Dropping son at I-Day

Bigrod

Member
Joined
May 19, 2019
Messages
517
Should we fly out a day or two before? Also, since he just received Appointment how long do we stay? Do we drop him and leave and fly back or do we stay for couple days and see him more? Sorry for questions it’s just all a blur right now..
 
Should we fly out a day or two before? Also, since he just received Appointment how long do we stay? Do we drop him and leave and fly back or do we stay for couple days and see him more? Sorry for questions it’s just all a blur right now..

There are threads upon threads about this. Use the Search function and dive in.

One common theme seems to be to arrive 2 days prior, to ensure at least a few good meals and a decent night’s sleep on Night 1. The day immediately prior can be spent strolling around Annapolis, having fun in DC or Baltimore, or even heading over to Delaware or the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a day at the beach. The night before, quite often the nerves set in, disturbing appetite and sleep. It’s an early drop-off on I-Day. You won’t see him until the oath-taking late in the day, and a few moments for final hugs before the big doors slam shut. During the day, you can do various things on the Yard or skip it until you come back later.

Traffic-wise, prepare for thousands of your son’s new classmates to be heading out of Annapolis at the same time after the swearing-in. Hard to make flight connections out of any of the area airports until later in the evening. If you’re driving, just add some extra time to get out of town. Many families stay that night. Your son’s new life has started, so no more official interaction until scheduled phone calls home and PPW.

Read all the links and check out hamburger menu top left.

https://www.usna.edu/PlebeSummer/iday.php


Be prepared for hotels to be scarce in Annapolis. Air BnB is an option.

Nearby small towns with the usual chains include: Annapolis Junction, Odenton, Linthicum Heights/BWI Airport Business District, Bowie, Laurel, Arundel Mills. There are also hotel properties on Kent Island, just over the Bay Bridge, in Kent Narrows and Stevensville.
 
Last edited:
Uhhhh.... I thought this was the USAFA forum. Assuming the OP's question refers to USAFA then I would recommend getting there a couple days early to begin to adjust a bit to the elevation, if that is needed in your case.
 
First Congrats on your son’s acceptance! My DS is arriving 1 day prior. I would invite you to join the USAFA parent c/o 2023 FB group. It's been extremely helpful with these kind of questions.
 
Should we fly out a day or two before? Also, since he just received Appointment how long do we stay? Do we drop him and leave and fly back or do we stay for couple days and see him more? Sorry for questions it’s just all a blur right now..

Bigrod
One more congrats to your DS and all of you supporters of him. Delighted for your recent news! Lots to be thankful for (not the least of which is not having to go to 'Bama... Just kidding)
First time through for us on this, too. We heard that a) there is almost NO time around a cadet at in-servicing, b) 50% of kids fly in on their own, and c) the real time to see them is Parents' Weekend Labor Day Weekend. So our DS and we have agreed to just fly him in alone from the East Coast on Wednesday afternoon, hope things work out for him to stay with his Academy "Parent" that night if he's been assigned by then, and let him start his new life with his compatriots Thursday morning. For us and for him, we are thinking it might be easier for him to not need to deal with us on that day. We'll see him in August. (Just one suggestion)
 
There are threads upon threads about this. Use the Search function and dive in.

One common theme seems to be to arrive 2 days prior, to ensure at least a few good meals and a decent night’s sleep on Night 1. The day immediately prior can be spent strolling around Annapolis, having fun in DC or Baltimore, or even heading over to Delaware or the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a day at the beach. The night before, quite often the nerves set in, disturbing appetite and sleep. It’s an early drop-off on I-Day. You won’t see him until the oath-taking late in the day, and a few moments for final hugs before the big doors slam shut. During the day, you can do various things on the Yard or skip it until you come back later.

Traffic-wise, prepare for thousands of your son’s new classmates to be heading out of Annapolis at the same time after the swearing-in. Hard to make flight connections out of any of the area airports until later in the evening. If you’re driving, just add some extra time to get out of town. Many families stay that night. Your son’s new life has started, so no more official interaction until scheduled phone calls home and PPW.

Read all the links and check out hamburger menu top left.

https://www.usna.edu/PlebeSummer/iday.php


Be prepared for hotels to be scarce in Annapolis. Air BnB is an option.

Nearby small towns with the usual chains include: Annapolis Junction, Odenton, Linthicum Heights/BWI Airport Business District, Bowie, Laurel, Arundel Mills. There are also hotel properties on Kent Island, just over the Bay Bridge, in Kent Narrows and Stevensville.

Sorry - mixed my I-Days. There is still a lot of commonality - use Search, arrive a day or two early, book hotels now.
 
Should we fly out a day or two before? Also, since he just received Appointment how long do we stay? Do we drop him and leave and fly back or do we stay for couple days and see him more? Sorry for questions it’s just all a blur right now..

Bigrod, If you can arrive a day or two ahead of time, it will allow you to possibly connect with other incoming appointees, especially those in his new squadron. Also, the morning following I-Day, you can watch the swearing-in ceremony from the Chapel wall; bring binoculars. Once you drop your DS off at I-Day and he begins in-processing, you will not be able to interact with him, but only see him from a "distance".
 
My DS and I are arriving the day before I-day and I will drop him off in the morning at his assigned time. Off he will go and I will stay for the bfast/luncheon provided to connect with other families. I am going to stay to watch the swearing-in ceremony the following morning then fly out that afternoon.
 
Should we fly out a day or two before? Also, since he just received Appointment how long do we stay? Do we drop him and leave and fly back or do we stay for couple days and see him more? Sorry for questions it’s just all a blur right now..

