New USAFA parent has questions

Sorry for what may be dumb questions but even though hubby is a grad, things were waaay different when he came to USAFA back in '74 and I have no clue - I was AFROTC. So what is the process for parents who go to I-Day at USAFA? If the new cadet-to-be gets the AFA-proivided ticket to fly in on 23 June, should the parents come that date too and get a hotel? Are there planned events on the 23rd? Will the cadet-to-be be able to stay with the parents on the 23rd? If the cadets have to be there by 1000 on 24 June, does that mean the parents are free to leave after 1000 or does something else happen later that day that they could or should be there for? Also is there another day/event after I-day that parents can attend? If so what/when is it?

As we tell our kids, the only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask and thus never get answered.
The AF provides the appointee with a gov't ticket to get to AFA. If you want to go too, you fly in on your own dime. Flights to COS will be FULL on the 23rd so if you want to get there book asap. Odds of you getting on the same flight are slim - so you could fly earlier and meet them there. No planned activities on the 23rd unless they are a recruited athlete - usually the coach has a get together for the recruits the evening before I-day. Yes your child stays with you the night before I-day.
If you don't want/can't fly out with them, I highly recommend the Bed & Breakfast program the AOG runs. Your appointee signs up on AOG page, pays minimal fee (like $10-15) and will be matched with someone from the local area in AOG who will pick them up either at airport or AFA and house them for the night and then take them to Doolittle Hall in the AM the next day.
As for what happens on I-day -- I only have second-hand info as our son did the B&B program. I do know they go to Doolittle Hall, get a briefing, eventually go upstairs and get BCT squad info and then exit a different door, go over the bridge and get on the bus. Parents say goodbye to their children prior to them going up the stairs. They get to wave to them as they exit the bldg to go over the bridge.
Parents can hang around and watch from the chapel wall to see the appointees dragging their bags and maybe marching some the rest of the day; they can also meet other parents. There is no "formal" planning for the rest of the day, unlike WP & CGA (don't know about USNA).
The next day is the swearing in ceremony which parents can watch from the chapel wall.
Local parents will watch the march out to Jacks Valley and the march back later in July.
Acceptance Day is the other event of the summer some parents attend. It will be Aug 4th this year. There is a parade where the BCT grads are "accepted" into the cadet wing and get their shoulder boards. After the parade you get 2-3 hours with your cadet but you can't leave the cadet area so most people bring picnic lunch to share by the field house. You can also bring stuff to them then (computer monitors, printers, etc). We could not attend A-day either, but our son was "adopted" by someone in his squad and they fed him lunch and took pictures.
The event not to miss is Parents Weekend -- which is always Labor Day weekend. Make your reservations NOW if you haven't done that. Come in on Thursday and don't leave til Tuesday am. Thur night you can meet your cadet at the chapel or A-hall and bring them dinner. Events planned for Fri-Sun; cadets are released to you after the football game til 7pm Mon night.
Sorry for the long post.
Enjoy the ride and congrats to you & your appointee!

Thank you so much Greentrees! I really appreciate your detailed answer!!!
So the I-day being 24 June, parents could leave the zoo after lunch then? But it sounds like there is something on the 25th that could be "watch-worthy" - eg the swearing in followed by the march out to Jack's Valley?

We went with our son last summer and I would highly recommend the swearing in ceremony if your schedule allows. Be sure to get to the chapel wall early as spots near the front fill up quickly. We were able to catch a glimpse of our son (they line up by summer squadron and within squadron by height - tallest at front left as they face you).
Also on Thursday, the Colorado Parents Club had a cookout in one of the picnic areas. It was a great chance to meet other parents from not only Colorado but from all over the country. Not sure if they will do this again this year but I would recommend it. Hanging out at the chapel wall is fun and yet another great spot to meet other parents and siblings. Some folks even got a chance to see their DS/DD march past them heading over to Vandy dorms.
Before making any plans, please check with your son/daughter - he/she should be OK with you being there - want him to have good memories as he embarks upon BCT.

Is the swearing-in on the 24th (I-day - Thursday) or Friday the 25th?

The match out to Jack's Valley is the start of 2nd Beast. Therefore approximately 3 weeks after I-day (they gave the date at orientation, but I don't have that info right now). Not as many parents are there, but a good crowd from in town will usually come out to watch. Also, swearing in will be on the 25th, usually a pretty good crowd of parents.

Later,

Brian

Personally, I enjoyed coming to to I-day, and looking back my cadet says he was glad we there there to wait in line with him etc. I worked to prepare myself not to be teary when he went up the stairs and off to his new life but instead gave him a huge hug and reminded him once more how proud I was of him. The swearing in was very emotional - the transition they make in the 24 hours between I-day and swearing in is huge! For anyone within relatively close proximity, I also really enjoyed going to field day - it seemed to be a day when the cadets were laughing and having fun - and seeing all the sqauds march in differenct colored t-shirts is a great site! We missed the march out to Jacks, but were there for the march back, which represented another seemingly huge transition, as they all came over the hill as a ubit - singing, and smiling despite being dirty and tired. A-day raised goose bumps on my skin even though it was 90 degrees - an awesome parade, a chance to see my son's room etc. Two hours may not seen like alot of time, but it was well worth it to be there.

Time of Swearing in?

What time is the swearing in?

Mikeandcris said:

What time is the swearing in?

Click to expand...

In the morning - something like 8 or 9 AM is the official time (to the best of my memory) but as someone one else noted, you need to arrive early to get the best spots....

If I remember right (and anyone who knows better, please correct me) the squads line up in numerical order from right to left if you are facing the T-zo.... so squad one would be on the far south end. I think they have "placemarkers" out to help identify areas as well.

Also, another plug for the Colo Parents Club picnic - it is a winner for meeting folks, and relaxing after saying goodbye to your kids etc.

Lastly it seems to me we went to a "briefing" from the Commadant that was held in Clune Arena the afternoon immediately following Inprocessing. Alot of the info was a repeat, but there were also some intersting stats on the class make up etc etc.

New USAFA Parent

Tell, your student congratulations, just think your Cadet is going to be a future leader of this wonderful country, the United States of America. He or she will do great things. They will do more in four years at the Academy, than a other college student will do in the next twenty years of their life.
God Bless and God Speed
Thanks for serving our country,

RGK