<p>Does anyone know what is going on? I just got an e-mail from my son (1st company) not to bother coming for planned visit next Sunday. They have changed it from a 2 hour visit to a 15 minute visit after church. Who makes these decisions? Is it different from company to company? He didn't get any of the two boxes full of cookies I sent during indoc and isn't allowed any food now besides the powerbars. I wouldn't have any real problem accept that nothing seems to be consistant. Whats up???</p>
<p>Each company is different. Also it depends on how well the plebe candidates are doing. For example, if they are following rules, doing things that are suppose to be done [greeting properly, squaring, no talking in p-ways, etc.] then they may and I emphasize may get some privileges. This is one of the reasons it is different from company to company. Some companies do better than the others thus they are given more privilege. </p>
<p>Also, bear in mind that technically you are not suppose to see your child until Parent's Weekend and since this Sunday is before Acceptance weekend that could also be a factor in the short visit time.</p>
<p>As the year goes on you will see a difference in each company regarding what they can and cannot do. As I said in another post, last year a lot of the Plebes got their cell phones early..my son's company was one of the last to get them...just the way of a military school. </p>
<p>As the year goes on you will see a difference in each company regarding what they can and cannot do. As I said in another post, last year a lot of the Plebes got their cell phones early..my son's company was one of the last to get them...just the way of a military school. </p>
<p>As hard as it is for us moms, our kids are gone and at a military academy....:) Grin and bear it! Wait until his liberty is canceled when you've planned a nice weekend for him...ugh!!! It does get a little better as time goes on.</p>
<p>As I recall 1st Co. is one of the stricter companies. The staff is pretty "locked on" and are disinclined to tolerate a lot of shenanigans
especially when it's been such a short time since INDOC. The new Plebe Candidates may be testing the waters to see what they can get away with and they are finding out that what's acceptable in one company may not be in another. Just a guess on my part.</p>
<p>I understand I really do it's just harder when you don't know whats up. I don't have a problem with any of the strictness. It is actually one of the reasons I was so pleased when he picked USMMA. If he is in basic "lock down" Mom doesn't have to worry so much. I just don't like to feel like I am being yanked along.If I know I can't see him I can deal with that. Thank you though. I didn't realize it was so different from one company to another.</p>
<p>momma duke, all i can say is SEMPER GUMBY
you will never know what is going on, or the reasoning behind why things change. the only constant here is change.
truthfully, until parents weekend i doubt it's worth the effort to come out. these kids aren't on any kind of lock down. they got the visit time shortened because they've initiated a mandatory study hall... because plebes always have been, and always will be flippin' stupid. we were all there once.
they're trying to cut back on the numbers that fail out first trimester, so that's why the visiting hours were chopped down to nothing.</p>
<p>is2day4him,
Thank you! So it does make sense that he doesn't even know yet why hours were cut? I didn't mean "lock down" as a bad thing. More that knowing his movements are more restricted than say a regular college. I'm perfectly happy with all I have seen and heard so far. I will try harder to roll with the "Semper Gumby".</p>
<p>you're welcome!
as i said, any plans made will change at least 5 times prior to anything actually happening here. wait till it's time for him to go to sea...</p>
<p>Hey, Plebe Candidate here. Just to clarify, the MAIN reason we get 15 minutes for family/friends time after church is because it is not fair to the other P/C's who don't have parents/friends that live close coming to visit them. This is exactly what the RTOA told us after our last PKT.</p>
<p>We live in California and we found out early it is best to let you future Midshipmen enjoy the Academy Experience.
You do not need to visit them every week. They need to grow up-make friends-network-and learn to survive without having Mom and Dad visiting every week. What is going to happen when they at sea? A simple email and phone call once a week should calm any nervous parent. If they need something they will call you.
While at Kings Point and NMMI (Academy Prep) our son spent weekends with friends and made several trips to explore. In addition, he was invited to stay at his friend’s homes and learned to share his experiences with many people. My wife and I are happy we did not smother him.
Here are my suggestions:
1. Join a local parents club and listen to the other parents.
2. Go to parents weekend
3. Send them a small package once or twice a month
4. LET THEM GROW UP
Relax they will survive</p>
<p>I agree with forrandeman, when your P/C gets out to sea it makes normal college look like a day care. Its a very uncontrolled environment in foreign countries and sometimes dangerous but very fun and educational. Its just time to let them off the leash and taking care of themselves because now is the beginning of the rest of their life on their own. It is always nice to see and talk to your parents though just try not to be smother them.</p>
<p>I certainly don't think I am smothering my son. If he said Mom don't come I would honor that in a heartbeat with no feeling hurt. He certainly isn't the kind of kid that needs Mom to be right there either. He is strong, smart and can stand on his own. I see nothing wrong visiting him if I can on occasion. It won't be long before he is swamped with school work and sports.
