You hear that phrase repeatedly – time and tide wait for no man. It becomes very real while at the Academy because, regardless of what’s going on around you, the USNA calendar will continue to tear a page off every day and march forward.
Witness recent Facebook posts from the parents of USNA Class of 2029 … wait, 2029? Time and tide, indeed.
Of course, in some ways I am envious. The four years by the Severn are like nothing else. Walking the Yard, sitting in the stands at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, breakfast at the Iron Rooster. Sublime.
That being said, going through that first I-Day? Plebe Summer? Plebe Year? Hard pass, thanks.
Fear not, Class of 2029, you’ll look back fondly on these years. But here are a few pieces of advice I’d like to offer up …
Repeat after me: Your experience is the right experience. You will see a flood of Facebook posts over the next few years from fellow parents. Some will mirror your experience. Some will be the opposite. Don’t compare – everyone goes through this together but in quite different ways. If you’re Plebe is having a blast, enjoy. If they are struggling, trust me when I say they will not be the only one. Not by a long shot. Don’t be afraid to reach out to experienced parents for help. We love to pay it forward.
The rule of thirds: Your time at the Naval Academy is broken into thirds – Plebe Summer, the Plebe academic year and the final three years. Trust me, the math checks out. So as hard as it may be sometimes, do not wish the time away. Once your Plebe completes Herndon, time will fly by and you’ll be at commissioning.
Fill your bookshelf: These are worth your time, if you haven’t read them already.
The Chester Midshipmouse trilogy (Susan Weisberg): The beauty of these books isn’t just Susan’s gift for spinning an epic tale, it’s that it gives a true-to-life account of life as a Midshipman and does it in a way that can be enjoyed by all ages. I will always stand in awe of how she did that through the eyes of a mouse. I’m incredibly proud and humbled to say she invited me to write the foreward to the hardcover second edition of the first book.
The Naval Academy – A Parent’s Ponderings from Home Port: Untying the Bowline on I-Day (Steve Wade): If your heart bursts with pride when you think of your son or daughter strolling The Yard and taking on this incredible adventure, this book is for you. Steve weaves his tales like a warm blanket. And here’s an insider tidbit – he wrote most of it on his phone.
A USNA Mom’s Journal (p.s. Dads need this, too) (AN Shine): This is truly your playbook to your four years at the Academy. The effort and detail that go into this book blows my mind. It’s truly a gift.
A Midshipman’s Journey: Plebe to Officer at the United States Naval Academy Through a Graduate’s Eyes and Painter’s Brush (Kristin Cronic): Not only does Kristin bring the first-person view to you, she does it with her unique blend of words and original art. Her paintings are masterpieces unto themselves but her Midshipman experience brings it to another level. You can read more about Kristin here.
Hey, I wrote a book, too (actually three, but…) Flying High, Diving Deep: Lessons learned, memories made, and relationships forged as a two-time military academy parent: When you write as much as I have about the military academy experience, it only makes sense to take it up a notch and write a book. Academy Insider’s Grant Vermeer once labeled my writing “radical transparency,” which I absolutely embrace. Despite what many may say, our academies are not all sunshine and roses. The struggles are real, and I write about that with honesty. But the heights are dizzying, and I celebrate that as well.
Go to at least one Army-Navy game: You may have watched it on TV, but trust me, you’ve never really experienced it. You truly have to be there. Speaking of, make an effort to get to a home game if at all possible.
Make plans now to go to the Herndon Climb: Your Plebe may tell you it’s no big deal. You know what, you don’t have to go there for them because it’s also a rite of passage for you. My son’s Herndon Climb will always be one of my fondest memories of his time at USNA. In fact, I was so inspired, I did a podcast/playlist for the last eight Herndon Climbs. Wanna listen? Start here – last year’s, my FINAL edition, featured the MOST Plebe songs as chosen by me and the actual My Kid The Mid, Lt. Noah Smith.
That’s a lot to take in at one time, so let’s leave it there.
For now, enjoy the ride. There’s nothing else like it. And remember, you’re now part of a great, big USNA family. If you need help or guidance or reassurance, just reach out. And Bravo Zulu, your kid is going to the Naval Academy.
My Kid The Mid 