CARE PACKAGESYour plebe is permitted to receive packages of
goodies from home as often as you care to send them. It is best to keep them on
the small side and send them more often.
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DO NOT send junk food, salty food, or perishable food during Plebe Summer. It may be necessary to re-package items into smaller amounts to allow quick consumption. The first care package should be packed in a re-sealable plastic container (about shoebox size). This will help in keeping all of their treats fresh throughout the year. It is better to send smaller packages more often and continue to send them throughout the year. |
MAIL, UPS, AND FEDEX
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To send packages to your mid via
an express or package service, you should use the following format with the
mid’s name and company inserted: |
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*Note: The phone number is required for some delivery services. |
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EMAIL AND PHONES At the beginning of the Academic Year, each plebe is issued a computer and an email account. This will probably be your main means of communication with your mid for most of the year. Email allows you to keep in touch on a daily basis, but do not be surprised if you receive VERY short replies in return or none at all. They just don’t have the time. Most mids prefer to use their personal email accounts for communication between family and friends. Their school email account is bombarded with many emails every day and it is usually easier to not co-mingle the two. Some parents and mids use “Chat” software which enables two way typing conversations between you and your mid when you are both on-line. Because the mids’ computers are wired to the Internet via high speed lines (rather than via modem used in most homes), your mid may seem to be “on-line” at his computer when in fact he is not even in the room. For this reason and more importantly because of the small amount of free time plebes have available, you should wait for your plebe to begin an instant message conversation. Also, if there is a break in your conversation, just wait. You never know whether an upperclassman has entered the room and it would not be helpful to your plebe if the upperclassman sees “Are you still there?” scrolling across the screen. Also, Brigade companies have differing rules regarding the use of instant messaging. Once again, let your plebe tell you what is possible and appropriate. |
VISITING USNAYard Liberty: When Yard liberty is granted, midshipmen are authorized to visit specific areas or places within the Yard, plus Perry Circle, quarters on County Road near Perry Circle, Arundel Estates officers’ quarters, authorized sailing areas and the USNA golf course. Midshipmen must wear the uniform of the day during Yard liberty unless participating in athletic events. To Town Liberty: Midshipmen are allowed to visit areas outside the Naval Academy ground but plebes must remain within the 22 mile limit. Town liberty does NOT extend overnight. Plebes must wear the uniform of the day during town liberty. Weekend Liberty: (overnight). Plebes are not entitled to weekend liberty. For the 3/c midshipmen, weekends begin at 1200 Saturday and end at 1800 Sunday. Upperclass weekends are from 1830 Friday to 1800 Sunday. Short weekends usually extend from 1015 Saturday to 2000 Sunday. A long weekend begins after the mid’s last military obligation on Friday (not earlier than 1300) until 2000 on Sunday. A 3-day weekend extends the time period 24 hours. Families can enjoy many of the public areas in the Yard, including the Visitor's Center, Preble Hall Museum, and the Chapel. The Chapel, located at the center of the Yard, is the tallest building. John Paul Jones’ crypt is beneath the Chapel. Restaurants: Places to eat on the Yard are the cafeteria in Dahlgren Hall, called the Drydock Restaurant, and the Officers’ Club. Parents can join the Officers’ Club and receive discounted prices on meals. The “O” Club has a popular brunch on Sunday mornings after the Chapel services. Reservations are a must here, particularly on football and event weekends. Weather: Annapolis weather can either be unseasonably hot or cold. The beautiful gardens are a result of frequent rain showers and humid conditions. Most of Naval Academy events are informal, except Chapel services, but comfortable walking shoes are a must. |
NAVY SHOPPINGUSNA Store (Mid Store): The Mid Store stocks all kinds of things your mid will need at fairly reasonable prices. Currently, the store has clothing (both Navy imprinted and civilian clothes), shoes and sneakers, jewelry, personal products, cleaning goods, books, electronic equipment, cameras, decals, snacks, and keepsakes of all kinds. You can also purchase a computer printer during PPW. The store is open to mids and members of their immediate families. You may shop without your mid but you must obtain a special pass from the Mid Store office. You will need your mid’s alpha number to get the pass. USNA Visitor Center: Inside the Visitor’s Center is a store that is open to the public that stocks many of the same keepsakes as the Mid Store, but usually at a higher price. They have other Navy-related merchandise as well. Although policies may change, you can currently obtain a 10% discount when you shop with your mid or give his alpha code at checkout. Navy Exchange: Across the Severn is the Naval Station. This complex contains a gas station, grocery store, liquor store, and small department store. You must be accompanied by your mid to shop here, but you will find additional items to purchase which are generally priced lower than at civilian stores. |
OUTSIDE THE YARDThe city of Annapolis, capitol of Maryland, is within walking distance of Academy gates. As bad as parking can be on the Yard, it is even more difficult in town. You may want to park on the Yard, therefore, and walk into town. Annapolis is rich in history. Many attractions include historic houses, museums and buildings, gardens, the city dock, marinas, and a variety of restaurants where fresh Maryland crab is the specialty. There are also many little shops in town in which to browse and purchase unusual gifts. Accommodations: Annapolis has a wide variety of accommodations for visitors from deluxe hotels to more modest motels, as well as Bed and Breakfast rooms available in old homes, townhouses, and on ships. Most of the hotel/motel chains have at least one site in the area. Although there seem to be numerous hotels, they are often all booked, so always make reservations as early as possible. If your budget is tight or you cannot find a room in Annapolis, you can expand your search to the outlying areas such as Bowie, Glen Burnie, New Carrollton, Kent Island, and beyond. You may find that staying 10-15 miles outside of Annapolis can save you a lot of money, particularly during event weekends. BEYOND ANNAPOLISA drive from Annapolis to either Baltimore or Washington DC takes about 45 minutes, but both are beyond the 22 mile limit (a regulation for plebes). There are taxi services to BWI airport and to the Metro station at New Carrollton. Special military air and train fare rates are available to mids when they show their military ID cards. Plebes and 3/C must travel in uniform. |
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THE TRIDENT The Trident is a weekly newspaper produced by Comprint for the Academy, and many Parents Club members feel it is a MUST! The Trident keeps you up-to-date on what is going on at the Yard and particularly during plebe summer, may be your only source for information about what your plebe is experiencing. You may scan every photo with a magnifying glass to catch any glimpse of your plebe. is a weekly newspaper produced by Comprint for the Academy, and many Parents Club members feel it is a MUST! The Trident keeps you up-to-date on what is going on at the Yard and particularly during plebe summer, may be your only source for information about what your plebe is experiencing. You may scan every photo with a magnifying glass to catch any glimpse of your plebe. Free copies can be picked up in many locations on the Yard and subscriptions are available.
“OP INFO” |
GRADUATION AND COMMISSIONING
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ON PARTINGAfter graduation, as parents, you will find that you really miss the direct USNA contacts and you’ll be especially grateful for all of the new friends you have made over the past four years, and for your memories, photos, and mementos. The Navy rightfully gains dedicated new supporters every year. Moreover, many parents remain active in the USNA Parents' Club of New Jersey long after their mid graduates. If you stay as a dues paying member for six more years (after your four years already paid) you will become honorary lifetime members. Alumni parents continue to be a source of encouragement, understanding, and support to those of us who join the ranks each year. The Superintendent proudly assert that the service academies are the only colleges that hire all their graduates, and for the new military officers, this is a plus in many ways. Mids may find many of their former classmates are at the same duty stations and they now will have friends wherever they go around the world. The traditions of the USNA continue in hearts and minds everywhere. |
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This is the end of
the NJ Scuttlebutt. Thanks for visiting. |