youngster shoulderboards! He swore they were 10# lighter than the plebe shoulderboards! He was also very honored as one of his upperclassmen handed down his anchors. Thank you all for taking the time to explain how it works at Kings Point. I know that the pride you feel is second only to the pride the Plebe's no more will feel at their recognition and entry into the Regiment. We all hope it happens soon for them!</p>

<p>Thanks for sharing your thoughts! It will be a good day indeed. We hope that there are many photos so we can see the new Mids in action. From last year's photos, I'm just glad its not any of us that has to do up the muddy laundry. I'd turn the fire hose on them with about 200 psi before allowing them back into dorms.....</p>

<p>I am glad they DO have laundry service - this is the first year for that service - it was DIY before. I asked DS how it was going, as commercial laundries are not known for their great service, and he reported that it worked surprisingly well (of course, this was back in Sept.) Any current laundry reports?</p>

<p>Recognition for 2008 came right before Easter Break but after the end of Second Trimester. It was a relief to say the least. </p>

<p>Good Luck to all the Plebes as they prepare to become Recognized midshipmen.</p>

<p>They have laundry service now? Good grief.</p>

<p>I know...seems rather spoiled to have laundry service (guess I am just jealous)</p>

<p>According to my son, some t-shirts and socks have gone missing. Well, same thing happens at home ... you know the little monster in every dryer that eats our socks!</p>

<p>KPcheng81 - apparently in their remodeling of the dorms, the laundry facilities have been appropriated in the ones in process; thus if one or 2 didn't have laundry facilities, they had to come up with a solution for everyone. (I know, I know, remember, it's KP) So parents are hit with a laundry charge ($100 per trimester?). Seemed expensive until I worked it out, plus the general time and aggrevation factor and figured it was about right. Besides, it is mandatory and you have no choice. I agree PM - socks and such go missing here, too. Water filtration plants must be filled with socks!</p>

<p>My 1st class son was very annoyed when they first announced the laundry service---he felt that if wasn't fair that the plebes would have their laundry done for them! He refused to use it, even though we had to pay the fee. Well, when he came home at Christmas he sheepishly said he recently started to use it and LOVED it! So, good report from here, no complaints that I've heard!</p>