<p>I just got a copy of reef points for Christmas and I was wondering to what extent do midshipmen know the book. What types of things are memorized and what types of things just need to be known?</p>
<p>there is another thread on this. BEWARE it is a touchy subject. some believe that you should prepare as much as you can by memorizing the darn thing, while others think you should play fair and follow tradition and not even know of the book's existence before you get to the academy. You are not expected to know anything in the book when you arrive. In fact if the detailers find out you have memorized passages you're in for a long haul. Either way you're gonna need to know the thing front to back by the end of plebe summer. I think you should just know the stuff that enlisted would know (ranks, chain of command, basic military lingo, etc. etc.). Just be smart and use some common sense.</p>
<p>PS-I have a copy too. :)</p>
<p>know verbatim all these: the mission, 11 general orders of a sentry, 6 articles of the code of conduct, man in the arena, qualifications of a naval officer, and stuff in "table salt"</p>
<p>--unless you want to have fun while you still have a life, in which case i would recommend not worrying about it until you get there</p>
<p>It IS a touchy subject. If you never open RP, you'll be fine on I-Day and plebe summer. No one expects you to read it, memorize it, study it, etc. until you show up. Some people want to get a "head start" and thus start memorizing certain sections. IF you choose to do this, a couple of things you should know:</p>
<p>(1) Do NOT bilge your classmates. IOW, demonstrating to your 1/C that you studied ahead of time and thus know more than your classmates will NOT be impressive. And, if you demonstrate your knowledge at the expense of your classmates (making them look bad), you will be labeled a smack (or whatever term they use today) and not liked by anyone. </p>
<p>(2) Reciting in the privacy of your own room and reciting while someone is screaming at you are two entirely different things.</p>
<p>Whether you study ahead of time or not is your choice. There's no right or wrong answer. Most grads don't consider it "cheating" but most of us think there are better ways to spend your hours right now.</p>
<p>If you're doing it b/c you have trouble memorizing, b/c you don't have much military background and want to start learning, ok. But, if you're doing it so you will stand out and look better than your classmates, don't do it. Work on your PT -- a much more productive use of your free time between now and I-Day.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice.</p>
<p>where did you find a copy of those if you dont mind me asking</p>
<p>USNA Visitors Center Gift Shop sells RPs : [url=<a href="http://www.navyonline.com%5DNavyOnline.com%5B/url">http://www.navyonline.com]NavyOnline.com[/url</a>]
Ebay also has RPs ,at times</p>
<p>And of course one will be issued on I-day to all entering Plebes</p>
<p>My Mid used a copy to get a general idea of common military terms, ranks, insignia, etc. as well as familiarizing himself with the basic layout of the reference manual prior to PS for future needs</p>
<p>I am going to echo USNA1985's comment above. </p>
<p>You will get, in your admissions packet, a list of things from Reef Points you will be expected to know on I-Day.... you will not need a copy of Reef Points to get the info (mission, first 3 of the General Orders of a Sentry, and the top chain of command)- all of that info will be included in the packet of info you will get prior to I-Day and in plenty of time to memorize for I-Day.</p>
<p>What will be expected is that you learn to follow orders- doing what you are told to do, when you are told to do it. Might as well start now!</p>
<p>My Plebe had an older copy of RP from the time she finished NASS, but it served only as a reminder of what her goal was while she was working out, etc., in preparation for I-day. IOW, she made no effort to memorize anything in it. Previous posters are correct in that your Permit to Report package will have all the info you need to memorize. Know the mission and the couple of other things they ask for, and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>OTOH, from a parent's perspective, it was great to have a copy of RP with me on I-day. There was a whole section (2006-2007 version) on the history of the various monuments on campus, so I was able to give a very nice personal tour to family and friends during the day.</p>
<p>You're going to have to know pretty much everything front to back. I got a copy when I was applying just because I wanted to find out more information about the school; like traditions and such.</p>
<p>Don't waste your time learning Reef Points now. Enjoy Senior year. You will learn Reef Points with the rest of your class. There really is no need to even be looking at it now. Plenty of time over Plebe summer to learn and memorize what you need. Those who came in knowing and those who tried to act like they had not studied but had ended up getting trashed by the cadre. </p>
