<p>Maybe some of us new Plebe parents can share the kinds of things our Plebes are writing us about - which might help those considering application to the Class of 2011.</p>
<p>The following came this week from our daughter, after 2 weeks of Plebe Summer</p>
<p>"It's been almost a month since I graduated, wow, all of that seems like a
lifetime ago. Every morning I wake up and when we're doing stupid stuff I
always think that there really is no other place I'd rather be. No matter
how much this is awesome or how much something sucks or how bad I hurt, how
much pain I feel, how sore I am, there's no place I'd rather be....</p>
<p>I've come to the realization that people who never fully experience the
United States Naval Acadmey will never fully understand those who have -
even after just one week, it is impossible to decribe what happens. It is
an experience that must be lived to be understood."</p>
<p>So I'm encouraged that the choice our child made really does seem to be where she belongs....a Midshipman of the Class of 2010. GO NAVY! BEAT ARMY!</p>
<p>On Sunday we were able to talk to our son for 40 minutes. He sounded great. I asked how his cadre are and he said "cool". He stated the food was good, he gained 4/10ths of a pound, and that he was playing lacrosse. He also indicated that every morning they are woken up with airhorns. As a result, his room would try to get up 20 minutes earlier to avoid this pleasurable moment. All watches and clocks have been taken away. As a parent it was very reassuring to hear the tone of his voice because I now know he is doing well.</p>
<p>
[quote]
"I've come to the realization that people who never fully experience the United States Naval Acadmey will never fully understand those who have - even after just one week, it is impossible to decribe what happens. It is an experience that must be lived to be understood."
<p>I've talked to a lot of parents and while most of us got 4-5 min. at least in L Platoon and K Platoon, some got 30-40minutes. That's just the way it was and while some of us might wonder why - I came to the conclusion that Cadre, like future Senior Officers and bosses - are all going to have different standards - and it doesn't keep one free of ulcers or migranes to get all upset about the 'unfairness' or 'unbalance' of it all.</p>
<p>In our case, I think our daughter, who has never been much of a talker, would have not liked a 30 min. long chat with us - and it probably would have been harder on her in the long run to continue to engage us while we were 3000 miles away.</p>
<p>So for our family - I think what occurred was in all of our best interests.</p>
<p>DD told us that K company got 30 minutes as a reward for being the best at drills that day (week?) I imagine it is passed around to different companies on their call days.</p>
<p>We got our first "real" (non-mandatory) letter Today. Very upbeat...I wouldn't say he thinks it's FUN, but it seems to be going better than he feared.</p>
<p>He stole a moment here and a moment there over a week to compose a very thoughtful and funny letter. His closing comment: "I know plebe summer is working because I find all this extra time in a day now."</p>
<p>Okay, my son's i L ompany snd when he called he said he had 40 minutes to talk... we talked for 20 minutes and since I had'nt prepared anything, thinking we would just allow him to talk and vent if need be, we closed and told him to call his good friends... figured that would be cathartic.</p>
<p>He sounded fantastic, a little hoarse, but seemed happy! He loved the food (I probably never cooked as much as he would have liked) and had not lost weight. He said he never left the table hungry.</p>
<p>His favorite thing was sailing... and least favorite, the morning wake-up call. One thing I never had to do... he was always good about rising and shining... thank goodness because I am not!</p>
<p>All I know is that since he phoned, our family is sleeping a little easier! And thanks to all the photos on the internet... although it is a bit overwhelming at times. I find myself stalking him day and night... oops, it's time for bed right now.</p>
<p>I feelblessed that his dream came true... let's hope it keeps up!</p>
<p>To make it easier for my friends to respond, (I'm writing to 6 plebes at USNA, 1 at USMA, and 1 at USAFA), I made a survey of questions that they could circle the answers to. It was cool because the survey only took them a few minutes to fill out, and send back to me in self-addressed stamped envelopes I sent them. I got responses pretty quickly. One of them asked me to save the survey(s) though, which I thought was a good idea, because she wants to "remember these silly things" (i.e., her answers to my funny questions), after Plebe Summer. So save those letters! I'm sure your plebes will want to look back and see what they were thinking. </p>
<p>(The funny part of this is that my bf is cadre, so I hear things from both sides of the spectrum, lol!)</p>
<p>My son said that so far all he has experienced is a lot of hurry up and wait. They throw a pipe down the hall to wake them up and he has the experienced the teamwork model. Though his room hasn't been late, others have and they all pay the price. I wondered why I hadn't seen any action on the picture sites and now I know why. He said his platoon hasn't sailed, shot a rifle/piston, run the O course, climb the indoor wall, etc. etc. He's bummed that they've basically have drilled and attended lectures. I'm sure things will turn around real soon as they all have to complete the same basic schedule in the long term. One roommie has left but he still has two more which he says are great. He hasn't said anything negative about the cadre. I think you develope a healthy respect for them during the summer. Anyway, he's hanging in there waiting for some outdoor action.</p>
<p>My son is in K company and everyone apparently got 35-40 minutes. He mentioned that his Company is apparently very good at drills and marching and the cadre were pleased.</p>
<p>3106-what platoon is your son in? My DD is in 20. She also said that K is doing well with the drills, despite the fact that she is always in trouble for "fidgeting".</p>
<p>She also mentioned that the plebes in Kilo are a great group; everyone is really helpful to each other. She especially appreciates the help from the NAPSters and prior enlisted folks. Evidently they are coaching the rest of the company through a lot of the military stuff.</p>