<p>USNA69: I have the highest regard for you and am glad you are here. I find your advice thought provoking, challenging, and extremely helpful. I apologize for purposefully pushing your buttons...it was all in fun. This is my last post on the subject, I promise.</p>
<p>However, just to be clear: these were not dolls, but action figures.</p>
<p>To girls they were action figures, to manly men, they were dolls.</p>
<p>I thought you knew me well enough by now to know that I love my buttons pushed.</p>
<p>So anyway... I think I'm gonna make an attempt at the original question. Obviously some people may struggle with academics, PT, or any other of a number of things that the Academy throws at you during the first year. We all have our little weaknesses that plebe year brings out. For me, I had some issues with Chem I and bearing (couldnt keep a straight face). However, the toughest thing about plebe year for me, and probably a good number of my classmates, was not one particular thing. Any given day or week wasn't that unbearable. I definitely didn't enjoy all calls with six meals in advance, but whatever, I could get through it. What got to me was the same thing day after day, week after week. The daily grind for months at a time is what hurts most. I remember looking back at the end of plebe year and thinking it went quick. Then I did kind of a double take, remembered back early in the first semester, how miserable I was, and how far away Herndon seemed at the time... Plebe year your basically running a marathon. One or two miles at a moderate pace no problem. 26.2 at that same pace is a whole different story.</p>
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My standard answer to this statement by men: </p>
<p>Oh, and they do episiotomies for kidney stones now? And stitch up the third-and fourth- degree tears from kidney stones?</p>
<p>That usually shuts 'em up......
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<p>No, unfortunately they DON'T play around with little ol' episiotomies on one's BLEEPER!!! Heck no, the Meds pull out the BIG GUN ... a shot of morphine, plenty of it, and NOW! :confused:</p>
<p>And have YOU ever tried passing one of those monstrous boulder-size calcified agates thru that itsy bitsy little teeny tiny opening! :eek: When you have, let us know! </p>
<p>Having a baby is Class A minor leagues. I've been to the BIG DANCE and back. Yessiree Bob! ;) :p But I'm better now. </p>
<p>And one more thang ... We can have kidney stones post-menopause! :cool: </p>
<p>No, they don't they give you morphine, plenty of it, and none of this drip stuff. I want a shot ... and I want it NOW! :eek:</p>
<p>And that's all I have to say about that. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>KFG ;)</p>
<p>My H says manly men did play with action figures they just blew them up!</p>
<p>"GI Joe suicide mission :)"</p>
<p>Well thank you for the responses. I now know who Major Matt Mason was and what some of the worst parts of being a plebe are. :-)</p>
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I thought you knew me well enough by now to know that I love my buttons pushed.
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<p>you seem to like like pushing everyone else's! Please do not push people away. Many new posters and calm discussions since you took your hiatus, lets keep it that way!</p>
<p>The worst part of Plebe year was just being a plebe - not being allowed normal contact with upperclass, chow calls, chopping, and arrogant upperclass with bones to pick.</p>
<p>I did not find academics hard nor the professional training hard during Plebe year. </p>
<p>Being treated like we are in Middle school this year is more annoying than Plebe year. Academics are harder youngster year. Your time is managed for you Plebe year. Youngster year you have to figure it out on your own.</p>
<p>You're probably hearing "being a plebe" from everyone as your answer which unfortunately does not give you much insight since you already know that it's not going to be fun.</p>
<p>I'm going to give you a couple of straight up answers of the worst part of Plebe Year.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>You are looked at in the Machiavellian view of human nature. If an upperclass suspects that you are wrong, you won't get the benefit of the doubt for anything and you will be constantly policed by them.</p></li>
<li><p>Professional Knowledge tests on Sunday's- Most people put off studying for pro-knowledge until Sunday afternoon and it turns into a cram session. You must get your regular academics out of the way before beginning studying for pro knowledge on Sunday.</p></li>
<li><p>Chemistry I and II- The two toughest classes at the academy because of their common exams. If you get a bad instructor like I did both times, you will get owned. I considered myself a good mathematician here, but I recorded D's in both Chemistries. Often known as the "plebe towers of death".</p></li>
</ol>
<p>But then you get through it and find youngster year is tougher in academics, and you will want to have a billet in company to not be viewed as the "lax" youngster who doesn't get involved.</p>
<p>You may call me crazy, but there are things about Plebe year that I miss such as the anticipation of becoming an upperclass. Now it's not so great. Also, you'll keep your closest friends in company throughout the years, but you'll grow apart from some people in your company as the years go on because Plebe year, you do everything together (SMT, Herndon, Weekend Activities).</p>
<p>So......can we get back to the original question for this thread?</p>
<p>Great input from "CurrentMid" above. Would like to hear the opinions of others as well.</p>
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You may call me crazy, but there are things about Plebe year that I miss such as the anticipation of becoming an upperclass. Now it's not so great.
