<p>I have reviewed the schedule of events for PPW. I have a question will the Plebes be allowed to take their liberty WITHOUT their parents present or do they have to be "checked out" to the parents and returned by the parents.</p>
<p>Any plebe could have town liberty over PPW. There was no 'check in' last year.</p>
<p>One suggestion: We noticed a number of parentless plebes who were paying big $$$ for taxis on the town liberty days. </p>
<p>If you have a big heart, and an automobile, you may want to volunteer yourselves as a 'taxi' for a plebe who does not yet rate driving privileges; either over PPW, or another weekend when you are visiting.</p>
<p>Sometimes we forget that there are many mids who come from families of very modest means, and are relying on the $100 or so a month left in their stipend - a round trip cab ride from the Yard to the Annapolis mall is about $25, FYI.</p>
<p>Thanks, that was my assumption.</p>
<p>2011USNAMom has made a nice suggestion. But, I want to make sure that one thing is clear: Plebes NEVER rate driving privileges, so it is not a "not yet rate"</p>
<p>The bus is $2. Your kids will come to love this means of transportation.</p>
<p>Our PPW booklet clearly states that Plebes have the privilege of riding as a passenger in a car with their own parents, official USNA sponsors, parents of classmates, officers and civilian faculty, but this privilege expires at 1800 on the Sunday of PPW.</p>
<p>My question: after PPW, are Plebes allowed to ride in a car with parents of classmates? I vaguely recall reading that they werre limited to their own parents, faculty members, USNA sponsors, and Firsties under some circumstances, but I can't recall where I read the info.</p>
<p>You may have read it on the Alumni Association Plebe Parents Handbook. Some of the information is dated but most is up to speed.</p>
<p>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sea Story Alert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>When I was a Plebe, the only time we could ride in POVs were during Thanksgiving and Chrismas vacation and then only to depart from and return to the Seven-mile limit. The reasoning. Academy officials had realized the traffic congestion in downtown Annapolis, and were attempting to alleviate some of the problem. It obviously worked great since there is no longer a traffic issue in either Annapolis or on the Yard.</p>
<p>On liberty, plebes are limited to cars driven by their parents or their sponsors. Please note, this excludes other parentes, siblings, etc.</p>
<p>On leave (which they will get over Thanksgiving and Christmas) they may drive their own vehicles once home. Please note, this does not include driving from-or to- the academy.</p>
<p>Traffic still accumulates around the city dock area and downtown- however the new parking spaces located inside Gate 1 has helped with the pick-up and drop-off of the Mids.</p>
<p>So is the privilege of Plebes being allowed to ride in POVs with classmates' parents during PPW something new?</p>
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So is the privilege of Plebes being allowed to ride in POVs with classmates' parents during PPW something new?
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<p>Could've possibly changed, but given the history of the rule I'd doubt it. That rule is probably one of the least enforced rules in all of midregs. It is (or was) technically "on the books," but thats about all.</p>
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<p>Why are the upper class incapable of doing their job?</p>
<p>Incapable leadership; isn't that what we've been saying for the past year?</p>
<p>Must be an example of how far the place has deteriorated in 40 years; probably ought to be closed.
For the want of a nail, a horse was lost; for the want of a horse, the war was lost. . . .and so on.</p>
<p>What a stupid question posed only to cause a ruckus.</p>
<p>Allowing selective compliance and the selective enforcement of rules is a slippery slope which probably has no place in the leadership training of our plebes. Either enforce the rule or get rid of it. I see nothing stupid about this at all. Probably stupid to sweep it under the carpet however.</p>
<p>The plebe can get permission from their CO to go with another parent. Some companies will go so far as to grant permission more "generically." It is not up to the parent to make the call- the plebes themselves will know what is allowed and what is not.</p>
<p>What I would suggest is not to "override" or attempt to persuade someone out of a "polite decline" of a ride....rather, respect that there is always a reason behind things- some we are privy to, some we are not.</p>
<p>As silly as the rules sometimes look to "us," they need to be followed nevertheless.... sort of like when we had the kids at home under our roofs, with our "silly rules" that we expected to be followed "to the letter." There is room, however, for exceptions.... only the lesson being asked of the plebes is to "ask." Encourage them to do what is expected, as silly as it seems at times.</p>
<p>Then there is the flip side.... "you rate what you skate"....
learning how to navigate around the rules and regs....
While I am only an outsider looking in, from everything I have heard, it would appear that philosophy has been around for decades....at least dating back to MIDN Door and company!</p>
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<p>Breaking the rules has been around forever. However, "you rate what you skate" is new. "Rating" breaking the rules based on one's own decision somehow, to me, reeks of unwarranted arrogance. In no way, shape, or form, should one develop the attitude that they 'rate' breaking the rules.</p>
<p>My question is would a midshipman who was caught violating a rule with this attitude accept punishment graciously? If so, he probably did not really believe that he rated it. If not, he is setting a bad example for the more junior midshipmen.</p>
<p>"Breaking the rules has been around forever. However, "you rate what you skate" is new". -69</p>
<p>The term "new" is a relative principle, you have to remember 69 has been around since the "stone age". </p>
<p>I remember that term in usage in the fleet in the 1980's. 20+ years is new for someone as "salty" as old 69'er.</p>
<p>Hey Mike; go easy on those comments.</p>
<p>The term "new" is a relative principle, you have to remember 69 has been around since the "stone age".</p>
<p>Some of us started our Navy careers in WWII!! :-)</p>
<p>Who honestly cares if you're riding around with a friend of the family, a sponsor brother, or a friends family. It doesn't matter, just go with it. That is something you would not get fried for and it's a pointless rule that no one follows.</p>
<p>Hello from Fifth Fleet, thanks to MWR.</p>
<p>JT,</p>
<p>It may be easy to see why a pointless rule should not be followed and usually at USNA no one enforces or cares about the rules.</p>
<p>Let me tell you that if you enter the fleet with that attitude, you will be surely disappointed and find yourself getting into trouble. When a CO puts out an instruction, note, or standing order....he/she expects that the fellow officers and senior enlisted will carry out the skipper's rules. In the 10+ days that I have been with my ship, I have noticed how well ALL HANDS have enforced and complied with the CO's wishes. One of your roles as a future officer is to carry out the CO's intentions. Unfortunately, MIDN have a tendency to look poorly upon those that do enforce rules. However, as I previously said, it is practically the exact opposite in the fleet. And FYI, you don't have to "fry" someone to enforce or make a rule known. </p>
<p>And trust me, they do hold those accountable that don't enforce the CO's rules. I have seen it reported in my DIVO binder.</p>
<p>Bottom line, realize that at USNA there is peer pressure to be relaxed regarding the rules....but when you get to the fleet, it is different business....at least from a SWO's perspective.</p>
<p>If you ever think that there is a rule that is stupid, inconsistent, or unfair...you always have your chain of command to broadcast it to.</p>