I-Day Report Time Change

tsparks21

USNA Class of 2020
Joined
Nov 9, 2015
Messages
22
I just received a phone call moving my report time up three hours "incase additional medical screening was required." It has come out of no where as I'm not injured or sick and have not been. I did receive a waiver for an allergy to medication and a shoulder surgery in 2011. Has anyone heard of this happening before. I found it incredibly strange and slightly concerning.
 
It is not 'incredibly strange'. You need to do what makes it easier for USNA, that day.

How complete was your IMMUNIZATION RECORD that you sent in from your PTR, a few weeks ago?

Your Doctor could have missed something? USNA may want to monitor you for a shot you may need and USNA may want to watch you for any reaction.
 
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I had a 9:15 report time. Detailers pushed me in at 6:30.

It doesn't matter. They'll push in whoever happens to be near Alumni Hall whenever.
 
nuensis is right, it means nothing. I was pushed through also. They give staggering times to prevent 1200 kids reporting at once. Every appointee will have their file reviewed by a doc and if needed validated. They may look at your shoulder and just ensure it had full range of motion and strength. Nothing to worry about and a standard part of the day.
 
You will be glad this happened in the long run. My DS had a 6:30am report time last Iday. We were around Alumni Hall at 6:00am. The waiting was killing him so he went on in. At the end of the day when we were able to reunite with our new plebe for our goodbyes he said he was so glad he had an early report time because he had time to put ALL his things away. He felt sorry for others that were later and still had their white bags full of things to put away. He could not imagine going back into Bancroft and having that to still do. Good luck on Iday!
 
It would be timely to mention that there is a well-documented vacuum that exists - possibly a wormhole - outside the Alumni Hall doors on I-Day.

Plebes-to-be, regardless of assigned report time, should not stand anywhere near there, or within scanning distance of detailers, who can unerringly pick them out, if they are waiting for a parent to park the car and return, or one last family hug.

Every year, those doors swing open, and detailers scoop up the unwary. If the internal lines are moving along, detailers are happy to start plebe year early for any appointee.
 
Last year my DD had a late morning report time. We arrived early but the line was very, very long (be prepared for a possible long wait in the hot sun, rain or whatever the weather is as the line inches along - you'll have lots of time to get to know the people nearby in line). DD was a little concerned about getting in trouble for missing her report time. We overheard some detailers near the front of the line annoyed that some Plebes-to-be were arriving way too early for their report time contributing to making the line longer. I don't remember if she was late for her actual time, but it wasn't an issue.

In some ways I-Day seems like years ago and in other ways it seems like yesterday. DW and I did pretty well that day except when we walked over near the Mid Store as the new Plebes with deer-in-the-headlights looks were getting off the bus to grab their white bags as they got screamed at by detailers. DW could not watch that.
 
Every year, those doors swing open, and detailers scoop up the unwary. If the internal lines are moving along, detailers are happy to start plebe year early for any appointee.

You are correct, except the new norm is that graduates (not detailers) seem to be running the show at Alumni Hall. The new Plebes are going to see a lot of Ensigns and Second Lieutenants around (and in) Alumni Hall. Many of these Plebes will not see their first detailer (i.e. Firstie) until they reach the Midshipman Store parking lot.

Inexplicably, this started about three years ago. Traditionally, Firsties run the whole show. In my opinion, this is their training block. Commissioned officers should not have to play the role of Naval Academy upperclassman detailer. I think the academy keeps a lot more graduates on the Yard after graduation than they used to. They have to find things for them to do and, apparently, this is it.
 
You are correct, except the new norm is that graduates (not detailers) seem to be running the show at Alumni Hall. The new Plebes are going to see a lot of Ensigns and Second Lieutenants around (and in) Alumni Hall. Many of these Plebes will not see their first detailer (i.e. Firstie) until they reach the Midshipman Store parking lot.

Inexplicably, this started about three years ago. Traditionally, Firsties run the whole show. In my opinion, this is their training block. Commissioned officers should not have to play the role of Naval Academy upperclassman detailer. I think the academy keeps a lot more graduates on the Yard after graduation than they used to. They have to find things for them to do and, apparently, this is it.


Excellent clarification.

I knew new grads now played a big role in I-Day and just counted them as part of the general summer detail. Someone with the detail, officer or mid, may scoop up an appointee if there is a need to keep the processing pipeline filled.

This is a return to an older "norm" - during the 60's, all new grads not immediately reporting to first duty station were detailers in every sense. 2/c did not have a role, nor did 1/c.

During my time as BattO, 2/c ran the whole show. 1/c were solely focused on summer training and service selection thoughts.

The pendulum is always swinging....it would be interesting to plot the Plebe Summer detail make-up over the last few decades.

Almost parallel to the shotgun the plebes/don't shotgun swings.
 
