Questions About Private Swearing In

[kayaker]

Both of DS's grandfathers are retired Navy, neither USNA grads. DS also has an uncle who was in the Navy but moved into private industry after seven or so years, also not a USNA grad. Was thinking it would be nice to invite all of them to participate in swearing in DS, but not sure. Also, DS is already a college Midshipman, so he took the oath last year. Family members were not invited to participate in it, but it was really cool to see DS search out my dad for his first salute -- even cooler to watch my dad salute back! So my questions -- does DS take the oath again? Im thinking yes. And what are thoughts on a private swearing in and multiple family members? DH's dad is almost 90 -- and a bit fragile, so he may not come, but maybe he will...

 

[JShawshank]

Kayaker - The entire class does the Oath together in Tecumseh court. There is a form in the Permit to Report packet that you can complete for a personal swearing in ceremony after the full class oath. The link below is the "Parents Information Booklet" from I-day for class of 2018 to give you an idea of the schedule. There is a short blurb on Personal Oath ceremony at the bottom of page 2. We found Smoke Hall to be too crowded so were in Memorial Hall along with many, many others. It will be a truly memorable day, for sure!

http://www.usna.edu/PlebeSummer/_fi...entsInformationBooklet_pressquality_FINAL.pdf

 

[2018midmom]

Yes he takes the oath again and "private" is a stretch. You go down to Smoke Hall after they are released for the short picnic and they have it set up for photos, etc. It gets crowded so we did ours upstairs. It was memorable.

 

[2018USNA]

This is what we did last year and it worked out well. After the mids were released, we all went directly away from Bancroft through the mass of gathered people to the last building (not sure of the name). The building is open, air conditioned, has a nice foyer for pictures, and was completely empty. It was a great place to do the personal swearing in and take a ton of pictures with family. The air conditioning was nice because last year was sooo hot. We then sat around to talk and have snacks in a stress-free environment. The personal swearing in form was completed but not necessary if you plan to do the ceremony somewhere private.

 

[usnabgo08]

You go down to Smoke Hall after they are released for the short picnic

This made me chuckle -- the "short picnic." From only a few minutes of saying final goodbyes after the swearing-in ceremony, now there is enough time for a picnic!
I am sure folks like USNA1985 got 5-10 minutes, tops!

 

[NavyHoops]

I remember about 15 minutes. I think it's different now. Instead of us running back into Bancroft and trying to figure out how the heck to get to our companies with all hell breaking loose, they now form them up on stribling and March them back in to the Rotunda and I think to meal.

 

[2018midmom]

It was around 30 minutes but that's always subject to change!

 

[Juvat]

Interesting topic. We, too, are debating this. As a retired USAF officer I so want to do this for my DD, but at the same time don't want to be bothered with the crowds and logistics of making this happen in lieu of spending precious time with her along with the rest of my family. We will only have 30 minutes or so together and I'm not sure we need to spend that time on negotiating our way through a formality as opposed to saying goodbye with the rest of the family. Still debating this. When I asked my DD about it her only comment was she would be glad to do it but NOT in place of her class oath of office. Of course, we know she would do the class oath before the personal one, but it warmed my heart to know that she was already thinking in terms being with her classmates for this special time.

 

[kayaker]

Thank you all for your insights. I now have a better understanding of the situation. DS has not yet received his PTR, and I imagine the information in that package will answer many of my questions. I hadn't even considered the time crunch for DS to return after the picnic/ceremony.

 

[Craig]

The PLEBES are exhausted at the end of the day. We thought about doing it since DD's Granddaddy was Class 0f 56 retired navy man. We opted not too and was happy with decision. We are looking forward to graduation and pining on of the bars in two years.

 

[NavyHoops]

They do reaffirm the oath at the end of Plebe Summer. And agree, the new Plebes are so tired, exhausted, confused, anxious and anything else you can think a private oath is something half of them forget about. And I agree heading somewhere quiet and away from the crowd is probably a better bet than staying close to stribling or going to the Rotunda. I already has my sponsor family when I arrived for Plebe Summer so we met in between Chauvenet and Michelson. It has an amazing view and would have a great backdrop for photos for those who want a private ceremony.

 

[AF6872]

We brought a cheap table cover and sandwich and drinks in a cooler for or DD on the grass off Stribling (don't get those whites with grass stains). They will probably not eat at lunch in Banroft because they are so stressed and the

 

[falconchic88]

Interesting topic. We, too, are debating this. As a retired USAF officer I so want to do this for my DD, but at the same time don't want to be bothered with the crowds and logistics of making this happen in lieu of spending precious time with her along with the rest of my family. We will only have 30 minutes or so together and I'm not sure we need to spend that time on negotiating our way through a formality as opposed to saying goodbye with the rest of the family. Still debating this.

We briefly considered this with our first, but after reading some advice from these forums 5 years ago we decided to forgo the private swearing in and spend every minute in as relaxed of environment as possible until they had to reform to march back in to Bancroft. We will do the same with our plebetobe. We usually stake out a spot early on the grass off Stribling in the shade. We bring a neat sheet (light and easy to lug around all day) for plebe to sit on and a subway sandwich and cold drink.

The mass oath is very moving and memorable! They have bleachers set up, but we have never sat in them because they were right in the sun and too hot. We just stood on the side close to where they march in. Good view and easy egress.

 

[Craig]

If you know your child's platoon number you can get a spot to catch a glimpse as the march out of Mother B to fill the chairs. They come out the doors to the left and right of the chairs. These are the doors face each other on the opposite side and are towards the end of the building. These door are on the wings that form part of the big C in the court area. Scope it out early and you will see what I am talking about. If I recall they had the first half platoons coming out left and the second half platoons coming out right. In this PIC they are coming out the door on left side (looking at large door of Mother B) and walking along the back row of chairs set up on the left side. The two lines meet in the back middle and march down the middle towards the front to fill the rows front to back.

 

[falconchic88]

Also, don't stress if you don'tget that perfect picture! I was right by the doors and was so excited to see DD come out of them that my picture was all blurry, but there are several Heaven sent photographers that will post links to their dropshot accounts of almost every Plebe marching out on Iday. So I was able to save a great shot of DD! They continue posting links to pics on facebook and the listserve all through plebe summer and through out the year. It is the ultimate in waldo hunting!