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<p>I think I can say with confidence that there was nothing I miss about plebe year. I think one of my more vivid memories has to be the daily rush to get back to my rooms ASAP so I'd make all calls on time, for which I was on from September until late April. And as far as academics goes, I worked hardest plebe year, however those two semesters were my lowest grades during my entire time as a mid....</p>
<p>For me, the only thing better than the anticipation of being an upperclass was putting on the anchor. That being said, being a youngster a few years ago was something completely different than what it was today. I had enough weekends that I never actually used them all, 9 section duty, weekends that started on friday after class, no enforced study hour, and best of all... I wasn't a plebe.</p>
<p>btw, I realize that this is an online forum, however I would say its definitely not kosher to shout orders at old grads. I sure as hell don't rate it, and neither do you.</p>
<p>Worst part of plebe year... Hmm That's hard to say. There's a lot wrong with it.
The worst part is probably being treated like a child and realizing how much lowlier you are than your upperclass when they're only slightly older than you. I was always friends with older people and here I am and I have to call people my age sir and ma'am and I still think it's retarded.
The academics arent' that bad. I love chem, but then again I want to major in it. Russian is pretty cool. Finals suck so much.
Chow calls are not bad. My company is chill and we've been off all-calls since the first week.
Pro-quizzes sucks, you won't study for them until the day of and you won't retain the information.
I've met some awesome people but during plebe year is really self-involved so I don't think people become great friends until later on. Right now we have our own **** to worry about.
That's about it. I have ways more hates about being a plebe then I do likes. But most people do. And for some reason we stay here anyway... Oh well.</p>
<p>JT, Herndon will be here quicker than you think and then it's No More Plebe for you! Actually, my Firstie found spring semester of his plebe year got a lot easier.</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>It's mostly mental.
Many of us come from an environment where we were the top of the class and used to either giving orders or knowing everything about how our high school worked, what the classes were going to be like, etc.
During the summer, the uncertainty of each day can be bothersome. You can get used to that.
The real pain comes from people who can't or won't listen to instructions--you begin wondering how this person is supposed to be as smart as you when they can't follow simple instruction. That's annoying.
In fact, I think that is the "worst" thing about plebe summer: suffering for the shortcomings of others. But, as with most things, you can get use to that too.</p>
<p>The long and shor tof it: You just have to decide you are going to get through it. Learn how to follow instructions! Learn how to keep your mouth shut! Even if you think you are right; even if you know the answer . . . if you aren't being asked your opinon or for an answer, don't volunteer it.</p>
<p>Old grads don't earn respect in my eyes just because they graduated from teh Academy.
I respect active- and reserve-duty officers because of their position. I respect adults that act like adults. An anonymous screen name? I don't have to respect.</p>
<p>Contrary to earlier assertion, this is NOT a military forum and, by all reasonable standards, not even a "quasi-military" forum. Using this logic, you could call this forum a "quasi-(insert anything you want in this section)" forum.</p>
<p>This is a COLLEGE forum; note the name "COLLEGE CONFIDENTIAL." Each poster--or poseur--can assume whatever screen name they wish; its a meaningless nothing that doesn't deserve any comment.</p>
<p>You are correct it is a college forum, however, in this area of the CC forum, applicants, cadets and parents are experiencing a different world that the "real" student or parent can't begin to understand. What college kid goes off in June and has no contact with their family for sev. weeks? What freshman is told you will not go home for Thanksgiving, here's your new family for the next four years? Normal freshman pack up a car with every fun thing to use, they will not be told these are your clothes, shoes, blankets, etc. How many parents of the college student have had to worry that their child may be in harm's way within months of graduation?
Under your thought I'll go over to the Harvard area and tell what I believe it will take to get in.<br>
In the end it is called respect. Don't give an answer if you truly don't know. These posters are in need of answers that are correct not guesses.</p>
<p>BTW I think you should re-think who you respect. Cad grads for the most part are AD or retirees. You are insinuating that the retirees don't deserve your respect</p>
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The worst part is probably being treated like a child and realizing how much lowlier you are than your upperclass when they're only slightly older than you. I was always friends with older people and here I am and I have to call people my age sir and ma'am and I still think it's retarded.
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<p>It sucks being at that bottom, but it has its uses. When you do get into a leadership position its good to remember what it was like to be at the bottom. And as far as the issue with "sirs" and "ma'ams" goes... welcome to the military. I still feel weird when people old enough to be my father call me sir all the time. However, our military and every other successful military in history are dependent on a very structured hierarchy where there is a definite line between the leaders and those being led. The use or "sir" and "ma'am" is simply a manifestation of that line... On a side note, if one of the things you hate most about plebe year is calling upperclass sir than you should probably count yourself lucky. </p>
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Finals suck so much.
Chow calls are not bad. My company is chill and we've been off all-calls since the first week.
Pro-quizzes sucks, you won't study for them until the day of and you won't retain the information.
