<p>Every Company is different.
Nothing of my daughters was taken away. She was able to keep her pictures and a index card with addresses . Other mids were not allowed to have anything. You might have to wait until the first call or letter to see what she needs. They all need cough drops.</p>
<p>Mine wore her watch the whole time. My daughter also used all her underwear up. Some just got thrown out due to circumstances. Her doctor told her it wsa doubtful she would get her period under those extreme conditions, but she certainly did. Almost the whole time. So
I would tell you to have her bring the under pants. They would never dream of telling their cadre they needed something like that . They will be issued support running bra's as well. They all wear a t-shirt under their dress whites
anyways. All of their clothes will be tailored to each of them.</p>
<p>My daughter's company also let them pull back their hair in a small pony tail. She immediately asked for clips and elastics. I was so worried about enough shout wipes, sunblock,
bleach pens and the whole list.but I didn't need to be. They were given a fabulous box of items on I day. Maybe from the chaplains with everything they could have ever of wanted. Honestly we were told not to bring anything but we did not listen. The razors and products were all top quality items. They take excellent care of them. </p>
<p>I believe the black backpacks will be issued. I'm looking at one on her floor right now.</p>
<p>Did you all join the list serve at <a href="http://www.usna.org%5B/url%5D">www.usna.org</a>. Fabulous support group.
You won't find a better group of supportive people. Ask anything, someone always rises to the occassion to help out.
We will all be there for you. Feel free to ask anything.</p>
<p>The thread specifically asked for help with female situations - there is lots of advice out here for males - not so much for females.<br>
For those of you who only have sons or who are males - these different needs are neither trivial nor should be treated as such.</p>
<p>Perhaps, Mom2Lola2001 should have screamed - "How does my daughter deal with her menstrual cycle while at beast??"</p>
<p>So, Mom2Lola2001 - go over to the USMA forum - there is an excellent thread titled "Minority Report - The Girls Guide to West Point. Much of the advice she gives for Beast would pertain to plebe summer.</p>
<p>By the way GA and other parents of son's the use of BCP's is very common for young women who take them for reasons other than birth control.
My daughter takes them to prevent an ovarian cyst from recurring that she had 2 years ago. Other young women take them to control long and painful periods.<br>
Great American - since you are a male - I am sure you have never endured a 10 day period while out in the woods - hopefully, your own daughter has a mother who is sensitive to "womanly situations".</p>
<p>Do not rely on the stress of plebe summer to eliminate periods and cramps. Periods can disappear when women are under great physical stress but that usually takes more than a couple of weeks.
One option is for young women to check with their gyn and take birth control pills continutously during plebe summer to eliminate periods or get the depo-provera shot before attending plebe summer. This shot lasts 3 months and can eliminate or greatly reduce periods.
If your daughter is taking birth control pills for medical reasons you might want to bring a note from the gyn.
I have heard from the women who went to West Point that they are not taken away during beast.</p>
<p>Oh wow. I just went to that thread. Although I have a son going, my hat's off to those young women who go! I have a friend at work who will never go on a business trip w/me again, due to everything I bring with me.</p>
<p>Good thread, though, for those who need the info.! Thanks, Queenbee89!</p>
<p>THANK YOU QUEENBEE!! And yes! Isnt amazing how people assume the worst when BC pills come up! They are often prescribed for many many other things then just BC.. That just happens to be what they are called. </p>
<p>And thanks for the direction towards the Girls Guide! </p>
<p>I appreciate all of you moms who have given advice and for the PMs of encouragement! GO GIRLS!!</p>
<p>And thank you GHD (Hi Princess) for the info on the Flags and Mutiny.. All makes sense (or no sense) now! HAHA..</p>
<p>The Naval Academy has been inducting plebes for 163 years. They have also been inducting women for 31 years. USNA has this process down to a science. Candidates only need to bring what they are told to bring in their permit to report.</p>
<p>Some of the things you will need when reporting:
[ul][<em>]Your orders
[</em>]Travel receipts for your travel claim
[<em>]Calculator for validation exams
[</em>]Running shoes (optional)
[<em>]$2,500 deposit
[</em>]Bring at least six plain white cotton briefs (jockey-style) and six white undershirt type cotton T-shirts (round neckline)
[<em>]You may bring electrical equipment for personal grooming if you wish.
