I-Day Arrival

[USNA29]

Read the PTR, might be in there. I did post Plebe Summer Home link for you and suggest you read through every bit, even though it’s still 2028’s info?

They should reimburse up to the govt allowed rate, similar to airfare. People going into the military - “accession” - typically get reimbursed from home to point of induction. Standard mileage rate, airfare, etc., at the govt rate. If you charter a private jet from your summer getaway in Jamaica, it will be the difference between allowed airfare between home and Annapolis. Uber fares. Tolls. Keep receipts in hard copy.

Another strategy.
Amtrak to BWI station.
Free shuttle from BWI rail station to BWI air terminal.
Free hotel shuttle to airport complex hotel.
Uber to USNA Gate 1.

I like this strategy a lot. Thank you. Regarding the PTR, I have read it but didn’t find anything explicit regarding rail. That’s why I wanted to ask.

 

[Capt MJ]

I like this strategy a lot. Thank you. Regarding the PTR, I have read it but didn’t find anything explicit regarding rail. That’s why I wanted to ask.

Might be in the checklist of forms, the travel claim stuff.

That strategy rather cuts out the strolling around DTA the day before and encountering/chatting with others headed to I-Day. Most of you are all delightfully obvious. You will also get to know every nook and cranny with and without family over 4 years. But the strategy is more likely to get you a better hotel rate and no minimum stay among the many airport hotel chain properties in and around BWI. Since you’re clearly a planner, you will allow a fat margin of safety for your transit and arrival. You would be dropped at Gate 1. DTA will be clogged with unfamiliar drivers stumped by odd roundabouts and narrow one-way streets in the historic area. You’ll have to walk to Alumni Hall to report in.

There are many threads each year about what to bring. Lean and mean is the way. But don’t think about that until April. Enjoy this remaining time.

 

[nalaandbella]

Already sold out (unless I looked wrong. I checked on their website) but thanks for the info.

I believe it is a 3 night minimum so it may not show rooms available unless you put in a 3 night stay.

 

[OldRetSWO]

I like this strategy a lot. Thank you. Regarding the PTR, I have read it but didn’t find anything explicit regarding rail. That’s why I wanted to ask.

They are not likely to specifically mention rail as not that many entering plebes use it but your process will be the same as for air travel.
That said, when making the AMTRAK reservations, you can be on a separate reservation and ticket from your family which makes it more clear when you request reimbursement.

 

[justdoit19]

They also didn’t specify the Uber he took from the airport, but that was included. Or from Amtrak station. Or a bus.

It’s an all encompassing ‘travel’. They may question horse feed if you came on horseback, or gas for your snowmobile. But panes/trains/automobiles? You should be good

 

[an654]

Some pro tips:

Try calling the hotel property directly and see if they offer “USNA friends and family” discounts. They want your family’s business for I-Day, PPW, 2/C Parents Weekend, football games, Comm Week, other visits, reunions and weddings down the road.

The Fairfield Inn on Taylor Ave is a new property not well-known as yet.

Many Annapolis hotels offer free shuttles to DTA (downtown Annapolis(), which you can ask about.

Don’t overlook B&Bs. There are many scattered throughout DTA.

On I-Day, there is parking and shuttle buses at the Navy Stadium, which is off-Yard. You can look for AirBnBs in that area.

There is always Uber/Lyft to Gate 1.

We stayed at the new Fairfield for I-Day. DS had an early check-in time, and we were able to walk maybe a quarter-mile to the football stadium where the shuttle to the Yard was located. We had no idea how it would be when we booked, but it turned out to be ideal.

 

[Acunaalbies]

We just splurged on an Air B&B about 1 block from the Yard! You only live once, and it will hopefully make for a convenient and less stressful report…

 

[Acunaalbies]

And it is never too early to book for PPW, which is a date you usually cannot find but seasoned pros here know how to calculate. It’s usually the weekend before Reform of the Brigade (when the other 3 classes return to the Yard to warmly greet the plebes).

Capt - would you be that seasoned of a pro to help this Civ dad gauge that date? Could it possibly be Aug 7-10, 2025?

 

[LST271]

We just splurged on an Air B&B about 1 block from the Yard! You only live once, and it will hopefully make for a convenient and less stressful report…

We were close to the Yard on I-Day and it was great. After we ate at the picnic we went back to the apartment to drop off our swag and enjoy the air conditioning and the couch.

 

[PlebeNoMore27]

Capt - would you be that seasoned of a pro to help this Civ dad gauge that date? Could it possibly be Aug 7-10, 2025?

Sir, they haven't announced the dates yet, but it's usually the last full weekend before the end of Block 3. (The summer calendar is divided up into 4 training blocks: Block 0, Block 1, Block 2, Block 3.) You can find the academic calendars on USNA's public website, just do a quick search. Last year it was 8-10 August, so whatever the corresponding F-Sa-Su dates are this year is a good bet.

 

[kalkan65]

I know it’s early, but I want to have the general plan in order so when the time comes it’s just executing what is already decided. Also, before hotels start selling out/algorithmically increasing their prices after sensing an event is occurring near xyz dates.

I couldn’t find any posts when I searched regarding this.

