Walter was a bit underwhelmed by Induction Day. He had done all of what happened today in 10 minutes the night before. He reported as ordered at 0700 and had been standing around most of the morning already. He supposed that this was for families since they would not be seeing them until Christmas break, except for a "Parent's Day" before the school year started. They made a big deal about the send off at Basic Training in the Army too.

One thing that had been interesting about the morning had been watching his roommate being sworn in by his father, a General Hammond Radar knew from his time in Korea. The General had approached Radar and asked him to keep an eye on his boy. He told Walter that he kept the 4077th in line, so one boy should shine under his attention. Walter wasn't too sure what he thought about that.

Walter found out that those reporting were expected to know certain things about the Navy when they arrived. He was supposed to know his immediate administrative chain of command, which he mostly did. Walter just needed to learn the names of comparable Navy leaders as knowing the Army chain of command was still instinctive. He obviously didn't know who his student chain of command was yet. They would find that out later today. He knew the first three General Orders of a Sentry, as they were the same for all branches of the service. That was nice. He was also to know verbatim the mission of the United States Naval Academy. He had no clue on that one. He was given a slip of paper with it printed upon it and began to set it in his memory. 'The Mission of the Naval Academy: To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have the potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.' Should be easy to remember, right? He was told leeway was 3 days because of his late admittance.

There was a picnic lunch by the Alumni association, a few band concerts throughout the day, and much pomp and circumstance. The highlight of the evening for the parents was the Official Oath of Office Ceremony at 18:00 (6 pm). Some time after that the Regiment was formed and they walked in formation to the dining hall admist cheers and the band playing in the background. He couldn't say they marched as there was no cadence called, everyone was out of step, and most people hadn't distanced themselves properly. It was pretty pathetic, even by Walter's lax standards. He was finally able to eat around 20:00 (8 pm) and could not be happier the ceremonial stuff was done with. He knew that the hard work began now, but he was really looking forward to it.

Dear Family,

Plebe Summer is almost over. It was kinda like being back in Army Basic Training again. They like to teach us how to do things the "Navy Way". It has been a lot of swimming in different strokes, running, stretching, and of course, push-ups. I learned how to sail. We got to sail little two man skiffs and big schooners that take teams to sail. It was really neat. We learned how to navigate using the stars and then again using tools. We learned how to fight. Boxing, karate, and wrestling all mixed up into what they call unarmed combat. I learned how to go rock climbing and how to rig harnesses and how to rappelle. I had to requalify with a rifle and a pistol in shooting. I was kinda nervous about that because I didn't use my weapons much in Korea. I was just the company clerk! But I should not have worried at all. Because some of these kids are learning for the first time, people like me and my roommate, George got more in depth instruction on account of us knowing how to shoot and all. I might even get a special marksman badge and everything. It was easier than keeping that damned fox out of the henhouse when I was 10, that's for sure! I bet Lyall could beat the pants of half the guys here! We have to march everywhere all the time. Sometimes we even have to get all spiffed up and show off for big brass. I don't actually mind wearing a uniform. I missed wearing it when I came home. It takes the pressure off about what to wear for the day. I can tell some guys are having some trouble with it though. One guy showed up to Induction Day in a full suit when they told us to wear casual clothes, even athletic clothes. I think it is hardest on him not being a clothes dandy and wearing a uniform and all. I think the hardest thing for me to get used to has been the lack of free time. From the moment we wake up to the moment we go to bed every moment is accounted for. This letter is actually being written in designated letter writing time of 30 minutes before we sing. Every night we sing the US Navy Blue and Gold. It gets kinda boring singing the same thing every night, but I guess that helps with remembering it. Lights out is 21:45, or 9:45 pm. I never stayed up that late on the farm and never went to bed that early in the Army. Getting up at 05:30 (am) is easy. We have breakfast at 06:45 (am) after an hour of PEP, or Physical Education Program. I have been getting up at 05:00 (am) to catch up on the Reef Points book that everyone is supposed to memorize. Things like the phonetic alphabet (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie and all that stuff), all the different ranks in all the branches of the military, and what types of ships and airplanes the Navy and Marines are using right now. We also have to memorize things that make us work harder together. They call it 'espirit de corps'. There is a really neat quote by Teddy Roosevelt called "The Man in the Arena". I won't write it down because it would take up a lot of room and you can look it up at the library if you're interested. Most days we practice marching in formation with our issued dummy rifles in what is called "close quarters drill". I think it is a toss up whether to call it torture or life in the military. We march in inspection parades once a week and I swear the whole town comes out to gawk at us. Everything we do is being watched. Tourists watch us do everything. It is kind of disturbing to tell the truth. If you mess up, not only does everyone in your group know, people from Indiana looking at our country's history know you messed up too. It is a lot of pressure. Lately we have been having these big wig brass types come in and give speeches (they call them lectures) about life in the military and what it means to be an officer. They talk a lot about honor and belonging to something bigger. Most of what they talk about are the reasons I left the farm and joined up again. I like the fact that I can be in the Marines and be a college boy too. The food here is really good and you can eat as much as you want in 25 minutes, as long as you also get your report in too. I usually don't talk while I eat, because that was the only time that was fully my own at the 4077th. Even the showers were full of people at all hours of the night and day. The only thing we have left before Parent's Weekend and the Reform of the Brigade is a series of tough challenges like the final Sea Trial, the last Obstacle Course, and the last Endurance Course. The worst part of it is we have to do it all together like one big gauntlet of adrenaline and pain. I am both excited for the challenge and scared I won't be able to do it. I talked to one of the older midshipmen and he said we won't be wearing civilian clothes this entire year except on our leave. He said the summer is hard like this because the school year is going to be worse. We are going to be doing everything we did during the summer and adding classes and clubs too. We are required to join at least 2 clubs on campus as well as an activity that gains you something, like a parachute jumping class or pilot class. I am glad we started so hard in the summer. I don't think I could go from the farm to the school year straight off, and I know some of my regiment definitely could not. I better wrap up this letter soon. I know you all can't make it to Parent's Weekend, so I will see if I can get some pictures developed and send them out to you soon. Love you all and miss the farm lots.

