<p>Someone explained to me that a Youngster was just a Plebe with "carry on". Could someone please explain "carry on" to me and what it entails. Also if someone could share if carry on is the only additional rate or privilege that a youngster gets. Thanks</p>
<p>I know bits and pieces. Someone else will know more.</p>
<p>Carry-on means they can talk to whomever they’d like, basically whenever they’d like. They can walk around wherever they like, whenever they like.</p>
<p>There are many more privileges that youngsters have that plebes don’t.</p>
<p>PLEBES have to do chow calls (beginning 15 or 20 minutes before each and every meal-- every day). They have to square corners, walk in the middle of the P-ways, greet all upperclass, take pro-knowledge quizzes, call each other by their last names, and do come-arounds (at least in their first semester). Plebes are not allowed on their beds without permission–no naps! They are not allowed to walk on the curved pathways through the Yard, not to sit on any benches anywhere on the Yard. They do not rate media–no video, no music.</p>
<p>Youngster privileges <em>exclude</em> all of the above. It’s a welcome relief, I imagine!</p>
<p>Being a Youngster is WAY better than being a Plebe! There are some restrictions (can’t have a car), but Youngters have demonstrated the tenacity to get through Plebe year, and they rate far more privileges as a result. Here are a few more than the ones listed by GoNavy!</p>
<p>Plebes use P-ways only to go from point A to point B. Youngsters can “hang out.” There are specific ladders (stairwells) that Youngsters can use that are off limits to Plebes.</p>
<p>Plebes only have Town Liberty (the privilege to leave the Yard) on Saturdays from ~noon to midnight, and some companies don’t always grant even that much. Youngsters usually have Town Liberty on both Saturday and Sunday of every weekend, (unless on watch, etc.).</p>
<p>Plebes are only allowed the use of the coin laundry in Bancroft on Town Liberty. They are expected to use the weekly laundry service that boils their clothes without detergent and returns them looking almost worse that before the washing. Youngsters can use the coin laundry whenever it’s available.</p>
<p>Plebes on liberty must remain within a very limited distance (30 miles last year, traditionally 22 nautical miles) from USNA. This week, their limit was bumped up to 50 miles. When they return to USNA as true Youngsters, their limit will be (or has been in previous years) 250 miles.</p>
<p>Plebes only receive “overnights” if one is granted to the Brigade (as is sometimes the case after a big football victory). Youngsters who are in good standing (“SAT”) are allowed two overnights per semester, in addition to any that are granted to the Brigade. </p>
<p>Plebes cannot visit “Steerage” in Dahlgren Hall. Plebes cannot sit in the Drydock restaurant except with visitors. Youngsters can. </p>
<p>Plebes are not allowed to drink “adult beverages.” Youngsters who are over 21 can.</p>
<p>Plebes are not authorized to wear anything that isn’t a regulation uniform, not even Navy spirit gear. They can can sometimes earn the privilege of wearing different shirts under certain circumstances (i.e. company T-shirts or shirts won in football bets with upperclassmen, but only in their company area.) Youngsters cannot wear civvies, but they can wear Navy spirit gear.</p>
<p>Wait, so a youngster is a 4/C who “they” think has done enough as a 4/C plebe and can now be granted carry on?</p>
<p>NO! </p>
<p>USNA 4/C Midshipmen become “Plebes” on I-day. They cease to be “Plebes” once their class successfully completes the Herndon monument climb. They are simply 4/C Mids. </p>
<p>Each class is promoted at the completion of Commissioning ceremonies. Thus, my Mid carried her 3/C shoulderboards in her pocket to the stadium, and changed into them immediately after graduation was over.</p>
<p>A 3/C Midshipman becomes a “Youngster” once they return to USNA after summer cruise.</p>
<p>“Carry on” in NOT simply a choice of the Plebes. It is a privilege that can be granted by the Commandant under certain circumstances. For instance, the Class of 2012 was granted “carry on” for a week after some of the 3rd company Plebes maneuvered a Plebe Dixie cup hat to the top of the chapel dome. GoNavy! described most of what “carry on” means. </p>
