Holleder Center

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Maximus

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I had some excellent tips on watching DS at Ike right after the morning briefing but, now the briefing will be held at Holleder Center due to renovations at Ike, how can we [parents] "search for Waldo" forming up in his new Company in hopes of seeing him in the late afternoon parade? :confused:
 
The Holleder Center is at the stadium. They will have shuttle busses. The parade is long after the briefing which will all be over in late afternoon.
You don't really get to watch them form up for the parade, you want to be over at trophy point while they are forming up anyway.
The Superintendent briefing was about 2 ish (can't remember exact time) in Ike then the parents would walk over. If the afternoon briefing is in the Holleder center, I would think they would have shuttle buses over to trophy point.
They will give you time to move.

In the morning there will be a bunch of tables with information. One of these is the Post office and you can pick up a card with your New Cadet's PO Box AND Company. This is how you will know what company he is in. This is crucial for attempting to find him in the parade. The males - unless they are black or asian - all tend to look alike. Mothers - you only think you know your son! :wink:
Females are easier to find but can be difficult too. Females with short hair are the easiest to find. If you leave unable to locate your son/daughter do not despair. By the time you get home there will be a video up and you can spend 6 hours going back and forth finding your New Cadet! :shake:

Tip: After the parade, go sit in the bleachers for the parade field with a zoom lens, or walk around the parade field toward Washington Hall. The New Cadets will march around the parade field and into Washington Hall. Wait for the very end if you can - you can see them march in for dinner and the door will slam. Even the most stoic parents wipe away a tear.
 
EVERYTHING is different this year! The renovations to the auditorium in Ike have necessitated change. The following was sent out by Deb Dalton today to 2014 Parents and the Parent Club Leaders:

R Day this year will be a bit different (for those who have heard stories) than the last few years as the location for the reporting, leader team briefing and the oath ceremony have changed. The new cadets will report in at the Holleder Center, located to the southwest of Michie Stadium.

When you enter West Point, you will be directed to the parking areas and then follow the signs to the Holleder Center.

Enter via the main entrance and join the line. After the briefing and good-byes, you will be shuttled to Eisenhower Hall to visit the Parent Information Center.

The leader team parent briefing (in the afternoon) will be given in the Cadet Mess in Washington Hall. Seating is limited. We are providing a satellite location in Eisenhower Hall (Ike) which is air-conditioned. If you are traveling with someone who needs handicapped accommodations or would be more comfortable in an air conditioned area, it is recommended that they attend the briefing at the satellite location in Ike Hall. The Cadet Mess is not air-conditioned and it is not handicapped accessible via the front entrance.

The Oath Ceremony will take place on The Plain this year. This will allow all attendees to be seated in the bleachers. We will have a map of the ceremony as part of the R Day handout you will receive when you arrive. Once you determine your son/daughter’s company, you will know where to look for them during the ceremony.
 
The Oath Ceremony will take place on The Plain this year. This will allow all attendees to be seated in the bleachers. We will have a map of the ceremony as part of the R Day handout you will receive when you arrive. Once you determine your son/daughter’s company, you will know where to look for them during the ceremony.
Click to expand...
This will be really nice, everyone will have a good view. Remember to bring binoculars.
I think years ago they used to have the Oath ceremony on the Plain.
 
DS's prepster sponsor (great lady and great family, thank God for her!!!...) is the mother of two WP cadets ('09 and '10) and, her husband is a USA Colonel; at Prep Graduation, she told us to run up stairs at "Ike" and view DS forming up below to find out early, what Company he'd be in to be able to spot him in the parade later. She said this was the 'tried and true' method to get the inside view. Is there a way to see or learn of DS Company before hand? I'm talking about right after the 90 second good bye speech?
 
Just_A_Mom said:
The Holleder Center is at the stadium. They will have shuttle busses. The parade is long after the briefing which will all be over in late afternoon.
You don't really get to watch them form up for the parade, you want to be over at trophy point while they are forming up anyway.
The Superintendent briefing was about 2 ish (can't remember exact time) in Ike then the parents would walk over. If the afternoon briefing is in the Holleder center, I would think they would have shuttle buses over to trophy point.
They will give you time to move.

