<p>So, for current female mids, if you could re-pack your backpack for I-Day exactly what would you have brought? </p>
<p>Also, can you bring a watch? bible? your own undies and personal items?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Wanted to add.. for you gals needing to get that long ponytail cut off before I-Day ... Dont forget LOCKS OF LOVE!! (ponytail must be 10 inches long) There are Annapolis Hair Salons that will do the cut for free if you are donating!</p>
<p>suggest bringing only what is posted on the list sent home with your permit to report package.</p>
<p>forget the watch- they are not allowed during plebe summer- have your parents bring it with them to PPW in August.</p>
<p>"undies".... they will be "issued." An extra athletic support bra is a good idea (pack 2)... believe it or not, even these items are "issue" brand.</p>
<p>personal items: not sure what you mean, but if it is not on the list, there is no need, no time, and no room. It is absolutely, positively, 100% true that you could show up for I-Day with just a toothbrush and be perfectly fine. </p>
<p>bible... have parents mail it in your first care package. It is one extra pound less that you won't have to lug with you all day, and there will be no time to read it anyway.</p>
<p>So the rule of thumb is: Don't bring anything "extra" on I-Day that you will have to "lug" with you all day in your 90-lb sea bag.... after running up and down stairs all day, it will seem more like 190 lbs by the time you get to the end of the day with just the stuff "issued." </p>
<p>Bring:
- minimal (small sample bottles/packages) of shampoo/conditioner (combined product), deoderant, toothpaste/brush, hygene items and any other ESSENTIAL toiletries. Keep it to "sample sizes" and have larger bottles sent in care packages. </p>
<p>-bring in running shoes, broken in. If you forget them (as me how I know ;) ) don't fret- you will get them issued to you.</p>
<p>-bring cell phone and charger.... it will be taken away from you, but you will get to use it for your "3" 3-minute phone calls home. Put your name on it.</p>
<p>other than that, you will get everything you need- absolutely everything. Don't add a single thing to the list sent home.... some of that you will even "pack away" believe it or not....(example: son was told to bring 6 t-shirts, 6-briefs, 6 prs white socks, etc... ALL of which remained right in his backpack, taken and "secured," and not seen again until PPW- at which time they were "returned" to him and taken "home" with us, ever opened, never used, and never missed!)</p>
<p>everything else you "may" need is a care-package away.</p>
<p>except a positive attitude.... bring that.... along with a good sense of humor.
Best of luck!!! </p>
<p>(parents: bring camera .... tissues.... :) )</p>
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...bible... have parents mail it in your first care package. It is one extra pound less that you won't have to lug with you all day, and there will be no time to read it anyway....
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<p>My class was issued a pocket New Testament with the Naval Academy seal on the cover.</p>
<p>Really Navy2010 is correct...if it is not on the list don't bring it and even then if it syas 6 pairs of socks, one or two is enough! Literally eveything is provided. The special things that she may want - Bible, favorite "brands" of female things - send in the first care package - along with her American Flag. Send it from the Post Office in Annapolis on Tuedsay if you are getting into town early enough. The Post Office is on the north side of Church Circle, so if you are heading to the Dock or Gate Three easy to walk past it coming from the Loews.</p>
<p>A calculator for placement tests...it doesn't matter what kind it is, but if you have a graphing calculator, bring that.</p>
<p>Also, don't bring a nice tote or backpack. Buy a cheap one and but your name on the outside. I saw girls with Vera Bradley totes and can only imagine the shape they were in after spending the summer in a heap!</p>
<p>To go along with atrmom, don't wear anything to I Day that you do not want to lose - like a favorite T-shirt. Mine lost his T shirt and a razor. He brought his graphing calculator from AP Calculus.</p>
<p>You will be issued a new calculator when you get your computer after PPW, so you do need to bring one that you are used to using for validation tests.</p>
<p>don't bother to bring an electric razor, you won't be able to use it during plebe summer (at least that was the case in my son's company)</p>
<p>As a contrasting opinion, most of the plebes in the 22nd company used electric razors last summer. Several commented to me that e-razors were a saving grace when they had 3 minutes to get ready in the morning.</p>
<p>could be things have changed in 3 years</p>
<p>30+ years ago, I used an electric razor during plebe summer and the subsequent four years at the academy. Watches and electric razors weren't a big deal during plebe summer back in the stone ages. These days, each Company is autonomous and may have different rules from other companies. Electric razors definitely save time; especially if you have three mids trying to share one lavatory in the morning.</p>
<p>atrmom, you mentioned bringing your "limited selection" of personal items in basic backpack vs. something nice, which makes certainly seems to make sense if backpack has no further use after you get there…my question to those that have/had mids, will they use the backpack during the academic year? When we visited I thought I saw a few mids carrying backpacks (black?) around from class to class. Our son thought he would just pack his essentials in the same small back pack that he could potentially use later on in the year, assuming he needed one; does that make sense based on your experiences</p>
<p>re" electric razors: some companies will allow, others will not. All will be "confiscated" on I-Day regardless. Our son never did get his back..... along with his infamous "flip-flops" they have disappeared down into the tunnels of Mother B never-to-be-seen-again.</p>
<p>Backpacks: not a bad idea- but keep them plain and simple (as in black, no insignias).... our son's came home with us on PPW packed just as it was the day he left on I-Day.... i think he used 2 pairs of socks out of it if anything. Remember, they will be provided with EVERYTHING.... </p>
<p>calculator: if you send, make sure it is wrapped well in bubble-wrap- and then keep it right on "top" in the backpack.... they will have mere "minutes" to grab what they need out of the pack before it disappears, so better to have it within reach if sending than deep-down in the bowels of the pack.... ditto for cell phones and chargers- keep 'em on top.</p>
