What to bring with you for Plebe Summer.......
The below info is posted with the permission of Capt. Bill Winney, USNA Class of 72'

We tend to focus on things... 

I would offer something else...
A sense of humor...
Humility...
A sense of purpose...
A readiness for friendship & fellowship...
Commitment to service...
Be ready to give as good as you get...

There are many things that will happen to new Plebes that will go down
easier if one has the ability to step back and laugh at oneself and with others.
Many new Plebes were key leaders in their high school or other
organizations, many will become followers here and not like it, humility
helps. The opportunity to lead will come again.
One shouldn't go to USNA unless the goal is to become a Naval Officer
(& yes I do include Marines here since they are also officers of the
Naval Service...). This is no small thing and will require hard work
and swallowing things that former peers wouldn't begin to understand,
but then we all train for combat and those same peers will be glad these
young men and women go first.
Friendship & Fellowship will get one through when the chips are down. 
Bonds formed at USNA will last. The ability to make friends will stand
one in good stead through the tough tours of duty in a career. 
One attends the Naval Academy for the good of the Republic. Many
Plebes don't really know what they want to do and, dedicated as they are
on I-Day, it might not be service after all. That's OK, people change,
but while there keep service to the nation close to the top of the list.
The enlisted men and women of the Navy are as good as their leaders. 
These Plebes will become their leaders and are very important to the
Navy and the Nation.
Readiness to give as good as you get is important. When the upper-class
shovels something your way be ready, when the appropriate opportunity
presents, to shovel it right back... humorously and respectfully, but
nevertheless heave with that shovel!

Good luck and Godspeed,

Bill Winney
Capt, USN '72
Jason '03/30th

PS There are those that become S___ screens for a time. It happens. 
Ride it out and, as above, give as good as you get. It is a time
honored tradition and most are tapped for it given the fickleness of
people. I have a close friend in '58 who did it in his time, I did it
in my time ('72), and my son ('03), has absorbed such. It will pass,
put your head down and run with the ball.