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</p>
<p>In my experience finals week was great because it was the one time when upperclass didn't touch you and you could sleep in your rack whenever you wanted, plus formations, and chow calls, were minimal. Although I guess if you've been off all calls since week one then maybe it may not be that big of a deal. As for pro quizzes, do you guys even have come arounds? </p>
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Old grads don't earn respect in my eyes just because they graduated from teh Academy.
I respect active- and reserve-duty officers because of their position. I respect adults that act like adults. An anonymous screen name? I don't have to respect.
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</p>
<p>Old Grads should earn our respect because they were naval officers. We shouldn't drop our sirs and ma'ams with current officers, nor should we do it with retired officers. Going even further, we should never blatantly try to give them an order. On this forum its obvious that certain posters who are on all the time are grads. Yes the may be writing under a certain screen name, but that doesnt change the fact that they were officers... I'm not trying to say that we should be worshipping the ground that they walk on. Its perfectly fine to have a discussion, even an argument with an old grad, but to demand that they do something is entirely unacceptable.</p>
<p>This particular thread is asking those who are current mids (and/or perhaps their parents or those closest to them) to offer their OPINION about being a plebe. That is what people are doing. Some will agree with these opinions, others may not. However, it offers a great perspective on their point of view, which is really the intent of these forums. I never expected that everyone's point of view would be the same. Doesn't make them right or wrong.</p>
<p>People aren't randomly chosen to attend a military academy, they apply just like any other college. Are there differences compared to other colleges .... certainly. But you didn't just wake up one morning being told this is where you will go to college.... you chose to go there (and all of the associated commitments that go with it).</p>
<p>In all walks of life you EARN respect by your behavior. I may be required to follow the orders of my boss (in the private sector) or some military leader due to the established hierarchy. Earning that respect is something quite different.</p>
<p>In the military there are really two forms of respect. Theres the respect that comes with rank. This respect isn't the kind that makes you follow someone blindly into battle. However, it is the respect that compels you to address the person as sir or ma'am and follow their orders on an every-day basis. I guess a more accurate definition would be deference to a higher rank, but many in the military will still view this as a seperate form of respect. </p>
<p>The second form of respect seems to be more what your talking about. Its a much deeper more powerful form of respect. Basically thats what leadership is all about.</p>
<p>Time2,</p>
<p>Yes, you are right the thread is asking about the situations that plebes will go through. The point where the thread took a diversion is about a person who was never in the military or has experience giving their opinion. Would I care if they came out said "hey from the Discovery and military channel this is what I believe"? Absolutely not! What offended people was that he didn't state this. Look at this way, there are kids and parents who have never experienced the military life and are apprehensive, they look to this site for guidance and that is what we should give them.</p>
<p>Respect is earned there is no doubt about it, that is what we should all be giving each other.</p>
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These posters are in need of answers that are correct not guesses.
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<p>Bullet, when it comes to most things in life, you will find that it rarely resembles a pop quiz. There are few instances where “correct answers” exist in such a cut and dry form. On site such as this, more often than not the advice given has to be viewed with the understanding that you should consider the answer as one of many potential answers to your question regardless of the apparent identity of the individual providing that answer. It may prove to be “correct”, but to act simply on the basis of what you read here would be rather foolish in my book.</p>
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in this area of the CC forum, applicants, cadets and parents are experiencing a different world that the "real" student or parent can't begin to understand.
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<p>I think it would be safe to say it would be an understatement if I said you were overstating that point. We’re not discussing quantum physics. In addition the service academies put a great deal of effort into helping parents and applicants understand their nature within their abilities to describe what will be experienced by your son/daughter. </p>
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What freshman is told you will not go home for Thanksgiving
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<p>My son, a Mid was home for thanksgiving, as were many of his fellow Mids that lived on the East Coast and within a reasonable flight time. </p>
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How many parents of the college student have had to worry that their child may be in harm's way within months of graduation?
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<p>There is no doubt that the potential for your child to serve in a combat role is a concern, what parent doesn’t worry about the welfare of their child. Then again how many parents worry about their son/daughter going off to a conventional college with the understanding their child can engage in destructive and dangerous activities; drinking, drugs etc without any constraints placed on them by the institution of learning they attend? </p>
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Don't give an answer if you truly don't know.
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That’s good advice we should all consider before posting, especially since it’s so easy to give advice and much harder to take, consider or act on your own. </p>
<p>I think there has been some great posts in regard to the question that began this thread. The opportunity to hear from current and recent Mids is a great benefit to all those looking for insight into this question. Subjects that are outside the topic of this thread, as reasonable as they may be, deserve to be addressed and discussed elsewhere.</p>
<p>I'm used to saying sir and ma'am I'm from the south. But not used to saying it to 18-25 year olds. I think that's slightly ridiculous. But then again this place is slightly ridiculous as a whole so you get over it.
We don't get rack privileges unfortunatly but people get away with it. We do have come arounds. A youngster, 2 2/c, and a firstie. But they just quiz us a little. No one really studies until sunday.</p>