I-Day 2010 - So what'd you think?

M

MIHOSER

5-Year Member
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Dec 23, 2009
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I though it was very well organized. I know this is the Navy and such, but I have been to some 1st days at civilian colleges that seemed like they were made up as they went along.

My Son had a 9:00 a.m. report time and they were called and went in right at 9:00. I can't seem to find him in any of the photos -from the shadows, it looked liked most photos were taken early in the morning.

The luncheon was fine, although in retrospect, a bit over-priced at $20 per. One just hopes the profit goes back to help out and support the mids.

The address from the powers that be was very interesting and on time, although the AD may have gone on a bit long.

The oath and meeting our plebe was great.

All in all a good time was had by all, except a bit emotional.
 
About the tent lunch cost at $20 - that is inexpensive for Annapolis for what is essentially a catered tailgater, and was probably much more per head. Corporate sponsors in the tent picked up the rest of the cost. If you're not from Metro DC or another major metro area, there is a bit of sticker shock for restaurant prices, gas, parking and event costs. :rolleyes:

At least this year, access to the tent and all the info tables and freebie stuff was not tied to the picnic meal fee.

You'll get to know all the locals' and regular Annapolis visitors' tips for inexpensive but good places to eat.

And for those who love Chris' Charcoal Pit Greek restaurant on West St., after 22 years of cash only, they now take credit cards! Big servings, excellent food, good price. :shake:

Glad everyone seemed to have gotten through the day in one piece, more or less. :eek:
 
We saw a LOT of our son during I Day and do be honest, I was shocked. After he reported at 7:30, we went around by the Mid store, did some shopping, then sat on the wall across from the parking lot and watched the Plebes get off the busses. 5 busses later, out he came, got in the formation, and off he marched with the rest. That sustained me until the Oath. Once again, I was amazed that we were on the right side of Bancroft Hall, and out he marched, again, plain as day. Then we saw him for the 40 minute goodbye that all the Plebes got. Off he trotted with his company and we felt he was in great hands. Since arriving home, we have seen him, again PLAIN AS DAY, in the Facebook pages that the USNA provides on their website. I have seen him getting uniforms today, taking exams yesterday, and eating the day before. So, this came as quite a surprise to our whole family. I am enjoying downloading these pictures and seeing that all of them look pretty good.:shake:
 
DS didn't get to partake of the festivities so to speak. Was held up in Alumni Hall from 8am to after 3pm. DODMERB question-took 5 mins he said. Then a rush through----he was a little disappointed he didn't get to experience all the "pleasantries and introductions". He had no clue where to meet up to go back into Mother B ( nor was he going to ask anyone that wasn't in a plebe uniform))or where he was supposed to go for anything said they ran him down the hallways gave him a 36 pant when he wears a 29 and a size 8 shoe when he wears a 10 cut his hair practically in his whites! Still haven't caught a glimpse of him ----hope he isn't hitchhiking down 81! Bet he had fun after dinner trying to unpack all his gear and put everything away! We were ok --DD lost it -they are best friends and it almost killed her to have him so far away.
 
MIHOSER Look at Drop Shots: http://www.dropshots.com/USNA2010and07 Barbara has posted pictures from all day long - over 2200. Lots of good up close as they file out to Oath of Office. Also lots of face shots in Alumni Hall all day. If you see a potential but are not sure and it looks like you will be able to read the name, click to enlarge and you may get a find! Drop shots is more "work" than face book but you can enlarge the picture and then download them at the larger size.
 
YEAH!! Saw him in a pic--he isn't hitchhiking home! He looked good and standing tall-very very proud---and yes the days are crawling!
 
Just a side-unravel of this thread, the joking mention of "hitch-hiking" reminded me of hilarious/sad stories of Plebes on the Lam, caught in their whiteworks at BWI, hitchhiking on Rte 50 or surprising parents at the front door. One young plebe (I'm keeping this vague deliberately), wore reg PE gear under whiteworks, slipped away, ditched the whiteworks under a bush, ran out Gate 3 like he/she was a "regular mid" going for a run, and somehow bus'ed his/her way to a Navy homeport on the East Coast, where he/she joined the enlisted b/g/friend. Roommates remembered plebe talking about the friend, calls were placed to the ship, and the ship's Master Chief assisted in plebe recovery and ensuring the sailor understood the repercussions of aiding and abetting.
Sheesh. Just go to Tango Company and wait a few days.
And yes, detailers do keep excellent tabs on their charges, but plebes are a smart and wily bunch, and if someone is determined to slip away, it can happen and won't get noticed until the next nose count or roommates speak up out of concern. And yes again, these instances are rare, most plebes who make the decision USNA is not for them dutifully go to Tango Company, so parents, I don't mean to add some awful scenario to your worries - it's just - the hitchhiking thing has happened!
 
DS had a similar experience to Blackhawkmom's son on I-Day. Some confusion over a medical question led to a trip "downstairs", as DS described it. Hours of questions and tests later, he was told everything was fine, which he already knew. Because of the extra medical, things were confusing for him. Unfortunately it made him feel like things were unorganized and chaotic which is something his type-A personality doesn't appreciate.:rolleyes: (Since Mom is also a type-A, she understands!)Welcome to the real world, Son!

Personally, I thought I-Day was well organized and enjoyable. Heck, they even ordered special weather for us!:thumb: After sending one through enlisted boot camp, I feel like I know so much about what is going on with my Plebe, or at least Plebes in general. It is a bit easier in that way, but I sure don't miss him any less!:frown:
 
Thanks to recommendatins here, we stayed at Loews and they did have a number of shuttles operating nearly round the clock - free but for the price of a tip. Even got some history and stories from the drivers.

