<p>Beachmom--My son Derek is also in Platoon 20. It sounds like it is a great group. Have you checked out the photos of Platoon 20 at plebesummer.com?</p>
<p>must say, was back in annapolis for a couple days during my summer sailing training. very different seeing plebe summer from the other side. on like day 4 of plebe summer the line for the pep tent (people getting out of pep) was like 150 people long. today i saw them on a regimental run...man did that bring back memories. they look like they're doing good, and i overheard one company commander say he thought his plebes were "good kids, growing a lot and trying hard".</p>
<p>3106-Thanks for the reminder. I just checked that site and found a great shot of DD in cammo. She has the look on her face that the cadre read as depression, but she told them it is how she looks when she is trying not to laugh! </p>
<p>Have to order that one for her dad. He will love it.</p>
<p>Navy2010 My son is in F company. He's finally see some sunlight. He went to the range, did the climbing wall this week and is set to take his first lesson on the Laser, has swimming, PEP and sports today. That should be a plus in his head. Haven't seen many photos of 12th platoon, perhaps now that they're venturing out a lil' more things will better. His last letter was positive and upbeat after hitting the range. I'm sure the scheduling all evens out in the end.</p>
<p>Hi folks! Good to hear most everyone has positive comments....so far! :rolleyes:</p>
<p>DD is in K Company also and we enjoyed the "long" phone call. She said throat was a little wrapsy and was having some hip issues but other than that, doing as well as can be expected. </p>
<p>She mentioned in a letter that the fact this was going to be "home" for the next four years was starting to sink in. </p>
<p>She has requested only three things, personal wipes (we guessed like baby wipes), icy hot (cream and patches) and FOOD! She said sent along cookies, M&M peanuts and the ever requested protein bars. Seems to really like the payday protein bars. She did reiterate that the food was plentiful and that no weight had been lost as yet.</p>
<p>I believe everyone switches cadres and roomates this coming week so it will be interesting to hear how things change.</p>
<p>Protestant choir and crew team. Amazing since she has NEVER sang at church.</p>
<p>Be thankful our Plebes can receive care packages. I've been told that NO packages are allowed at USMA and only letters in WHITE envelopes. Seems a bit extreme but...</p>
<p>Know that all of you are in our prayers, keep sending the kids, excuse me, the Plebes those letters. Times are going to get a bit rougher the last three weeks and they will need all the encouragement we can muster. </p>
<p>GO NAVY! :D</p>
<p>Hey, in the packet we received it said we would be able to get football tickets during PPW? Seems very late but, we would love to try and go to a couple games tis fall. Any insight on whether to wait until PPW or try other avenues. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I have been starting to notice a trend here...</p>
<p>something along the lines, "The last three weeks is going to be harder!"</p>
<p>While this is everyone's opinion, I say most MIDN think the 2nd half is a lot easier because...</p>
<p>The constant pressure is backed off a bit, they have had three weeks of training, made friends (hopefully) by this point....in other words there is some smooth sailing ahead. In addition, some neat off-the-yard events:</p>
<p>-Day in DC (early morning to about 1600)
* Holocaust Museum (very interesting for everyone, especially those who do not know much)
* Walk around DC monuments</p>
<p>-Day in Baltimore (from midday until about midnight)
* Visit Ft. McHenry (how the military worked in old times)
* Baltimore Orioles baseball game (AL) at Camden Yards</p>
<p>-YP Damage Control training to Baltimore (all day until 1600)</p>
<p>After the turnover parade (of which I will have the honor of viewing), there will be a few bumps as the plebes try to learn their new cadre (and vice versa). But plebe summer should be more of an annoyance rather than a brutal challenge (TURNOVER IS NOT the few hours after I-DAY ALL OVER AGAIN!!!).</p>
<p>Ah, insight from an "insider"!</p>
<p>Thanks jadler03. You have been so helpful. You see, if we poor parents didn't throw such stuff around, we wouldn't get the straight poop! ;)</p>
<p>PLEASE maintain our "life line", I don't know if you realize how much hearing from you helps.</p>
<p>Have a GREAT day and God bless! :D</p>
<p>wvdad - where did you see that about football tix in the packet? I'm not seeing that anywhere in our pkt. </p>
