How often can we visit our DD?
- Thread starter Ricer
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 20,510
You can visit any time you want. But - your DD may not be free to visit with you. Unless she has Yard liberty (ability to visit with people and do her own thing on the Yard) or town liberty (she can go off-Yard), she is expected to be carrying out her duties as a midshipman. For plebes, liberty would be certain hours on Saturday. As they rise in rank, more Yard and town liberty is authorized. If she is in a duty status (a rotating cycle), she will have no liberty at all during some weekends. Overnight liberty off-Yard for plebes is rare but does happen, usually when a weekend or overnight has been earned. Mids quickly learn the ropes and can advise parents when to visit.
Three-day holiday weekends are often the best, as plebes get both Sat and Sunday hours of town liberty, with Monday being Yard liberty.
This is just a rough overview. Parents learn from other parents in Parents Clubs, online forums and other online sources, and their DD/DS.
Mids are also very, very busy on weekends. The course load and other To Do items are relentless. Your mid will let you know when they can fit you in. They will also be trying their wings with extra curricular activities, which often offer opportunities to escape the Yard, or hanging with their new friends at sponsors' houses. It will all become clearer over time, the pattern that works for them.
During Plebe Summer, first visit opportunity is Plebe Parents Weekend (PPW), usually held during one of last weekends of PS before PS ends and ac year begins. Plenty of threads on SAF about that.
Three-day holiday weekends are often the best, as plebes get both Sat and Sunday hours of town liberty, with Monday being Yard liberty.
This is just a rough overview. Parents learn from other parents in Parents Clubs, online forums and other online sources, and their DD/DS.
Mids are also very, very busy on weekends. The course load and other To Do items are relentless. Your mid will let you know when they can fit you in. They will also be trying their wings with extra curricular activities, which often offer opportunities to escape the Yard, or hanging with their new friends at sponsors' houses. It will all become clearer over time, the pattern that works for them.
During Plebe Summer, first visit opportunity is Plebe Parents Weekend (PPW), usually held during one of last weekends of PS before PS ends and ac year begins. Plenty of threads on SAF about that.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2007
- Messages
- 9,295
Visit once the first year.
futuremid2020
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2015
- Messages
- 10
Can someone please mention what DD or DS stands for??
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2012
- Messages
- 276
This is a very helpful acronym list: http://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/the-acronym-list.11568/
We have seen our plebe three times this Fall since parents weekend in August. We had a family wedding on a Saturday so we were allowed to pick him up at noon but he had to be back by midnight. Then we went to several football games and plan to get season tickets next year. They can see you during half time of games and often times after the games for a few hours. We have also gotten to-go food and walked onto the yard and met him. There are several places you can go to on the yard to meet with them and share a meal if they are on Yard Liberty. Of course we leave this completely up to him and his schedule. If he's really busy with academics or other things we stay away. It's fun to be in Annapolis and there is plenty to do even if your plebe can only see you for a few hours. Football games are the best and you meet so many other parents (and you can def see them during the game!).
Vtmom has it spot on. Work with your Mid when they get there on what works for them. They will want to see you, but they won't want to see you every weekend. Once they learn the nuances of everything they will know what works for their schedule and routine.
USMC_Ordie
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2013
- Messages
- 174
Our DS goes to AFA, some weekends, there's not time for a phone call. He may answer, but it's to make sure we're not calling for an emergency or something, and let's us know pretty quick, homework is waiting.
Other weekends, plenty of time and headed out exploring.
Kinda cuts down on surprise parental visits, but he's where he belongs.
Other weekends, plenty of time and headed out exploring.
Kinda cuts down on surprise parental visits, but he's where he belongs.
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2013
- Messages
- 1,013
Ricer... a visit is good. Too many visits defeat the purpose. Everyone feels like you. We love our children. We love to see our children. Sometimes we have to love them enough to leave them alone.
The academies are well known for the difficult and sacrificial nature of the commitment. The wording of your post makes it appear that you are worried you won't be able to have regular visits.
Unless you have a tremendously needy daughter, she probably won't want regular visits. A big part of academy life is bonding with his classmates, and figuring things out on her own.
Parental protective feelings toward daughters applying to an Academy is understandable, but the academies have a way of taking care of these kids.
If you're always there, doing laundry, giving snacks, treating to meals, etc. Your DD will not only remain dependent upon you, her friends will notice that she can't quite hack it on her own.
Oddly, I find myself in agreement with LITS, once a year is good, although it's nice to go to Herndon, as well as Plebe Parent Weekend.
And golly, I may be reading way too much into the original post. If so, I apologise. These are just my personal opinions. Everyone of course must do as they see fit for their own kid.
Last edited: