I-Day Question

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USAFA2019hopefu

5-Year Member
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Jun 22, 2014
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I know the reporting day is June 25th. However, my high school graduation isn't until June 27th. Is there anything I can do, or am I going to have to miss my graduation?
 
At least for my high school if a situation arises the school will have an individual graduation for you. Ask your school administration I'm sure they'll do the same for you given your circumstances
 
I seem to remember that in past years some Appointees arrived late to BCT due to late graduations.
 
I don't think you would want to arrive late. The extra attention, even if for a valid and approved reason, would not be worth it. Last year there were several who missed their HS graduations and many more who graduated the day or two before.
 
Another I Day question.... Once the kid is dropped off, is there anything worth sticking around for? At CGA they had a parent presentation that was informative (and inside an air conditioned building!) Will there be a swearing in that parents are privy to, or should we just plan on gettin' outta Dodge?
 
You let your school know that you have BCT and they'll give you your diploma early. Don't miss I-Day.
 
shellz said:
Another I Day question.... Once the kid is dropped off, is there anything worth sticking around for? At CGA they had a parent presentation that was informative (and inside an air conditioned building!) Will there be a swearing in that parents are privy to, or should we just plan on gettin' outta Dodge?
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Last year when we dropped our DS off at I-Day, there were a few things for us to do. There were several information booths set up in Doolittle Hall and a gift shop (where all the parents, whom had just said "goodbye" to their kids, gathered and spent a boatload of money for AFA apparel and Squadron specific merchandise! Haha). There was also a parents picnic for those who wanted to attend. Although we did not attend the picnic, there were plenty of opportunities to meet other parents. Some parents went to the chapel wall in hopes of catching a "glimpse" of their DS or DD. We did not go there either. It is such a long shot to see your son or daughter and it would be just that, a quick glimpse. We stayed the night in Colorado Springs to witness the swearing in the next morning. For me, it was worth it. It was an indescribable moment to see my DS and his new 2018 classmates in uniform march onto that field. I will never forget the sense of pride when they stood at attention and the band played the National Anthem. I still get chills and tears thinking of that moment. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
 
Thank you for the info! We had planned to fly home Thurs night. Looks like we should plan for one more night! I can't imagine missing it.

Your great info brings another question: Will they remain in the same squadron all four years?
 
shellz said:
Thank you for the info! We had planned to fly home Thurs night. Looks like we should plan for one more night! I can't imagine missing it.

Your great info brings another question: Will they remain in the same squadron all four years?
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Again, I can only speak to the information we have heard from DS. As we all know, things can change! He was told that they would be in the same squadron for 2 years, then another squadron their last 2 years. From my understanding, this is how it is set up at this time. Hope that helps!
 
We've learned that things at service academies are always subject to change :) At CGA the motto "Semper Gumby" (flexibility is the gist of that saying!) rules the day. Just when you think you've got it all figured out...things change! I guess it's good prep for the real world our kids will be facing in four short years. Thanks again for your help.
 
E.Cadet.18 said:
shellz said:
Another I Day question.... Once the kid is dropped off, is there anything worth sticking around for? At CGA they had a parent presentation that was informative (and inside an air conditioned building!) Will there be a swearing in that parents are privy to, or should we just plan on gettin' outta Dodge?
Click to expand...

Last year when we dropped our DS off at I-Day, there were a few things for us to do. There were several information booths set up in Doolittle Hall and a gift shop (where all the parents, whom had just said "goodbye" to their kids, gathered and spent a boatload of money for AFA apparel and Squadron specific merchandise! Haha). There was also a parents picnic for those who wanted to attend. Although we did not attend the picnic, there were plenty of opportunities to meet other parents. Some parents went to the chapel wall in hopes of catching a "glimpse" of their DS or DD. We did not go there either. It is such a long shot to see your son or daughter and it would be just that, a quick glimpse. We stayed the night in Colorado Springs to witness the swearing in the next morning. For me, it was worth it. It was an indescribable moment to see my DS and his new 2018 classmates in uniform march onto that field. I will never forget the sense of pride when they stood at attention and the band played the National Anthem. I still get chills and tears thinking of that moment. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Click to expand...
I agree! We went to the picnic and met some awesome parents. The Colorado Parent's Club did a great job answering questions and organizing the picnic. We also went to the Chapel wall and saw my DD run past us after getting boots & other essentials. I recommend staying for the swearing in.

And don't worry about air conditioning. Just find some shade if you get too warm. The atmosphere is so thin, it doesn't hold the heat, or the humidity!
 
USAFA83GradWife said:
And don't worry about air conditioning. Just find some shade if you get too warm. The atmosphere is so thin, it doesn't hold the heat, or the humidity!
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We are SO looking forward to visiting! No humidity! Hooray!
 
Based on my cadet's experience, I would not recommend missing I-Day. Regardless of whatever "extra attention" it gets you, it also changes your experience significantly. We ran into lots of parents who shared that their cadet was missing graduation. I am sure that there are reasons some cadets are not there on the first day - give careful thought to the significance of each experience.
For those who are there to release their beloved child.... The moment after you say good bye is a tough act to follow. There is an information fair with representatives from a variety of USAFA organizations. We spoke with an academic adviser, representatives from the chapel, and student support services, among others, and found it helpful and reassuring. The AOG also sets up a membership booth to assist new parents with registration. We found membership in the class club program gave us access to a lot of information and pictures of the BCT, daily, that were well worth the fee. The picnic hosted by the Colorado Parents Club gave us an opportunity to decompress, meet other families and "compare notes". We did not go back to the cadet area on I-Day.
Several of the USAFA reps in Doolittle Hall suggested that if we were still going to be in town we may want to go to the Swearing-In Ceremony early the next morning. By 7 o'clock, the chapel wall was lined with family and friends; watching our cadet take the oath was quite poignant, something I had not anticipated being so moving. If you can stay, it will give you a unique perspective of the journey your cadet is about to embark on...
 
shellz said:
We are SO looking forward to visiting! No humidity! Hooray!
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That reminds me! If you're not from here when you come to visit drink a ton of water. You have to keep hydrated it makes a huge difference.

And I'm talking to the parents here, the kids will be well hydrated.
 
Thanks for the experienced perspectives. So, if we are flying home on Friday, what time would y'all guess the swearing in will be? Looking at flights and they are pretty cheap right now, so I'd like to book now.
 
Swearing in will be first thing Friday morning. 8 or 9 am if I remember correctly. 2012 was so long ago. Lots of time to catch a flight, even out of Denver. If you are going to drop off your Appointee , it is definitely worth you going to.
 
We have to be back at the airport in Denver by 1530 on Friday so I guess that means we will be there that morning to see the swearing in.... I hope it's always early. :) I would like to see that, although I'm thinking a box of tissues might be in order. :(
 
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