Class of 2022 - Commissioning is Friday May 27, 2022

[THParent]

Class of 2022 I-Day was June 28, 2018. For us parents, the 1,285 days since then have been a blur.

Friday May 27, 2022 is a mere 144 days away. If it is anything like last year, there will be things to do starting the Friday before (May 20th) and running all week.
As in previous years, I expect that there will be a live stream link posted on the USNA page for commissioning.

I was just thinking about this today and thought that I would start the ball rolling. Sort of an "Everything Drawer" for Commissioning Week.

 

[MidCakePa]

Thank you, @THParent. We’re starting to think about what to serve at the party and what gift to give her. (And how much bacon would be an appropriate “career starter pack.”) It’s cliche but true: It was just two days ago that she marched into Mother B wearing stiff, new white works, amid a 4th Class Regiment that didn’t quite know what it meant to be in step. The contrast in 144 days will be stark.

 

[Capt MJ]

Early To Do List:

- Make restaurant reservations early for any special dinners out.
- Add to the food prep list, tailgate-style breakfast snacks for the Stadium parking lot, which you want to get into early. Then you wait to get into Stadium. Many start the party there. Full-on breakfast tailgating. With beverages.
- Graul’s Market in shopping center across from Stadium, Whole Foods and other stores are old hands at doing catering trays for that morning and other food-centric events. Have some fun researching catering menus. Naval Bagels does bagel trays, of course.
- There are several top-notch caterers in Annapolis who often do grad parties, as well as local restaurants that provide catering trays, such as Mission BBQ, Adam’s Ribs, etc. Everything you need and easy clean-up.
- I always recommend the Glee Club concert to take the family to. Go to USNA Music Dept to check schedule and tickets. Your mid, if they haven’t taken much notice of Glee Club, will probably be surprised and impressed. Sked may not be out yet.
- Once the 2022 schedule is out, consult and collaborate with your mid to build out the family schedule of events. Plan on them heading out at night, no “your grandma traveled to be here to see you” guilt trips. They will want to be with you but will also be pulled to be with their classmates. This is their last time with their class as a whole, and they want to gather with various groups to hoot with the owls at night and scream with the eagles in the morning. They will also have things to do on the Yard to close out.
- Even if you don’t have an ID card that allows you to shop in the Navy Exchange across the Severn, your mid does. There is a well-stocked package store at the NEX with everything you need, as well as snacks, etc. No ID check at the door, but purchaser must show ID and pay for items. Great tax-free prices on hard and soft items. Of course, visiting the Secret Package Store Inside Walgreen’s on Taylor Ave. is a ritual affair.
- The Navy Commissary (grocery store) checks IDs at the door, and of course, point of purchase. The Army Commissary at nearby Ft. Meade does not, and has longer hours. Family can go in, but same drill at point of purchase.

This is all written for “Normal Times” setting. Be prepared for the COVID Twist.



CHECK THIS LINK REGULARLY FOR 2022 SCHEDULE UPDATE. Be sure to work your way through hamburger menu in upper left.

Schedule

Schedule of Events page for Commissioning Week at USNA.edu. Updated Thu Mar 09 11:18:49 EST 2023.

www.usna.edu

 

[WT Door]

View attachment 10862
Class of 2022 I-Day was June 28, 2018. For us parents, the 1,285 days since then have been a blur.

Friday May 27, 2022 is a mere 144 days away. If it is anything like last year, there will be things to do starting the Friday before (May 20th) and running all week.
As in previous years, I expect that there will be a live stream link posted on the USNA page for commissioning.

I was just thinking about this today and thought that I would start the ball rolling. Sort of an "Everything Drawer" for Commissioning Week.

I harken back to my chow call days that were done at 10, 5, and 2 minutes before morning, noon and evening meal formation. The 2 minute chow call could end the agony. “... there is/there are xxx days 'til Navy beats Army, xxx days 'til Christmas leave, xxx days ‘til Second class Ring Dance, and, 144 days (now) ‘til First class graduation…Time, tide, and formation wait for no one. I am now shoving off, you have 2 minutes ... " Seems I got asked daily, outside of chow calls, "Door!, how many days 'til I graduate"? Oh, how I wanted to respond, "one less than today." I did learn discretion at some point though. Are plebes still required to count the days? If not, I know some parents will start counting now. @MidCakePa how many days 'til First class graduation? Very happy for USNA '22!

