I Day

navydad17

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Dec 27, 2012
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On I Day, 6:30 - 7:15pm is scheduled for Plebes to meet with their family. If family members are not able to attend I Day, can Plebes call home during this time or will their phones already be confiscated by then?
 
There is an organized area for those without families present, and plebes are allowed to use their phones to call home.
 
We live approx. 17 hours away from USNA. Right now, we're trying to decide whether or not to attend I Day. We will definitely attend PPW. Input about attendance to I Day would be appreciated.
 
Alumni Association is There

On I Day, 6:30 - 7:15pm is scheduled for Plebes to meet with their family. If family members are not able to attend I Day, can Plebes call home during this time or will their phones already be confiscated by then?

The plebes will already have their phones turned in. They well get them back for the 3 phone calls they will be allowed to make during plebe summer. During the gathering time after the plebes are sworn in, the USNA Alumni Association was there to provide the new plebes an opportunity to call home by offering them use of cell phones. Here is some info for Plebe Summer, Class of 2017;
http://www.usna.edu/PlebeSummer/info.php
Cheers.
 
We live approx. 17 hours away from USNA. Right now, we're trying to decide whether or not to attend I Day. We will definitely attend PPW. Input about attendance to I Day would be appreciated.

My son is a candidate for the class of 2017, but I grew up near Annapolis, have friends who have sons/daughters who are Midshipmen, and have attended I-Day twice. My advice: do everything possible to be there. It is such a momentous day in your child's life, and in your family's, and it is such an impressive occasion, that it should not be missed.
 
I Would Walk 17 Hours for I-Day

We live approx. 17 hours away from USNA. Right now, we're trying to decide whether or not to attend I Day. We will definitely attend PPW. Input about attendance to I Day would be appreciated.
Many people say if you could only attend either I-Day or PPW, attend PPW. While I agree with that I would also add I-Day should not be missed if at all possible. Yes, you will not see your plebe much that day. There will be many activities for family and friends to take in during the day, culminating with the march into Tecumseh Court and the swearing-in ceremony. We used the time afterwards to rehydrate our son, give him something to eat and just unwind a few minutes before the plebes all march back into Bancroft for the evening meal and the beginning of Plebe Summer. You can see videos of the march into Bancroft on YouTube, but being there, hearing the marching cadence from the drums and witnessing the whole spectacle and its symbolism was something you have to see to believe. Looking back, I would have walked 17 hours, barefoot, on broken glass, uphill into a head wind to be at I-Day ;-)
 
My S, now a 2nd Class, tells me he really doesn't remember much from I-Day, which we attended. He vividly remembers everything he did throughtout PPW with his siblings and Ps.

If you have to choose, I would say go for PPW.
 
Mom of plebe--we went to both I-day and PPW. PPW is a must of course, I-Day I would recommend if at all possible. We didn't run around the Yard trying to catch glimpses of our son all day, but it was great to talk to him for those few minutes after he took the oath. He was able to debrief his day with us and we got to feed him (hadn't eaten all day). It's one last time to offer encouragement when their training has actually begun. If it's a real hardship to attend I-Day, then know that you drop them off in the morning and see them for about half an hour after the oath, so talking to them on the phone after they have taken the oath would be a good alternative. Hope that helps.
 
I would say it depends on the reason for not going. If it presents a financial or personal hardship, your child will be okay without you. As others have said, other than the quick good-by in the morning and the 30 minutes or so at the end of the day, your child won't even be thinking of you. Quite a few folks come without parents and they are just fine.

However, if you can swing it financially, I'd do it. A good memory for you and nice for your child to have those few minutes with you.
 
Amazingly I remember most of I-Day. I think that is a rarity though. My family did not make it to Annapolis for I-Day, but I luckily had family friends in the area who came and supported me. As mentioned on here the Alumni Association is amazing. They have an area set up for the new Mids to call home during that short time frame. I have even seen some snap some photos of the young men and women and send them on to parents so they can see the change that occurs in just hours. For those parents who can make it, if you see a Mid without family offer a cell phone, some photos (and email addresses to get them on to some parents or family), a cold drink, and food. It would be greatly appreciated by those anxious, confused, and excited Mids.
 
