Roller coaster I: Get You (The Parents) Through Plebe Year - Class of ‘27 🎢

Congrats to the soon to be Plebes no more. It is a weird, but cool feeling just being a MIDN 4/C and not a Plebe. This is short lived as they become Youngsters at Commissioning, with all the rights privileges afforded. There is an old tradition that you weren't truly a Youngster until you saw the Chapel Dome coming back for Fall Reform. Very much just a fun thing to say at this point. Maybe in years past, that was a thing.

For the parents, Youngster Year brings its own challenges. I'd say the largest overall challenge is the sudden lack of motherhood (upperclass supervision). Nobody is really there to check to make sure you are doing your work, working out, and are on track for whatever professional things you have going on. Some people break out and others stumble. Also, it is very hard to be an invisible Plebe, but very easy to do as a Youngster. While peer rankings have gone away, upperclass and CO ranks have stayed. While you might not have done anything bad, if you are never seen, a lot of people will get ranked over you. However, if you participate in company, are a good person, and are helpful, then your rank will take care of itself. Friend groups may also shift as people start blazing their own trails. This is not malicious. This is just circumstantial. You will naturally seek out friends in similar life circumstances.

Besides being a sponge during PROTRAMID, I'd say my two big pieces of advice are to work out (so you don't come back to school out of shape) and to not have PROTRAMID be your one impression of that community. Some communities do the whole dog and pony show. Others will send people who they can spare being at the office for four weeks. Also, namely for the T-34, if you puke or get airsick, that doesn't necessarily mean you aren't cut out for aviation. 60% of flight students get air sick at some point in training and even winged aviators get air sick on occasion. If you came into to PROTRAMID having your eye on a community and you have a bad time, it is worth some more investigating like an extra training or having more pointed discussions with officers in that warfare community.
 
to not have PROTRAMID be your one impression of that community.
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THIS! Some COs, some commands, some JOs are really into making their community shine to mids. Others could care less. A small number find it a total PITA to have to add "entertaining a bunch of mids" to their already too-long to-do lists. It's a data point, and an important one, but just one.

One BIG thing I would add to 2019's excellent post -- STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!

Once upon a time, not too long ago, there was 2/C mid who was an outstanding student, varsity athlete, all-around good person. During PROTRAMID (when it was done 2/c year), one night the mid decided to imbibe in MJ-laced gummies (but no alcohol ). Then decided to take a joy ride in a friend's car. Got stopped by the police, who took the mid for a blood test. OOPS. Very big oops. Three weeks later, mid was a civilian. I'd like to say that this was a learning experience and mid went on to great things. Sadly, the story hasn't had a happy ending. Former mid dropped out of civilian college after a semester and, years later, still trying to find him/herself.

This is your first taste of real freedom. Make smart choices!
 
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