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Yeah I have worked I Day for about 10 years and if definitely became more and more new officers. The first Mids they really encounter are when they line up and learn saluting and basics waiting for the bus. I remember Mids greeting me at the name tag station and all the way thru Alumni Hall. We didn't really get the full yelling session or being dropped until after we swore. Seems to be the same. The Mids who run the get off the bus station at Bancroft try to put on a show for the parents but it's a lot of strern and loud talking until swearing in.

2/C served as squad leaders when I was there and 1/C had leadership billets. I see pros and cons to both.
 
It is the "BLACK HOLE". I dropped the DD and DW with sibling about one hour early and went to park at the stadium. I had the camera and by the time I got back on the shuttle DD was gone and tears were flowing, scooped up by those in Whites. Where were you with the camera? I missed it all. Hide under the Alumni Tent and appear when close to TTR.
 
The first Mids they really encounter are when they line up and learn saluting and basics waiting for the bus.

That's not even true anymore. You're talking about that holding area in the back of Alumni Hall where the transformed Plebes typically line-up, waiting for the next bus, and learn to stand at attention, properly wear their dixie cup and salute. That is now done mostly by 2nd Lieutenants. You would be hard pressed to find a single midshipman anywhere in Alumni Hall.

As has already been mentioned, the pendulum is constantly swinging. So, the whims of the current administration rule the day.

I'm from the era where Plebe Summer was put in the hands of the detailers. They ran the entire show from initial check-in until settling into Bancroft Hall. There were no 2/c or 3/c involved in any area. Underclassmen were not sailing instructors or rifle/pistol instructors. Officers kept their distance and were barely visible.

I was a 1st set squad leader in the summer of 1978. We had total control of everything. We never even got the sense that anybody was looking over our shoulder. The red name tag was sacred and was a unique part of being part of the 4/c regiment. If you weren't wearing that red name tag, you couldn't even get near a Plebe.

The whole concept was that Plebe Summer was also a training block for the Firsties. This control and authority by the 1/c midshipmen extended into academic year when running the Brigade. Again, they were expected to run the Brigade while the officers simply monitored. This is what has always made the service academies unique from civilian universities - the study body has a hierarchy that is self-governing.
 
I have this faintly morbid mental picture of legions of past grads, currently resident in the columbarium or on the hill above it on Hospital Point, looking over at I-Day and saying "hmmmm....well....this is the way it was done when I was a mid." I always enjoy the great sense of solidarity that I observe from the ever-increasing gallery of living alumni, though their opinions may differ, sharing that abiding interest in how things are done never wanes.
 
Our family is new to SA & military....is it very difficult to see DS/DD running around frantically & getting yelled at on I-day?? I am mentally preparing myself :(
 
Our family is new to SA & military....is it very difficult to see DS/DD running around frantically & getting yelled at on I-day?? I am mentally preparing myself :(


I think you will see a range of comments on this, reflecting parenting styles and family dynamics.

Once DS/DD enters into Alumni Hall in the AM, they are sucked into the vortex. You don't officially see them again until you strain to find them in the crowd at the Oath Ceremony late in the day, and then have your mini-meet-up afterwards. They then go through the doors into Bancroft Hall, not to be hugged again till PPW.

Unofficially, you will see hot and possibly anxious groups of parents loitering on the sidewalks near the rear of Alumni Hall where newly shorn plebes are being introduced to plebe life in formation. You will see just as many family groups relaxing on Hospital Point, strolling the Yard, shopping in the Mid Store, exploring DTA, or napping in the AC back at the hotel. Everyone has their own style, and there is no requirement in the Good SA Parent Handbook that requires you to witness any yelling or chase after glimpses of your plebe.

To each their own.

The reporting day rituals have certainly changed since my DH took a train from Philly to Baltimore and a taxi to Gate 1, handling everything himself. No special stuff going on, just report in, get processed, start Plebe Summer. He next saw his parents after the Army-Navy Game in December. No PPW, no weekends, no Thanksgiving leave. Cue violins as other grads read this....

Me - I'd give them a big hug, and wait for the next one after the Oath. That's what my parents would have done but - as noted - to each their own. No right or wrong way.

It has been amusing over the years to hear stories from the sponsor family mids who had detailer duty about the poor plebes who had "those parents" who mortified their DS/DD by appearing in places they shouldn't be.
 
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That's not even true anymore. You're talking about that holding area in the back of Alumni Hall where the transformed Plebes typically line-up, waiting for the next bus, and learn to stand at attention, properly wear their dixie cup and salute. That is now done mostly by 2nd Lieutenants. You would be hard pressed to find a single midshipman anywhere in Alumni Hall.

As has already been mentioned, the pendulum is constantly swinging. So, the whims of the current administration rule the day.

I'm from the era where Plebe Summer was put in the hands of the detailers. They ran the entire show from initial check-in until settling into Bancroft Hall. There were no 2/c or 3/c involved in any area. Underclassmen were not sailing instructors or rifle/pistol instructors. Officers kept their distance and were barely visible.

