Annapolis Parents Club of Southern California

Survival Hints for Plebes

Plebe is short for Plebeian, from the Latin meaning "a member of the ancient Roman lower class or common people" and lowly it is. But with determination and self-discipline, you will meet the challenges of being a lowly Plebe one-day at a time, with the help of your fellow classmates.

If you're not already in excellent physical condition, start getting that way now! Plebe summer will be very demanding and the hot, humid days of running and physical exercise will take its toll. In addition to getting in shape physically, candidates should begin acclimating their bodies to the new time schedule, 0530 - 2230 hours (5:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.) well in advance of I-Day. You will not be allowed to lie down on your bed during the day until taps at night, so you should make sure that you are in great shape so you can survive all that marching, running, chopping, (taking short double time steps, while moving along the center of the passageways, sounding off with motivational phrases and squaring-off all corners).
 
You may want to get a regulation haircut before reporting in on I-Day. It won't keep you from getting another one that day, and once a week thereafter, during your Plebe year, but at least you won't be such a shock for Mom and Dad when they see you the first time during Parents Weekend. It will also help avoid sunburn of your scalp in the areas not covered by your Dixie Cup.

On the morning of I-Day dress in "civies" and a pair of worn in running shoes. The "civies" will be taken away from you and stored until Plebe Parent Weekend when your parents get to take them home. The academy issues most, if not all, necessities, but you will receive a list of what to bring with you. You may bring a few of your favorite snapshots, as Plebes do rate pictures. Bring some medicated powder. Some of the Mids have developed body rashes from a combination of the chemicals in the fabric of the new uniforms and the very humid conditions that exist in the summer at Annapolis. For most, once the uniforms are laundered, this is no longer a problem. Athlete's foot is a common ailment, however, and you may go through 2 or 3 cans of medicated powder before you finish the summer.

Calculators are required. You'll receive suggestions for the specific type in the material that will be provided for you from the Academy. Computers will be issued to each new Plebe before the start of the academic year. Printers are not provided and while not necessary, as a master print room is available, a personal printer is certainly an asset. Your parents could bring your printer to you as soon as Plebe Parents Weekend, if you already have a printer at home. The Mid Store is an excellent place to purchase printers, as they make sure they always have the corresponding ink cartridges on hand.

Consider the summer a survival challenge. You will not be the first one to have undergone this trying time, nor will you be the last. Take whatever harassment may be issued one moment at a time, everything has a purpose. You may not see that purpose during Plebe summer, but by the time you are a Youngster you will appreciate the "hidden motives".

Organize your time. Never allow 15 minutes to go by without doing something constructive. If nothing else is pressing immediately,...clean your room. You can never get it clean enough to pass inspection without some hits anyway.

If you are not a specialist in some sport, now may the time to try something that you may have never had the opportunity to participate in before, i.e. rugby, lacrosse, squash, or crew. You will also get an opportunity to enter the boxing ring in competition, though probably not before your second year.
Non-varsity athletes march in parades and play intramural sports during the fall and spring. Varsity athletes practice every day of the week and are exempt from marching in the parades when their sport is in season.

Thoroughly digest the regulations governing the USNA and pay particular attention to the Plebe Indoctrination System, it is vital that you study and know your rates when asked.

Some feel the Plebe year is more demanding and stressful than Plebe Summer. Of course one of the reasons for this is the fact that so much is expected in such a short period of time. There are come-arounds, rates to be learned, athletics, watches to be stood, military functions, marches, academic studies, cleaning rooms and uniforms etc., etc., etc. Once the Brigade returns following Parent's Weekend, there are as many as three upper classmen to each plebe, and the result can be very intimidating.

During the academic year, a typical day begins with Plebe wake-up (between 0500 and 0530), well over an hour before the upper class get up. Plebes need to read and be conversant with their newspaper articles (that will be assigned to them), memorize menus, professional topics, and "chow calls". At around 0630 they will probably have their "come around" of the day with a youngster or second class who will give them their professional topics for the day.
Morning quarters formation is at 0700 for the entire company; breakfast is shortly afterwards, and the first academic class starts at 0755. There will be four class periods in the morning, the last one ending at 1145.
After this ten minute grilling period, they will probably have another "chow call", which means standing in a prearranged spot in the company area and yelling at the top of their lungs:

"Sir, you have ten minutes until noon meal formation. Noon meal formation goes outside. The uniform for noon meal formation is winter working blues, stripers carry swords. The menu for noon meal is: (this changes with every meal, but all plebes must memorize each day's menu's)

• Tuna Salad Sandwich Kit
• Sweet Pickle Chips
• Cheese Doodles
• Mayonnaise, Sliced Tomato, Lettuce and Onion
• White Bread
• Lady Baltimore Layer Cake
• Iced Tea with Lemon Wedges, Milk

The officers of the watch are:

• the Command Duty Officer is Lt. (name) 1st Company Officer,
• the Officer of the Watch is Midshipman Lt. (name), Brigade Assistant Operations Officer.

The professional topic of the week is Naval Aviation. The major events in the yard today are:

• 0800 Blood drive on Deck 4-0
• 1600 Men's Water Polo vs. Army, Lejeune Hall
• 1900 Company Officer's time

"You now have ten minutes - Sir!"

