Acceptance weekend for the class of 2020

Hello all- Does anyone have information on Acceptance weekend 5-6 August? My wife said she did not find too much information on Facebook or any of the parent association websites. It appears the Plebes sign a commitment sometime in the afternoon on the 5th and a parade is scheduled at 9am on the 6th. The USMMA academic calendar also states that the Commadant for Midshipman will determine the liberty granted. Does anyone know if there is a final schedule of events released for these dates? What length of liberty have the plebes received on past Acceptance Weekends? Is the Acceptance signing in the late afternoon on the 5th? Traditionally, do the parents get the rest of the day with their Plebe after the parade on the 6th? Also, are the Plebes allowed to meet with parents on Sunday the 7th, for church services together, or go off base with the Plebe? Like you all, I'm just trying to figure out airline schedules and rooms for the weekend. Thanks in advance!

Nothing has been Officially released from the Academy yet . . . I will post it as soon as I get it.

Just to give you an idea of what to expect here is the link to the Class of 2019 Acceptance Weekend.
https://www.usmma.edu/sites/usmma.edu/files/docs/Acceptance Weekend - Class of 2019_0.pdf

Things change year to year, and I do not know if there is a final schedule, but, historically the plebes have been granted overnight liberty for acceptance weekend - subject to academic/discipline concerns/issues and Plebes had to be back at the academy Sunday around noon or later. Personally, I would make hotel reservations now and if things change, cancel/adjust them so you do not get caught without a room. I know church services are important, my DS is involved in CFC, but your DD/DS could be very tired and may welcome/appreciate the extra sleep. Please remember that this will probably be the first time your DD/DS will be allowed off academy grounds and please try to be very flexible with them...please try to let them take the lead on what to do where to eat (Delano food is BAD) and let them sleep if they want...they will truly appreciate it.

With the Sea Year Stand Down, I know that the Admin has been busy trying to get the Mids back out to sea so you will have to have patience...but you will see that last minute is the norm at USMMA.

Enjoy the weekend, and enjoy pinning their new hardware on their uniform.

Thanks for the replies! I was just making sure we weren't missing the boat. I understand we should be flexible, but it would be nice if someone was a little more prompt with detailed schedules at the school. Airline travel is not as flexible as room changes and many of us are traveling a good distance, taking time away from work and making arrangement for other kids, dogs, etc.......I'll stop there. Good advice on letting the Plebe set the timeline, btw. Thanks again.

2020MM/ParentsMissouri said:

Hello all- Does anyone have information on Acceptance weekend 5-6 August? My wife said she did not find too much information on Facebook or any of the parent association websites. It appears the Plebes sign a commitment sometime in the afternoon on the 5th and a parade is scheduled at 9am on the 6th. The USMMA academic calendar also states that the Commadant for Midshipman will determine the liberty granted. Does anyone know if there is a final schedule of events released for these dates? What length of liberty have the plebes received on past Acceptance Weekends? Is the Acceptance signing in the late afternoon on the 5th? Traditionally, do the parents get the rest of the day with their Plebe after the parade on the 6th? Also, are the Plebes allowed to meet with parents on Sunday the 7th, for church services together, or go off base with the Plebe? Like you all, I'm just trying to figure out airline schedules and rooms for the weekend. Thanks in advance!

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Get in touch with The United States Merchant Marine Academy Midwest Parents Association which represents mids and plebes and their families from Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas
http://www.usmmamidwest.org/home-1.html
or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/101736733258959/

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy National Parents' Association
Yesterday at 6:48am ·

The Acceptance Day schedule has just been released. I hope you enjoy your weekend. It should be memorable.


FRIDAY, August 5, 2016

0720 – Colors Formation – Flagpole
0730 – 1300 – Parents Information Pick-up. Info tent will be in Marvin Parking Lot.
0730 - 1400 – Seafarer Open
0745 – 1600 – Open Classroom Visitations. Visits are on a space available basis. This is your opportunity to visit the classrooms and observe the learning atmosphere your Plebe Candidates experience. Obtain your Plebe Candidates class schedule and have him/her ask the instructor if there is space for you to attend.
0800 – 1600 – Waterfront open for general visiting
0900 – 1100 – CAORF (Ship Bridge Simulator) Tour – Samuels Hall, limited space available
1000 – 1600 – Mariners’ Chapel Open for general visiting
1000 – 1500 – American Merchant Marine Museum Open for general visiting
1100 – 1300 – Pick up Boxed Lunch (Ticket Required*) – Melville Hall
1200 – 1210 – View Lunch Muster and Regimental March in – Barney Square

