Army Navy Game

ProudDad2022

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My Plebe to be just received an email that stated he could purchase tickets to the Army Navy game. If I can only go to 1 or 2 of these in his 4 year time at USNA, would it be better to go when he is a plebe, youngster, 2c, or firstie? Does it even matter which year?
 
It’s worth doing at least once. Doesn’t matter which year. A possible decision factor is location. Next couple years will be in Philly. Year after that, just outside New York in New Jersey.

One argument for plebe year: Your mid may really want to see you and may really want to get off the Yard. If rules hold this year, your mid can connect with you after the game and spend the night with you.

With DD, she hopped in the car after the game, we stopped for a cheesesteak at Geno’s, and drove back to Annapolis to spend the night in a hotel. She didn’t need to report back until 1600 Sunday, I believe.
 
Pros and cons. Plebe year he might not have a weekend, so your chances to see him would be very small. They get very limited liberty after the game unless they have a weekend to use. And really none before as they bus up. A few hours in a parking lot. Now when Navy gets the W they are usually given a weekend. But that also means a Plebe would need to find a ride back to USNA on Sunday. So if you are local enough to swing thru usna or buy a train ticket ahead of time with the risk it might not be used.... no issue. Youngster year is good because they usually have a weekend and can spend it with your Mid. Most aren’t quiet 21 yet, and no driving yet, so not full freedom. 2/C and 1/C year are fun for a Mid. Now how much they want to hang out with family as opposed to nights out with buddies is the question...Philly is better than Jersey in my opinion.
 
And just because X was true last year dues not mean it will be true this year, especially with a new Dant and new Supe.
 
My parents want to come to the game this year, and have purchased tickets. I am not sure about which hotels or flights they should take. Is there any harm in waiting for now?

Also, all plebes must go to the game right?
 
My parents want to come to the game this year, and have purchased tickets. I am not sure about which hotels or flights they should take. Is there any harm in waiting for now?

Also, all plebes must go to the game right?

All plebes will attend the game in a duty status. There is even a restrictee bus, as I recall, for those currently serving out a period of restriction. Even if on crutches, mids attend, and just don’t participate in March On.

Hotels - book now, probably arrive Friday, depart Sunday. The town fills up. There are some fun things to do and watch on Friday and Saturday morning. Plebes don’t get liberty until after the game. You may or may not have an overnight. You can see your parents after the game, and have a brief meetup during the game, though you’re expected to sit (you’ll actually be on your feet most of the day) in the Brigade section. Worst case, you can see parents after the game, then have to get on the bus a few hours later. Best case, you have an overnight, and can skip the bus, reporting in to USNA sometime Sunday.

They can take a train to Centre City from the airport and skip having a car if they get a hotel in Centre City. You can take the special trains running from Centre City to the stadium station. So easy. Centre City is very walkable.

This site is the official Game Day site:

https://www.phillylovesarmynavy.com/
 
If I can only go to 1 or 2 of these in his 4 year time at USNA, would it be better to go when he is a plebe, youngster, 2c, or firstie? Does it even matter which year?

FWIW, I can tell you that the tickets we got Plebe year were better than any we were able to get after that. If it still works the same as 4 years ago, they set aside a section of tickets available to parents of Plebes.

It is definitely an expensive weekend, but an awesome experience that is worth doing at least once if you can. Go early and walk around - there is a lot going on and you get to soak in some of the rivalry and tradition. Also, get in your seats early to see parachuting demonstrations, flyovers, etc. We got hooked after Plebe year and tried to go every year while DD was at USNA (couldn't get tickets one year).
 
There is another way to do it. Stay in Annapolis and make it a long day trip on game day. That way parents have Sunday Yard liberty with Plebe. Because of the expense of staying in Philly, many locals from both sides drive up and back same day. Exhausting but the I-95 rest stops are filled with game attendees, and camaraderie blossoms.

Best case, Plebe gets an overnight, can ride with parents back to Annapolis, stay with them there, have time with family before reporting back to the Yard, family flies out Sunday late afternoon or evening. With exams looming, plebes will have things to do on Sunday, because Army-Navy Week was likely disruptive to their schedule.

Youngster year, a good year to stay in Philly. 2/c and 1/c years may find the mid planning A-N weekend with friends, and parents may be a post-game meal ticket...
 
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And just because X was true last year dues not mean it will be true this year, especially with a new Dant and new Supe.

Semper Gumby - Always be flexible. Things will change from year to year, and may also change within the year, even days before the Game. Your Midshipman may have duty or some other commitment over the weekend. It's the little uncertainties in life that can make USNA difficult; you don't always control your destiny. Nonetheless, by all means go to at least one Army-Navy game! It is an experience that you can't miss and will never forget (especially when Navy wins !). If you want to do it and max time with you DS/DD, then youngster year is best. By Second and First Class year, your Midshipman will likely prefer to hang with Classmates.
 
BTW...it’s a pretty cool sight to see the Mids en route, bus upon bus upon bus....complete with police escorts, lumbering along the interstate. I tried to attach my video but cannot. It’s a sight to see!!

How many busses does it take to transport the brigade? I believe the count was 47-ish. It’s spectacular.
 
Good rule of thumb if you’re driving to Philly from the south: Don’t get stuck behind the immense caravan that @justdoit19 mentions. They left later than expected last year, and we ended up behind them. At a point where two highways converged — our car coming from one fork, the busses from the other — traffic was stopped to give the caravan priority. It was a lot of busses. We sat there for a long while. All turned out in the end, but something to avoid if you can.
 
Try to get to the stadium area really early if possible. Many of the Midshipmen and Cadets will attend ESPN gameday in the stadium parking lot which starts at about 9AM and lasts until about 11:30AM.
 
Did two on my Bucket List during the four years. If President will be there expect long security lines and delays and you may miss march on while waiting in line but they usually have big screens facing the lines so you can watch. Alumni Association has a great buffet and party prior to the game and it is well worth the price and is available for all Plebe parents (check their web site) . Don't sit in the cold stands for hours waiting (remember it is December). Have your PLEBE buy the tickets as they are outrageous on secondary ticket sale sites. Also Alumni Association runs Busses from Naval Academy Stadium to the game. That might be another good option and as rumor has it a great party. Go Navy Beat Army.
 
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Fantastic stuff. Already talked to the wife and it looks like we will be planning for youngster year. I want to see the game, but for some reason, she thinks seeing the kid is more important :)
 
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