Traveling with DS for I-Day

What they really mean is that if you only have the means to travel out for one of the times, GO TO PARENTS WEEKEND. If you can financially afford to go to both, and it is okay with your son or daughter, then by all means go to both! For I-day, everything happens all at once and you don't get to see anything but having my mom and dad there for moral support was nice.

***If you do go to I-day, make sure to go to the swearing-in ceremony the next morning. That was very meaningful for me, after a very mentally difficult, early morning just knowing that they were up there on the chapel wall. I know it was also a very emotional and special moment for my parents as they saw the transformation of me walking in the day before as a civilian to marching out with my class in uniform and taking the oath the very next day.
 
Stealth_81 said:
I believe that it should be up to the appointee. We left it up to our son and he asked to go it alone. He wanted time before to prep himself for it mentally and we allowed him his wish. I have never regretted not being there for I-Day.
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X2 :thumb:
My son also wanted time before to prep himself for it mentally and we accepted his decision. Probably a good choice considering all the tears that his mother cried at the airport. Also no regrets.... used the money for a trip on A- Day.
 
Usafamom2016 said:
We made a vacation out of it, went to Breckenridge first, got used to the altitude. I am a crier and my son was OK with that but I didn't share a tear when he went off on his own (field house not Doolittle hall due to fires). When I did dry was the next day. Unbelievably moving swearing in ceremony we watched from the wall. This is a MUST SEE for those who are there. Even my husband was teary eyed after the national anthem, Air Force song and the entire 2016 class swearing to protect and defend our great constitution.
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What time is the swearing in ceremony? Early morning?
 
Usually swearing in is around 9am. Get there early. As you look out from the wall, CS 1 is on left, 40 far right. You can get CS when your basic checks in, will have an idea based on the basic squadron they are in. 8 alpha squadrons with 5 flights each become 40 cadet squadrons during the year.
Also after dropping off for I day the Colorado parents club has a picnic (we missed that due to fires, was cancelled in 2016) and if you go by the chapel wall you may see your cadet crossing the Tzo if you're lucky.




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Clearing up the difference between AFA and USNA (it's all starting to run together in my head!), at AFA we don't have contact with our cadet after they get on the bus, correct? We are only hanging out for glimpses of him, and at the swearing in ceremony, that is just to see, right?
 
That is correct, no contact at all after they go up the stairs at Doolittle Hall. Snail mail :frown:
 
Dial the gate said:
Clearing up the difference between AFA and USNA (it's all starting to run together in my head!), at AFA we don't have contact with our cadet after they get on the bus, correct? We are only hanging out for glimpses of him, and at the swearing in ceremony, that is just to see, right?
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Also no care packages are allowed at USAFA until after acceptance day parade or the end of BCT.
 
Thanks for posting this. I was beginning to wonder if everyone goes for I-day. Our DS wants to travel on his own and we are fine with his choice. We will be there for PW.
 
aglages said:
X2 :thumb:
My son also wanted time before to prep himself for it mentally and we accepted his decision. Probably a good choice considering all the tears that his mother cried at the airport. Also no regrets.... used the money for a trip on A- Day.
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My DS said the same thing (he was very firm that we did not go). Like you, I liked the idea of saving the dollars while my wife really really wanted to go. A WP mom family friend who knew my son explained to him that he was being selfish. He thought about it and later reconsidered and understood what it meant to his mom. I suspect he was worried about the perception of not doing it on his own.

In the end, he was glad we came. While I was positively indifferent about going and would of said "no regrets", I was very happy that I saw the process. Knowing what I know, I would highly recommend it to any parent.
 
My DD was adamant about NOT having us attend I-day at both the Prep School AND USAFA. She had rather us spend the monies on PW. The good thing was that I had a high school friend that took her under her wing, picked my DD up from Denver and delivered my DD to both I-days. My friend in COS has since become my DD'S Sponsor Mom.

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Usafamom2016 said:
Usually swearing in is around 9am. Get there early. As you look out from the wall, CS 1 is on left, 40 far right. You can get CS when your basic checks in, will have an idea based on the basic squadron they are in. 8 alpha squadrons with 5 flights each become 40 cadet squadrons during the year.
Also after dropping off for I day the Colorado parents club has a picnic (we missed that due to fires, was cancelled in 2016) and if you go by the chapel wall you may see your cadet crossing the Tzo if you're lucky.


Can you advise approximately long the swearing in ceremony is? I am working on airline flights.

Thanks!
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There was no way, six years ago, that we were flying to Colorado with our sons for I-Day. We'd been there in April (most of the whole family), and knew we were going to PW in September, so the I-day events (minimal) were out of the question.

For parents in our situation, the USAFA flew the boys out (what a while ride that was from Dallas to COS! I think they were all basics except six ppl on the plane!) the day before, their sponsor family picked them up, they had a great dinner, and the sponsor dad took them over and stayed until they "crossed the bridge" on I-Day.

My recommendation: pay whatever fees are involved for WebGuy. You will never regret it and the glimpses of your basic (or squadron or element leader), are priceless. I still have pics on my frig of both my sons during BCT!
 
Jaw700, swearing in is not a long process. They will be done within an hour. Also, can't recall where I saw it, but it may be 8:30 this year.


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jaw7000 said:
Usafamom2016 said:
Usually swearing in is around 9am. Get there early. As you look out from the wall, CS 1 is on left, 40 far right. You can get CS when your basic checks in, will have an idea based on the basic squadron they are in. 8 alpha squadrons with 5 flights each become 40 cadet squadrons during the year.
Also after dropping off for I day the Colorado parents club has a picnic (we missed that due to fires, was cancelled in 2016) and if you go by the chapel wall you may see your cadet crossing the Tzo if you're lucky.


Can you advise approximately long the swearing in ceremony is? I am working on airline flights.

Thanks!
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I have searched the forum (including the acronym list) but could not find Tzo. What is this and what is it's significance on I-Day or swearing in? (Sorry but I have no military background and have not visited the academy yet)
Thanks for any insight.
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tzo is the terrazzo. It is the large area of cement between the buildings (seen from the chapel wall) where the cadets march. It is also where the freshmen will have to 'run the stripes'. Before recognition they have to walk on the edge of the terrazzo along white striped path in a fast pace with backpack in left hand to get anywhere, classes, meals, etc. This is also known as the Tzo shuffle.


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Tzo

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Blackbird said:
Tzo

6225167838_7a7dd72f69_z.jpg
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Thanks for the quick responses. Didn't realize it's name (Tzo) but I have seen it a million times in photos/videos. Blackbird's picture here has to be the best look at the Tzo I've ever seen. Very awesome ! Can't wait to see it in person.
 
Are the little foxes still there, living in the "grassy knoll" beside the Tzo?
 
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