In the morning there will be a bunch of tables with information. One of these is the Post office and you can pick up a card with your New Cadet's PO Box AND Company. This is how you will know what company he is in. This is crucial for attempting to find him in the parade. The males - unless they are black or asian - all tend to look alike. Mothers - you only think you know your son! :wink:
Females are easier to find but can be difficult too. Females with short hair are the easiest to find. If you leave unable to locate your son/daughter do not despair. By the time you get home there will be a video up and you can spend 6 hours going back and forth finding your New Cadet! :shake:

Tip: After the parade, go sit in the bleachers for the parade field with a zoom lens, or walk around the parade field toward Washington Hall. The New Cadets will march around the parade field and into Washington Hall. Wait for the very end if you can - you can see them march in for dinner and the door will slam. Even the most stoic parents wipe away a tear.
Click to expand...

I've been outside of Holleder many times...I've just never been inside....
 
This year, the 2014 class is the class where many things are different - from the large class size to the change of venues for R-Day.

The following is how it was last year for 2013, so take it with a grain of salt.

I don't know how you can find out the Beast company before the '90 second goodbye'. At Ike, you will get the index card with your NC's PO address and Beast company. You will be given/shown a chart ( I think at the Supe's briefing) that will show where the companies will be lined up for the Oath Ceremony.

Here are a few tips on how you can find your NC at the parade/Oath Ceremony:
- Position yourself at the place (according to the chart) where your NC's company will stand for the Oath Ceremony.
- They will march in by company and platoon. There are about 40 NC's in a platoon - 10 lines, 4 across. Again, that may change this year.
- They will be lined up in their platoon by height, tallest in the front and the shortest in the back. If your NC is on the tall or short side, consider yourself lucky as they will be in the front or back. Much easier to see than in the middle of the pack.
- There will be a lot of NC's in BCG's. This will help you eliminate at a quick glance ones that may or may not be your NC depending on whether they have these cute little additions on their face.
-Does your NC have a hair color that stands out? Since they will be sans cover, hair color might make your NC easier to see. Even though the guys won't have much hair to see, the gingers were still easy to spot.
- Girls are easier to spot because they still have hair and they are usually towards the back.
- Like JAM said, once the last NC enters Washington Hall, the cadre will close those large heavy doors with a slam that will drive home the point that your NC will not be going home with you the next day.
Bittersweet moment.
Yes - you may have a tear in your eye, but you will be oh so very proud.

And the roller coaster ride begins!
 
buff81 said:
This year, the 2014 class is the class where many things are different - from the large class size to the change of venues for R-Day.

The following is how it was last year for 2013, so take it with a grain of salt.

I don't know how you can find out the Beast company before the '90 second goodbye'. At Ike, you will get the index card with your NC's PO address and Beast company. You will be given/shown a chart ( I think at the Supe's briefing) that will show where the companies will be lined up for the Oath Ceremony.

Here are a few tips on how you can find your NC at the parade/Oath Ceremony:
- Position yourself at the place (according to the chart) where your NC's company will stand for the Oath Ceremony.
- They will march in by company and platoon. There are about 40 NC's in a platoon - 10 lines, 4 across. Again, that may change this year.
- They will be lined up in their platoon by height, tallest in the front and the shortest in the back. If your NC is on the tall or short side, consider yourself lucky as they will be in the front or back. Much easier to see than in the middle of the pack.
- There will be a lot of NC's in BCG's. This will help you eliminate at a quick glance ones that may or may not be your NC depending on whether they have these cute little additions on their face.
-Does your NC have a hair color that stands out? Since they will be sans cover, hair color might make your NC easier to see. Even though the guys won't have much hair to see, the gingers were still easy to spot.
- Girls are easier to spot because they still have hair and they are usually towards the back.
- Like JAM said, once the last NC enters Washington Hall, the cadre will close those large heavy doors with a slam that will drive home the point that your NC will not be going home with you the next day.
Bittersweet moment.
Yes - you may have a tear in your eye, but you will be oh so very proud.

And the roller coaster ride begins!
Click to expand...

Thanks buff81, DS is tall, about 6' 2" or 3" so, I might spot him that way but, unfortunately he has blond hair and it pretty much matches his head. He is tan on top due to having short hair for the last year also. No BCG either, that might be a help.

As to class size, the Supe told us at Prep graduation that the class is on the order of 1,400, not the 1,500 we've all been hearing about. He gave the exact number (I forget it now...) and I was surprised as I thought it was going to be larger.
 
Petite 5'0'' female. I told my parents they will very pleased of that fact when they try to spot me.
 
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