Once on the Yard, DD couldn't stand it waiting even the 10 minutes until they started letting them in at 0700. One last hug and off she went.

We headed for the Mid store and donated to the cause. Then waited outside by the canon for a glance as she got off the bus. No such luck. After 3 hrs we headed to the picnic where we got some food and a seat in the shade. We were approached by MID Barlow - Commander of Starboard Company (I know I'm screwing her title up) who talked with us for a good 15 minutes. If that's the caliber of young adult that the NA turns out - I will rest assured ours will be fine. She could not have been more personable, poised, confident, well spoken. Very impressive.

Then back to the hotel for a short nap. Return to the Yard to listen to the speakers. The thing that stands out to me is the Sup saying (something like) "I have to do a good job. I hire 100% of my graduates." I'm sitting there imagining the President of Huge State U saying the same thing.

Then off to find a seat for induction. We ended up just off the walk so could only see a sea of hats.

Waited under a tree by our initial until DD came wandering over looking about 8 years old in her over-sized uniform ("It will shrink.") and short hair. She was tired but smiling ear to ear. She said she too was held up in medical for 1 1/2 hours asking about her bee-sting allergy. Until they saw the Dr.'s note saying its nothing. While talking were greated by a Youngster who we met at a local parents function who played against DD for a rival HS. She stayed with us most of the 40 minutes. Even introduced DD to a fellow Youngster who is in DD's Company. They exchanged insider information and reassured her that she would be fine. Then, like most, she started checking the time...Reformed and marched off.

DW held back the tears until about an hours down the road towards home.

If I had to do it again I would have skipped the wait outside the MID store and used that time in DTA or resting. I'd probably skip the picnic too. But all-in-all a day I will remember.

And, we have seen our Plebe in a few facebook photos. She's the one with short hair and a dixie cup. :shake:
 
I love getting up and checking the USNA Facebook pages. Yesterday I saw my son two times, and today they have endurance testing photos up. Although I did not see DS on these photos, it is still a blessing to be able to see what they are doing each day. Each day I see him I know he hasn't started hitchhiking to the airport :thumb:
 
MomoftheMagik said:
it made him feel like things were unorganized and chaotic which is something his type-A personality doesn't appreciate.:rolleyes: (Since Mom is also a type-A, she understands!)Welcome to the real world, Son!
Click to expand...

Don't worry, my son reported at 630am, breezed thru medical quickly (thankfully, we were worried since he had a post DODMERB ankle injury) and still felt like things were unorganized and chaotic. He was quite shell shocked. I find comfort in the words of those parents that have gone thru this already that have told me their MIDS (some who have even graduated and are deployed) still say I-Day was the hardest day of thier Navy experience to date.

And osdad, I'm glad to hear you say what you would do if you had to do it over. We did forgo the wait outside the mid store, and the picnic, and the 230 briefing. Instead we hit DTA, went to lunch, chilled at the hotel, bought plebe a Subway sandwhich and some cheesecake (his favorite) from the Cheesecake Factory, then made it back to the Yard a few hours before the swearing in ceremony, to claim some prime real estate in the shade close to our letter in stribling walk. But in the back of my mind I've been wondering if I should have just stayed on the Yard all day, you've put my mind at ease.


Overall, we enjoyed the entire day, and were so impressed with USNA in general, and cant wait to go back!:thumb:
 
Over all, I-day was quite a day; one that we'll never forget. The 9:15 report time, which we at first thought was great, turned out to be not so great. It allowed us some extra sleep....only live 1 hr away from Annapolis....but turns out he was backed up all day and took 5 1/2 HOURS to get off the bus at Bancroft, when we had read on here it would take 2-3 hrs. He was never even instructed how to salute! Can't figure out how it took that long for a hair-buzz, a few measurements and filling a duffel bag, but it did.

While waiting for him to get off the bus we had about 3 false alarms..there he is! there he isn't. Spent some time inside the store; great prices if you've ever been to other on-campus stores. Finally saw him rush off the bus with the most serious of expressions; wow, what 5 hrs can do. But all in all he looked pretty much like the others.....shell-shocked!

Saved a few choice seats about 10 rows from the front, on the aisle; went to grab a bite at Dahlgren and .....best move of the day.....got a sandwich for him; he was starving after the Oath.
Watched everyone march in....and I took 8 pics of the wrong guy....and I was only 10 ft away. I SWEAR it was him, until I saw the pics on my monitor; bummed. Most chilling part was when the Detailers were marching in...yikes. Very intimidating. Did anyone else see them licking their chops? And when the Detailers took their oath, did you notice their "I DO!". Shook the ground!.

After the Oath, we spent a wonderful 40 minutes with our son and he seemed pretty good about it all. Took some great family pics that are already framed at home (after removing those BCD goggles). THEN.....just about freaked out when we could NOT find his company flag! Made 3-4 trips up and down the walk and it was not to be found, whilst other companies were already in formation. PANIC! He finally found it somehow, but we never had a goodbye, which might have been a good thing; saved on the emotion. I did get a few more pics of him marching up to Bancroft, before the Marine closed those 20' tall doors, seeming to say, "they belong to us now". All in all.....one of the most memorable days of this dad's life!
 
Love your description, Jomass. Speaking of licking their chops...did anyone else feel like they were actually trying to conceal the Company letters on those flags? We approached Stribling several minutes early. After trying to read the guidon flags for a few minutes, we finally had to give our goodbye hugs and let DS battle the sea of panicked-looking plebes trying to find their place. I practically dragged my husband to a spot near the front so I could see if my son made it and was marching in with his Company. Thankfully he was right where he needed to be and looked calm and confident. I'm sure that final view of him helped me sleep that night!
 
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