Need some guidance...

profsparrow

profsparrow

5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
240
I've been trying to navigate the USNA calendars so DW and I can make some plans. Unfortunately they aren't much help to me. We probably won't get BFE #2 for a week or so. I understand that DS will need to report to USNA on 28 June. Here's the question. If I understand correctly DS won't be an official Plebe until after Beast, and then they're "sworn in." Given the choice is it best to go with him on 6/28, or wait until the day he's sworn in and then go, or is it best to go to both. And what date are they sworn in?
 
I thought Induction Day was technically swearing into the Navy, whereas PPW is the recognition and acceptance of the Plebes into the Brigade. More or less - someone else can probably clarify.

In my opinion, PPW is the most important time to go. My parents are just leaving me at the airport on June 27 - it's a journey I want to make alone. But they and my grandparents will be in Annapolis this August.

If it's possible, your son would probably appreciate you being there at both times. Or, maybe just in August. But I think that would be the time when a loving, familiar group of people would be most appreciated.
 
I-day is when you take the oath of office and are officially inducted into the Navy (hence, Induction Day!). PPW is kinda-sorta-not-really the end of plebe summer. There's another week-ish afterwards before the Brigade gets back, but PPW is the first time plebes get off the Yard to go do whatever.

While I guess it would be nice to be there for your son on I-day, all that would mean was that you see him enter Alumni in civvies and then see him for about 20 minutes later in the day in whiteworks. No one wants to be seen in whiteworks. My family was at I-day, but frankly it didn't make too big of a difference to me. That few minutes after the swearing in would have been boring but that's it.

If you have to choose, choose PPW. Your kid will be thrilled to get off the Yard, eat real food like a human being, and want to tell you all sorts of stories, etc. The overwhelming majority of our kids this summer had family come; the only ones who didn't had extenuating circumstances ($$, family issues, etc). They got taken care of, but in a couple cases were pretty bummed there was no one there for them.
 
Another vote for PPW over I-Day if you are choosing. And a little vocab--"Beast Barracks" is a West Point thing, Navy does "Plebe Summer."

Congrats to your son.
 
You have some of the terminology jumbled. "Beast" is a term used for West Point, not USNA. Most of the discussion about what to attend for USNA relates to I-day vs. Plebe Parents Weekend (PPW) in the event you aren't able to attend both. The USNA program for plebes begins on I-day.
 
I concur, PPW if you can only do one. If you can make I-Day great, if not, its not the end of the world. As mentioned you will see them enter Alumni Hall and get maybe 30 minutes with them afterwards. Yes, seeing them with a freshly shaved head and those horrible white works are great moments to see, but PPW is even better. My parents didn't make the journey for I-Day and it wasn't that big of deal. I visited with my friends family after we swore in and they took all the great pictures and sent them to my folks. If you happen to know another family that will be attending I Day I am sure they would be happy to take some pics for your parents, check in with them and tell them you are doing just fine, and bring you a cold drink before all the chaos begins when you re-enter Bancroft. USNA is a big family, you will learn quickly enough that when family comes into town that means your closest friends will also get dinner with Mom and Dad and no one is ever left behind for holidays. Being able to get away PPW, sleep, eat, relax, etc is much more important to a plebe. And yes, there really is one week of Plebe Summer left after PPW. Usually this is a transition week getting ready for the academic year, moving rooms, final issue of school year stuff, finalizing classes, etc. There is usually a "turnover" parade or something along those lines that serves as the recognization of them as plebes and turned over to the Brigade.
 
Thanks everybody for the advice and PM's, and updates on acronyms, I'm sure I'll learn more over the next several years. Sounds like we'll go to PPW. I had heard that you only get a few minutes on I day, and DS is a big boy, we'll do our "so-long for now" stuff at the airport. DS's best friend is also going to USNA but I don't know if his parents are going to I-day, probably not. When is PPW? I didn't see it on the USNA calendar. I'm sure that motels and so forth will be booked solid if we don't make reservations now. And does anybody have suggestions on where best to stay while we're there? Thanks again for all your input!
 
Is the USNA PPW equivalent to the "A-Day" (Acceptance Day) weekend at USMA in mid-August (A-Day@USMA == I-Day@USNA)? I know the USMA A-Day weekend has plebes released to parents late afternon on Saturday and can go off-base, but we will have to be back to base at 1AM for roll call, then are released again Sunday AM for all-day off base, due back Sunday evening. Does USNA PPW allow plebes to leave base for the full 2-3 day period? It sounds like that from what I see here. Just curious if the USMA weekend is more restrictive than the USNA weekend.

