2023 Graduation

Anywhere that’s not off-limits. New ensigns and 2LTs are free to go immediately after the ceremony. It’s really a flexible photo opp. There is no paperwork.

I think USNA officially makes certain areas available on Comm Day, but it happens everywhere. I have seen it:
- on the Stadium field with one of the battle names behind them
- next to the Blue Angel plane at the Stadium
- in front of Tecumseh, the Navy goat statue, the fountain near Chauvenet, Memorial Hall of course, Sub Monument, inside Dahlgren Hall under the big ship model, the gazebo near the Chapel, the Chapel steps, JPJ tomb, Triton Light at sunset where the Severn meets the Bay.

I think USAFA has a more formal and organized approach. USNA, true to its culture, goes with “independent steaming,” figure out what will be the most memorable for you, take charge of the evolution and carry out your plan.
 
Capt MJ said:
Anywhere that’s not off-limits. New ensigns and 2LTs are free to go immediately after the ceremony. It’s really a flexible photo opp. There is no paperwork.

I think USNA officially makes certain areas available on Comm Day, but it happens everywhere. I have seen it:
- on the Stadium field with one of the battle names behind them
- next to the Blue Angel plane at the Stadium
- in front of Tecumseh, the Navy goat statue, the fountain near Chauvenet, Memorial Hall of course, Sub Monument, inside Dahlgren Hall under the big ship model, the gazebo near the Chapel, the Chapel steps, JPJ tomb, Triton Light at sunset where the Severn meets the Bay.

I think USAFA has a more formal and organized approach. USNA, true to its culture, goes with “independent steaming,” figure out what will be the most memorable for you, take charge of the evolution and carry out your plan.
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I reenlisted my father on the stage right under the USNA logo. When I swore in my son, we were on the field kind of in the midst of all the people moving out of the stadium as we didn't think to move to the jet or some other memorable spot.
 
Kierkegaard said:
And if a thunderstorm hits as soon as the commissioning ceremony ends like happened to 2022, be prepared to get creative—semper gumby!
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In 2022, it was anywhere it wasn’t POURING.

We waited for the ‘changing shoulder boards’ photos until we got back to the house. Bc we were evacuated from the stadium (tornado warning!). Wouldn’t recommend that, bc when we got back? Everyone was just so DONE. And the. We saw neat pics at the stadium anyhow, from friends who found nooks and crannies.

It’s all good, it created THEIR unique story. We still lol about it. It’s still an amazing memory. Top 5.

Congrats to 2023!!!!!!! Soooo exciting!
 
This post is getting me a bit worried. I feel like I’m really late in even thinking about 2023 graduation-meaning my wife and I have put almost zero thought into it and we have not spoken to my son in over 2 months (he is doing a semester abroad and his phone broke so all we get is the very rare 2 sentence email) and he is absolutely the last person who would care about graduation traditions (other than he would be glad we showed up).

Other than private swearing in (we have no military in our extant immediate family so that’s out), what other traditions are observed? I read something about first salute and silver dollar but that sounds like not my problem. Honestly, I hope he shows up in the right uniform (not kidding- e.g., he hasn’t worn black parade pants for parades since he lost them 2 years ago). We are not renting a house or anything like that. My wife read somewhere that most houses are already rented in Annapolis for that week. (If we stayed in DC, would that work?) Do parents typically come for all of commissioning week? Are there parties that parents go to? Will the freshly minted officer know by then where they are going to next (and when).
 
ders_dad said:
This post is getting me a bit worried. I feel like I’m really late in even thinking about 2023 graduation-meaning my wife and I have put almost zero thought into it and we have not spoken to my son in over 2 months (he is doing a semester abroad and his phone broke so all we get is the very rare 2 sentence email) and he is absolutely the last person who would care about graduation traditions (other than he would be glad we showed up).

Other than private swearing in (we have no military in our extant immediate family so that’s out), what other traditions are observed? I read something about first salute and silver dollar but that sounds like not my problem. Honestly, I hope he shows up in the right uniform (not kidding- e.g., he hasn’t worn black parade pants for parades since he lost them 2 years ago). We are not renting a house or anything like that. My wife read somewhere that most houses are already rented in Annapolis for that week. (If we stayed in DC, would that work?) Do parents typically come for all of commissioning week? Are there parties that parents go to? Will the freshly minted officer know by then where they are going to next (and when).
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I am in your same boat.