 

[justdoit19]

And remember: YOUR event is what’s right for YOU and your family. No FOMO. I’m reminding myself, and other parents, as they read amazing plans and parties, that it is also OK to not be grandiose.

We will be low key. And that’s fine.

 

[MidCakePa]

If not, I know some parents will start counting now. @MidCakePa how many days 'til First class graduation? Very happy for USNA '22!

@WT Door, my short-term memory is poor. I’m counting on my bacon buddy @THParent to provide the daily countdown.

(Aside: In early May, I’m taking one of my business classes to Paris to study French entrepreneurship. My fear: That before returning, I’ll test positive and be subjected to quarantine. There are worse places than Paris to quarantine, but not when DD’s commissioning is fast approaching. Arg! Knock on wood, many times over!)

 

[Devil Doc]

@MidCakePa My go-to gift recommendation is:

 

[OldRetSWO]

I harken back to my chow call days that were done at 10, 5, and 2 minutes before morning, noon and evening meal formation. The 2 minute chow call could end the agony. “... there is/there are xxx days 'til Navy beats Army, xxx days 'til Christmas leave, xxx days ‘til Second class Ring Dance, and, 144 days (now) ‘til First class graduation…Time, tide, and formation wait for no one. I am now shoving off, you have 2 minutes ... " Seems I got asked daily, outside of chow calls, "Door!, how many days 'til I graduate"? Oh, how I wanted to respond, "one less than today." I did learn discretion at some point though. Are plebes still required to count the days? If not, I know some parents will start counting now. @MidCakePa how many days 'til First class graduation? Very happy for USNA '22!

Some of us are old enough to have done 1 minute calls. Plebe summer on 7-4 with formation in T Court. . . Seriously.

 

[OldRetSWO]

And remember: YOUR event is what’s right for YOU and your family. No FOMO. I’m reminding myself, and other parents, as they read amazing plans and parties, that it is also OK to not be grandiose.

We will be low key. And that’s fine.

My parents were low key with me and I was low key when my son graduated. We did have team parties which were nice but hosted none ourselves.

 

[WT Door]

Some of us are old enough to have done 1 minute calls. Plebe summer on 7-4 with formation in T Court. . . Seriously.

Is that a sea story @OldRetSWO? You must have been haulin’ to T Court from 7-4! Some of us real ‘ol timers remember the 30 sec. chow call. Had enough time after the 2 minute call to get a shower, put on an inspection uniform and be in front of Mitscher - from 8-4! All without busting a bead. Undoubtedly, USNA 2022 will have special memories of their four years on the Severn as the years pass.

 

[OldRetSWO]

Is that a sea story @OldRetSWO? You must have been haulin’ to T Court from 7-4! Some of us real ‘ol timers remember the 30 sec. chow call. Had enough time after the 2 minute call to get a shower, put on an inspection uniform and be in front of Mitscher - from 8-4! All without busting a bead. Undoubtedly, USNA 2022 will have special memories of their four years on the Severn as the years pass.

Not a sea story. We took turns doing the 1 minute call and then sprinting to T Court where we arrived late and got shat upon. It was pretty much guaranteed to be a late arrival but they still made us do it. Ac year we were on 1-2 and 3-2 so it was more doable.

 

[Heatherg21]

I’m so happy for the class of 2022 and their families. And so intimidated to think of planning for our 2024 experience. I see the price tags on weekly rentals and realize we will definitely be low key and not playing at the high roller table. And that’s okay.
Each MIDN came from a unique family and background and their commissioning week should reflect that as well. To each their own. But what a joy to think of that pinning moment.
Allergies acting up again. Dangit.

 

[brewmeist]

There is a well-stocked package store at the NEX with everything you need

The ONLY store where I've ever seen Plymouth Navy Strength Gin on a shelf.

Many parents from our club have said what others here have already mentioned... It's about your Mid. Some do not want a big party, if any at all. If every Mid had a party, then there wouldn't be anyone available to attend any of the other parties!

My one bit of advice, not only for commissioning, but for any milestone... Put the phone down, and live the moment. There are plenty of others taking pics that you can easily get a hold of later on.

Congrats to '22. Only 4 months to go!

 

[AF6872]

Once inside the stadium you can go to the North End and see your Mid before Graduation. They will be fenced in before the ceremony, but you can see and talk to them through the fence until they have to form up.

 

[THParent]

I just realized this morning after a text that even though my wife has known me long enough to realize that I'm not nearly as great as I think I am, my son still thinks I am.

So I got that goin fer me, which is nice!

