Travel to R-Day

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Bigdog1987

10-Year Member
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Jan 25, 2010
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If I were to fly up via the government flight package, stay in Newark the night before, etc etc could my dad/mom fly up separately and see the sights at R-Day and such? Will they be allowed on post without me in their presence initially? The main reason we would want to do it like that would be so that I could get full reimbursement for my ticket, since with rising gas prices if we all flew together and turned in receipts I would probably not get reimbursed for the entire thing, right?
Thanks
 
mtnman17 said:
I would probably not get reimbursed for the entire thing, right?
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Not right. A receipt is a receipt. My son was reimbursed for the cost of his ticket and a hotel per diem for the night before. We came up 2 days before, but only one was reimbursed. My friends who drove were paid a per mile rate and a night in a hotel. Really, go w/ your family...it's better to be with them the night before if possible, and to stand in line on Rday with them. Don't take that from them hoping to save a few nickels.
 
It is a beautiful drive up I-81 from North Carolina! We were glad we drove and had the day before R-Day to spend together as a family. Plenty of great hotel deals along the way if you want to break up your trip.
 
A little off topic, but good to know about nc! I'm making the drive in a few weeks!

And to answer the question about getting on post-unless the threat level for a military installation is hightened, anyone with a state id or military id can come on post. The gate guards will know that people will be coming for the purpose of r-day though, so there should be no reason for a visitors pass.
 
sarah.carroll17 said:
A little off topic, but good to know about nc! I'm making the drive in a few weeks!

And to answer the question about getting on post-unless the threat level for a military installation is hightened, anyone with a state id or military id can come on post. The gate guards will know that people will be coming for the purpose of r-day though, so there should be no reason for a visitors pass.
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You will get your new mailing address (and other pertinent info) and parking pass mailed to you in the weeks before R-Day. You still need to make sure everyone in the car over 16 has ID and be prerapred to pop the trunk. You wil have everything you need to get on base.

Good Luck!!
Stacey
 
Side note to add to what Sarah said. You have to have a reason to go along with that ID, like your parents will, but yes, civillians are allowed on post at West Point based on ID. The post itself is closed and is not for self touring so if you weren't coming up in conjunction with R-day and its events, in order to see the "sights" generally have to pay for the tour through the museum based in Highland Falls right outside the gate.
 
Casey said:
Side note to add to what Sarah said. You have to have a reason to go along with that ID, like your parents will, but yes, civillians are allowed on post at West Point based on ID. The post itself is closed and is not for self touring so if you weren't coming up in conjunction with R-day and its events, in order to see the "sights" generally have to pay for the tour through the museum based in Highland Falls right outside the gate.
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But if they just told the guard "we're here to see our son for R-day" the MP's would just let them in? If it sounds like we could get reimbursed for the whole thing, I might just go up with them. We'll see though, keep those tips coming!:wink:
 
casey is correct.

If your parent's tell the guard at the gate they are there as a parent of a New Cadet for R-Day they will be let it.
You will be issued a pass from Admissions to enter on R-day. Make sure to get this and your parents will be directed to the proper parking place.

While West Point is a closed post, Parents of Cadets are always allowed on post to visit them. This is not a problem as long as they have proper ID and car registration (which is sometimes asked for).

New Cadets who travel on the government travel package may not be able to see their parents the morning of R-Day. These cadets are generally processed first. Their parents are welcome to come and partake in the R-Day activities and stay for the parade at the end of the day.
 
mtnman17 said:
But if they just told the guard "we're here to see our son for R-day" the MP's would just let them in? If it sounds like we could get reimbursed for the whole thing, I might just go up with them. We'll see though, keep those tips coming!:wink:
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Yea I'm planning on just driving with my mom, albiet it will be a shorter drive from MA then from NC. My report time is at 6:30am so not going to be doing much in the morning but I figure being able to spend dinner and time the day before with my mom and some friends is worth it.
 
Many of your parents want that time in the line as you wait to be processed and say your 90 second goodbye. It's a ritual we need to emotionally go through; give that to your parents and don't worry so much about if you will be reimbursed 100%. You cannot put a price on the experience for your parents. Times are tough for many of us; trust me: go with your parents. You will not regret it.
 
mom3boys said:
Many of your parents want that time in the line as you wait to be processed and say your 90 second goodbye. It's a ritual we need to emotionally go through; give that to your parents and don't worry so much about if you will be reimbursed 100%. You cannot put a price on the experience for your parents. Times are tough for many of us; trust me: go with your parents. You will not regret it.
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So true........last year was soooooo hot they had fans along the inside halls and cadets passing out water. The local paper was there interviewing cadets and families and the excitement in the air was thick. We hade a great time in those last few hours. The 90 second goodbye.......well thats something every family should experience, if possible. I get weepy just thinking about it........:redface:

And after all that, DS was reimbursed with out filiing out any paperwork. We drove up, so they just calculated the reimbursemant rate and deposited it in his cadet account. A nice surprise, I would still keep receipts just in
case.

Good Luck:thumb:
 
Speaking from experience, I've advised my DD to take advantage of the opportunity to travel to RDay and spend the night before in the company of other soon to be New Cadets. While I'd love that last 90 second goodbye with her, having the chance to discuss her expectations (and anxiety) of what awaits her during Beast with others who will soon be experiencing it will be invaluable. This may lesson the shock of moving from her parents tender embrace to the less tender orders of the Cadre. I'll be there to take in the sights again and also stand proud as I see her sworn in that evening.
 
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