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Tupperware, airtight type container so your son/daughter will have it to use to store future goodies. TIP #2: Have your Mid make a list of the junk food/energy things he/she likes best before he/she leaves. As the year goes on you will find less interest in sweets and more in healthy foods (trail mixes, raisins, granola bars, etc.).

SHARING-
Don't be upset if you find your son/daughter had to (involuntarily) share the booty with the upperclassmen - it's part of being a Plebe! (Sharing is caring??)

DURING THE YEAR-
Keep sending them stuff, especially during & before exam weeks (see calendar) because during exams Mids may use meal times to study. No one has ever starved at the Academy, but food packages are important support tools! TIP #3: Use the regular mail (USPS), because it goes directly to their Company area. UPS/FedEx is delivered elsewhere and they won't have time to pick it up. Also they have to have an upperclassman walk with them to pick it up and that is not what your Plebe will want to do. Usually, Priority Mail (First Class) is best - 3rd Class is too slow.

SMALL IS BEST-
They have very little storage space. TIP #4: Send frequent small packages. Do not send a megapackage! BIRTHDAYS are great but do not celebrate to bring attention to your Plebe!!! Send something small to them at the Academy. But if there is something big you want to do, contact his/her Sponsor family and send it there.


COMMUNICATION-
WRITE OFTEN, especially during Plebe summer! Even if it's just a cute little greeting card that says "Hang in There!", or a note that says nothing more than "We had hot dogs for supper & the dog pooped". It will provide a welcome lift to a tired, discouraged young mind! Enclose newspaper clippings, church bulletins, etc. Humorous cards & stories are especially. uplifting! Don't expect a lot of mail in return - they won't have time! Also remind the rest of your family and friends to write and send cards, too. It really helps boost morale. Unless it's really critical, try to avoid mention of problems at home or how hard it must be for them. Keep your mail upbeat and positive, "Rah, rah, you can do it!" Be their cheerleader. Don't try to write before you get their box number. The mail will be returned. We recommend they take pre-addressed postcards and address labels of family, friends, relatives, etc., so they can send everyone their address. Mids are issued their post office box number on I-Day, but remember ASK THEM FOR IT! You can pass the address on to others who have a need to know. Their mailing address will be something like this:
Midshipman ________ (Class of 2006)
P. 0. Box XYYYY
U. S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, MD 21412-YYYY

EMAIL-
If you have a computer and a modem, you can communicate with your Mid through his/her personal computer which are issued at the beginning of the academic year, via the Internet. You can hook up to Internet via a number of on- line services. Talk to club members for recommendations & costs. Be sure and check out, " Instant Messenger" - usable with any service. Once you have access, the Internet mail address for a Mid begins with the letter "m" followed by their Alpha Roster Number (which your Mid can tell you after I-Day), and the USNA address. For example, if your Mid's Alpha number was 009184, his e-mail address would be:         <mOO9184@usna.edu>


COMPANY ASSIGNMENT-
During Plebe Summer,      Plebes are assigned to alphabetically designated Companies, i.e. Alpha, Bravo, etc. Your Plebe won't know which Company he/she is in until they get there. At the start of the academic year in September, they'll be switched to a numbered company (10th, 22nd, etc.) and will remain in that company until the start of the 2nd class (i.e. 3rd or Junior) year.

HOW THE BRIGADE IS FORMED-
In the summer of 1996, due to downsizing of the military in general,

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