I certainly do respect what you are saying I just don't think it applies here.</p>
<p>Out son sent this to us last night after IMing him abouty coming up for church and if we could spend any time with him afterwards for a picnic. He seemed surprised by the 15 minute talk and said this was what was just sent to them.
#1 was about no visits or sitting with them during INDOC so I didn't copy that. I would never not want a parent that lives close not be able to visit because someone else lives far away. That doesn't make sense but he seemed to think this was the rule. He is 4th Co. Now I don't know about getting in trouble and what that might do. He wrote his Dad and said, "I beat you up this morning, we were up changing uniforms at 4:30 on MOnday." His Dad gets up early to beat DC traffic. :) I do know every company has their own rules. Someone watched a movie in 4th and got caught. Wasn't there discussion in sending them to them at one point. I think everyone got punished for that one not just the student. </p>
<ol>
<li> After Plebe Indoctrination – After Plebe Indoctrination, beginning the Sunday following the start of the academic year and between the hours of 0930 and 1400, Plebe Candidates may sit with parents and family members at chapel and visit with them during this period. Plebe Candidates must stay within the academy limits during this time frame, unless special liberty has been approved.</li>
</ol>
<p>This was sent out by Commander William Fell.</p>
<p>Our son seemed sure this was the policy. Hope this helps but again I don't know what each company does.</p>
<p>I did receive anothe e-mail from my son. Apparently the change to 15 minutes came from the RTO who is an upperclassmen. However they later received word from Commander Fell himself that the policy of 0900 to 1430 was still in effect. So I guess this was all for not as things have not changed. I think I learned a big lesson and that is to wait and see what happens. Thank you for all of input!</p>
<p>Cero lives! Welcome back PC! Stay alive up there!</p>
<p>For this year's new parents learning the KP way, the ups & downs are many. Don't buy those airline tickets home until your s/d tells you to. Their schedules are apt to change by the time a liberty or leave rolls around & as they are now military, things will get set in stone. I've had to eat a ticket once due to someone I know & love getting assigned a late in the day watch duty assignment. Even tho they are indeed military, the airlines see them as college students & do not bend the rules on purchased tickets. Its tough not to be able to plan things with proper advance notice. I know I could have saved some serious dollars by purchasing flights home a few months in advance. It takes a while to learn to become an innocent by-stander when it costs $$ for parents & they don't know when & where to pick up kids at their prospective airports. Hence the KP parent creed, "Semper Gumby". Things change minute to minute especially when Sea Year time arrives. One minute they are in someplace like Hawaii or Peru & the next minute, they are home. If you have a way to see your kid, I'd advise to do it if you're able as seeing them is sometimes rare during the next four years. For some families, its the norm to see their KPer maybe two to three times per year. They are leading such extraordinary lives that its almost seems some giant feat to get the opportunity to learn what they are learning & doing as we would if our kids were at "civvy college". Alot of families out there are "tight". They operate closely. Not sure I can sit back & say someone is "smothering" when its just the unknown that causes concern. Sure, we can let go. No one gets through KP alone. I saw & learned that one early on. Help comes from the #1 source. Families. Love 'em if ya got 'em! :D</p>
<p>Just for edification purposes: The RTO is the regimental training officer, the RTOA is the regimental training officer assistant and the CTO's (one for each company) is the company training officer. Each of these people are first class midshipmen who are charged with training the plebe's. The RTOA is usually the guy who leads the plebe knowledge tests on Sunday nights. </p>
<p>I am saddened to hear that CDR Fell and the RTO/A did not get together regarding the policy. It is never good to have something changed by the RTO and then reversed by someone superior. Looks bad to everyone. </p>
<p>I'll never forget the weekend our RTOA decided to make a "punishment weekend" which just happened to be one of our first 3 day weekends (Columbus Day). Not fun.</p>
<p>"The RTOA is usually the guy who leads the plebe knowledge tests on Sunday nights."</p>
<p>kp, this year our RTOA is a female.</p>
<p>Heh, not to be a wise guy or anything, but, as we've learned during indoc, you definitely don't want to say SIR when it's a MA'AM.</p>
<p>Not fun.</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>ah, you learn quickly grasshopper</p>