A-Day

What is the day like? How often will I get to see my parents/visitors? Just that day or the whole weekend?

I want to know because I'm thinking of coming in to R-Day alone and having my family come on A-Day instead. I would also like to know what uniform I will wear for the parade?

When we went for A day this past August our son was able to come back to our motel with us after the parade and did not have to be back in his room untill 1 am, On Sunday he was able to leave at around 8 AM and did not have to be back until pretty late again.

The uniform will be white over gray. Here are some pictures: http://www.west-point.org/family/mem2011/pages/aday/index.html

The only parent event on A-day is the parade on Saturday morning 10 a.m. After that plebes will go back to their companies and be released after duties are done. As djfrro said, they won't have to be back until check in at 1 a.m.

Sunday our son did not want to sleep in so we picked him up at 7 a.m. He had to be back by evening formation, I can't remember if that was 5 or 6 p.m. Some plebes may want to return earlier to get started on homework for the first day of classes...yes, you will have homework before classes even start.

We heard so many say the plebes would want to be back on post early on Sunday to get prepared...so we booked an early flight home. BIG MISTAKE. Our plebe would have loved more family time...we cried the whole way to the airport. Book the latest flight you can (or the next day) and if your plebe wants to go back early, go sightseeing. There's a long time between A day and Thanksgiving! You will get so much advice over the next few months...go with what you know about your own kiddo...and remember, when it comes to your cadet, YOU are the expert.

mom3boys said:

We heard so many say the plebes would want to be back on post early on Sunday to get prepared...so we booked an early flight home. BIG MISTAKE. Our plebe would have loved more family time...we cried the whole way to the airport. Book the latest flight you can (or the next day) and if your plebe wants to go back early, go sightseeing. There's a long time between A day and Thanksgiving! You will get so much advice over the next few months...go with what you know about your own kiddo...and remember, when it comes to your cadet, YOU are the expert.

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I am the plebe...(future plebe anyway).

Yeah, I know you are the plebe...but I figured a parent or two might read the thread, so I wrote more to them....

Hoppy Easter,
Mom

America's Finest,

From the plebe's perspective, I think having the family at West Point for A-Day is preferred to R-Day. R-Day is a whirlwind of activities for the plebe and, while the time with your parents in the morning before you leave is precious, I expect your attention is more focused on the day's upcoming activies. A-Day is a festive atmosphere compared to R-Day since the plebes have successfully completed Beast and are beaming with pride. Also, A-Day weekend provides far more time for you to spend with your parents than R-Day.


From a parent's perspective, I think R-Day was more important (and memorable) to me than A-Day ( I went to both). There is a huge emotional memory/value to being at West Point on R-Day, especially if the parents haven't visited West Point previously. Seeing the plebes end the day with the march to Trophy Point to take their oath is something I'll never forget. The R-Day activities and time with other plebe parents helped me, and my wife, weather Beast.

Yes, as hard as Beast is on plebes, it is also an extremely stressful time for plebe parents. Having the memory of the R-Day activities and experiencing the pain/pride of seeing our plebe make the transition from civilian to plebe somehow gave me a peace of mind about the upcoming Beast experiences that awaited our son.

I retired from the Army and during my career saw many life changing events... but reading these posts... I cannot imagine the emotion I will experience at R-Day. But my son chose this path and I am proud of him for wanting to serve our country.

I thank all of you for the support; your words bring on these posts brings me comfort and helps me prepare for what I am seeing will be a great experience.

Will - last year on R-Day we had a very nice brief from the new Commandant, General Linnington. He told us this was his thrid R-Day. His, his son's and now as Commandant. He said by far the hardest one was his son's.

I do think that parents who are/were Army have a different perspective that those of us who led a civilian life. There is something to be said for being blissfully ignorant.

Thanks again for the insight. We are headed up there a couple of days early to see the sights. My former commander, General Downing, was laid to rest at West Point last year, so it will also be a great time of reflection for me also.

The hardest part is seeing my youngest go... the easy part is knowing West Point will mold him, and all the other cadets, into great leaders like those I served with.

WillBullard said:

Thanks again for the insight. We are headed up there a couple of days early to see the sights. My former commander, General Downing, was laid to rest at West Point last year, so it will also be a great time of reflection for me also.
.

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WAD was truly one of the great ones- The absolute smartest man I ever worked for and a true soldier and warrior. While you are at his grave- say one for me as well.

It will be an honor sir. Downing stood in place of my dad during my wedding long, long ago. My dad had passed away only three months before... General Downing was truly one of a kind.