Don't want parents on I-Day.

[AF6872]

Your MID will go through the day really alone. You will only see your DD/DS twice. Real early and real late. Parents do not contribute or participate during I-Day. Enjoy the day under the tents and the trees and then reunion on Stribling. I think it is a moment that should be shared with family. Just my opinion since we had siblings along. Down the road it is a family choice. Good luck to all.

"serve with honor and come home safely"
Defense Secretary Gates USNA Graduation 2011

 

[Man2112]

For me, my feelings are mixed. My dad and I are making the drive to Annapolis into a 2 week long road trip, and I guess I will find out how that works- but I certainly do understand the point of wanting to just say goodbye early.

 

[EngSSN754]

Hello soon-to-be-plebe,
Don't ever let go of that part of you that made you almost cry. It will serve you well and take you to great places. You may not believe it but you have a lot of people rootin' for you, especially your parents.
Cheers...

Well said. I couldn't agree more. You will have to be a leader if you want to be successful in this profession that you are about to embark upon. It will be better if you are a strong leader. An appropriate dose of empathy and compassion are important for a strong and well-rounded leader.

Fair winds and following seas.

 

[Christcorp]

I've heard many soon to be cadets and mids say this is something they've always wanted and they've worked for and now they want to start the journey alone. My only question is: do u honestly believe that you accomplished this on your own? Do u really think it was just your hard work that got u here? If u do, then u are wrong. Your parents invested a lot more than u realize. I promise, u wouldnt be a fraction of who u are if it wasnt for your parents. And probably wouldn't be heading to the academy. Chances r, you'd be a "C" student looking for a job at some $8 an hour place. Believe what u want, but its your parents, good or bad, that influenced u to be who u r today.

As others have said, when u leave, u get to start a new life. Your parents have to continue their existing life without u. Not to sound morbid, but its like u r dying. Your parent need that closure. Plus, they need to share in the accomplishment. They need this. I say they, because there are some parents that don't. There r some cadets and mids who's parents don't support their kid at all. Who have actually told their kid that if they join the military, to never come back. You r lucky. Your parents love, cate, and support you. I've seen cadets at the academy come thanksgiving, christmas, and even summer break who are being invited by a classmate to spend time with their family; and some who just stay at the academy by themselves. All because their parents don't care at all. But this doesn't sound like your family or your relationship. Your parents care, and therefor I am 100% confident when I say that you wouldn't probably be standing where you are today if it wasn't also for their hard work in getting you where you are.

Take it from someone who felt the same way. When I joined the military, I didn't even let my parents take me to the airport. 33 years later I still regret it. I saw the hurt in my mom's face. I've apologized numerous times over the years. For the first couple years, there was a big distance between me and my parents. Trust me, if they want to take you, and can afford it, let them. They need this more than u need your independence. You'll be on your own, without them to protect you, soon enough. Think about them and stop thinking just about yourself.

 

[LFry94]

I've heard many soon to be cadets and mids say this is something they've always wanted and they've worked for and now they want to start the journey alone. My only question is: do u honestly believe that you accomplished this on your own? Do u really think it was just your hard work that got u here? If u do, then u are wrong. Your parents invested a lot more than u realize. I promise, u wouldnt be a fraction of who u are if it wasnt for your parents. And probably wouldn't be heading to the academy. Chances r, you'd be a "C" student looking for a job at some $8 an hour place. Believe what u want, but its your parents, good or bad, that influenced u to be who u r today.

As others have said, when u leave, u get to start a new life. Your parents have to continue their existing life without u. Not to sound morbid, but its like u r dying. Your parent need that closure. Plus, they need to share in the accomplishment. They need this. I say they, because there are some parents that don't. There r some cadets and mids who's parents don't support their kid at all. Who have actually told their kid that if they join the military, to never come back. You r lucky. Your parents love, cate, and support you. I've seen cadets at the academy come thanksgiving, christmas, and even summer break who are being invited by a classmate to spend time with their family; and some who just stay at the academy by themselves. All because their parents don't care at all. But this doesn't sound like your family or your relationship. Your parents care, and therefor I am 100% confident when I say that you wouldn't probably be standing where you are today if it wasn't also for their hard work in getting you where you are.

Take it from someone who felt the same way. When I joined the military, I didn't even let my parents take me to the airport. 33 years later I still regret it. I saw the hurt in my mom's face. I've apologized numerous times over the years. For the first couple years, there was a big distance between me and my parents. Trust me, if they want to take you, and can afford it, let them. They need this more than u need your independence. You'll be on your own, without them to protect you, soon enough. Think about them and stop thinking just about yourself.

Very well put.