<p>Just a little heads up, this is going to **** many people off.....</p>
<p>So because of the complaints from the parents of the class of 2012, this institution is now going to start shipping out pansies. As of this past week, we (Midshipman), when in the postion of authority to do so (RTO, RTOA, and CTO), are no longer allowed to "IT" Plebe Candidates and Plebes. Thanks. If your son/daughter did not want to be yelled at or have to do some push up, then they shouldn't have come here. This is the military, they will be yelled at for screwing up (and this class is horrible) and then put on their faces or "IT'ed". It's the way it has been and still should be. My plebe year we would go 30-45 minutes straight of "IT" because we screwed up. So if you son/daughter wants to complain about being "IT'ed" then tell them to do what they are supposed to do and monitor their peers. Us upperclass Midshipman don't mind if they blow off a square, but don't look straight into my eyes and not greet me and blow off the square. SHOW SOME RESPECT FOR THOSE BEFORE YOU. Be smart about when you decide not to do something. Eyes are everywhere. By the way, this class has it easy with the CTO's. If your son/daughter doesn't want to be here, then tell them to leave. I had friends get shipped to Band Company because of Admissions not realizing that there is not enough room for this many plebes. </p>
<p>So that's my rant and I'm sure people want to kill me, but I'm actually a really nice guy and don't screw over plebes but suck up the next few months and take the pain. It will make the bond between classmates stronger, the more you go through together. My friends and I look back at the stupid things we got "IT'ed" for and joke around about it. It creates stories that the normal college students won't have. It makes you into a great person.</p>
<p>For those that are not happy with me, I will gladly meet you Parent's Day weekend if you want, but the people that are getting screwed this year is the Midshipman. We are getting privledges taken away and Plebes are getting more, that makes unhappy Midshipman and in turn we despise the Plebes more.</p>
<p>Sounds like a pretty typical, early in the year, rant from an upperclassman. I'm guessing you're a second classman, if that's true you only have a few months there before heading to sea and then when you come back you're a firstie so don't let too much bother you this year. I know where you are coming from and I've felt the frustration.</p>
<p>Even if they take IT away there will still be other ways to "instruct" the plebes. This is another thing that you will look at and think the Academy is becoming easier.</p>
<p>Some examples of the differences between your class and mine to give you some perspective: you got to go to a Mets game....my class didn't get to go off campus until Parent's Weekend (exception sports teams), your class got liberty almost every weekend after parent's weekend....my class almost never got liberty on weekends until Recognition, your class had intramurals for the second PT session during Indoc.....mine got another full PT session, your class got 30 minutes of "personal time" at the end of the day during Indoc.....mine got 30 minutes extra of "IT".....</p>
<p>And you could do this for classes behind me as well. Unfortunately things change, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. There are times we can't see the point of the change until well after the fact. </p>
<p>I guess my main point is to hang in there and not let it bother you too much. You can come up with some other more "interesting" ways to get your point across.</p>
<p>As a point of information, I recall when I server in the US Navy Submarine Force that the purpose of the salute is the show honor and respect to the uniform and the uniformed service you represent. One does not salute the person. Respect for a person is never given it is earned!</p>
<p>Before my child decided to go to the Academy, we spoke to several alum. They emphasized:</p>
<p>. You will be yelled at even if you are perfect, told you are the worst .... ever to attend the KP, etc. But you must remember that the DI or Mids are yelling at a haircut and a name tag. Do not take anything personally. This running of the gauntlet is to build character, give respect to those who have gone before you, help you pay attention to details and prioritize. You must remember that they had the same experience. 21,000 others got through, why not you? You must learn to follow before you can lead.
. You must help your classmates get through. If some are stronger than others in a subject or in regimental details, you must help one another. Don't let anyone "drown" if possible, and don't be too proud to ask for help for yourself.