Love,

MIDN Walter O'Reilly

USNA Class of 1959

28th Company, 2nd Platoon

Annapolis, MD 21412

The family Col. Potter had put Radar in contact with was excellent. Every Sunday after services in the Chapel, they were dismissed until dinner for personal time. His first week, Walter had gotten a haircut. He hadn't known that his sponsor family was expecting him for dinner. The matter had been cleared up quickly and every week since he had Sunday dinner with Col. Thurman, his wife Edwina, and their two boys Douglas and Chester. It took him a couple of visits to realize that Douglas was named after MacArthur and Chester after Nimitz. Edwina always made sure to send him back to the dorms with some sort of treat, which made him very popular with his fellows.

Parent's Weekend arrived a bit quicker than Walter had realized. He sat with his roommate and watched as family after family was met in Alumni Hall. George's father had been posted to Germany at the hospital in Stuttgart and would not be able to attend. Walter's family was all back on the farm and he was having dinner with the Thurman's as usual on Sunday. It was a bit discouraging to watch all the happy families, but nice at the same time.

"O'Reilly!" A voice called across the chatter.

Walter stood to attention and tried to peripherally find who called his name. "Here, sir!"

"Well come and get your guests, son!" The man called again.

Walter was a bit puzzled because he wasn't expecting anyone. George had come to attention as well, not knowing what else to do. "Thank you for your assistance, sir!" Walter thanked the man and saw him off with a salute. When he turned to see who his guests were, he was more than pleased to see Col. and Mrs. Potter standing with all of the Thurman family.

"Col. Potter, Mrs. Mildred! What are you all doing here?" Walter exclaimed.

"Well now, son. You didn't think that a momentous occasion like this could be passed by uncelebrated, did you?" Col. Potter answered.

"We know you didn't expect anyone here from the farm because of the crop schedule and the short notice of your starting, so we decided to surprise you." Mrs. Potter added.

"We have lived here in town for over 22 years, but we never even considered hosting a Midshipman because of us being an Army family." Col. Thurman told Walter. "The boys have been having fun diving into a different side of history. Seeing where things happened and reading history in people's own words is a type of magic."

Walter took a moment to introduce George before Douglas and Chester told him everything they had learned about John Paul Jones, who was interred on campus. Apparently teenage boys like their heroes morbid and bloody.

Mrs. Thurman pulled George aside to ask about his sponsor family and came to the conclusion they were in it for the sports tickets and George would be coming home with Walter on Sundays from now on.

A thoroughly enjoyable weekend full of laughter, good food, and lots of new friends was the perfect way to end a grueling summer of hard work. When the school year started in a few days, George and Walter would be ready to face it's demands refreshed and recharged. They would face it with pies, cookies, and cupcakes as well, thanks to the lovely ladies who had all but adopted the boys. It certainly made it easier for Radar to make friends with all those treats to share. Mrs. Thurman had even managed to bake a pie to go with the mountain of pictures he was sending home. Walter felt a whole lot more confident and ready for whatever the future would hold after Parent's Weekend. He felt like he could do anything!