I told my son to find me something to rent that would meet his needs months ago. I stopped holding my breath.
 
ders_dad said:
This post is getting me a bit worried. I feel like I’m really late in even thinking about 2023 graduation-meaning my wife and I have put almost zero thought into it and we have not spoken to my son in over 2 months (he is doing a semester abroad and his phone broke so all we get is the very rare 2 sentence email) and he is absolutely the last person who would care about graduation traditions (other than he would be glad we showed up).

Other than private swearing in (we have no military in our extant immediate family so that’s out), what other traditions are observed? I read something about first salute and silver dollar but that sounds like not my problem. Honestly, I hope he shows up in the right uniform (not kidding- e.g., he hasn’t worn black parade pants for parades since he lost them 2 years ago). We are not renting a house or anything like that. My wife read somewhere that most houses are already rented in Annapolis for that week. (If we stayed in DC, would that work?) Do parents typically come for all of commissioning week? Are there parties that parents go to? Will the freshly minted officer know by then where they are going to next (and when).
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Do what feels right (and affordable) for your family. There are parents who arrive the night before graduation, attend that, go home, to the other end of the continuum, rent a big house starting the weekend before, bring extended family and friends, throw a big party, and every variation in between.

I imagine Annapolis hotels are getting close to being booked.

I do recommend staying somewhere closer than DC. The firsties move out of Bancroft before Comm Day, not sure exactly when, and they and all their “stuff” need someplace to stay. They have mandatory events, briefings, parades, paperwork pick-up, etc. during the week. They also camp with buddies or sponsors, so they solve it somehow. We’ve had plenty of sponsor mids spend a few nights with us before family rolls in.

Look for hotels in:
Odenton, BWI airport area, Bowie, all with 15 miles or so.

Comm Week is full of activities - Blue Angels show over the Severn River, Superintendent’s garden parties (mid attends with family, a nice treat to see the house, meet the Supe, party on the lawn to live music), Glee Club concert, parades, etc.

This link is Class of 2022 Comm Week sked; the 2023 will come out in the spring. Be sure to look at the hamburger menu and all related links. You’ll see the schedules. Not too much changes year to year. Pro tip: Blue Angels rehearsal show is same as actual show next day, if weather is same.

www.usna.edu

Commissioning Home

Commissioning Home page for Commissioning Week at USNA.edu. Updated Wed May 15 10:43:45 EDT 2024.
www.usna.edu
 
For housing, don’t be afraid to go out just a bit. There were TONS of people out towards Arnold….over the bridge that way. We stay in Cape St Claire. It’s my sons favorite bc it’s a quick 15 min drive, yet away from the DTA commotion. Also it’s a right turn out of gate 8, vs left (opposite, per him, of most traffic).

You will find a place.
 
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My wife and I rented a house over one year ago. Otherwise we would have difficulty getting family members to attend the graduation (due to cost and availability of local hotels). We really haven't done much planning...just printed out last years Commissioning Week schedule-assuming it will be very similiar for 23. We did purchase a bunch of 2023 Coins for our DS to give to close family members, select HS coaches, teachers etc (he doesnt know about that and probably wouldn't get to worked up about it). Next time NavyOnline has a sale...we will likely purchase a Diploma and Commission frame (probably separate frames). DS's Cousin is a Commander and will attend and do a private swearing in. We have pictures of DS' great grandfather on the Steps to large doors going into Bancroft-so we want to repeat that photo with 23'. We plan on ordering a 2023 Morgan Silver Dollar for DS to select who to get the first salute from (order these from U.S. Mint-not available yet). Probably best not to over-plan the week.
 
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ders_dad said:
Other than private swearing in (we have no military in our extant immediate family so that’s out), what other traditions are observed? I read something about first salute and silver dollar but that sounds like not my problem. Honestly, I hope he shows up in the right uniform (not kidding- e.g., he hasn’t worn black parade pants for parades since he lost them 2 years ago). We are not renting a house or anything like that. My wife read somewhere that most houses are already rented in Annapolis for that week. (If we stayed in DC, would that work?) Do parents typically come for all of commissioning week? Are there parties that parents go to? Will the freshly minted officer know by then where they are going to next (and when).
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Relax.
We did not rent a house - stayed in a local hotel out past the Annapolis Mall with varying numbers of rooms as family came in at different times.
Parties do happen but many are with athletic teams or others such as roommates, etc. All of them will know where they are supposed to be post-graduation even if it is temporary duty at USNA.
 
