Going to USNA early to see sight before Iday

[nuensis]

Does USNA pay for his travel to report to school? Do we book a separate ticket just for him? Does he have to travel during a certain time frame?

Yes, but the government ticket is a flight arriving the day before I-Day. I would go for the reimbursement. The government rate can be pretty low sometimes, don't expect the full cost to be reimbursed. They also won't pay for lodging, since government-provided quarters will be available--Bancroft Hall.

i watch the Iday vids and see the plebes have to carry everything in one bag. Does he need to take a suitcase with clothes like socks and underwear and civilian clothes? Can he take his sporting equipment?

Bring the paperwork, the sports equipment, and broken-in running shoes. Storing extra stuff as a Plebe is a real pain, especially something like a suitcase.

You get something like 3-4 dozen pairs of underwear, undershirts, and socks. A dozen pairs of compression shorts. Comes in a huge box. It's enough.

Passport won't be needed until at least Spring Break (if Plebe is lucky enough to go on one of the Spring Break international trips). It's really only necessary for international travel; a CAC is sufficient identification for travel within the U.S.

 

[Kierkegaard]

Passport won't be needed until at least Spring Break (if Plebe is lucky enough to go on one of the Spring Break international trips). It's really only necessary for international travel; a CAC is sufficient identification for travel within the U.S.

Plebes could theoretically take leave outside the US over winter break right? I don’t remember there being rules against it as a plebe, but it definitely was not common. There’s of course lots of paperwork that needs to be done for it early in the fall semester since the command needs to be informed well in advance.

 

[nuensis]

International leave isn't a need, but yes, that's a possibility. I was thinking more in terms of requirements for training.

Even then, a passport isn't a true need, since the training office will just go ahead and exclude those without passports from international training opportunities.

Contrary to popular belief, official passports will not be issued unless there is a diplomatic need (e.g. servicemember needs to go to a country that doesn't allow the usual automatic visa with a tourist passport).

 

[newtonsapple]

A piece of chalk to cover up any stains on the whiteworks made between the issuance and when Bancroft doors slam. Stain removers don't always work. Chalk does, and can prevent a detailer being in your face, at least for that, lol.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

Does USNA pay for his travel to report to school? Do we book a separate ticket just for him? Does he have to travel during a certain time frame?

Recommend waiting to make any travel plans until you receive the PTR. It will tell you everything you need to know.
Also, as a Public Service announcement, make sure DS/DD reads the PTR completely...I know parents like to get involved, but parent isn't going to be there to tell the Detailer why something was missed !

One thing to keep in mind .. I'Day is not "taking your kid to college." DD /DS is entering the military, and receives all the benefits (and obligations) associated therewith. My recollection is that government covers travel to USNA , including per diem etc. My cloudy recollection is that we filled out travel claims as part of the several "paperwork parties" we had down in King Hall during the first week of Plebe Summer.

 

[urbansailor]

Plebes could theoretically take leave outside the US over winter break right? I don’t remember there being rules against it as a plebe, but it definitely was not common. There’s of course lots of paperwork that needs to be done for it early in the fall semester since the command needs to be informed well in advance.

Me and a few other plebes in company went OCONUS over winter break. It's definitely more common for upperclass who are more familiar with the process since it is a ton of paperwork and forwarding.

 

[US?A]

Just my opinion. I recommend not going too early to the Annapolis-DC area before I-Day. I don’t care how confident your soon-to-be USNavy officer in training, it’s going to be a mental challenge-and also for you (maybe not their siblings so much). The time for DC site-seeing is PPW, not I-Day. Get into Annapolis early the day before I-Day. Annapolis is pretty contained. You will have time to tour the Yard on I-Day while your soon-to-be plebe does his/her thing. Make it low key and as low pressure as possible.

I do recommend going to DC and the National Mall on PPW (as long as your plebe is cool with that). My wife is a DC native and our DS spent a lot of time in DC (especially the Smithsonian) in the years before. But he wanted to go on PPW with all his family (of 6).

I agree, spend time at home with friends and enjoy the summer.

 

[Heatherg21]

Having a passport meant DS was eligible to apply for an international LREC trip plebe year.

Agree with others, manage expectations in regard to the mood your soon to be plebe might be in leading up to IDay. Same for PPW.

I didn’t experience either since it was 2020 but have learned even leave periods have to be flexible. Their every minute is booked and managed and observed. First leave home May be a lot of sleeping and chilling.

Congrats to your kiddo and welcome to this amazing journey.

 

[USNA75]

I realize it’s 50 years later and I was an enlisted Marine, but I just showed up in uniform with paper work in a Manila envelope, wearing a watch and dog tags. Had a wallet with a little money, ID and drivers license. I didn’t even take a shave kit. Everything else I needed that day, like boot camp, was issued.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Dropped my kid off with full copies of all paperwork needed (Permit to Report is definitely required - it is their "orders" to process), his phone and charger, and his running shoes. He had a backpack just so he would be able to find things later. They really don't need anything else. (Although ladies may prefer certain sports bras and compression clothing).

As mentioned, they will get issued everything they immediately need (and then some). Plus, the Mid Store has just about anything they might need that they didn't get, and they will get visits there during the summer.

They will get scheduled calls during Plebe summer, so tell your kids to ensure their phones are fully charged and turned off when they turn them in. it is a nightmare for hundreds of kids to all call at once on spotty service standing in formation on the call days. Don't be "that" kid whose phone is dead. (Although, most detailers have a heart and will let someone borrow theirs).

 

[ProudPapa26_28]

Dropped my kid off with full copies of all paperwork needed (Permit to Report is definitely required - it is their "orders" to process), his phone and charger, and his running shoes. He had a backpack just so he would be able to find things later. They really don't need anything else. (Although ladies may prefer certain sports bras and compression clothing).

As mentioned, they will get issued everything they immediately need (and then some). Plus, the Mid Store has just about anything they might need that they didn't get, and they will get visits there during the summer.

They will get scheduled calls during Plebe summer, so tell your kids to ensure their phones are fully charged and turned off when they turn them in. it is a nightmare for hundreds of kids to all call at once on spotty service standing in formation on the call days. Don't be "that" kid whose phone is dead. (Although, most detailers have a heart and will let someone borrow theirs).

NOTE on this. . .You will know the assigned times your Plebe will call, if you get a call from an unknown number, I would suggest answering it, just in case