 

[justdoit19]

You guys. I KID YOU NOT. I posted about our ‘low key, and that’s ok‘ event….meaning some platters and beers….and yesterday i got a text from my Firstie (he doesn’t text often, so when he does, i know its important)

”Mom. When is my Grad Party”



Now planning a party….when is a good TIME other than tailgating before/after commissioning??

 

[Capt MJ]

You guys. I KID YOU NOT. I posted about our ‘low key, and that’s ok‘ event….meaning some platters and beers….and yesterday i got a text from my Firstie (he doesn’t text often, so when he does, i know its important)

”Mom. When is my Grad Party”



Now planning a party….when is a good TIME other than tailgating before/after commissioning??

After Blue Angels show is a good day. Allow time for people to get through post-show traffic and a shower/change of clothes. That’s when we usually give our graduating sponsor mids one.
Comm Day itself. At times, we have been invited to 4-5 different parties that day and made the rounds.

Be sure to take a look at the link I posted to look at 2021 schedule for a general idea. Things don’t usually change much, except for COVID impact, of course.

 

[Capt MJ]

Add on to grad party notes - your DD or DS will be invited to a lot, including on the day you give yours. Recommend an “open house” style of drop-by guests, and food easily replenished or cooked to order. That’s where those catering trays of non-perishable salads from Whole Foods, something going on the grill, etc., make sense. Activities are always good - corn hole, etc.

Memorable parties:
- The sponsor son from Iowa whose family brought a towable trailer with their smoker, and coolers with high-quality Iowa pork loins to smoke, and dozens of pies from Grandma and the aunts.
- The first generation sponsor son whose parents were from Brazil. Two of Dad’s Brazilian Merchant Marine Academy classmates staffed the bar. I was introduced to the Caipirinha, hometown strength, national cocktail. The grill was going non-stop. I had a similar experience at the Peruvian sponsor daughter’s party, only it was the naval attaché from the Peruvian embassy preparing Pisco Sours.
- The SoCal sponsor son whose family prepped a full Cal-Mex spread, with a rented frozen ‘rita machine.
- The Chicago sponsor son’s Greek heritage family giving dancing lessons on the deck and an endless supply of lamb kebabs and other Greek goodies.
- A mix of hometown specialties, family favorites and catering trays seems to be the magic combo for party food.

Many families set up a memory table to celebrate the journey: plebe Dixie cup, photos of the BFE, I-Day before and after, etc., or had delightfully cringe-worthy slide shows running in a loop.

 

[AF6872]

Daughters' roommate Sponsor also had a drop in for all. Great time. Also tears as they started the new journey. Ten years later and they are still best friends. Slide Show must have been a blast.

 

[WT Door]

Add on to grad party notes - your DD or DS will be invited to a lot, including on the day you give yours. Recommend an “open house” style of drop-by guests, and food easily replenished or cooked to order. That’s where those catering trays of non-perishable salads from Whole Foods, something going on the grill, etc., make sense. Activities are always good - corn hole, etc.

Memorable parties:
- The sponsor son from Iowa whose family brought a towable trailer with their smoker, and coolers with high-quality Iowa pork loins to smoke, and dozens of pies from Grandma and the aunts.
- The first generation sponsor son whose parents were from Brazil. Two of Dad’s Brazilian Merchant Marine Academy classmates staffed the bar. I was introduced to the Caipirinha, hometown strength, national cocktail. The grill was going non-stop. I had a similar experience at the Peruvian sponsor daughter’s party, only it was the naval attaché from the Peruvian embassy preparing Pisco Sours.
- The SoCal sponsor son whose family prepped a full Cal-Mex spread, with a rented frozen ‘rita machine.
- The Chicago sponsor son’s Greek heritage family giving dancing lessons on the deck and an endless supply of lamb kebabs and other Greek goodies.
- A mix of hometown specialties, family favorites and catering trays seems to be the magic combo for party food.

Many families set up a memory table to celebrate the journey: plebe Dixie cup, photos of the BFE, I-Day before and after, etc., or had delightfully cringe-worthy slide shows running in a loop.

I was introduced to Caipirinha by a Brazilian submarine officer and wife in Rio atop Sugarloaf Mountain. It was at mid-day with Annapolis type heat. Not one, but two. Yowsers! Commissioning Week has a wonderful vibe all around with non-stop activities. Beware of those Caipirinhas or other concoctions, or maybe not ... . It's a week to be celebrated. Good luck to all those planning for the big event! Oh, and bring ear plugs when the Blue Angels fly.