Also, USMA has PPW in March (I think it coinicdes with start of Spring Break) but from what I read, it is pretty much an all on-campus series of events and a formal ball, etc. Does USNA have similar spring event for parents & plebes to see each other?
 
SimpleMan - PPW (Plebe Parent's Weekend) is a time for loved ones to visit with their plebe. This includes time on Fri, Sat, and Sun that the plebe is allowed to leave the yard. The plebe is allowed to travel within a very limited radius (22 miles in the past) but must wear uniform (in public) or other issued clothing and return each evening. If I remember, the plebes were released after noon formation on Friday and were due back by 10 pm, Saturday after the parade and due back at midnight, and Sunday 8 am - 6 pm. There are tours and other events for the parents, especially Th-Sat.

As far as I know, there is no spring event at USNA comparable to USMA PPW.
 
engineer said:
SimpleMan - PPW (Plebe Parent's Weekend) is a time for loved ones to visit with their plebe. This includes time on Fri, Sat, and Sun that the plebe is allowed to leave the yard. The plebe is allowed to travel within a very limited radius (22 miles in the past) but must wear uniform (in public) or other issued clothing and return each evening. If I remember, the plebes were released after noon formation on Friday and were due back by 10 pm, Saturday after the parade and due back at midnight, and Sunday 8 am - 6 pm. There are tours and other events for the parents, especially Th-Sat.

As far as I know, there is no spring event at USNA comparable to USMA PPW.
Click to expand...

Thank you, engineer. PPW at USNA in August sounds like a combination of A-Day weekend (August) + PPW (March) at USMA, with similar hours of 'freedom' and 'reporting', but whereas USNA is 3 days straight, USMA is 1.5 days at A-Day and then whatever PPW entails (which I admit I have not learned about yet). Thanks again for your insight.
 
There isn't a direct correlation between every activity that takes place at West Point and USNA. Unless you know individuals who will be starting at both academies this year, it is probably best to focus on the one your son/daughter will be attending. There is plenty to learn about the one you will be directly involved with, so probably the best use of your time is to focus there.

The schedule for activities at USNA can and does change from year to year so what they did last year or a few years ago for PPW isn't necessarily what they will do this year.

Since most basic topics gets discussed every year on this forum, you might also scan back to around last year at this time to read up on the various topics discussed at that time.
 
profsparrow: Congrats to you and your son! You mention BFE#2 in your OP. Did your son get two offers, or has a previous DS/DD received an appt?

IMO, being present on I-day is more for parents/family, while PPW is more for your Plebe. Even though things do change a bit from year to year, many things stay the same. Here are things that have stayed with me from our I-day & PPW 4 years ago(!)

I-day minus 1 was a great day to tour the Yard, go to the Mid Store for the first time with our then Plebe-to-be, and have a relaxed time taking photos, etc. On I-day, we had the earliest start time (0630), so it was nice to know exactly where to be. After ~ 30 seconds in line, DD was through the doors (Note: she still, to this day, refuses to use those doors unless officially required to do so!) We spent the day taking various tours, finding places to watch Plebes, etc., then went to the Induction ceremony. 20-30 minutes with new Plebe trying to keep her whiteworks straight and clean.

Fast forward ~6 weeks to PPW: First Town Liberty from end of Friday noon formation to ~11:00 or midnight. That first time seeing YOUR Plebe in Summer Whites: PRICELESS! No messy meals allowed, but wonderful for Plebe to be out and about. Learned about "Plebe hack," listening to the coughs and hoarse voices of every Plebe in town. Had Plebe with us all day Saturday - very rainy - watched the Olympics on TV at hotel as Plebe lounged about. Sunday - went to Chapel for the first time. Plebe had joined the choir, not knowing that it would change her life by introducing her to Women's Glee Club.

Best wishes to you and all of the soon-to-be Class of 2016. May your "four years by the Bay" be filled with as many friends and successes as ours have been.
 
2012mom? Thank you so much for your response. Very well said. DS received call from MOC last week informing us of appointment. Still awaiting BFE. Very excited but somewhat nervous (DS is fine, WE are nervous!). Reading your post was encouraging. Looking forward to a wonderful experience at USNA.
 
2012mom? said:
profsparrow: Congrats to you and your son! You mention BFE#2 in your OP. Did your son get two offers, or has a previous DS/DD received an appointment
Click to expand...
I was referring to the next communication from USNA, with all the reporting instructions and so forth. I've seen some posters on the forums refer to it as "BFE#2."

Thanks for all the great info and advice. We appreciate it. We're all excited about DS becoming a part of the Navy family.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top