Academic Year Leave Schedule
- Thread starter illesq
- Start date
- Joined
- May 22, 2018
- Messages
- 5,481
The accurate and latest info is posted on the USNA website. While leave ends at a certain time, it begins at different times, depending on when a mid’s last class/exam is. Could be the difference of a couple days.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 20,510
There have already been a few threads on this; the Search function will help you browse.
You can see the ac year calendars here; the fall schedule is https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Calendars-Events/index.php
It shows “early schedule” on the Wed before Thanksgiving. That means all 5 periods start earlier than usual, finishing before noon, and if things happen the way they have in the past, flights starting at 3 from BWI are doable. Allow a lot more time if trying for DCA or IAD. Return times on Sunday have varied over the years from 6 -10 pm. Whatever it is, planes must land 2 hours prior to that time to allow for delays.
Mid departures for winter break will depend on the exam schedule for the individual. Your mid will have to tell you. As soon as their schedules are set, they will know this. Return from leave (“Reform”) works the same way with scheduled flight times, 2 hour buffer.
Browse all the calendars and links. There is a link for Exam Schedules but notes how mids may access.
Never assume the day classes start is the same day they are expected back.
One of the best gifts you can give your mid is training them on booking travel, and then letting them be responsible for it. It will teach them how to research, plan ahead, comparison shop, trouble shoot, and build up airline miles on their own. It’s a critical skill for military personnel of all rates and ranks. Might as well get started as a mid.
You can see the ac year calendars here; the fall schedule is https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Calendars-Events/index.php
It shows “early schedule” on the Wed before Thanksgiving. That means all 5 periods start earlier than usual, finishing before noon, and if things happen the way they have in the past, flights starting at 3 from BWI are doable. Allow a lot more time if trying for DCA or IAD. Return times on Sunday have varied over the years from 6 -10 pm. Whatever it is, planes must land 2 hours prior to that time to allow for delays.
Mid departures for winter break will depend on the exam schedule for the individual. Your mid will have to tell you. As soon as their schedules are set, they will know this. Return from leave (“Reform”) works the same way with scheduled flight times, 2 hour buffer.
Browse all the calendars and links. There is a link for Exam Schedules but notes how mids may access.
Never assume the day classes start is the same day they are expected back.
One of the best gifts you can give your mid is training them on booking travel, and then letting them be responsible for it. It will teach them how to research, plan ahead, comparison shop, trouble shoot, and build up airline miles on their own. It’s a critical skill for military personnel of all rates and ranks. Might as well get started as a mid.
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
- Messages
- 9,316
I will add to the above, that Plebes last year reported earlier than the rest of the brigade for semester break. That one caught us off guard. Different companies/sports teams/etc can have different requirements than what’s officially posted.
Capt MJ hits a nail on the head about travel being a necessary life skill. We just went through it with DS returning home (yesterday YAY!!): late flights. Missed connections. Customs. Watching your domestic flight home leave without you after sprinting to the the gate (a :53 departure doesn’t mean you can board at :48. That’s still stings a little). Getting stranded. Advocating for yourself. Reticketing, realizing you should have reticketed from BWI vs IAD BC you can, and the uber at 3am is a lot more expensive to IAD. Allll learning opportunities
DS learned probably more practical life info/lessons traveling home from this youngster international cruise than he actually did cruising. The sad lessons are blessings! We all learned (global security clearance for customs...he/we had no idea it’s a thing. But you bet he’s apply for that now!).
Capt MJ hits a nail on the head about travel being a necessary life skill. We just went through it with DS returning home (yesterday YAY!!): late flights. Missed connections. Customs. Watching your domestic flight home leave without you after sprinting to the the gate (a :53 departure doesn’t mean you can board at :48. That’s still stings a little). Getting stranded. Advocating for yourself. Reticketing, realizing you should have reticketed from BWI vs IAD BC you can, and the uber at 3am is a lot more expensive to IAD. Allll learning opportunities
DS learned probably more practical life info/lessons traveling home from this youngster international cruise than he actually did cruising. The sad lessons are blessings! We all learned (global security clearance for customs...he/we had no idea it’s a thing. But you bet he’s apply for that now!).
Last edited:
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,847
Also, it's important to keep in mind that there can be "variations" from the "general" rules. For example, if the mid has watch/duty. If the mid is unsat academically or with PT. If the mid is serving restriction.
I know parents want to book early to get the best fares. But you will quickly learn that military schedules can be unpredictable. Thus, it's generally worth the money to book refundable/changeable fares or select an airline that offers flexibility. What you don't want to do is book a non-refundable fare and then berate your mid when the schedule changes -- 95% of the time, it's beyond his/her control.
I know parents want to book early to get the best fares. But you will quickly learn that military schedules can be unpredictable. Thus, it's generally worth the money to book refundable/changeable fares or select an airline that offers flexibility. What you don't want to do is book a non-refundable fare and then berate your mid when the schedule changes -- 95% of the time, it's beyond his/her control.
Temple17
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2017
- Messages
- 180
Thanksgiving: Leave will begin at 1300 on November 27th. Leave will end at 2000 on December 1st.
Christmas: Leave commencement is entirely based upon your final exam schedule. The final exam schedule was released in October last year. I’m not at my academy computer right now so i can’t verify this, but this year I believe leave will end at 2000 on January 3rd.
Christmas: Leave commencement is entirely based upon your final exam schedule. The final exam schedule was released in October last year. I’m not at my academy computer right now so i can’t verify this, but this year I believe leave will end at 2000 on January 3rd.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 20,510
Thank you for the correction - I should have checked with the latest MidRegs. That is something that has varied over the years as well.