I-day

sophieee

sophieee

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Joined
Sep 18, 2018
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51
Hi,

My parents are having a hard time managing to come to I-day because they just started a small business.
They are trying their best to make it, but they are not sure if both of them can come depending on the time they can leave.
In the schedule for I-day, it said that the end time is:
"1915 Evening meal formation (Stribling Walk) with Band support."
Is this the time they see me last (they want to leave right after seeing me for the last time)?

Thank you!
 
Yes. All the Plebes march into Bancroft at that time. Last year it was late - because they couldn't find two of the Plebes - but it was scheduled for 1915.
 
They would need to allow about 30 minutes to actually be WITH you. And then, if they want to watch you and 1,200 of your newest BFF’s march in and the ceremonial door slam, add about another 45 minutes-ish. Plus then a good amount of time to get off the yard (if they park at the stadium and use the bus, the line gets long waiting for your turn on the bus...45 minute wait for us last year). Plus traffic.
 
If they simply cannot make it, people can and do report in solo and have for generations. Grads will be there with mobile phones in hand so you can call during that last bit of time with family, or one of your brand-new roomies will grab you to come be with their family and use their phones.

Perhaps one parent could come? Or another family member or family friend? Their role is to give you the “you’ve got this” + hug + mobile phone access. Then, really plan for PPW, where there is much more quality time.

Anyone trying to make a flight that night would have to book something for 10 pm, in my mind. There are just so many people leaving the Yard and vehicles leaving the Annapolis area, that logistics are dicey.
 
First of all, if you come alone, you won't be alone. As noted, more than a few plebes come alone for financial and other reasons. Whether you hug good-bye at home or outside of Alumni Hall, it's only a matter of timing, not effect. The parents clubs and chaplains and others will "host" you during the "family time" at the end of the day, provide you with snacks and water, a cell phone to call home, take pix, etc. Probably not as great as having your family, but a few minutes after the final good-bye, you will be too busy to think about it.

Second, the time your parent(s) can spend with you on I-Day is VERY limited. A quick hug in the morning when you check in and then no time with you until after the swearing in. There are activities for parents but nothing that is a big deal if missed (most of it will largely be repeated at PPW). I believe (but am not certain) that they now live stream the swearing in for those who can't attend in person.

It is MUCH MORE important for them to try to make it for PPW. They will have lots of time to spend with you on and off the Yard.
 
Quick side question: During PPW, do plebes give tours to their own families?
 
23Lt said:
Quick side question: During PPW, do plebes give tours to their own families?
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YES! Some will want to leave ASAP, but it the ONE opportunity you have to see their room. Until 2/C year. So highly recommend that you see their dorm room and probably meet roommates in there, as most of the company will be in the dorm area. It’s really fun. And hot.

We also ate a king hall. Then we got off the yard. USNA will have tons of things going on for families. So we already saw most of what we wanted to (highly recommend a free guided tour...even if you have seen “the yard”, those volunteers have really good insider knowledge. It’s a great tour!).

Our plebe was excited to show us his room. Didn’t really want to eat in king hall (we would probably skip that next time. There weren’t many people there so the effect of eating with classmates was non existent).

Plebes want to LEAVE. And families can tour with the activities USNA puts on. I suggest not pressuring your plebe to host you (other than the dorm visit, and king hall of thats your jam...those opportunities just don’t come up again u til 2/c). Our guy gave us a FANTASTIC tours on subsequent visits. And he spouted of PRO KNO, which was in incredibly impressive....Mids are walking museums!!
 
+1 to the notion that PPW is more important than I-Day. As your parents work to get their business off the ground, this is the one they should prioritize.

Saying goodbye is saying goodbye, whether it’s at home, at the airport or at I-Day. Sure, it’s emotional to see you take the oath, sweat in your white works, and then march into Mother B. But seeing you for three days after you’ve been “transformed,” visiting your room, meeting your shipmates and detailers, hearing plebe summer stories, hanging around doing nothing or everything — that’s a can’t miss event. Best wishes to you and to your parents’ new business.
 
During PPW, do you get a chance to meet your DS/DD's detailers (if you visit their room)? I suspect (knowing my DS) that he may not be too keen on that, as Dad has the reputation of saying things that could embarrass offspring (BTW, I have zero intention of doing that but the concern is not without some foundation). But I really would like to meet them, if possible, if only to put a face with a name and to simply tell them that their efforts are appreciated by us.

Either way, we will obviously respect DS's wishes (if he doesn't want us to see his room, then so be it) and I'm suspecting that he won't want to eat in King Hall.
 
