thoughts from new Plebes

<p>Ignore my last post. I have since learned that my son qualified as a Double Expert in Rifle and Pistol, not double eagle.</p>

<p>Jake was even better with this call (5 min). Just wants FOOD. Loves his squad.Not tired/no hoarness in voice. Didn't even mention missing home. Just said at the end "I love you guys!". This should hold me another 2 weeks.</p>

<p>Sent out two more care packages this morning with protein bars and plastic containers. Not a clue why all the plastic, but I am sending it. Bobby's on the football countdown- only 7 more days till practice:) go Navy Beat Army.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Bobby's on the football countdown- only 7 more days till practice go Navy Beat Army.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>send some bubble wrap in the next container- some of those players look HUGE!!!</p>

<p>Didn't occur to me to share this but reading some of these posts, maybe some of you plebe parents might be interested. </p>

<p>Took daughter to visit USNA on July 6. We had the info 'briefing' composed of only two other potential candidates and their parents followed by the tour which was packed with all kinds of tourists. Naturally, daughter was highly interested in seeing plebes and we had many opportunities - especially in the athletic facility where they had to march right through the middle of our group. Observations: 1) they looked kind of shell-shocked but mind you this was early on in their plebe-hood; 2) I felt a little bad for them having to walk through the gawking group as if we weren't there; 3) the vibe I got from the group was one of total respect for the plebes. So let your plebes know that!</p>

<p>Ok, so what was the reaction of daughter? Would she still be NA-obsessed after seeing new plebes in action? After overcoming the horror of the glasses, it was a whole-hearted two thumbs-up. We also visited Penn, Princeton and Swarthmore and her assessment: "There's the Naval Academy and then there's everything else". So also let your plebes know that. You should be really proud of them.</p>

<p>middiesmom - they want those plastic (clear) containers and tins also to keep the ornry mice out of their goodies. Not a real problem - yet but, come this fall I hear they can do a lot of mischief. ;)</p>

<p>navy2010 - Oh my, reminds me of the last few months leading up to I-Day! Sis's boyfriend would be wrestling around with her or they would go to run and ALL I could think about was, "please Lord don't let her get hurt!" :rolleyes: LOL! Bring on the bubble wrap!</p>

<p>Now it's come on PPW! :D</p>

<p>I got another letter today from my plebe- a 2 pager. He said he was acutally looking forward to school starting- and that he needed more EMPTY plastic containers and plenty of power bars. I am impressed with his new cadre having received two emails sent to the whole platoon. He said that some of the plebes were actually gaining weight. My Bobby was pure Bobby in his letter, spelling out what he wanted to do duing PPW. Simply rest and relax do nothing special were his words. I realized he must aqctually read my letters because he said" Its like you said mom, that weekend should be what I want to do and all I want to do is spend time with people relaxing" I look forward to Wednesday since that seems to be the day I get the mail:) Thank heaven for the US postal service.</p>

<p>A letter!!!!</p>

<p>"...and my CO told me I was getting a lot better...he said, "and I was thinking you were fully retarded..." and I said, "Thankyou Sir!"</p>

<p>:) That's my boy!!! (they both cracked up!) Ahhh, a sense of humor is a wonderful thing!!! So are letters!!!!</p>

<p>Navy2010 - LMAspenO! LOL LOL LOL!!!! That letter is a keepie! LOL</p>

<p>okay now dish parents.... </p>

<hr>

<p>I've gotten a few discouraged, venting and uncharacteristical down letters from my ususally stoic daughter. I was expecting some based on every conversation I had with veteran parents, chaplains, this board, etc. Granted they are several days behind real time and she has been really sick with the hack and pulled hip flexers...... Prob bounced back by now. But I need to hear that mine isnt the only one. </p>

<p>Are you hearing anything from yours? This is killing me.</p>

<p>sistersunnie and my dd are roommates, so we've been talking...but yeah, all you mommies and daddies ( I don't know about you all, but gosh darn it, after 4 weeks of non-stop training all I want to do is hug and rock my little girl and tell her she's wonderful, I love her and how proud of her we are...and where am I????? 3000 miles away and for the major part out of touch...so I do feel like a mommie right now wanting that nurse to bring me my baby from the newborn ward NOW!) continue to fill us in on what you're learning....it helps us all</p>