As the Plebe is loudly yelling this, he or she is typically surrounded by several second class who are just waiting for him/her to make an error. Following this five minute "chow call" (which is very similar to the ten minute call) they "chop" to formation in the center of the passageway, eyes straight ahead, squaring all corners, and greeting all upper-class with a loud "GO NAVY, SIR" or "BEAT ARMY, SIR"! As a result of all this yelling. (Parents, don't be alarmed at your Plebe's hoarse voice when he/she calls home. In fact, they sound as if they are catching a cold all summer and for the better part of the first year.)

All through lunch, the plebe keeps his or her "eyes in the boat", serves the upper class, responds to all their questions. After taking a bite, places the utensil back on the plate and the hand goes back into the lap. Each table is set for twelve Mids in the squad. After serving seconds, the Plebe can request permission to "shove off" and if granted, (seldom) returns to his room. After noon meal, there are two more classes, which end at 1505. Evening meal is served buffet-style between 1700 and 1900. There is open seating during evening meal and Mids can eat at their convenience between the prescribed times.
Evening meal is followed by a study hour at 2030. Plebe taps and upper class taps are at 2400 with a muster each night. Plebe rooms are usually inspected daily and formal inspections (white glove and black sock) are conducted about twice each semester.

For the Plebes the hassles continue all the way through the first and second semesters. If Navy beats Army in football, "carry on" is usually granted until Christmas leave. This means that many restrictions are eliminated; for example, Plebes can sleep when they want to, even during the day! Periodically through the academic year, rumors circulate that maybe they can have stereos or their rates will be changed but the privileges never come until after final exams.

Mail and Shipping

Send mail, lots and lots of mail. The format for the Plebe Summer Address (it will change slightly once the academic year begins) is as follows:

MIDN 4/C John X. Doe
Class of 2014
X Company, X Platoon
Annapolis, MD 21412


You will receive a letter a few weeks before I-day letting you know which Company and Platoon your Plebe-to be is assigned to. Distribute this address to grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, friends so your Mid will get lots of mail over the summer. There will be no E-mail until Mids are issued their computers after Parents' Weekend, so you will have to rely on the post office. Generally speaking, letters take approximately 2 days to get from California to Annapolis. Send notes, photographs, postcards, funny stories, newspaper articles, jokes - anything that will lift sagging spirits. Most greeting card companies make "Thinking of You," "Cope," or "Hang in There" cards. (You may want to purchase a supply of these and postcards to mail in between letters - your way of reminding your Mid that your are there for him/her, even on days when you couldn't fill a letter. A mail-order company called "mach1" sells items with a military theme, among them notecards. Call for a catalog 916-893-4000. Photos and cards can be placed under the transparent desk covering (provided by the Academy) to remind your Mid that you're thinking of him or her.

If your Plebe is not a big letter writer you could consider sending him/her a form letter that you create from all the questions you have. Print it out, send it to them and simply let them check off or fill in the answers and then have them mail it it back to you. Many Plebes are just too mentally and physically exhausted to think of anything to write, and this is a simple and effective way for them to communicate with you.

Care packages

The policy on care packages during Plebe Summer has changed from year to year. There are several companies located in Annapolis that will put together some nice care package and deliver them to the Academy. Of course parents are encouraged to put together their own care packages consisting of "items that will lift the spirit". Hold back on junk foods that may interfere with a balanced diet. Remember that chocolate may melt during shipping and also has the nasty habit of creating surprise stains on their white uniforms. Eventually, your Plebe will make specific requests, such as powdered Gatorade. Others have suggested peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, Power bars, Balance Bars, pretzels, nuts, raisins or other dried fruits, water-packed tuna, canned deviled ham, small cans of fruit or applesauce (remember to send a can opener, or get the "pop top" canned goods and spoons).

NOTE: Plebes are not permitted to have soda during Plebe Summer.

Whatever you send, put the first shipment in a reusable plastic container with a tight-fitting lid to discourage "critters." (We recommend you repackage everything and send in sandwich bags. The thought is the Plebe can get more into a box if they get rid of the original packaging) The policy for your Mid's class will be announced on I-day; we'll try to keep parents updated. Once the summer is over, you can send sweets--homemade cookies, Krispie treats, candy bars. The water in Bancroft is supposed to be hot enough to make Cup o' Soup or hot chocolate. Many company areas (also known as Ward Rooms) have a microwave oven, but most Plebes won't venture near it, lest they run into a testy upperclassman, so we would stay away from anything that needs cooking.
Warning: Popcorn and other crispy items wilt rapidly in Maryland's high humidity. There are several companies located in Annapolis that provide an outstanding service, putting together and delivering care packages to the Mids. Their information is included in the Care Package section of this booklet.

Shipping


Your best bet for sending care packages is the U.S. Postal Service. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes are a convenient and economical option, ensuring that it will be there in 2-3 business days, 4 days tops if it spends a day inside Bancroft. The Post Office at USNA will put a note in your Mid's mailbox notifying her/him that a package has arrived. You may consider printing your own postage and labels (see www.USPS.com ) for added savings and convenient drop-off of your package at your Post Office or home pick-up.