What Happens from I-Day on...

DevilDog

15-Year Member
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Aug 25, 2008
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From what I understand I-Day is 24Jun10. USNA is later. What happens after they go to I-Day? Do they get a break from the Academy anytime before Thanksgiving? Do we as parents get to come out to see them. Does anyone know the itinarary?

Thank you in advance.
 
I just saw a post somewhere

I just saw a post somewhere that answers those questions. I understand parents can very briefly see their cadet on the day they finish BCT, but the main "first visit" is parent's weekend which is over Labor Day weekend. The first times a cadet can come home is Thanksgiving and then Christmas.
 
I just saw a post somewhere that answers those questions. I understand parents can very briefly see their cadet on the day they finish BCT, but the main "first visit" is parent's weekend which is over Labor Day weekend. The first times a cadet can come home is Thanksgiving and then Christmas.

Thank you.
 
So just confirming, I-day starts June 24th 2010 right? If so that means im missing my hs graduation :frown:
 
Correct, my appointment package said I-day for the class of 2014 is 24 June 2010. That sucks about graduation. I graduate June 13th, so at least I have 10 days off.
 
Some parents drop off at I-Day while others opt to say goodbye at the airport. It's an individual/family decision.

Webguy posts pictures daily from BCT and you'll spend hours going through them while waiting for the mail. It's important that you write daily, you may not get much back but the 4 letters we got were worth their weight in gold. You'll get a call on Doolie Day out after first BCT, and perhaps a sporadic phone call during second BCT, as a reward from their cadre.

You can spend about two hours with your cadet after the Acceptance Day parade - if you live close by or have the $$$ go for it.

Parent's Weekend is usually over Labor Day and includes a home football game. If limited resources or time this should have highest priority.
 
graduation

faclcongirl

I thought I was the only one who graduated June 13th! Hopefully, if I get accepted ill have that short summer too! :shake:
 
I am of the view that my son is being delivered into the most caring hands he has had outside his lord, his parents and his swim coach. He is entering a new family of comrades and instructors that will give him tough love and teach him well. I look forward to seeing him, but when he goes he will now become his own man and serving in one of the greatest organizations our civilization has seen. It is an honor to send him and know he will be well taken care of.
 
I agree with Gasdoc. Our son is a 4 degree. Definitely sign up for the webguy pictures as part of the Association of Graduates offering. It seemed like we knew more about what our son was going through during the Basic weeks than if he would have gone off to State U. We found a lot of great pictures of the experience.

Definitely write as often as possible. Everything we heard were the Basics lived for the mail. Expect a phone call on Doolie Day out, hopefully a few letters during Basic, and maybe even a surprise phone call from your cadet during basic. We got one and it was great, so make sure you answer the phone with any unknown caller's numbers.

We took our son to I-day and were glad we could do it. We were able to see the Swearing-In ceremony the next day (get to the chapel wall early because there are a lot of family there).

We flew out to Acceptance Day which is right after Basic. You will get to see your cadet get their new Boards put on their shoulders signifying they are now a 4th class cadet. You will be limited to a few hours after the parade and ceremony. You will see on webguy forums that squadron parents will arrange for tailgate style lunches with the cadets around the Athletic Center. All the parents that do go make sure to bring enough food to cover cadets in the squadron who could not go. We picked up about a dozen Quizno's sandwiches. After that we were able to walk around the campus a little, see his dorm room, etc. Some parents dropped off printers and larger monitors but it is up to each squadron if they allow it at that time.

Definitely go to Parents Weekend if at all possible. It was a great weekend, and your cadet will be able to stay with you. Expect a hard drop off Monday evening.

Our cadet came home for the Thanksgiving break for close to a week - and he is back already for the winter break. We are so happy to get to spend some time with him.

Hope this helps,
Bill
 
I am of the view that my son is being delivered into the most caring hands he has had outside his lord, his parents and his swim coach. He is entering a new family of comrades and instructors that will give him tough love and teach him well. I look forward to seeing him, but when he goes he will now become his own man and serving in one of the greatest organizations our civilization has seen. It is an honor to send him and know he will be well taken care of.

Definitely true. But don't be surprised if during those first couple of weeks, that your son calls upon the lord, his parents, and probably his swim coach more than ever before. Especially the very first morning when you wake up; part of you says: "That was the craziest dream I ever had". Then however, you realize it wasn't a dream. And everything that IS YOU, sinks the pit of your stomach. And clicking your heels 3 times does absolutely nothing. But then, in time, it all comes together. All you parents. write your son/daughter A LOT!!!! Even if they don't have the time to respond but every couple of days; write them every day. The worst thing that you can imagine, and to this day make me almost break down; is the look on some trainee's faces when they finally get to go to the mailbox and check mail....... and the box is empty. To see someone open an empty box, and they look at you, and NOTHING HAS TO BE SAID!!!! Don't ever let your kid go through that. Doesn't matter how often they have time to write. Just right them every day. And if you find a picture of them and their flight members on Webguy; print it on regular printer paper, and include it in the letter. They like seeing themselves. (Some squads frown on photos, but inkjet printing on regular computer paper is usually not paid any attention to). Good luck all. mike.....
 
No institution on this earth is perfect, and since USAFA is set up as a leadership laboratory, not all in the wing will inspire or lead effectively. Some will simply be feared. For ours it's been a great experience but each cadet at some point will be tested. And for many that occurs during the academic year.
 
TexasRocks,

They would be allowed to have the knife on campus as long as the blade is less than 3 1/2 inches. My cadet suggests that it wouldn't be a good idea to bring it to I-day and BCT, but it could be given to them at Parent's Weekend.

Stealth_81
 
TexasRocks,

They would be allowed to have the knife on campus as long as the blade is less than 3 1/2 inches. My cadet suggests that it wouldn't be a good idea to bring it to I-day and BCT, but it could be given to them at Parent's Weekend.

Stealth_81

thanks I was going to get it for xmas and then bring it up to him with any other stuff on p weekend. It will be engraved.
 
let's see. I-Day is definitely a lot of fun, then everything just keeps getting better.

Haha but really, the first break is Acceptance Day if you want to fly out and see your cadet. You can see him/her for a few hours before they have to go. Then comes parent's weekend during Labor Day weekend, which is the first break from military life. You pretty much stay in the CSprings area. Thanksgiving is the first time home... amazing feeling, and now we're at Christmas break.
 
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