not another list LadderdaddyO

As you search for pictures, I wonder if you all have USNA parent facebook pages? We share our pics on FB at the USMA sites...that way our pics are for everyone and are free to download at will. :thumb:
 
Ladderdaddy: I noticed you have the Annapolis paper on your list. I put that on my favorites last year. They often have photos and videos of what's going on at USNA.

The USNA facebook this year has been outstanding. We saw our son at Sea Trials in several photos. Before they were even done with Sea Trials. I noticed they posted numerous I-Day photos as well. Whoever is in charge of that at USNA is doing a terrific and very timely job with it.
 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/07/01/GA2010070105798.html

You might have to wade through some ads. Hope someone's DS/DD pops up!

My favorite is photo #7. A true oh-no-what-have-I-done look.

I recall, last year, on I-Day, when I saw one of my sons get off that bus in the Midstore parking lot, totally transformed into a Plebe - that look on his face.

For the first time, I felt horrible.

I was thinking, "My gosh, what have I done? Why did I ever permit them from attending this awful school? What kind of father am I?"

It was that deer-in-the-headlights look. I could tell he was miserable.

Although I am a grad and gave them all my Words-of-Wisdom, I realized that there was nothing I could say to totally prepare them for the shock. I had flashbacks of my I-Day and the way I felt. It all came rushing back to me in that brief moment.

I had forgotten just how miserable it was to be a Plebe - especially on I-Day.

After the swearing-in, however, I could already see signs that they were adapting and getting over the shock. And now, life is peachy.

But, for about 5 minutes, standing there, head shaven, wearing that dorky "dixie cup" on their head, at attention in the blazing sun in the Midstore parking lot, being gawked at by onlookers and being yelled at by intimidating firsties wearing camouflage - the misery of the impending unknown was palpable.

I was getting sympathetic pains of misery myself. I think, at that point, I would have been less affected had I never gone to the Naval Academy. It was knowing what they were going through that kind of hurt.
 
Great post Memphis; I'm glad that I wasn't the only dad that felt that way. Although I am not a grad, I had awful feelings of guilt when my son stepped off the bus with that same expressionless look. I wasn't quite sure if it was fear or (hopefully) just trying to be a statue and not be noticed by the detailers.

He did seem pretty good though during the 45 minutes after the oath, then got back into serious mode again. I saw one of his pics on the Thornton site where he must have seen the camera pointed right at him and he flashed a huuuge smile. (Now I wonder if someone will track him down and ask him why he looked so happy during the middle of I-Day. LOL)
 
Thanks for the list, Ladder! We've found several pics of our plebe on Thornton, mostly because he went in looking like a surfer-dude, so they took a series of his swoop being shaved away! He looks happy there, but later there is a portrait of him in his whites in which he looks melancholy. I wish they would get the schedule up. I would love to know what he's doing each day!

I thought my husband was going to walk up, pull DS out of rank and carry him home during dinner formation on I-Day. I'm so glad to hear that he wasn't alone in his sadness/worry for his son!
 
There are some great recent photos on drop shot. I'm going to have one of my other children help with the hovering I really don't have time. I see I could search and find stuff all day. Time to let go and know there in good hands.
I would like to take this time to thank the people that are posting pics on DropShot. A much better alternative to paying around $25.00 just to download 1 photo from the oTHOR people.
 
MAGIK:

Doesn't Thornton post the schedule for each Company every day on their site? I remember my daughter at the end of the day (tired, hot, hungry, thirsty and sweaty) saying "I have had coaches scream at me worse than anyone did today". Others had a hard time on Stribling. I can only imagine the family reaction at the end of the first day of Basic. I guess that's why they don't let them attend. Dropshots is great but it will strain your eyes. Good to have a backup to search through the photos. Find someone that stands out in your son/daughter platoon (red hair, really tall, frizzy or any other distinguishing characteristic) and it will make going through the pictures a lot easier. Unless it is your Plebe with the identifying characteristic which makes it real easy.
 
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As you search for pictures, I wonder if you all have USNA parent facebook pages? We share our pics on FB at the USMA sites...that way our pics are for everyone and are free to download at will. :thumb:
So where is this FB page? Under USMA? Can't find it, can you give some help. I have looked on USNA but do not see anything.
 
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