boxes! The parent worries about it all week long, only to find at the next call that they don't even remember the conversation. Plebes may be "down" when they call, but hours later it's forgotten. You may even hear them vocalize an intent to leave. Tell them to sleep on it or talk to the Chaplains, and often this, too, will pass.

That's where we, the parents' club, come in! When Plebe parents have those moments of anxiety, they can call their Shoremates from the club. They've already been through the process ("been there, felt it, have the T-shirt!") and can be a good sounding board. The club meetings provide a forum where new parents can get information, share their concerns and anxieties with others, and gain new insights, all in a friendly environment! Many of us have been with the club for several years and find it a rewarding experience.

You'll get out of it what you put into it! If you're an active member, come to the meetings and help out, it'll be rich & rewarding for you; if you do nothing but pay dues & get the newsletter, you won't gain much from the experience. We'll tell you more about our club later in this booklet. Join! GET INVOLVED! Let us share those special moments with you as your son or daughter struggles and achieves. You won't regret it for a minute!

"The Yard"
The United States Naval Academy opened in 1845, on the grounds of 10-acre Fort Severn, at the mouth of the Severn River on Chesapeake Bay. Through a succession of landfills into the adjacent waters (because there was no room to expand into the growing town of Annapolis which surrounded the academy), the grounds (lovingly called "The Yard") have grown to 322 acres.

Back in 1845, there were only 7 faculty members, 4 of them Navy officers. That tradition continues today with about one half of the faculty being civilians. This is unique among the service academies, which have mostly military faculties.

Back then, the 5-year curriculum included 2 years at sea; now, the sea duty requirements are accomplished during the summer months of the 4-year curriculum. Today's curriculum has a heavy emphasis on scientific and technical subjects (14 of 18 majors are in science/ engineering) to help prepare future officers for the complex technology of modem ships and weapons systems.

The Naval Academy is a fully accredited 4-year college, including recognition by the Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology. Ninety-three to 97 per cent of Academy graduates pass the exam on the first try (compared with 75% from other US colleges), illustrating the quality of an USNA education.
Plebe parents can feel good that their kids are going to not only get the best education money can buy, someone else is paying the bill, AND they have a guaranteed job after graduation! Military academies are unique amongst universities, because they hire their own students after graduation! If they tum out a poor product, they hear about it! The bad news: they'll be entering a pressure cooker which is equivalent to holding a full time job in addition to taking 21-25 semester hours of college classes! It's tough!