<p>M son who is in P company 29 platoon sounded good but not as happy as the first call. He was a little aprehensive about his new cadry. He said Saturday night was tough. They were especially hard on him but he said it was too be expected because I was rated No. 1 by the cadry and my company mates. My husband said "I thought you weren't going to be that guy." He said, "Dad honestly I was trying to be no. 20-middle of the road." I said well it could be worse you could be 38. Keep being a team player and you will be fine. And anyway I was told the second group of cadre is easier because they are there to build you up. He said, Thanks mom that is what I heard. We asked him if he still liked it and he said yes this is the place for me but it is exhausting. I think it is normal to have highs and lows and I think the new cadre came im to make an initial statement. I am sure your daughter will be fine. I have alot of respect for the girls at the academy.</p>

<p>thaks wickster for comforting me in my rant
:-)</p>

<p>Sistersunnie, Our son was a little down for his second phone call. He has only written one letter besides the required one. It was very postitive. His first phone call was very positve as well. This second call was different. He sounded sick...coughing during the phone call, he is exhausted, he said that with the new cadre, he felt like it was I Day all over. He was very discouraged with his ranking... and not because it was too high!?! He did say that he was not thinking about leaving, but was definitely ready for PPW. As I tried to talk myself into the fact that he was just venting and is probably laughing and having fun again, I see a picture on dropshots where his lower leg is wrapped from his knee to his ankle. It isn't an ace wrap, but more like a wound dressing. He is leaning on the "hurt" leg, so it must just be a bad cut or something. I hate the not knowing, especially when the last time we spoke he was down...then the picture.
How many more weeks until we get to see them????
Peskemom, I will join you at the nursery. How is your daughter's back? How did you find out what happened to her? I don't mind so much the Navy taking care of everything, but not being able to at least ask what happened? Ahhhh....</p>

<p>Daughter is reporting no back trouble - back on full PE duty...sounds upbeat, only nusiance is that ongoing 'plebe hack' which lots of kiddos have...and pictures I keep seeing of her on internet postings show a happy and 'locked on' kid, so thank God she is hanging in there. Thanks for asking. PPW starts August 11th!!!</p>

<p>Trying to catch up on all the posts...we are in the midst of our move to Japan and I am not sure what zip code I am in right now. </p>

<p>We have gotten a couple of letters from DD. Is mine the only kid who thinks the whole thing is fun? She told us she has been getting fried for laughing in formation. She is now working hard on developing the "proper military bearing", which for her consists of biting the inside of her lip to keep from smiling. She is most proud of the fact that she has not gotten anyone else into trouble for her antics. So far, the transgressions have resulted in her being singled out, rather than making everyone pay the price. She is tired, and busy, but still having a good time. She said she provides the comic relief for her platoon and she is sure the cadre go back to their rooms at night and laugh about the things she says and does. </p>

<p>She does say that her platoon is wonderful. She gave us detailed descriptions of some of her friends. It is a mixed bag, but it sounds like they really pull together. It is nice to know she is surrounded by such a supportive group.</p>

<p>Two more weeks!</p>

<p>Good to hear she is doing well. It makes me sad to see all these kids on crutches and with casts. I can't imagine. That is great you are seeing some happy pictures. It sure makes a difference. I could use a smiling picture about now. I have seen a few grins...still waiting for that big smile!!! I am thinking I may have to wait until PPW! I don't know...I wonder if the dropshot mom's take bribes!?!</p>

<p>My son probably is one of the few that wishes it was tougher physically. He feels they have been laxed over the last few weeks to bring everyone to the same level. Though he agrees in theory with what they are doing he feels he his physical condition is deteriating and that his was in better physical shape a few weeks ago. My daughter told him he was a freak and she was sure he was in the best shape of his life. We can't wait to see him tomorrow so we can prove him wrong.</p>