<p>My earlier post was in response to the comment that “Youngsters are just Plebes with carry on.” Some Youngsters may feel that way, but they really do have significant privileges that Plebes never get, even with “carry on.”</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I tried to get my Mid to explain it to me but he talks so fast and in such a stiletto manner that it is hard to understand him especially on a cell phone. His speech pattern has really changed this year.</p>
<p>Sorry, I still am a little unclear. </p>
<p>By “they” I meant the 'Supe/Administration/Commandant grants them “carry on”. So all 3/C’s are on carry on(unless they get in trouble?) and some plebes get it? I’m confused on why it is such a big deal if it happens every year at the same time, but I’m sure I’m misinterpreting it wrong.</p>
<p>“Carry on,” as the term is used at USNA, only applies to Plebes. It means that they are TEMPORARILY allowed to not do various “Plebe-only” requirements. The Class of 2012 was allowed one week of “carry on” a couple of months ago, after the Plebes of 3rd company placed a Plebe cover (hat) on the top of the USNA chapel dome.</p>
<p>The Class of 2012 are no longer Plebes. Therefore, they are not required to do all the “fun” things that Plebes do. Ever. This is not being granted “carry on.” They have been promoted. </p>
<p>To give yourself a small glimmer of why “carry on” is important to Plebes, and why everyone in the Class of 2012 is glad to no longer be a Plebe, try this: On the next day that you are at home for most of the day, do not watch TV. Do not listen to an ipod, MP3 player, or the radio. Do not watch movies. Do not take a nap, or even sit on your bed. Starting ~20 minutes before every meal, stand in the hallway and shout the complete menu for the meal as loudly as you can. Repeat shouting the menu every 5 minutes. When you eat, sit on the front 3 inches of your chair, and sit up very straight. When you move through the house, do not walk. Instead, practice your “step aerobics” on every single step, all day. When you move through the house, move out of they way of anyone else by making 90 degree turns. At every turn, loudly yell “Go Navy, Sir” or “Beat Army, Sir” (Ma’am if you’re going around a female). Plebes do all those things, and much more, every day for months on end. </p>
<p>It doesn’t matter that the Class of 2012 has known for for months precisely how long they had to endure to earn the right to NOT be Plebes. It’s a VERY big deal to not be a Plebe any more.</p>
<p>The comment about youngsters being like “plebes with carry on” is long-standing. If you’ve been through the mid experience, you know it, like many sayings, has elements of truth and fiction. It is VERY hard to explain but here goes.</p>
<p>First, youngsters don’t have a lot of responsibilites – at least not at the level of 2/C and 1/C. They aren’t primarily responsible for plebe indoc, they don’t have to run the brigade, they aren’t head of clubs or captains of sports teams, etc. They just exist and try to stay out of trouble. </p>
<p>Youngsters do get a few more privileges (as enumerated above and, which suprisingly have changed little from my day) than plebes. But not that many and many of those privileges (largely the audio/video ones) are given to plebes who get “carry on” before the end of the semester. </p>
<p>Finally, youngsters have not yet made their commitment and are basically still free to leave USNA without any “penalty.” So, in that way, they are still like plebes. 2/C and 1/C have the weight of commitment. </p>
<p>Yes, being a youngster is way better than being a plebe. But, in retrospect, you realize there really isn’t that much difference b/t a plebe with carry on and a youngster. Some, but not as much as you thought there would be – or even thought there was, at the time.</p>
<p>Daughter, new 2/C goes to former High School for graduation ceremony and Alumni fun this weekend . New “Plebe No More” also shows up at graduation weekend. First thing he says is “Hello Mam”. Her response: I am no longer “Mam” “Carry on”. lol They had a good laugh.</p>