šŸŒŸ Countdown to commissioning ā€˜23: ARE YOU READY??

I don't know. The upperclass dude that rolled out of the gate when I drove on the yard yesterday in the newer BMW M4 probably can't fit that much in their car.

Definitely didn't get THAT with his "career starter loan!" How a 22 - 24 year old mid can afford that car ($60k+), let alone the insurance on it, is mind-boggling!
Not an issued item? Too bad.
 
Who knows the next time they and we will be together after commissioning week but the bonds of these young men and their families will last a lifetime!

Four years together by the Bay,
Where Severn joins the tide,
Then by the Service called away,
Weā€™re scattered far and wide;
But still when two or three shall meet,
And old tales be retold,
From low to highest in the Fleet,
Weā€™ll pledge the Blue and Gold.
It's verse three I was thinking about. (My old Set Sail CD only included verse 1 & 3)
 
They can actually get both USAA and NFCU starter loansā€¦.that buys a nice car. Not that I recommend it, but know one that did that. Spent both before commissioning. But thatā€™s a whole different thread.
Technically, they are not supposed to be able to do that. Both loans require Direct Deposit of Navy pay to a USAA account, and automatic loan payment deductions. You can only have 1 Direct Deposit set up for your Navy pay. At some point, auditors may catch it, and the penalty clause jacking up the loan rate to 18% may kick in for non-compliance with loan terms, if they do not see Direct Deposit from DFAS for Navy pay twice a month. The loans start requiring payment about 60-90 days after commissioning. Thatā€™s when they catch them. Sometimes they donā€™t, but life has a way of handling fools with their money.
 
Technically, they are not supposed to be able to do that. Both loans require Direct Deposit of Navy pay to a USAA account, and automatic loan payment deductions. You can only have 1 Direct Deposit set up for your Navy pay. At some point, auditors may catch it, and the penalty clause jacking up the loan rate to 18% may kick in for non-compliance with loan terms, if they do not see Direct Deposit from DFAS for Navy pay twice a month. The loans start requiring payment about 60-90 days after commissioning. Thatā€™s when they catch them. Sometimes they donā€™t, but life has a way of handling fools with their money.
Uh oh!

So, donā€™t to THAT!!!
 
Nuke bonus? Hand-me-down from parents? Used car? On loan for spring semester only to self-move? Parents in a hotel, mid using their car to shuttle stuff?
ā€¦cashed out a hefty 529?

I know many in this age group see that as an earned reward, but also know (starting 2024) you can now roll them into a Roth IRA.
 
Extended weather forecast for Commissioning Day 2023: 77 degrees, 55% humidity, partly cloudy - prognosis promising

Just signed last minute 10 day rental agreement for DTA house at 50% off and cancelled preexisting hotel reservation - prognosis positive

Not having to drive to the Yard or the Stadium at all - prognosis excellent
 
Not having to drive to the Yard or the Stadium at all - prognosis excellent

I was hoping to get a house close enough to walk to the stadium. My wife made it absolutely clear that she was NOT going to sweat her butt off and walk to the stadium in nice clothes and shoes. So, I will be driving to the stadium.
 
I was hoping to get a house close enough to walk to the stadium. My wife made it absolutely clear that she was NOT going to sweat her butt off and walk to the stadium in nice clothes and shoes. So, I will be driving to the stadium.
Go early. Tailgate with donuts and bagels. If itā€™s nice weather, itā€™s hard to beat. Or take an Uber!
 
Go early. Tailgate with donuts and bagels. If itā€™s nice weather, itā€™s hard to beat. Or take an Uber!
Tailgate! There is a massive traffic jam afterwards as everyone tries to leave at the same time.

Pre-ceremony tailgate, as Hoops recommends.

Wear sunscreen. Hats. Be prepared to sweat a pit. Fancy clothes not required.
 
Tailgate! There is a massive traffic jam afterwards as everyone tries to leave at the same time.

Pre-ceremony tailgate, as Hoops recommends.

Wear sunscreen. Hats. Be prepared to sweat a pit. Fancy clothes not required.
My son wanted me to wear a suit. I want to wear a polo shirt and khakiā€™s. Will I be ok with that?
 
DS and 3 others from 23" were here on Cape Cod for about 6 days. They were great: fishing, eating, fire pit & beer, beach, pizza, lobster, chowder, ice-cream, steaks, cold pizza for breakfast, sleep, and more sleep. 2 to be Marines, 1 SWO, 1 Navy Cyber. They ran every day. They are all back on the yard now. BZ 23'
 
My son wanted me to wear a suit. I want to wear a polo shirt and khakiā€™s. Will I be ok with that?
You will see people dressed to the nines (hats!!) and people in shorts and polos. Skews more to comfortable and casual Sunday family picnic summer attire.

Reverse engineer from what you want to see in the post-Comm photos.

You could shoot for the middle with dress grey slacks (less wrinkly khaki in photos), your dressiest USNA polo, lightest-weight navy sport coat.
 
If it's hot, and since umbrellas are not allowed in the stadium, you may want one of these:
kool-breeze-solar-fan-cowboy-hate-108.jpg
 
My son wanted me to wear a suit. I want to wear a polo shirt and khakiā€™s. Will I be ok with that?
Iā€™m no slave to fashion and Iā€™ve seen all sorts of attire at USNA graduations. To honor your sonā€™s request, if not a suit, how about a sport coat and tie? It wouldn't be a big stretch from having attended the Superintendent's Garden Party earlier in the week. Commissioning and graduation are special moments. Your son will accept his diploma and be commissioned in a formal service uniform. I presume youā€™ll take family pictures afterwards to celebrate his accomplishments. Look as sharp and proud as he will on this special day. Save the khaki and polo shirt for a stroll in DTA after. Congrats to you and your son.
 
Extended weather forecast for Commissioning Day 2023: 77 degrees, 55% humidity, partly cloudy - prognosis promising

Just signed last minute 10 day rental agreement for DTA house at 50% off and cancelled preexisting hotel reservation - prognosis positive

Not having to drive to the Yard or the Stadium at all - prognosis excellent
You should also grab a lottery ticket šŸŽ« šŸ¤£šŸ¤£
 
Our dearest son called yesterday and said, ā€œHey, I would like to go to the grad ball and have you guys with.ā€ Panic has erupted (and we leave for Maryland tomorrow. My wife ran out and bought a dress. Iā€™ve been asked if I fit into my tux (that puppy ran away a long time ago).

Is a suit okay? Dark or light? Sport coat or blazer acceptable. I have most of the day (when not packing and addressing graduation announcements) to run to Brooks Brothers but alterations are probably out of the question.
 
Our dearest son called yesterday and said, ā€œHey, I would like to go to the grad ball and have you guys with.ā€ Panic has erupted (and we leave for Maryland tomorrow. My wife ran out and bought a dress. Iā€™ve been asked if I fit into my tux (that puppy ran away a long time ago).

Is a suit okay? Dark or light? Sport coat or blazer acceptable. I have most of the day (when not packing and addressing graduation announcements) to run to Brooks Brothers but alterations are probably out of the question.
I tend to pack light so my sport coat, or if I decided on a suit, would be seeing triple duty at the Grad Ball, Supeā€™s reception and graduation. I think your choices are all acceptable. Have a great time in Annapolis. It will be a magical week. Congratulations and best wishes to you and the family.
 
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