I was a 1st set squad leader in the summer of 1978. We had total control of everything. We never even got the sense that anybody was looking over our shoulder. The red name tag was sacred and was a unique part of being part of the 4/c regiment. If you weren't wearing that red name tag, you couldn't even get near a Plebe.

The whole concept was that Plebe Summer was also a training block for the Firsties. This control and authority by the 1/c midshipmen extended into academic year when running the Brigade. Again, they were expected to run the Brigade while the officers simply monitored. This is what has always made the service academies unique from civilian universities - the study body has a hierarchy that is self-governing.

It was run exactly as you mention when I was there with the exception of 2/C as the squad leaders. 1/C ran the show. We had a LT, Ensign and Chief/GySgt for each company but they were rarely seen or heard from. Only if we had a Plebe who was facing a board or was showing signs of mental issues did they come into play.
 
Our family is new to SA & military....is it very difficult to see DS/DD running around frantically & getting yelled at on I-day?? I am mentally preparing myself :(

I had the weirdest experience on I-Day. I had two inducted that day (identical twins). Of course, I was proud, but when I saw them get off that bus in the Midshipman Store parking lot, hair shaven, wearing that dorky Plebe outfit, standing stoically in formation - I had a flashback to the summer of '75 when I was a Plebe ... I had completely forgotten - "Oh yeah, this kind of sucks." I forgot about that part. I knew what Plebe Summer was all about - but, for some reason, I had forgotten the "suck" part. It had gotten REAL at that point. I simply felt sorry for them. I was thinking, "What the hell kind of father am I - subjecting my sons to this experience? I'm the worst father in the world. I should have known better." Part of the problem was that attending the Naval Academy was not a long time passion of theirs. In fact, it wasn't even their top choice for college. I couldn't help from thinking that their experience is going to be much worse than mine. At least I wanted to attended the Naval Academy. They were somewhat lukewarm on the whole military-thing.

It turned out fine, though. Hell, Bancroft Hall is air conditioned now! Half the misery from Plebe Summer was no respite from the heat. I remember constantly sweating for six weeks - even while lying in bed at night. It had a way of chiseling away at your resolve and stamina. We'd go to PEP in the morning - return to our rooms - take a quick shower - get into uniform and form in it T-Court. We continued sweating the moment we walked out of that shower. There were puddles of sweat under each arm as we stood at attention. And we all smelled the same - like Mennen's speedstick - because that's what we were all issued.

They're grads now. They are a testament of how you can excel at the Naval Academy even if you didn't enter with the purest sense of service. You change.
 
I had the weirdest experience on I-Day. I had two inducted that day (identical twins). Of course, I was proud, but when I saw them get off that bus in the Midshipman Store parking lot, hair shaven, wearing that dorky Plebe outfit, standing stoically in formation - I had a flashback to the summer of '75 when I was a Plebe ... I had completely forgotten - "Oh yeah, this kind of sucks." I forgot about that part. I knew what Plebe Summer was all about - but, for some reason, I had forgotten the "suck" part. It had gotten REAL at that point. I simply felt sorry for them. I was thinking, "What the hell kind of father am I - subjecting my sons to this experience? I'm the worst father in the world. I should have known better." Part of the problem was that attending the Naval Academy was not a long time passion of theirs. In fact, it wasn't even their top choice for college. I couldn't help from thinking that their experience is going to be much worse than mine. At least I wanted to attended the Naval Academy. They were somewhat lukewarm on the whole military-thing.

It turned out fine, though. Hell, Bancroft Hall is air conditioned now! Half the misery from Plebe Summer was no respite from the heat. I remember constantly sweating for six weeks - even while lying in bed at night. It had a way of chiseling away at your resolve and stamina. We'd go to PEP in the morning - return to our rooms - take a quick shower - get into uniform and form in it T-Court. We continued sweating the moment we walked out of that shower. There were puddles of sweat under each arm as we stood at attention. And we all smelled the same - like Mennen's speedstick - because that's what we were all issued.

They're grads now. They are a testament of how you can excel at the Naval Academy even if you didn't enter with the purest sense of service. You change.
Thank you for sharing, really enjoyed reading your post! I feel a bit better;) For DS, USNA is his #1 choice prob cuz he has no clue what is coming. To be honest, he is very lazy ....he is not a morning person, plays too much computer games, loves eating, & not too athletic, guess one positive side is he is very smart. I think his lazy butt will be in complete shock on I-day!
 
Blessedmom, your DS will fit right in. Regardless of resume most teenagers have a streak of lazy, like video games, eating and sleeping. Pretty sure eating and sleeping are hobbies for me, but I am now old and a woman!

Memphis as one of those who also endured Bancroft before A/C I just had a flashback thinking of all that sweat and the horrible smell of Plebes! We sweated 24 hours a day. I think I even sweated in the shower! I always appreciated when we needed to try on our sweat suits (for size of course and to ensure we knew how to wear sweats... I mean that is a tough uniform!) and of course then PT in them for an hour or so. Don't worry parents, there are PT limits now and A/C!
 
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