2013 Mystic Flag Ceremony
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USCGA13STN
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So knowing absolutely nothing about your individual case, I'm going to toss out this little caveat... unless you live within about three hours driving distance, don't bother coming up for Mystic. It's not worth it, your swab is only going to get about 6 hours of liberty (if that) and I can give you a 99.9% guarantee that they're going to want to sleep for at least half of it. Plus there's not guarantee that your Swab will even be there because about half of them are going to be going on Eagle anyway during that time (depending on how the scheduling works out)
So with that information in mind, just be weary about planning to attend Mystic. Hope this helps you and anyone else contemplating the visit!
So with that information in mind, just be weary about planning to attend Mystic. Hope this helps you and anyone else contemplating the visit!
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I would strongly, respectfully, disagree.
We are just trying right now to get the dates, to see if it's even possible to come up. I am trying to see if I can commit to another function, so I wanted to get the dates to see if they are the same.
I won't get into the discussion on whether or not it is worth the drive, but I do tend to agree with Mr. Talbot. My DD hopes to be on the Sailing team, and I have spoken with other team members parents that say that they have never been able to attend Parent's Weekend due to Regatta schedules. That makes it easier to make the decision for Mystic, IF her Company will be there. That decision will come later when we know which Company she will be in, and the Company schedule for the Eagle.
I won't get into the discussion on whether or not it is worth the drive, but I do tend to agree with Mr. Talbot. My DD hopes to be on the Sailing team, and I have spoken with other team members parents that say that they have never been able to attend Parent's Weekend due to Regatta schedules. That makes it easier to make the decision for Mystic, IF her Company will be there. That decision will come later when we know which Company she will be in, and the Company schedule for the Eagle.
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USCGA13STN
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Maybe my family is just more economical than most, but as a child who hadn't seen his parents during the entirety of swab summer and frankly would have liked to see them, I still couldn't justify the expense to myself or to them to visit for eight hours. It's not to say that they won't be taken care of: every swab gets out on Mystic Flag Day (It's a rest day for the cadre too, remember!) but there are plenty of other long weekends and times during the academic years (even excluding Parents Day Weekend) when it is more convenient to visit and gets you more time with your child.
Also, speaking as a sailor for two years, there are plenty of times to meet with parents if they want to come up and visit, just usually after the season ends.
Call it a part of growing up, but dealing with the separation is something that has to happen: both for your swab and for you. I see my parents once a year now due to their having moved my second class year, and while it's hard, it's something we all have to do. I respect both of your rights to disagree but I will stand by my opinion on this issue. And it may be even more of an issue with some of the big changes that are coming to R-Day this year.
And to get to the crux of your question, as I suppose I should, Mystic Flag Ceremony is not listed on the Critical Dates Calendar for 2013-2014 and that dates hasn't yet been set.
Also, speaking as a sailor for two years, there are plenty of times to meet with parents if they want to come up and visit, just usually after the season ends.
Call it a part of growing up, but dealing with the separation is something that has to happen: both for your swab and for you. I see my parents once a year now due to their having moved my second class year, and while it's hard, it's something we all have to do. I respect both of your rights to disagree but I will stand by my opinion on this issue. And it may be even more of an issue with some of the big changes that are coming to R-Day this year.
And to get to the crux of your question, as I suppose I should, Mystic Flag Ceremony is not listed on the Critical Dates Calendar for 2013-2014 and that dates hasn't yet been set.
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USCGA13STN
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I will further add that these are my opinions as a cadet, swab, cadre and Summer XO. Not as a parent.
SamAca10
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Semper Gumby!
For the past three years the Mystic ceremony has been held on the fourth Saturday after R-Day which would make it July 27th this year. Now, having said that, DO NOT MAKE ANY PLANS because....
.....there are so many rumors floating around about changes to R-Day and Eagle phases that I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Mystic changed as well. All of the 2017 parents need to embrace the phrase "Semper Gumby".
Yes, it does. Never mind Mystic......just wait until you engage in the time honored sport of Eagle chasing! Having said all of that (and having gone through all of this last summer!), when the time comes the Academy and the Parents Association do a great job of getting information out when it's available. Until then, patience and flexibility are key. And, oh yeah, don't forget to enjoy the ride!!