<p>Your are not at the Academy yet - don't act like you are. Be a Senior and enjoy that part of life. Heaven knows it will be your last bit of indulgence for a good while - make it worth while as you will regret it if you do not.</p>
<p>i know that this is a touchy subject and a lot people feel strongly about it, but after i found out that i got an appointment a few months ago, i personally felt i had to at least LOOK at a copy of reef points, just for my own sake. i ordered one and it showed up in the mail a few days ago, and i skimmed through it, but then i realized that i would have time to do all of the memorizing once i got to the academy. i knew as soon as i started reading the the pages of "other rates" that i did not want to spend pointless hours memorizing during my senior year if i didn't have to. one other note though, there is a lot of information about the academy and such in reef points that is interesting and i enjoyed learning, however, i will have to agree with others in saying that there is no point in wasting your time memorizing reef points before you go to the academy.</p>
<p>Let me just say that one time during the summer, about a week in, our platoon was in Alumni for chorus tryouts. While the songbirds were auditioning, the detailers were asking us obscure rates that we didn't rate knowing yet. One kid knew them all verbatim, and the detailers were very impressed. They even point-blank asked him, "Did you have a Reef Points before hand?" to which he told them yes, since last March. They never mentioned bilging or anything to that degree; instead he became known as the best rates plebe in our company, and went on to represent us in the rates competition at the end of the summer.</p>
<p>I think if you already have it, well, too late, might as well read it and try to memorize it. Some detailers arent going to be nice when they ask you if you already had a copy. If you dont have a copy, I dont encourage you to go out and buy one. Plebe year is designed perfectly. If you already know Reef Points before you get there, then you arent going through what has been designed for you to encounter.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Plebe year is designed perfectly.
[/quote]
News to me...</p>
<p>
[quote]
News to me...
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</p>
<p>That's funny and poignant. :D Now I have to get the windex to clean screen. :eek: :rolleyes:</p>
<p>As a current plebe, here is the best advice for anyone who just got an appointment:</p>
<p>Be a senior. Go out, party, drink beer (don't get into trouble), go to Taco Bell at 0300 if you want. Live a normal high school life and enjoy the freedom while you can because soon, it will not be here. I can assure you, every mid here remembers the times when we were too excited to be at the academy and many of us regret not enjoying the last bits of high school enough. You will lose everything very soon so enjoy it while you can.</p>
<p>Your biggest priority after getting an appointment should be to get mentally and physically ready for the academy. I cannot stress enough how coming into plebe summer as a physical stud makes your life easier. Don't settle for a 6:00 mile when you know you could run a 5:30; don't settle with being able to do 15 pullups if you could get 20 with some practice. If you come in to the summer in great shape, not only is it easier physically for you, but also your classmates and the deatailers will respect you more initially. Its the way it is. PT studs get respect here.</p>
<p>Mentally, focus on your decision to come here. Remember the oath you will soon take, realize what all you are giving up, and realize after I-Day you aren't a kid anymore. The Navy will OWN you (literally). Get ready for all of the huge changes. You won't be completely ready, but be as best prepared as possible.</p>
<p>Most importantly though, enjoy what time you have left in High School and as a normal person. Don't stress about reef points. You will learn it when it needs to be learned.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Very well stated. Couldn't agree more (other than about the beer!).</p>
<p>Knowing MIDN bluesky, I trust he meant root brew!;) Mids-2-B NEVER imbibe in illegal beverages. :eek:</p>
<p>"Now Whistling Hoggie ...your snout's growing!"</p>
<p>"Sir, sorry, Admiral Fowler, sir!" :confused:</p>
<p>Not a joke folks-
USNA+ETOH=DISASTER</p>
<p>Engage in risky behaviors, and risk getting caught.
Get caught you suffer the consequences.
You may have an appointment in hand, but remember you are still not there, and one stupid mistake can sink your boat before you even launch it.</p>
<p>Will leave the other lessons about underage drinking, drinking at USNA, etc, to when you get there- but trust me, it is something to be avoided AT ALL COST- because it can COST YOU PLENTY! NOT a risk worth taking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>