Many people say if you could only attend either I-Day or PPW, attend PPW. While I agree with that I would also add I-Day should not be missed if at all possible. Yes, you will not see your plebe much that day. There will be many activities for family and friends to take in during the day, culminating with the march into Tecumseh Court and the swearing-in ceremony. We used the time afterwards to rehydrate our son, give him something to eat and just unwind a few minutes before the plebes all march back into Bancroft for the evening meal and the beginning of Plebe Summer. You can see videos of the march into Bancroft on YouTube, but being there, hearing the marching cadence from the drums and witnessing the whole spectacle and its symbolism was something you have to see to believe. Looking back, I would have walked 17 hours, barefoot, on broken glass, uphill into a head wind to be at I-Day ;-)

Thank you to everyone for your replies. With the above quote, I think I understand now. We will be there!

My wife (wink wink) wants to know if I Day is a gut wrenching experience for parents to "hand over" their baby to the Navy or is it more of a proud moment watching your young adult spread his wings & leave home.
 
My wife (wink wink) wants to know if I Day is a gut wrenching experience for parents to "hand over" their baby to the Navy or is it more of a proud moment watching your young adult spread his wings & leave home.

Still waiting/hoping for the BFE, but my wife and I have talked about this. She was with me for one of the two I-Days that I've attended. She is pretty convinced that she will cry like a baby the minute that the doors of Bancroft close, but she'll keep it together until then.

As for me, I'm enormously proud of DS already. We have some Naval heritage, and I can imagine how hard it will be to contain my pride if / when he is fortunate enough to take the oath. I'm sure that his grandfather will snap off a salute from heaven. I think I'm more likely to spring a leak at that moment than I will be when we say goodbye before he marches into Bancroft. Your mileage may vary.

There are some great I-Day videos on YouTube and you can get a sense of the variety of reactions.
 
I-day was probably one of the most vivid days of Plebe Summer for me because I went through a lot, but having my parents there made a world of difference for my sanity. Had they not been there I probably would've lost it. That's just me personally though.
 
Thank you to everyone for your replies. With the above quote, I think I understand now. We will be there!

My wife (wink wink) wants to know if I Day is a gut wrenching experience for parents to "hand over" their baby to the Navy or is it more of a proud moment watching your young adult spread his wings & leave home.

I'm guessing you'll experience a bit of both emotions and typically mom has more of the anxiety while dad has more of the pride. :smile: Once the doors to Bancroft closed, I was already planning what I was going to put in the box that we were going to mail the next day. Pretty sure that DS's dad was basking in the joy of getting to administer the oath to his son and the pride of watching him respond. Regardless, it is indeed an emotional day for all concerned.
 
Attending I-Day

Dad of a Plebe - I did attend I-Day last year and felt the trip was worth it! Watching my son take those first steps to Alumni Hall in the morning (After throwing up in the bushes) was a thrill. Trying to catch a glimpse of him throughout the day was a lot of fun and when his sister saw him pick up that sea bag and run up the steps with it, she cried for 10 minutes because she'd been worried he wouldn't be able to pick it up. May sound silly, but at the end of the day, I could already see a difference in my son. Then they close the door!

I-Day was probably one of the most memorable days of my life, but my son remembers very little of it beyond getting his hair cut!

I strongly recommend you go if possible.
 
So, my family can either attend I Day or PPW. From the looks of this post I should tell them to wait for PPW. In either case, does anyone have any insight on getting relativly cheap tickets for the flight up to Annapolis. I come from a larger family (four siblings) and they all want to come up.
 
We live approx. 17 hours away from USNA. Right now, we're trying to decide whether or not to attend I Day. We will definitely attend PPW. Input about attendance to I Day would be appreciated.

If you can attend, attend. It's an emotional day and you do have about 40 minutes after the swearing in ceremony to see your child. I know it meant a lot to ours for us to be there.

If you have to pick between the two, PPW
 
Thank you to everyone for your replies. With the above quote, I think I understand now. We will be there!

My wife (wink wink) wants to know if I Day is a gut wrenching experience for parents to "hand over" their baby to the Navy or is it more of a proud moment watching your young adult spread his wings & leave home.

It's both. As a parent you realize that I-Day is the culmination of your childs' childhood years and dreams. They worked hard to be at that place on that day. You a very very proud.

At the same time you have a huge sense of loss. The family time you all shared will never be the same again. Even today my daughter refers to her I-Day as the day her childhood came to an abrupt end. This is one of the major differences in haveing your child attend a service acedmy vs. a regular college.
 
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