Graduation Interference

Airgead55

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Oct 5, 2019
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Hi I’m currently applying to USNA, and on the chance I get in, Induction day occurs before my high school graduation by two days. Is there any procedure to be done for this so I don’t miss them?
(Ex. Participate in I-Day, fly back and do high school graduation then fly back that afternoon?)
 
Once you take the oath and march through those middle doors of Bancroft Hall, you belong to plebe summer. The only reason you would leave over the next seven weeks is if you separate. Stinks to miss high school graduation, but for the long run, stinks even more to leave plebe summer once it’s underway. Upward and onward.
 
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The only other reason would be humanitarian, such as a death of a close family member such as a parent or sibling.
 
Once you take the oath and march through those middle doors of Bancroft Hall, you belong to plebe summer. The only reason you would leave over the next seven weeks is if you separate. Stinks to miss high school graduation, but for the long run, stinks even more to leave plebe summer once it’s underway. Upward and onward.

Neither here nor there to the OP, but they have made several exceptions due to athletics. There is a current 1/C that got to miss a week of her plebe summer to represent Guam in the 2016 Summer Olympics. There was also a swimmer several years older than me that left for like 48 hours to go swim in the Olympic trials in Omaha, and then returned immediately after his race.

Also, the plebe summer ends for all intents and purposes for the football players once their camp starts shortly after second set turnover. Sure, they don't get liberty or anything but they sure as heck aren't getting "trained" anymore.

Just goes to show you that anything can happen if you're good at sports...
 
As BDHuff mentioned, I recall some exceptions for athletics and illness, essentially a late start by maybe a week. Honestly, its awkward and puts the Plebe behind the power curve. OP must have a late graduation, but as others note, this probably happens from time to time, and I wouldn't expect USNA to accommodate. While HS graduation may seem like a big deal right, looking back 40ish years, it really was a non-event in my life.
 
I imagine that receiving your commission at USNA will be an event that will substantially dwarf your HS commencement.
 
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Looks like you’d have to miss HS graduation, but like others have said it’s really not a big deal. From my experience at least, high school graduation ceremonies are a display geared toward the parents/grandparents, just some speeches by administrators stroking each other then congratulating you on something that millions of kids do every year. If you do get in, your I Day and commisioning ceremony will surely be moments to be proud of however.
 
The OP might ask if he/she could have a special ceremony to receive the diploma (as in a private event in the principal's office). Not as great as the official ceremony but it would at least be something where family and friends could attend.
 
I can only speak as a parent of a current 2024 candidate. Knowing what his goal of attending USNA means to him, I would gladly forgo his HS graduation without a moment of regret if it meant he was sweating it out at USNA during his plebe summer.
 
i met a USNA grad at the tailgate this past weekend. when he got his appointment (via telegram) he responded and said he couldn't attend IDay, and would arrive in Annapolis about 10 days late, due to working the harvest of his family's farm - and he was granted the delay

-however, he was class of '59, so i suspect it wouldn't fly today....
 
however, he was class of '59, so i suspect it wouldn't fly today....

I believe this was the state of the art in Naval aircraft technology back in 1959...;)
See the source image
 
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