Bigrod
One more congrats to your DS and all of you supporters of him. Delighted for your recent news! Lots to be thankful for (not the least of which is not having to go to 'Bama... Just kidding)
First time through for us on this, too. We heard that a) there is almost NO time around a cadet at in-servicing, b) 50% of kids fly in on their own, and c) the real time to see them is Parents' Weekend Labor Day Weekend. So our DS and we have agreed to just fly him in alone from the East Coast on Wednesday afternoon, hope things work out for him to stay with his Academy "Parent" that night if he's been assigned by then, and let him start his new life with his compatriots Thursday morning. For us and for him, we are thinking it might be easier for him to not need to deal with us on that day. We'll see him in August. (Just one suggestion)

Congrats to your DS on his appointment and acceptance! As all of us know, there is a lot of work, sacrifice and commitment that gets a candidate to this point so kudos to him. But the best is still to come...

I will echo some of Newinwin's comments about going to I-Day alone. Somewhat out of financial necessity (I had just lost my job in May) my DS traveled to I-Day alone. Looking back, I think it was beneficial in many ways that he traveled there alone. One, it saved money. Two, the travel allowed DS an opportunity to process the impending life change without having mom/dad/family there to distract from this process. Three, as was pointed out, you don't really have much time with your DS/DD on I-Day, especially if they have an early arrival time. Four, between WebGuy and other outlets there will be plenty of media for you to view I-Day activities. Five, the goodbye on I-Day is usually emotional wherever it occurs and by mom/dad/family not being there your DS may be spared a potentially awkward situation where he is trying to remain stoic while everyone around him is emotional. (Trust me, our goodbye at the airport was no less emotional but at least it happened at the gate and not in a crowd of families, appointees and USAFA staff.) Six, not attending I-Day it makes A-Day and Parent's Weekend even more special.

I am glad that DS flew out on his own. In the long run I think it was better that way. But each family and situation is different so you have to decide according to your situation. There is no right or wrong approach. Research the multitude of threads on this subject and make the best decision for you and your DS.

No matter whether the appointee travels to I-Day alone or with family, the looming separation is a significant change in everyone's life. The bottom line is that the appointee moves into life faster than most of their graduating class. Letting go is tough but is inevitable.

On a general note, I suggest that you leave as much free time that is possible on every trip to COS. There is so much to do and see. My family loves to visit and have become very fond of Colorado. The thought of DS graduating, and thus not having a reason to visit COS, is starting to be a real bummer.
 
Last edited:
Since there's no AOG Bed & Breakfast this year and I'm traveling alone, where should I start as far as making hotel and travel arrangements to the gate on I-Day?
 
Should we fly out a day or two before? Also, since he just received Appointment how long do we stay? Do we drop him and leave and fly back or do we stay for couple days and see him more? Sorry for questions it’s just all a blur right now..

Bigrod
One more congrats to your DS and all of you supporters of him. Delighted for your recent news! Lots to be thankful for (not the least of which is not having to go to 'Bama... Just kidding)
First time through for us on this, too. We heard that a) there is almost NO time around a cadet at in-servicing, b) 50% of kids fly in on their own, and c) the real time to see them is Parents' Weekend Labor Day Weekend. So our DS and we have agreed to just fly him in alone from the East Coast on Wednesday afternoon, hope things work out for him to stay with his Academy "Parent" that night if he's been assigned by then, and let him start his new life with his compatriots Thursday morning. For us and for him, we are thinking it might be easier for him to not need to deal with us on that day. We'll see him in August. (Just one suggestion)
Just an FYI...
Don't expect your DS to spend the evening before I-Day with his sponsor family. Sponsor families will not be assigned until after Acceptance Day. Unfortunately, the AOG Bed and Breakfast program will not be offered this year, either.
 
Since there's no AOG Bed & Breakfast this year and I'm traveling alone, where should I start as far as making hotel and travel arrangements to the gate on I-Day?

If you’re class of 2023, you may want to join FB group- helpful info- someone may be able to point you in the right direction or help you connect. We are coming in Tuesday, staying at Drury Inn, and renting car for travel.
 
What is the Facebook group for 2023 ? My wife joined the parent resources one but is there a year specific one as well?
 
Uhhhh.... I thought this was the USAFA forum. Assuming the OP's question refers to USAFA then I would recommend getting there a couple days early to begin to adjust a bit to the elevation, if that is needed in your case.

The good thing about getting to Anapolis two days early is - once you've found out you're at the wrong academy, it's just a 25 hour drive straight across I-70 to Colorado Springs ("Come to think of it, I did think it was a little odd there weren't more airplanes on display"). It would be a great opportunity to compare barbecue in St. Louis and Kansas City en route.
 
Last edited:
My own error on this thread reminds me of the March Madness Capital One ad of a few years back with Shaq driving Spike Lee and Samuel Jackson to “The Annapolis” instead of “Indianapolis.” The Annapolis is in The Maryland.
 
What is the Facebook group for 2023 ? My wife joined the parent resources one but is there a year specific one as well?
It's called USAFA 2023 Parents Group. It's good that your wife joins that page Bigrod. But I would also suggest you make a Facebook profile and join that page too. If you're on this forum, you're clearly interested in gathering information about the future of your child. You can be on FB and ignore all the stuff about friend requests. Just be on it for the 2 Parent's pages. In addition to more information, you'll receive photos from parents in the same squad who visit USAFA and post photos. My DD had a cadet in her BCT squadron whose father worked on base and we saw lots of photos via facebook. Join it. You won't be disappointed.
 
We are traveling as a family to spend a few days in Colorado Springs. My son is a little worried about altitude sickness, so the plan is to arrive Sunday so he can get a few long runs in at high altitude before I-Day. After dropping him off on I-Day we head back to Texas.
 
Make sure he preps properly for those runs There is plenty of sites online that discuss the transition to high altitude running.
 
Back
Top