Yes you can meet them. My observation was that if a detailer was present, it was the plebes responsibility to introduce you. Think “proper manners” kind of thing. In a somewhat chaotic open house type setting of a classroom. All the plebes and their families are all in the company area of the dorm. So it’s pretty busy and packed. You will casually see detailers in the same crowded area. Casual chit chat can happen. But yes do NOT embarrass him. At all.

Plebes have to check out with detailers to leave. Also to get their phones.

Everyone was super nice. It was so neat to see the respect DS has earned from his detailers. Very cool. Bring tissues.
 
If you want to see DS’s room, by all means go see it. He owes you that, don’t you think. It ain’t asking a lot.

And if you want to meet his detailers or any of the active-duty personnel who oversee plebe summer, that’s your right too. In fact, DS’s detailers will likely be standing right there, outside his room, waiting for an introduction. And it would be bad form for DS to ignore them.

I get not wanting to eat in King Hall. Had one fried meal, had them all. But to see DS’s room (and perhaps meet his detailers along the way) is well within your purview as a parent.
 
Excellent! We won't miss this for the world. We learned this weekend that DS's two older brothers (24 and 26) will be accompanying us to PPW - in many ways, they were DS's first detailers and they are incredibly proud of him.
 
There are only two opportunities for outsiders to see inside Bancroft Hall... PPW and 2/C Parent’s Weekend. It’s easy enough to go up there, see it, let them grab a bag with shorts and a t shirt, meet the roomies and head out. The Detailers won’t yell. They will be plenty nice. Your DS/DD might be nervous around them. The detailers won’t bite. Actually most of them are as excited for PPW as the Plebes. They get a break and to sleep. They sleep way less than the Plebes and it’s there one break to get away for a few hours too. I would say skip King Hall. You can actually eat there with your kid anytime you visit. Plenty of opportunities in the future.

If it came down to I Day or PPW, definitely PPW. As mentioned the Alumni Association has old grads manning an area for new Plebes without friends or family visiting. They take pics with your new haircut and Dixie cups and send them on to whomever you want. Can call mom and dad for a short call too. Get some water and a granola bar. Take the pic, you will want it one day. I still have mine. For those who do come in without family or friends, you can stay in Bancroft the night before. There will be plenty of other anxious soon to be Plebes there. It actually helps get the nerves out and many will head out to town for a last dinner together.
 
MidCakePa said:
He owes you that, don’t you think
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MidCakePa said:
that’s your right too
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MidCakePa said:
is well within your purview as a parent.
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This might not be a popular perspective among the parents here, but once your Plebe raises his right hand, takes the oath, walks into Bancroft Hall and the doors slam shut - they don't "owe you" anything, and "your rights" and "purviews" are governed by the Navy. Of course , a parents nurturing and support was important to most successful applicants, and most will want to (and by all means should) continue that relationship through their 4 years at USNA, but they aren't kids anymore. Plebe summer will change them, and when you get to PPW, let them take the lead and show you what they think is important. This is their journey --

This line of discussion started with someone stating a concern that Dad would say something to embarass DS ....don't sweat it. Each of the Detailers has parents, and knows how embarrassng we can be. Families should keep in mind that Plebe Year doesn't end with PPW, so anything you say or do can come back to haunt your Plebe.

justdoit19 said:
How do you loose plebes during Iday?
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Actually, if you think about it...its pretty easy. You've got 1200 scared young men and women, all dressed the same with the same haircut, so they are virtually un-distinguishable by the Detailers charged with leading them around. Its probably very easy for someone to get into the wrong group and get separated from their squad.
 
Not to mention as a Plebe if you try to go use the head, it’s easy to get lost I day. Everything looks the same and you are so lost that day.
 
Old Navy BGO said:
Plebe summer will change them, and when you get to PPW, let them take the lead and show you what they think is important. This is their journey --
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^Good advice. As parents you tend to want to see as much as you can of their new world, but we followed DD's lead on PPW (and all her time at USNA). For her on PPW that meant a quick room tour, meet a few new friends and she wanted OUT for a while. 2/C parents weekend she wanted us to do everything. I'm sure others had different experiences.

DD graduates in a few weeks - doesn't seem possible. I remember reading some advice when we were getting ready for I-Day that said their time at USNA can be divided into three parts that are not equal in length, but will seem like they are. Plebe summer will feel like 1/3, Plebe AC Year will feel like 1/3 and the remaining three years will feel like 1/3. Turned out to be true for us as parents. YMMV.
 
NavyHoops said:
I would say skip King Hall. You can actually eat there with your kid anytime you visit. Plenty of opportunities in the future.
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NavyHoops - Can you expand on this? I have never heard a parent can eat in King Hall.
 
For certain events, mids can sign up parents for a King Hall meal, usually on Parents Weekends for either plebes or 2/c. They do the same for a designated Sponsor Appreciation meal. Not as a routine thing.
 
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