USNA Family and Friends Connect with Class of 2015

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Alexia Riveracorrea

Plebes pick up care packages in Mitscher Hall July 26. More than 200 care packages from around the country have been delivered to the academy since the beginning of Plebe Summer.

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To get through the physical and mental demands of Plebe Summer, plebes rely on more than their own personal strength and the support and teamwork of their fellow midshipmen. They also depend on support and encouragement from their family and friends back home.

One plebe mother decided to take this a step further to encourage families to send care packages for those midshipmen who might not have a firm support structure at home.

Because that support from home is so important, especially without access to cell phones and computers for six weeks, the upper-class midshipmen detailers who run Plebe Summer keep track of who receives mail and who doesn’t.

This parent knew that while her own plebe would gladly share with classmates, there might be other midshipmen who don’t receive packages from home, said Naval Academy Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Seth Phillips, who helped organize the delivery of these care packages to the plebes.

“The chaplain offices have been filled to overflowing with packages of all sizes from friends and families from all over the country,” said Phillips.

During I-Day, Phillips encouraged parents and friends to contact the Chaplain’s Office with any questions about the plebes or the academy in general, so he was the natural point of contact for parents wanting to send care packages.

“I handed out close to a thousand cards with my phone number on it to parents and family members,” said Phillips. The phone has been ringing ever since.

Phillips finds connecting plebes to their families and friends fulfilling. It allows plebes to receive news from back home in a timely fashion and helps parents understand what is really going on with their plebes at the academy, he said.

In response to a parent’s concern that plebes would feel awkward accepting something from a stranger, he responded, “You are not a stranger. You are part of the Class of 2015.”

He suggested signing the cards something like “Plebe mom” or “South Carolina Club is Supporting You.”

“Let them know that you are not a stranger, that indeed, you are part of the family.”

That’s one of the messages of Plebe Summer; people that you’ve never seen or met before are your family, said Phillips. No matter where they’re from, they all appreciate the midshipmen’s service and recognize their sacrifice.

So far, more than 200 boxes have been delivered to the academy, from about 75 addresses nationwide.

“I am pleased with the number of care packages from people who reached beyond their own child to support other plebes,” said Phillips. “I am delighted not only with the stuff we receive, but their support.”