As a parent I would never call the Academy about the yelling, etc. unless I felt my child were in physical danger. This is a military academy. With the input from the alums and the help found at this site, candidates who do their research should have a good idea what they are facing. Thanks to all who post here!</p>
<p>Plebe year is a right of passage...honor it and move on. By the way mine was one of those moved to Band Co. The barracks are old but its not as bad as he thought it was going to be. So its all good.</p>
<p>unfortunately, not all parents take the same approach as you. </p>
<p>the biggest problem with the taking away of IT is that the plebes know they can't be ITed now, and they've gotten to be seriously, and grossly out of line, but what are we supposed to do about it?</p>
<p>KP2001: Yeah I know but complaining is the hobby of us all anyways. Buttaking away the "fun" tattoos of at least 20 minutes of IT is one of those things that should never change. It makes stories and builds company unison. I'm sure you can reflect on great tattoos and stories behind the fun. </p>
<p>My roomie is the RTOA PO and he told me the current proposal. There is going to be a waiver that the Plebe Candidates sign saying that they accept the idea of being IT'ed for the 20 minutes and complaints will not arise. Then after acceptance, those who did not sign the waiver will just get stuck, which for the parents out there: 20 minutes of pain is better than a few weeks of wasting time going to restriction musters and ED hours.</p>
<p>KPWise: I was not talking about being saluted. Just a simple "Good Morning" or "Good Afternoon". And I believe that I have earned some respect by someone who has been here a month and a half considering that I have made it 11 weeks from my 8 months at sea. And respect is not when a Plebe Candidate stares you in the eyes and doesn't square. I could care less if they square or not, but don't do it in front of upperclassmen.</p>
<p>It's not actually "IT". "IT" is incentive training used during Indoc. I'm speaking of mainly tattoo every night when most nights, they did something wrong and since they are unable to be put on the mast list and put on restriction. It is normally sweaty and painful.</p>
<p>Word to the wise: Let me be completely blunt for those who might not be aware. Parents who choose to call the Academy for any other reason short of an emergency or to maybe ask a question about insurance & such, run the risk of making their kid's life a living nightmare. Even posting out in the open on this forum can cause some grief as I found out when the little morons (lovingly named) took to printing out my posts & sticking them on the bulletin boards up there. Somebody did do an awesome drawing of my likeness though. :D </p>
<p>Seriously, just be careful. You don't want to be the cause of any more stress to your kid than what they already must endure. They are truly in the military now. Yes, there are times when the kids will feel they are being treated unfairly or they will hurt so badly from a PT session that you will feel the pain from 300 miles away. They gotta do this thing & figure it out on their own or all is lost. Jamzmom law: For every action, there is re-action. </p>
<p>IT = special unwanted extra instruction in the form of a physical punishment session.</p>
<p>
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I'm amazed that "parental complaining" would be enough to change a service academy's training regimen.
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</p>
<p>I too, wondered about this. Could be that there was a serious injury. Most likely there is more to the story. You know that old saying: There's my truth, your truth & then facts lie in the middle. ;)</p>
<p>Absolutely! I should think you will find more parents supporting the tried and true practices at K.P. than against. Please remember there are plenty of Plebes there that can handle what is dished out.</p>
<p>kprower10 and jamzmom are right. This is military and no one wants attention drawn to them! You parents (and you know who you are!) let your kid field this one on their own. They are learning to be grown-ups and need you to let them try. Unless they are in danger, let them slip and fall--they will learn to get up on their own. Let them make their own mistakes. If you constantly help them, how will they manage when they are at sea? Most of them can do it on their own. The others should probably not be at KP.</p>
<p>I know a great many parents that talk to each other alot. In all honesty, its pretty safe to say that 99% play a support role & they do it so well. Sending boodle boxes, being there to listen, cheer leading at exam time, showing up with pizza for all, serving on parent associations, ect. I did come across one once who was trying to help with defusing a terrible situation with their kid. They made several phone calls. It ended badly & the kid left by the second tri. It really was a horrible situation & I felt sooooo badly for that family. In three years I've been hanging out, it was the one & only incident I've witnessed where a parent was involved to a large extent. </p>
<p>I say, keep up the good work of Operation KP Support Group!! They'd sure miss our cookies & sending new underwear!</p>
<p>To plebe Parents: I can tell you that our S plebe year was VERY nevrve racking and tough on him, academically, regimentilly and athelically. There were times, Parents weekend included where we wanted to give in and bring him home, but we always told him that was not an option, until one day I had enough. I told him I was sick of hearing all the complaining and I was tired of nagging and fighting with him and I would be up the next day to get him. He told me "I have never quit anything in my life and I'm not going to start now". That's when I knew our S was well on his way. Things get better and better for them and they should not change a thing. He has already had to deal with things that many adults will never encounter in their life. I know this place isn't for everyone, but for those who make it through, they have really accomplished something. Even those disgruntaled Grads you have something most don't , your a KP Grad.</p>