<p>We didn't act before the deadline for Army/Navy tix (June 30). We never know our schedule that far in advance. Does anyone know if there is a possibility to pick them up any time from here on out? And what is the possibility of spending time with our mid if we do make it to the game?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You will be able to pick up tickets; many, many posts come out on the other parent's web sites offering tickets. You do have to be quick though.</p>
<p>We didn't go last year and I think that was good. First year can be confusing, plebe will frequently not be sure of what to he/she can or cannot do right up to the moment. If I recall correctly, Plebes have to return to the yard right after the game. It seemed better to let this game slide.</p>
<p>This year, however, we plan to be there.</p>
<p>We're having rolling power blackouts in Southern California due to a heat wave so I'm going to make this short--Bill is right that the plebes last year were supposed to return to the Yard shortly after the Army/Navy game. However, since Navy won AGAIN, the plebes were granted an overnight in Philadelphia if they could arrange to get back to the Yard the next day. If you're a gamblin' person, what do you think the odds of Navy beating Army are this year???</p>
<p>Good, darn good!</p>
<p>And you?</p>
<p>bz2010 - there was a "blurb" under the Athletic Association? (trying to recall this while at work) saying they would be selling tickets. I'm thinking it was right after a statement concerning the alumni association. I'll call the wife after they get home from church and confirm it's location.</p>
<p>Bill0510 - so they WILL be offering them during PPW? OR I should start scouting out the other websites to procure tickets?</p>
<p>Probably going to pass on the Army/Navy game this year. Timing off. But, knowing they "may" get a night of liberty...... :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Even if the Plebes are not granted overnight liberty for Army/Navy, you would still have enough time to go out to dinner together. Mids sign up for a return time for the buses. A couple of years ago, my son signed up for a return time of 11 pm and the bus left from the waterfront area downtown. We had a nice enjoyable dinner and then dropped him off for the bus. Either way, the game is such a wonderful experience that it will be worth the effort. If you do not have tickets yet, call the ticket office and see if any are available. The game is always sold out.</p>
<p>USNAMom - thanks. Hey, since you've been there, done that, related to my earlier post, do we have any chance at getting homecoming tickets or a few other games? </p>
<p>Are they offered PPW?</p>
<p>AND blue IS the home side?</p>
<p>You can usually find tickets for most home games. I would go to navysports.com and link to the ticket office. You can also find the numbers to call them directly. Blue is the home side but the overwhelming portion of the entire stadium is Navy fans. The one advantage of sitting on the blue side is that you can view the area of the Midshipmen. Either way it is a wonderful experience.</p>
<p>Now that you mention it, I think tickets [other than Army/Navy] were available during PPW.
Also, Navysports has started a ticket exchange program . . .</p>
<p>Subscribing to parents listserves will get you plenty [PLENTY] of emails right before games offering tickets.
I got Navy/Air Force tickets about ten days before the game. I saw Navy/Army tickets being offered likewise. [But they went FAST!] In fact, I have four tickets orderd for Navy/Army and I still don't know if we will end up going.</p>
<p>Personally, I think the Army-Navy game is one event midshipmen should experience by themselves. It is an opportunity for the mids to "let their hair down" and have a good time. Some of my fondest academy memories are of the festivities after the game. In addition, the after game festivities build company unity. The mids (especially the plebes) have toiled together through plebe summer and the first semester of ac year, Army-Navy is their first occassion to party together.</p>
<p>USNA81</p>
<p>usna81,
you bring up an excellent point about the plebes/mids developing deep friendships growing out of shared adversity. At the end of winter leave last year my mid was kind of anxious to reconnect with her Navy friends. Just yesterday I spoke with her on the phone and asked if she would like me to attend the Navy/Air Force football game . She actually had to stop and think about it!</p>
<p>Personally, there is no way I would miss that game- they would have to tie me down and lock me away.....</p>
<p>BeachMom,</p>
<p>K Co. got 30 minutes?? Arggggggghhh - the GF must have gotten 27 of those 30 minutes then. Ah well maybe this too will pass ;)</p>