NOTE: All Plebe Candidates MUST eat noon meal with the Regiment in Delano Hall

1300 – 1600 – Simulators Open for general visiting – 4th Floor Bowditch Hall
1300 – 1400 – Welcome Aboard/Parents Forum w/Superintendent, Dean, and Commandant – Ackerman Auditorium
1400 – 1430 – Obligation Brief from the Maritime Administration – Ackerman Auditorium
1415 – 1500 – Engine Simulator open for general visiting – Samuels Hall
1430 – 1515 – History of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy - Library
1615 – 1715 – Regimental Parade Practice (Mandatory for all Midshipmen and Plebe Candidates)
1730 – Campus Liberty for 2020 begins. Class of 2020 cannot leave campus.
1730 – 1900 – Dinner with the Plebe Candidates – Delano Hall – Family and Friends Welcome (Ticket Required**)
1900 – 1915 – Band and Chorus performance- Barney Square (inclement weather, event cancelled)
1930 – Movie Night (Free admission, open to all)
2200 – Campus Liberty Ends for Class of 2020.

Dress for Friday is informal: e.g. slacks/shorts and sport shirts for men; dresses, skirts or slacks/shorts for women. Low-heeled shoes are recommended.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

0700 - 1100 – Seafarer Open
0800 – Colors Formation
0800 - 1200 – Waterfront open for general visiting
0900 – Formal Parade and Acceptance Day Ceremony – Tomb Field
1000 – 1200 – Barracks Open for Visitors

Overnight Liberty Commences for the Class of 2020 at 1200. Plebes will be dismissed from Company areas.

Dress for Saturday is casual. Low-heeled shoes are recommended.

SUNDAY, August 7, 2016

1000 – Catholic Mass – Mariners Chapel
1115 – Protestant Service – Mariners Chapel
1800 - Liberty Expires for Class of 2020

(*) Tickets for the lunch and dinner meals on Friday must be purchased from Crystal Enterprises by the Plebe Candidates.
The cost of the boxed lunch is $11.00 per person. Checks should be made out to Crystal Enterprises.
(**) The cost of the dinner meal on Friday is $16.00 per person.

NAVY EXCHANGE HOURS
Friday 0730 to 1700
Saturday 0730 to 1400
Sunday Closed
SEAFARER CANTEEN HOURS
Friday 0700-1400
Saturday 0700-1100
Sunday Closed

How to Purchase Meal Tickets

1. Send your Plebe Candidate a check and have him/her purchase the ticket(s) in person in Delano Hall.

Subject: Purchasing Meals Tickets In Advance for Guests and Parents
Acceptance Weekend Class of 2020 August 5 - August 7, 2016

Acceptance Weekend Class of 2020
Purchasing Meal Tickets in Advance for Guests and Parents
Cash or Check Payable to Crystal Enterprises

Meal Tickets Sold July 26 - August 1
To Restate: MEAL TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE by MIDSHIPMEN

Purchasing Meal Tickets
Meal Tickets Must Be Purchased in Advance and IN PERSON
Purchase From: Crystal Enterprises (academy food service contractor)
Office Location: Delano Commissary-Crystal Enterprises Food Service Office
Payment by Cash or Check Payable to: Crystal Enterprises

Meal tickets sold for the following:

Friday August 5
Box Lunch distributed at Melville Hall
Pick – Up Time 1100 - 1300
Price $11.00 Per Person
Box Lunches are only for Parents and Guests
All Midshipmen have lunch in the Delano Dining Room

Friday August 5
Dinner in Delano
Parents and Guests join Plebe’s for Dinner in Delano
Price $16.00 Per Person
Dinner Served 1730 - 1900

You will NOT need to purchase a ticket for your Plebe Candidate

Not sure if this is still allowed, but we always brought a cooler filled with picnic food for our DS and his friends whose families were not able to attend. It was great to sit and let them 'relax' and chat and they were thrilled not to have to eat at Delano's. We'd resupply at Deli On the Green in Great Neck or the Stop & Shop grocery store.

KP13Mom said:

Not sure if this is still allowed, but we always brought a cooler filled with picnic food for our DS and his friends whose families were not able to attend. It was great to sit and let them 'relax' and chat and they were thrilled not to have to eat at Delano's. We'd resupply at Deli On the Green in Great Neck or the Stop & Shop grocery store.

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All Midshipmen MUST Lunch Muster in the Delano Dining Room

Unless they are told to Muster for Dinner (which is highly unlikely according to my Alumni) this is an acceptable alternative. He suggested going down by the Waterfront.