To the Plebe

 
In July, you will face the most challenging and physically demanding period of your life, plebe summer and plebe year. With determination and self discipline, you will meet these challenges one day at a time with the help of your fellow plebes. You have recently graduated in the top of your class with honors and this will help "tide you over" as a plebe. Plebe is short for plebeian, from the Latin meaning " a member of the ancient Roman class or common people" and lowly it is. Midshipman James Boomer, of the class of 1996 made this observation: "Being a plebe is like being a marionette with a sadistic puppeteer at the strings. We are always being pulled from different directions to do things that seem impossible, but can be accomplished through ingenuity and teamwork. If we as plebes look at the big picture, and focus on the future, we can see why all this training is necessary."

Keeping the ultimate goal in mind is important. Acceptance to the academy was a long and involved process. It took enthusiasm and hard work to get here. Now it must be maintained to make the most of your education. Organization and time management are the key to your success here. Everyone you will be meeting is highly motivated and talented. In fact, they are just like you. Be friendly and helpful, as you are making the best friends that you will have for the rest of your life.

As a plebe, you will be marching with a rifle, marching to meetings, chopping through the halls of Mother B and running around the rest of the time trying to stay out of trouble. You are not allowed to lie down on your bed until taps at night, so it seems quite obvious that plebe summer should be relatively easier when you are in great shape.

You will be memorizing hundreds of names, addresses, sayings, songs and monuments. Recognize that there is going to be a tremendous of mental stress and that you must learn to perform under pressure. They want to see how you handle the pressure to think and react quickly. You’ll have your turn as a trainer in a couple of years, and that is challenging too. Keep in mind that as a midshipman, you are in training as a future naval officer. You must learn to think clearly under pressure and react quickly;   the lives of many may depend on your ability to do so.

Try to keep your sense of humor, but be careful not to let it show at inappropriate times. It is important not to do anything that makes you stand out. Remember that the ultimate purpose for this type of training is to develop leadership skills so that you can become an effective part of the Navy team.

Farewells are always difficult, but you will find that you become even closer to those who matter the most and who understand, appreciate, and admire what you are doing.