I day 2024 for class of 2028

Militarymom2 said:
I keep reading about Flag Day. Could someone elaborate on that? Is it a chance to see our cadet during Swab Summer?
Click to expand...
Flag Day is usually on a Saturday about 3 weeks before the end of Swab Summer. The guess is that it will be 27 July 2024, although that date is not set in stone yet. There is a ceremony at the Mystic Seaport Museum where the swabs gets their class flag presented to them. The swabs will march in by company, and parents and family can be there to watch.

Usually swabs are allowed to interact with parents within the confines of the Mystic Seaport before the ceremony from approximately 0830 – 0930 (ceremony usually scheduled to start at 1000). The swabs then usually receive off-base liberty (at or around 1330), to expire onboard CGA no later than 1730. All swabs usually must be back onboard CGA by 1730 and back in their company areas by 1800. (Times could change this year.)

Any swabs that do not have family there are usually given their phones back so they can call home if they want. Many parents will gladly include swabs who do not have family there. Parents might take the swabs out for a meal or ice cream or just let them have some down time in the hotel where they don't have to be "on". Some swabs might just take the time to chill on their own.

KEEP IN MIND: Swabs usually have a week on the tall ship Eagle during the last 3 weeks of the summer. Usually platoons Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie are on the first week which starts that same weekend. Depending on the schedule for Eagle, that might mean that those 3 platoons will NOT be at the Mystic Flag Ceremony. You might not know this for sure until much closer to the date. Your swab will get their platoon assignment before heading to swab summer, but the departure date for Eagle and which platoons are on the first week might not be confirmed until closer to the date.

Last summer, the swabs on Eagle for the first of those 3 weeks started in Bermuda. Since this was a foreign port, there were some issues as to who had passports and who had fingerprints completed. CGA had to change the platoons shortly before Flag Day in order to make sure everyone in Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie could actually go to Bermuda. This meant a last minute change of plans for many parents. Hopefully, this won't be an issue this summer.
 
Militarymom2 said:
I keep reading about Flag Day. Could someone elaborate on that? Is it a chance to see our cadet during Swab Summer?
Click to expand...
It's the Mystic Flag Ceremony and takes place at the old Mystic Seaport Museum. It's a milestone of swab summer where the current class of swabs will receive their class flag. It typically takes place in mid July around the halfway mark of Swab summer. It also represents the first time the swabs may possibly get a little bit of liberty, so it is a good chance to visit your swab.

I visited my swab last year and it is definitely worth attending. The swabs are bussed over to Mystic the morning as spectators line the dirt streets of the seaport. They form up by company, dressed for I believe the very first time in their trop blue uniforms, and march into the seaport led by the band. They are then relieved for about 15 minutes or so and have the opportunity to visit with their family or adopted family of friends if theirs couldn't make it. Then they're called to form back up, the superintendent addresses the swabs, the class "super swab" is identified and is called to accept the class flag. They then march out, get back on the bus, and go back to the academy.

After that, I'm sure it may vary from year to year. Last year, they went back and had to have lunch in the wardroom. They weren't granted liberty until 1430 I believe. It could've been much earlier (my daughter said they weren't really doing anything), but they made the swabs wait probably just to mess with them.

At 1430 or so, they came filing out of Chase hall and were free to go and had to be back no later than 1800. Although she ate a little in the wardroom, she wanted to go somewhere and get a big, steaming bacon cheeseburger, which I was happy to oblige. We then just went back to the hotel and sat around and talked. At this point, the kids barely have a voice from sounding off every day and all sound like 75 year old lifetime smokers lol. Some parents say their kids like to take a long hot shower, and/or a nap. My daughter declined on both of those and just wanted to lay on the bed and relax and talk.

We went back to the academy plenty early. There will be a line of traffic trying to get in, and you DO NOT want to be late!!! Last year, after all the kids got in line, braced up and proceeded back into the quad amidst a barrage of screaming cadre, several of us parents stood around and talked. At around 1805 or so, a fella came walking up with his swab. We all cringed as she made her way into the quad and proceeded to get torn up up for being late.

They know going back in that they'll pay the price and get dropped (heavy PT) badly for their couple hours of liberty. They call it getting "dropped in their trops". lol.

The main caveat to all of this is, depending on the Eagle schedule, first phase of Eagle may or may not be able to attend the Flag Ceremony. Last year, first phase of Eagle left early that Saturday morning to fly to Bermuda, so they did not attend. I think they'd like to have everyone participate at Mystic, but it'll just depend on the schedule from year to year.
 
Yes. We didn't go, but the kids do some marching at the boat museum in mystic. After there is a short window to talk with your swab. Im not sure that I would make any extravagant arrangements to attend, but if your kid wants you there and you are local why not.
 
Probably not worth serious travel dollars or effort, but good to attend if you're within driving distance, or perhaps for some unusual circumstances (eg if your kid is struggling badly.) You only get a couple hours so keep expectations in check, but this is the day for the first call home so even if you don't go you will be able to talk. (Also, pick up calls from any weird area code that day, as your swab might be borrowing a phone from someone.)

We didn't fly out, but my brother lives out there so he went over for the day armed with a cell phone, snacks (mostly fresh fruit which is what DD craved) and then took her out for ice cream and a Target run. Go watch the videos from previous years on PDuddy to get a feel for things, but there are plenty of kids without family at Mystic so don't worry that yours might feel slighted. And if you do go bring some extra water or snacks to share with your swab's pals, offer to include them if you do head out somewhere, and loan out your phone to anyone who might not have one or has a dead battery. Everyone should get a chance to call home.
 
Is there a limit on how many can come to the swearing in ceremony on 7/1? We have some very excited grandparents, siblings, and a girlfriend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top