R-Day Questions

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Apr 19, 2015
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17
Son has received and accepted an appointment to the USCGA and I haven't really been following this process probably as closely as I should have, so I have some really dumb questions, and I'll probably have a lot more.

First, what is the exact process to get to R-day? He said he has a big package with some instructions, but I'm assuming that's for the flight. If reporting is on a Monday, does he stay at a hotel on Sunday night? A Taxi to the base? I'm not sure a 18 y/o can rent a hotel room. Is there one hotel all the cadets are staying out? I guess I could go, but I never took any of the other kids to boot camp. I don't want him feeling special. I'll look at the paperwork when he moves back home next week, but I want to make sure he has a logistically smooth path to follow.

What about permanent residency? Are all Cadets Connecticut residents, paying CT state taxes? I don't want him to pay any New England Yankee taxes. That was just a joke, so don't get your panties in a bunch, but the residency question is serious since it has downstream implications.

thanks in advance.
 
We took our son. It is generally a five hour drive for us. We got a hotel room the night before. They will be required to report anytime after 0700.

I would look at the paperwork yourself. You should be informed. It is not just for the flight. There are medical and publicity releases, forms for size (and he can't measure himself alone, and he will likely be wearing those uniforms for two years, so it needs to be right). There are other forms I don't remember. There is information on travel reimbursements, as his way is paid. If you drive, his (your) hotel is paid for one night and travel reimbursed one way (because he's not going home with you, and you aren't paid).

To your specific situation:

This is not boot camp. Or, this is boot camp for 200 weeks with high level physics and calculus. He will have a bachelor's degree and a commission. No, he cannot rent a hotel room, and if he was alone, he would need a cab to get on base, in addition to a cab from the airport (I'm just guessing that you need to fly).

This is not boot camp. There are programs for the parents during the day. There is a very, very active parent's organization supporting the cadets. If necessary, a local parent will pick up your son and have him stay over night with them. They are experienced in this. If you are not coming, then this may be your best option.

I think most cadet's keep their home address as home of record. but I don't know for certain. Ours did not. Our other son just graduated from boot camp and has kept our home address as his home of record for at least the immediate future. There are YN's who can help him with any tax questions. He will receive training on these points during Swab Summer. You can also call admissions with any questions.

What part of the country are you from?
 
Congrats. RDay is Monday, June 29th. There will be family events on Sunday, if you are interested. Worth it for us, as we wanted to see where he'd be the next four years. We met other like minded parents, and enjoyed the swearing in the next afternoon.

No official hotels for incoming swabs, but I think there is some sort of bed and breakfast program with sponsors.

BFE will arrive with certificate and further instructions.

I don't believe you can change residency during college years...your parents address is the home of record. I could be wrong. My son changed his residency at his first duty station.
 
I guess I could go, but I never took any of the other kids to boot camp.

Don't feel obligated to take him. Many parents & appointees (but certainly a minority) are quite comfortable saying their goodbyes at home or the airport, avoiding any awkward or uncomfortable goodbye scenes (for either the parent or the new cadet) in the afternoon.
 
Thanks Freda'sMom....He's one of 4 children, so we have to prioritize, this year having multiple weddings, vacations, graduations, etc. Only so many days the man lets me take off of work. We're definitely going to go to parents weekend, which is to me a higher priority. I'd like to know all the options, and if the best one is to deliver him myself, we'll do that.
Speaking of Parents weekend, is that set in stone or does it typically change? Right now I see its set for 9/25-9/27.
 
Be sure to join the 2019 USCGA Parents group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/USCGAPARENTS2019/ Great place to network with other 2019 parents as well as some experienced parent that can give you sound advice.

Parents weekend is set for 9/25 to 27. While that changed last year, I don't anticipate a change this year, but you never know. Many have already book hotels and flights.

Like others have said, don't feel obligated or pressured to go to R-Day, but personally, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It was a special time and very good information comes out of the meetings. The friendships created with other parents and families that occur during this time was priceless. You know your kid better than anyone and know how he will handle the 10 minutes he will get to say goodbye at the end of the day. It was a special time for us and the ceremony is very neat to see.

As far as taxes, you son will keep his home address as his home of record and pay taxes according to that. We live in a state that doesn't have state income tax, so it works out well for him.

Regarding pre-R day... There are some "meet and greet" activities that are planned for Sunday (Before R-Day) for the incoming swabs and their parents. I'd say that if he is going by himself, he may have some challenges getting from the airport to the Academy. There are no shuttles provided, but he may be reimbursed for travel from the airport to New London using the train from Providence maybe. He'd have to check with Admissions on that. The Academy doesn't provide a hotel for him, but like AUXNOOB said, there are parents that will put him up for the night. (Some of those connections are made through the Facebook group I mentioned above).

I was never accompanied to boot camp either, but like has been said, this is NOT boot camp. It is the start of a 200 week program and the "boot camp" piece is just the 7 week beginning.
 
You can rent a hotel room for your 17 or 18 year old. This is how you do it. You advance purchase your room (I am a Hilton Honors Member, so I usually use a Hampton Inn or another Hilton property). Then you call the hotel and "associate" the room with your cadet. The name of your child is now on the room and all they have to do is show an ID to check in. He doesn't have to show a credit card or anything. I did this for my daughter when she drove out of state to go to Warp Tour. I didn't want her driving back late at night, but I also didn't want to go to Warp Tour.
 
As an 18 year old, I have had no problem arranging and staying at a hotel by myself, I used my debit card for the method of payment. No need for parent cc# or contact with the hotel. When traveling as a new adult, you can do every "adult" thing except rent a car.
 
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