[</em>]Wristwatches may be worn.
[li]Women - Toiletries are available in the Midshipmen Store, but you should bring an initial supply of items to last you about two weeks until you have a chance to shop. These include soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene supplies. The Midshipmen Store has a variety of brands of sanitary napkins and tampons; however, it is recommended to bring a months supply of your particular brand.[/li][/ul]
When the candidates arrive in Bancroft Hall, they will find boxes in their rooms that will contain an initial supply of everything they will need to survive during the summer including a Navy issue toothbrush. Literally, you could report to USNA with just the first five items from the foregoing list.</p>
<p>Be careful in ...
Last summer in sons company wrist watch was taken away and not returned until Orioles game. Not even allowed for XC practice. Brand new electrical razor - bought because of advice from this forum was taken away and never to be seen again, oh well a mere $85.00 investment that is floating around somewhere in Bancroft. $2500.00 was due about two weeks before I-Day and only refundable if you did not take the oath of office. All of the crew neck t-shirts - again brand new - came back home at PPW as they had been issued all V-neck T's. </p>
<p>Again all of this is company by company so just expect the unexpected... you may get a suprise and what you bring works out and then again it may not!</p>
<p>MOM2LOLA2011 Glad you are getting the info your requested!</p>
<p>Just couldnt stay out of it could you GA! Can't let the ladies have their chat. Cracks me up.</p>
<p>Profmom.. did I tell you Lola recieved a $3,000 scholarship and we, of course, have placed it towards the "price of admission". Boy was that a blessing! Thought I'd share! Where there is a will there is a way!</p>
<p>
[quote]
Just couldnt stay out of it could you GA! Can't let the ladies have their chat. Cracks me up.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>This isn't that difficult. When all else fails, read the instructions.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Profmom.. did I tell you Lola recieved a $3,000 scholarship and we, of course, have placed it towards the "price of admission". Boy was that a blessing! Thought I'd share! Where there is a will there is a way!
<p>in response to whoever said it's too embarrassing to ask for more underwear...DO IT! sometimes the guys forget about feminine needs being different but they try to be very understanding and will either get you more or get you a trip to the midstore</p>
<p>small embarrassing but informative story from last summer:</p>
<p>I shoved a tampon in my sock during a uniform race and when we got back on the bulkhead asked to make a head call. our platoon commander asked me if i really needed to go and then asked what i had in my sock. When i told him it was a feminine hygiene product, his face completely changed and he let me go. when i got back to the bulkhead he told me to get in the room next door...i thought i was going to be yelled at but he just apologized and told me he didn't mean to embarrass me and that if i needed something like that to make sure to ask...like i said, they try to be very understanding and accommodating</p>
<p>As a former female mid, I agree that pretty much all you need is provided during the summer. Believe me, you can stick out anything for 6-7 weeks, even brands you don't like and the Mid Store has at least one brand of everything.</p>
<p>Do NOT bring or try to wear makeup during plebe summer except/until Parents' WE. Seriously. As someone said, you are hot and sweaty all of the time. And, you have no time to apply it. You may not believe it, but 'tis true. No need to bring hair care products. I think the only time I ever did ANYTHING with my hair during the summer other than wash it was Sunday mornings for church, when I tried to blow it dry. There simply isn't time to do anything.</p>
<p>Once Ac Year begins, there's a lot more flexibility in terms of gettiing the brands you prefer (bras, hygiene products, shampoo, etc.) and in terms of doing hair and wearing makeup (most women do, to some extent). </p>
<p>In terms of sleeping wear, I have some vague recollection that (25 yrs ago), they provided us with a nightshirt of some sort, which NO ONE wore. In reality, as Navy2010 says, women tend to sleep in their shorts & T-shirts, esp during Plebe Summer. That way, when you wake up, you're already dressed for PT. Also, the toilets are down the hall, so being in shorts & a T-shirt makes it easier to go to the bathroom (altho you can always throw your B-robe on -- or could in my day).</p>
