End time of R day

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bigdream

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Joined
Mar 22, 2024
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TLDR: when will R day end for parents?


We are excitedly (and nervously and maybe even a little sadly) planning for R day in particular flights home. We have other children we will be rushing back to care for so would like to leave asap once the ceremony is over. Do know when it starts? Looks like it is pretty short from my research (30 minutes?). We have high hopes of catching a flight back to California afterward.
 
bigdream said:
TLDR: when will R day end for parents?


We are excitedly (and nervously and maybe even a little sadly) planning for R day in particular flights home. We have other children we will be rushing back to care for so would like to leave asap once the ceremony is over. Do know when it starts? Looks like it is pretty short from my research (30 minutes?). We have high hopes of catching a flight back to California afterward.
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Hello @bigdream and welcome to the West Point family! The oath ceremony and parade is usually around 5 - 6 pm. I haven't seen a schedule yet for this year. That said, last year, the parade and oath ceremony did not happen because of weather. I say that to let you know "things happen". Let's assume the ceremony/parade does happen, it will be relatively short ... but memorable. It will take you some time to get back to your car. If you park in the "K" Lot you will need walk about 3/4 of mile but won't be at the mercy of a shuttle bus. You should allow at least 3.5 hours travel / check in time before your flight if you are flying out of EWR and maybe a bit longer out of JFK/LGA. So .. there is hope ... and there may also be unexpected delays, etc. Hold on to your excitement ... your DD/DS has an incredible ride ahead. We are also from California - please feel free to DM me if you have questions.
 
If you were to skip the end Oath/Parade, its also hard to say when you will be done as it depends on what time you CC has to report. Once you have done the "90 seconds to say goodbye" part, there are several events you can attend. Things like the hall with all the West Point vendors, the Sup's Brief, etc. Those are usually between the goodbye and the Parade with the exception of last year as CoffeeMama said. As she also stated, things happen at West Point with the weather. I was there this past weekend, and it was a mix of rain, wind and sunny. You just never know what you are going to get so best to be prepared for anything.
 
bigdream said:
TLDR: when will R day end for parents?


We are excitedly (and nervously and maybe even a little sadly) planning for R day in particular flights home. We have other children we will be rushing back to care for so would like to leave asap once the ceremony is over. Do know when it starts? Looks like it is pretty short from my research (30 minutes?). We have high hopes of catching a flight back to California afterward.
Click to expand...
It's a one time experience. Trust us in this. Don't miss anything. Stay until the end of the parade, find your Waldo marching. After the goodbye, try to attend the Supe's Brief. LTGEN Gilland is not to be missed. You will feel much more secure in your New Cadet's entry into the profession of arms and the journey undertaken. In normal conditions the Parade will end around 7 and the busses run until 8. TRY and stay for the Oath. There is no feeling like it. We traveled from Northern CA many times. We usually took the evening non-stop via United at around 7. But you won't make that one. For future reference EWR is the best and most convenient for air travel to and from WP. Easiest and fastest to get to. Please, try not to miss any R-Day ceremonies. It's a long day, but, it is absolutely worth it.

Congrats! Enjoy the ride! It is absolutely unique and rare.
Go every chance you get over the 47 months.
 
CoffeeMama said:
Hello @bigdream and welcome to the West Point family! The oath ceremony and parade is usually around 5 - 6 pm. I haven't seen a schedule yet for this year. That said, last year, the parade and oath ceremony did not happen because of weather. I say that to let you know "things happen". Let's assume the ceremony/parade does happen, it will be relatively short ... but memorable. It will take you some time to get back to your car. If you park in the "K" Lot you will need walk about 3/4 of mile but won't be at the mercy of a shuttle bus. You should allow at least 3.5 hours travel / check in time before your flight if you are flying out of EWR and maybe a bit longer out of JFK/LGA. So .. there is hope ... and there may also be unexpected delays, etc. Hold on to your excitement ... your DD/DS has an incredible ride ahead. We are also from California - please feel free to DM me if you have questions.
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Thanks. Looks like I can't DM until I have posted a few times.
 
bigdream said:
still working.
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Good work! You may also need to wait a week or so as I believe that is also one of the criteria to be able initiate a DM. I just started a conversation if you'd like to reach out.
 
Walman888 said:
It's a one time experience. Trust us in this. Don't miss anything. Stay until the end of the parade, find your Waldo marching. After the goodbye, try to attend the Supe's Brief. LTGEN Gilland is not to be missed. You will feel much more secure in your New Cadet's entry into the profession of arms and the journey undertaken.
Click to expand...
+1 to this! Words of wisdom ...
 
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