For the past three years the Mystic ceremony has been held on the fourth Saturday after R-Day which would make it July 27th this year. Now, having said that, DO NOT MAKE ANY PLANS because....
That's classified. We don't want to spoil all of the surprises for 2017
.....there are so many rumors floating around about changes to R-Day and Eagle phases that I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Mystic changed as well. All of the 2017 parents need to embrace the phrase "Semper Gumby".
Yes, it does. Never mind Mystic......just wait until you engage in the time honored sport of Eagle chasing! Having said all of that (and having gone through all of this last summer!), when the time comes the Academy and the Parents Association do a great job of getting information out when it's available. Until then, patience and flexibility are key. And, oh yeah, don't forget to enjoy the ride!!
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Jeez STN...just go ahead and make the parents anxious. Haven't we already talked about not giving out secrets? I'm not going to tell you anything anymore.
Seriously though, as someone who will be here as a part of Summer Staff, be flexible. However, I do differ from STN on Mystic. I was on Eagle during Mystic but if I hadn't been, I would have loved for them to come up, even if it was for only 6 hours. There is that feeling of homesickness when you see other parents come and get their kids. However, plenty of parents will definitely adopt your kids if you can't make it. In fact, I just spent the weekend in Maryland with my best friend since swab summer and her parents who have not only opened up their home to me but have adopted me for Parents Weekend and other events. They even send me care packages!
USCGA13STN
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T&F, I have no idea what you're talking about. I was referring to Eagle... any OTHER information you have is yours and yours alone 
That being said, I'm not saying its not a bad idea for parents who live close by to come, but I'm just saying, I was under no delusion that my parents (who were stationed in Kansas at the time) were going to come, and I don't think that they should have either. Once again, that's my personal opinion but I'm pretty strongly in favor of it.
Especially in an economy like this one.
That being said, I'm not saying its not a bad idea for parents who live close by to come, but I'm just saying, I was under no delusion that my parents (who were stationed in Kansas at the time) were going to come, and I don't think that they should have either. Once again, that's my personal opinion but I'm pretty strongly in favor of it.
Especially in an economy like this one.
USCGA13STN
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Jeez STN...just go ahead and make the parents anxious. Haven't we already talked about not giving out secrets? I'm not going to tell you anything anymore.
And I gave out no secrets, all I said was that there'd be changes.. Just like every summer.
And parents will always be anxious. That will NEVER change
We can only hope that one day they'll learn not to hover until then... I suppose we'll survive.
Then again there's already a nice long thread on the "hover" generation somewhere else on this forum... speaking of which I haven't checked that in a while and I think I shall.....
http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/showthread.php?t=23015
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Eh, Mystic wasn't worth it in my opinion. Granted, I've heard it's changed in the last 11 years, but for me, it would have been more stressful having my parents there. My grandfather came, but he lives in MA.
I felt like I was still under the watchful eye of my cadre and I would not have appreciated being yelled at by cadre in front of my parents or family (they had plenty of time to yell at me anyway).
In the end, were were yelled at (and possible ITed) for our behavior...which I don't remember being all that bad.
Now.... Parents' Weekend is a different story. If you have to chose... Parents' Weekend every time.
I felt like I was still under the watchful eye of my cadre and I would not have appreciated being yelled at by cadre in front of my parents or family (they had plenty of time to yell at me anyway).
In the end, were were yelled at (and possible ITed) for our behavior...which I don't remember being all that bad.
Now.... Parents' Weekend is a different story. If you have to chose... Parents' Weekend every time.
Disclaimer: No opinion or knowledge of how the USCGA day in Mystic works. So keep that in mind.
But with that being said, if someone does decide to come to the area, Mystic is a wonderful place to visit. A terrific mix of touristy shopping on quaint streets, lots of history, and perhaps the most "nautical" feel of any of the tourist towns I've ever been to. Lots to do and see. Worth the trip if you've never been.
Hope that helps.... someone.
But with that being said, if someone does decide to come to the area, Mystic is a wonderful place to visit. A terrific mix of touristy shopping on quaint streets, lots of history, and perhaps the most "nautical" feel of any of the tourist towns I've ever been to. Lots to do and see. Worth the trip if you've never been.
Hope that helps.... someone.