Hat Toss

USNA13DAD

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I have some nieces and nephews that would love to go out and try to get a midshipmen cover during the commissioning/graduation ceremony. How does one get on the field at the end of the ceremony to participate in that or do you have to be seated on the field behind the grads to be included.
 
As I remember they just came pouring out onto the field. Most of the covers had $$ in them which made it more fun for them!
 
I have some nieces and nephews that would love to go out and try to get a midshipmen cover during the commissioning/graduation ceremony. How does one get on the field at the end of the ceremony to participate in that or do you have to be seated on the field behind the grads to be included.

If you have a midshipman who is graduating with the class of 2013, tell your son/daughter to throw their cover up just a little bit and catch it. Then give it to somebody in the family.

That's what I did back in '79. I tossed my hat up about 10-feet, caught it, and gave it to my grandmother.

Mostly, the young kids rush the field. It can get ugly. The 12-yr-olds are beating the crap out of the 8-yr-olds. In my opinion, none of it should be allowed. Some of the kids are walking off with pocketfuls of dollar bills (usually placed in the cover by midshipmen) and armfuls of covers.

How old are your nephews and nieces?
 
Mostly, the young kids rush the field. It can get ugly. The 12-yr-olds are beating the crap out of the 8-yr-olds. In my opinion, none of it should be allowed. Some of the kids are walking off with pocketfuls of dollar bills (usually placed in the cover by midshipmen) and armfuls of covers.

Seriously. Those kids are vicious.
 
It does get ugly on the field:shake: "Braveheart" is a good analogy. My DD didn't care where it went since she had new MC on the field.and placed the required $$$ in the USNA cover. Go with Memphis, save your cover for the family.
 
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glad i asked

Yes he will be a 2013 grad. They are only six and seven years old so I am glad I asked. Thought they might want to take part in that kodak moment but I guess if included missing teeth and a black eye we may have to advise them to stay seated. Thanks for the insight.
 
USNA13DAD:

It's not that bad but it is a mob scene. Tell your DD/DS to save their cover and don't throw it so high they can't catch it when it comes down. Tell your DD/DS to grab all extra covers on the ground for the siblings before the mob gets there since they are all falling on the graduating class in the Stadium. It wouldn't be a good idea to put a six or seven year old on the field at the toss.
 
Last year toward the end of the ceremony, anyone could walk onto the field as the ushers were no longer in their positions. Security could be more restrictive this year if the president attends as I believe I read somewhere else.

At the start of the ceremony, only those with tickets for that part of the stadium are permitted onto the field. Toward the end, that no longer mattered.
 
If my memory serves me correctly....we all had two combination covers during our stay on the Yard. That means one shouldn't enter the stadium with the graduating MIDN.
 
I agree with the previous posters that I would not let my 7 year old on the field as they will get trampled by the older 12 year olds. If you do let them out make sure you go with them to help protect them.

I remember my DD telling me how rude the kids were as they got among the graduates. They did not care about who they pushed around to grab covers and get the money that was inside. One kid was obnoxious enough that my DD seriously contemplated punching him in the face.

This is one of the few aspects of the gradualtion ceremony that needs to be improved. The older kids need to be limited from going out on the field.
 
Money? How times have changed. My class was ordered to not put pornographic photos in the clear plastic liner.
 
One of the more entertaining threads! We'll have to remember to stay away from the viscous adolescents when DS graduates. :)
 
West Point Policy

Hat Toss

At the end of the graduation ceremony, the graduates will toss their hats into the air in celebration.Announcements will be made on thestadium
video board as to location and time to gather. Children must be between the
ages of 6 and 10 years old and height must be between 42 and 54 inches tall. Hats are limited to one per child. Please know cadets will sometimes place pictures and other items inside their hats.


Found this on the West Point site, perhaps USNA should give it consideration given what I have read.
 
Man, I didn't know graduation at USNA was so dangerous!!!

Had never heard about putting money and stuff in the covers, that's a neat tradition.
 
It's dangerous for the grads too. What goes up must come down. Video always shows grads throwing them in the air. What you never get to see is what it's like to have all of those covers come flying back down on them.
 
...Complete with, of course, all the new grads yelling "FREEDOOMMMM!"

Hell yes! :biggrin:

Although the walk out of NMCMS is what I can only describe as surreal. Here is a moment you've dreamt of and worked for going on 5+ years or more, and suddenly, it's over.

I had a real sense of, "Great. Now WTF do I do?" :redface:
 
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