<p>I agree with the poster above -- take the minimum. You can buy what you need at the MidStore, your family can send it to you or, after the summer, you can go into town and buy what you want.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Bring at least six plain white cotton briefs (jockey-style) and six white undershirt type cotton T-shirts (round neckline)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>GA, don't think this will help the women too much! :) </p>
<p>One more comment . . . women, IF (and I emphasize IF) they allow you to bring your own bras (they did in my day, but it was a LONG time ago), do so primarily b/c you can check out ahead of time that they fit well/are comfortable. Bring cotton (not nylon) b/c it breathes and washes better. USNA will provide them regardless and, if you're no longer allowed to bring your own -- never mind.</p>
<p>Not only are they allowed, you are going to want SEVERAL pairs of them after the first week. Last year the school XO told me the most requested items during plebe summer were power bars and compression shorts (shorts fight the rash from running in wet clothes all day).</p>
<p>Also, eat a number of power bars before plebe summer to figure out which bars taste good. Many bars taste gross, and you don't want to get stuck with a box of something you don't enjoy.</p>
<p>The compression shorts- and lip balm... are great items to have on hand- and I will second profmom in sending them (and the powerbars) in the first care package. </p>
<p>Honestly- everything you will need to "survive" your first weeks at USNA will be provided.... and if you find yourself in need of something else, it is only a care-package away....and believe it or not, you will get time to shop in the mid store along the way! (so what you might ask your parents to send along in those cards and letters is some $$$$ !!! ;) )</p>
<p>Do stick to the list that is provided, and keep everything else to "carepackage" deliveries.... I know this is hard.....but it will be that much harder for your plebe to lug all the "extras" around in their seabag.... if they are even allowed to keep the stuff....so do try and not add to their load. </p>
<p>So for moms and dads gathering and packing those few creature comforts with such loving care ....may I suggest another strategy...</p>
<p>....perhaps packing that first care package at the same time you are packing your soon-to-be-plebe's backpack would be a good alternative.....this way you know your items will get to your Mid without adding to their load on I-Day.</p>
<p>and it may even prevent items from getting "lost".... looks like profmom's son's razor is sitting down in the basement along with the thorpedo's..... </p>
<p>Hang in.... enjoy every moment you get to spend with your kids while you still have them under your wing.....</p>
<p>as a female mid from 2009 (oh dear, i may be flaming on some of your kids!)-</p>
<p>while we were never allowed to go to the midstore until the very end of plebe summer, our cadre did offer to go for us. so, if you were in dire need of some necessities, you could get them. i would recommend going out and getting some white cotton briefs that fit YOU, especially if you are petite, as the sizes they issue err on the large end. AND, contrary to GA's jab at 'victoria's secret', during the academic year my roommates and i and most girls i know wore the most colorful, fun and outrageous collection of VS underwear i'd ever seen. it reminded us that we are girls! come to think of it, we still do...</p>
<p>give your girls back their makeup over ppw. its a glorious thing.</p>
<p>about birth control--you can keep yours, although i found it easier once the academic year began to go to brigade medical and have them write a new prescription, since it is free and easier to get than having my mom send mine to me. if you are on it, don't forget to take it over the summer, as the last thing you want is to have an unexpected period. i was also told that the stress would keep me from getting mine. but it didn't....twice during plebe summer. </p>
<p>you will most likely have at least one female cadre, who can help you if you have a serious issue. the best time of plebe summer (besides personal time) was haircut time, because the boys went to the barber shop and the girls went to the salon (WAVES), and we got to shampoo and condition our hair and blowdry it out and relax. it was nice. good luck!</p>
<p>So it does sound like it would be prudent for females to bring their bcp's with them if they are taking them for any reason. </p>
<p>Women who are going to report may want to have a conversation with their gyn beforehand - by taking certain bcp prescriptions or by taking your current prescription continuously periods can be eliminated completely - could be a blessing during plebe summer (or beast).</p>
<p>Sorry, this has nothign to do with the topic, but I see that this thread is quite popular. Hate to start a new thread just for a single question, but can someone PM me the new CIS password? I forgot to check up on it when the password changed.</p>