<p>one last tip-
make sure kid applies sunscreen before reporting for I-Day.... and for the young men, make sure to massage some into your scalp, especially at the nape of your neck where the sun don't shine.... can't tell you how many kids we saw "red and beefy" from the annapolis sun by the time they arrived for the Oath of Office at the end of the day- the sun can be brutal (parents- bring an umbrella- great if it rains, and even better if it doesn't.... instant shade!) </p>
<p>one last thought for females especially (but you guys can take heed too)... don't wear makeup when reporting- or anything else, for that matter, on your face.... you will be working up a sweat in no-time, and the bain of plebe summer is ACNE, ACNE, ACNE..... keep your face clean (difficult), and keep any unnecessary products off it as well- with the exception of sunscreen (that you apply before you even arrive). </p>
<p>Parents- in addition to the items mentioned above by Profmom, make sure to send cough lozengers in that first care package for the second bain of plebe summer...."plebe hack".... and it is especially helpful for their voice that will be barely audible after a few days of yelling those rates and 5 plebe responses! </p>
<p>(flag: get off to a good start and put a small paper or fabric one right in your wallet- you will be able to keep that with you- and it would be the first thing i put "on display" in your room).....besides a small pic of mom and dad and the family (you will be allowed one picture in your room....keep it small, keep it clean, and keep it unframed).... </p>
<p>after that, parents send lots of care packages, letters, photos, etc..... </p>
<p>one lesson learned: we sent a card/letter every day.... but they get delivered in "batches"....so put the "date sent" in the lower left hand corner of the envelop so that your mid can read them "in order"..... a tidbit passed along to us that really worked well!</p>
<p>Best of luck!
Get in lots of hugs and kisses these last few weeks while you can! Enjoy every minute! You will survive this- and so will your new Mid!!!!</p>
<p>Not to sound stupid.. but why bring a flag??</p>
<p>Prescription drugs.. how does that work.. particularly BC Pills? Just bring them along with a the prescription?</p>
<p>and what about contacts?? personal glasses?</p>
<p>also what do the girls sleep in? what are they issued to sleep in?</p>
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Not to sound stupid.. but why bring a flag??
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<p>To show that you are patriotic???</p>
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Prescription drugs.. how does that work.. particularly BC Pills? Just bring them along with a the prescription?
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<p>All prescription drugs are issued by the Medical Clinic in Bancroft Hall.</p>
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and what about contacts?? personal glasses?
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<p>Midshipmen are issued BCGs (Birth Control Glasses) by the Navy. This obviates the need for the BC pills from the foregoing question.</p>
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also what do the girls sleep in? what are they issued to sleep in?
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<p>Midshipmen sleep in their Navy issued scivvies. Apparel from Victoria's Secret definitely isn't recommended for Bancroft Hall. :D</p>
<p>Welll again.. I am looking for response from current female Midshipmen and/or their moms (That is why it said for FEMALES in the title... ) ... but Thank you GA for giving your opinion on the female questions!</p>
<p>The flag is for mutiny. PLebes can get in trouble if there are more plebes in a room then racks, but if there is a visible flag in the area they can't get in trouble. :) Hi mommy.</p>
<p>the flag in the room is definately to protect against charges of "mutiny".... so having one on display (a small one) is a "good thing."</p>
<p>Prescription drugs: bring a month's supply with you, along with a prescription. They will be screened at medical- some will be allowed, others will be confiscated. Herbal remedies are a "no no" as are "booster" kinds of drugs (thinking GNC types of suppliments) Forget any over-the-counter meds (advil, motrin, tylenol, etc)..... not allowed and will be taken away. Parents can supply at the end of plebe summer if you really need them, but during indoc weeks a definate no-no (they want to keep an eye on you.... so any injuries must be reported....the last thing they want a plebe to do is mask an injury loading up on motrin and tylenol in leu of reporting)...</p>
<p>Contacts: definately a no-no during plebe summer. No time to care for them- too much of a chance to get things caught in them- risk for eye irritation/infection/injury just too high....so it's BCG's and "no options" - at least till the end of plebe summer. And GA is right...kinda makes the BC pills almost obsolete (unless taken for other indications)...</p>
<p>girls sleep in their PE gear (blue rims and issued shorts)...just like the guys. Remember, you want to "blend in" and not "stand out".... especially as a plebe. </p>
<p>Keep repeating to yourself: plebe summer is "bare bones"... no frills, no extras, and certainly no creature comforts. Good news: it is only 8 or so weeks long, and even the USNA can't stop time.</p>
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Welll again.. I am looking for response from current female Midshipmen and/or their moms (That is why it said for FEMALES in the title... ) ... but Thank you GA for giving your opinion on the female questions!
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<p>Ahhh.... but the alumni have a lot to offer- granted, some of it may have changed here and there-</p>
<p>The only things my female plebe brought and used were:</p>
<p>phone and charger - collected from her on I-Day and returned for each of her 3 phone calls and then returned for good just before PPW (but she was told she could not use it until PPW began)</p>
<p>broken in running shoes</p>
<p>watch - collected from her on I-Day and returned sometime before the Orioles game</p>
<p>graphing calculator - used for validation tests and then given to us to bring home during PPW (by that time she had received the Academy issued calculator).</p>
<p>EVERYTHING else she brought on I-Day was returned untouched. When she went to her room on I-Day there were boxes there already that contained toiletries, feminine supplies, razors, etc.</p>