IDAY this year is 26 Jun. Based on this, when is the ideal time to arrive in Annapolis? I live close to an Amtrak station that can take me to the BWI station. On that note, is it better to Amtrak or drive? Additionally, does arrival method influence when to arrive?

Fortunately, I have a brother (USNA grad) who lives in Annapolis so if my son gets an appointment he has the hookup - including a “sponsor"

 

[Acunaalbies]

Sir, they haven't announced the dates yet, but it's usually the last full weekend before the end of Block 3. (The summer calendar is divided up into 4 training blocks: Block 0, Block 1, Block 2, Block 3.) You can find the academic calendars on USNA's public website, just do a quick search. Last year it was 8-10 August, so whatever the corresponding F-Sa-Su dates are this year is a good bet.

Perfect! Thank you for your continued assistance on this forum as you navigate your journey!

 

[justdoit19]

We just splurged on an Air B&B about 1 block from the Yard! You only live once, and it will hopefully make for a convenient and less stressful report…

A strategy I like, and recommend, is close for Iday, and peripheral for PPW. Close for Iday reduces stress. Close for PPW can cause stress By then, your plebe will most likely want to be out of detailers sight, and as far away from the Yard as makes sense for your family. A bit of a drive is NBD….as long as you plan for it. We enjoyed staying in Arnold/Cape St Claire/Bowie for PPW.

Obviously there are pros and cons to everything. And each family is different.

 

[Navyaddict]

Sir, they haven't announced the dates yet, but it's usually the last full weekend before the end of Block 3. (The summer calendar is divided up into 4 training blocks: Block 0, Block 1, Block 2, Block 3.) You can find the academic calendars on USNA's public website, just do a quick search. Last year it was 8-10 August, so whatever the corresponding F-Sa-Su dates are this year is a good bet.

From what your saying plebe parent weekend being from August 7 - August 10th is a great estimate! @Acunaalbies

 

[Navyaddict]

Some pro tips:

Try calling the hotel property directly and see if they offer “USNA friends and family” discounts. They want your family’s business for I-Day, PPW, 2/C Parents Weekend, football games, Comm Week, other visits, reunions and weddings down the road.

The Fairfield Inn on Taylor Ave is a new property not well-known as yet.

Many Annapolis hotels offer free shuttles to DTA (downtown Annapolis(), which you can ask about.

Don’t overlook B&Bs. There are many scattered throughout DTA.

On I-Day, there is parking and shuttle buses at the Navy Stadium, which is off-Yard. You can look for AirBnBs in that area.

There is always Uber/Lyft to Gate 1.

Thank you for these tips! My family just booked two rooms at Fairfield Inn. It allows dogs, has parking, about a 6 min drive/ 25 min walk from USNA, and looks like a good hotel

 

[Capt MJ]

Thank you for these tips! My family just booked two rooms at Fairfield Inn. It allows dogs, has parking, about a 6 min drive/ 25 min walk from USNA, and looks like a good hotel

The shuttle buses to the Yard are at the Stadium. You walk out of the Fairfield Inn, turn right and literally stroll downhill on Taylor a few blocks and you are at the stadium. The buses run all day.

If they have the drive-on and drop-off for family - you can’t park on the Yard unless you have the right kind of govt ID - AND - we don’t know what the security setting will be for driving on at all - the driver has to go park the car back at stadium or hotel and go back to Yard to join up with P2B (Plebe To Be) and other family.

It is never too early to mention that though arrival times are staggered, if the line is moving briskly, P2Bs with later report times loitering too close to the doors of Alumni Hall will be sucked into the yawning black hole, invited in by kindly Plebe Summer staff, quite possibly leaving the driver out of the last family hug and photo before emerging for the oath ceremony late in the day.

All things I-Day will be discussed in a flood of threads in April and May and June, down to what snack to have on hand and what to bring fir your plebe to sit on, because in those few short hours, he or she has learned to be horrified by the thought of dirtying a white uniform.

 

[blinkus]

Reading this thread makes me feel nostalgic about my iday haha, all the memories flooding in

 

[Heatherg21]

Didn’t have IDay or PPW - meh, Covid. DS booked his flight from our airport to BWI.

He submitted travel receipts and paperwork.

He never did receive reimbursement.

Seeing as how the world was in upheaval we didn’t really think much of it.

Every travel he had USNA related (not trips home) while at USNA was covered or reimbursed following that mess up. Oversized luggage fees, Ubers post PROTRAMID hauling 98 mids luggage after hours. Internship hotels and transportation to include daily allowance for meals.

My advice will always be to be present. Flexible. Calm. If mom and dad or guardians are nervous you will likely be contributing to the anxiety of your kiddo. That goes for all four years.

This is an experience and journey like no other I have ever had. I matured through it and became better at it. Now that it is in our rear view mirror I sure do miss that leg of the journey.

New and different adventures await as a sideline mom.

 

[Northwoods]

Best case, I've got 6 years before it matters. But, I have a friend that's <1/2 hour from USNA. Hopefully, with a nice gift of course, we'll be able stay there for an iday, ppw, etc. We live near Seattle so it's a long flight to Annapolis.