Capt MJ said:
The Acme Bar & Grill?!
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For readers who need a little more insight into this location, for at least 2+ decades, the Acme has germinated some of the best (infamous? legendary? epic?) midshipman misconduct. Acme has a checkered history (finally got to use that phrase here) of being raided for sloppy ID checks. If you had to guess where a midshipman “crime spree of I Thought It Was A Good Idea At The Time” choices originated, it would be the Acme. If we did a word search on major misconduct incident reports, “Acme” would show up more than any other establishment.

Even Trip Advisor reviews say “Watch out for midshipmen.”
 
Agree that graduation is a personal thing. My parents did NOT want to stay in a house. The last thing my mother wanted to do was cook, make beds, and do laundry. My parents wanted to attend events, not worry about / entertain a bunch of family members. They stayed in a hotel. A couple of family members went with us to Blue Angels and Sunday church. For the most part, it was just my parents (to be fair, I didn't have GPs or siblings).

Others (especially those with extended families) find it cheaper and easier to book a house for the week. Hosting parties for other mids and their families seems to be a big thing now. Having a house means you CAN cook, people can get together easily for meals. People can carpool. Probably more people now rent houses than did in our day.

My parents booked the graduation hotel at PPW (not kidding -- you could do that in those days). The reception person said, "Are you sure she'll make it?" (This was in the day of 25% attrition overall and 35% attrition for women). Without missing a beat, my mother said: "Absolutely." Bless her!!

If you haven't made a hotel reservation or booked a house, do it NOW. If they all seem booked, keep checking back. Plans change. Personally, I recommend staying as close as you can to USNA. There are lots of events and being able to shuttle or walk is really nice. But it's definitely cheaper the further out you are.

As for the personal swearing in, my dad was a retired officer but we didn't do it. Just wasn't that important to me. And, it wasn't as common in our day. It is ceremonial -- if it's meaningful to the grad and the person doing the swearing in, go for it!

One thing that my parents did was host a party / reception about a week or so later in our home town for all of those who couldn't go to the graduation. I wore my uniform. It was a lot more relaxed with plenty of time to talk, etc. Something to consider.
 
ders_dad said:
Other than private swearing in (we have no military in our extant immediate family so that’s out), what other traditions are observed? I read something about first salute and silver dollar but that sounds like not my problem. Honestly, I hope he shows up in the right uniform (not kidding- e.g., he hasn’t worn black parade pants for parades since he lost them 2 years ago). *** Do parents typically come for all of commissioning week? Are there parties that parents go to? Will the freshly minted officer know by then where they are going to next (and when).
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First, get a place to stay ....then let your Midshipman take the lead. He/She is after all about to be commissioned an Officer in the Navy /Marine Corps., and has 4 years of knowing the ins and outs of Annapolis, how to get around, and will know when/where he/she will have to be at any given time. I am not familiar with the current schedule --but back in the day, there were activities most every week day leading up to Graduation, and the weekends had both formal scheduled and informal company level social functions. And yes, by Graduation day, all of the new Officers will have their first set of Orders which are very clear about where and when they have to be at their next duty station (often including a variety of TAD stops enroute)
 
I do recommend the Glee Club (men and women combined) concert, whether or not your mid has any interest. Lots of talent, energy, fun. The entire family will enjoy. Not sure how ticketing works.

I can’t tell you how many mids took Glee Club for granted after tuning them out after years of hearing them sing the National Anthem at football games, never went to a concert. Then they go during Comm Week and are blown away by the talent, skill, pure entertainment and enjoyment of music and never realized what all those long hours of practice bring out in fellow mids.

Just google The Skivs


Or the Riveters

The a cappella groups usually get a number during the performance.

And a powerful performance by the combined Glee Club:
 
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A group performed at my son’s cvw - not sure if it was the glee club.

It was fantastic.
 
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