I-Day Questions

I have only commented one previous time on this forum, and only became aware of this site the day before my son (C4C) received his appointment, which seems like an eternity ago. However, when it came to the big drop off we let him make the decision. He was all for a family vacation prior to I- Day. This included his girlfriend and our daughters boyfriend. Turned out to be one of the best vacations, with a stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park, and then to Lake City, CO, for several days of hanging out and relaxing at 8,661 feet. We drove the Alpine Loop to American Basin, for a planned hike to the top of Handies Peak (14-teener), but too much snow for the hike to the top, but incredible scenery! Also, stayed overnight at a great B&B in Cripple Creek, it was the former county hospital, so makes for a really cool B&B experience, also our second time to stay there. My son went for morning runs and said he felt pretty good. However, based on my experience, for any meaningful acclimation to the altitude you would likely need to spend a couple of weeks adjusting, so to arrive a few days early expecting to get acclimated probably isn't realistic, but if you make this choice enjoy the time together and the fantastic scenery. My son really seem to enjoy the trip, and I think it seemed to relax him, although he's always been the relaxed type. I know we really enjoyed the time with him, and I think he was well aware of that, and that's part of the reason he wanted it this way. Based on what I saw at I-Day, it's mostly a family affair, only a few were doing it alone.

Definitely stay for the swearing-in the following morning! Do get there early! We all grumbled when my wife got us up what seemed way too early, we had to wait at the gate for a little while, but it paid off since we were right on the chapel wall. Do bring binoculars or in my case a nice zoom lens on your camera. It will be hard to pick out you son/daughter, but I took photos of who appeared to be our son, and after downloading them and viewing, it was him, hard to tell when it was a sea of yellow hats! Emotional event for all. Immediately, following the swearing-in we headed home. We talked to some parents that we're going to linger for the rest of the day along the wall, hoping to catch a glimpse of their child, but it was time for us to move on. Again, everyone has their way of doing I-Day, it's what works best for you and your future USAFA basic cadet. Also, numerous parents would shout their child's name, at an appropriate time, during the ceremony. I didn't want to, but my wife couldn't contain herself, so she shouted loudly his nickname "E-man." When we received his first letter, which he wrote after his second day, he told his mom that he heard her shout his name and that it ment a lot to him!
 
Thank you all for your different perspective. This has been very helpful for me. DS is on spring break with friends now, but we will read through all of this with him when he returns and finalize our plans. A few days ago he mentioned 99 days until I-day, that really hit home. Good luck to all and enjoy the last 94 days.
 
Enjoy these last few months. DD is coming up on two years, and leaving her at the airport was suddenly hard again. Not on her but me, she has adjusted so well and walked off with bf and didn't look back. She's not a little girl anymore.... Don't blink!
 
Reading all this made it emotional and so real. I do not want to miss anything. I am a single mom who has worked very hard with my son in these goals the past 9 years. I need help and clarification if someone could please as I am confused on the schedule. For I day what is the schedule like for parents after they say good bye? Is it just good bye and you are off or do we see them again on Iday? And then for the swearing in on July 1st for parents again the schedule for swearing in-time-place-etc? What time do we get there, where do we go and what should I expect? I read about them crossing a bridge? I am visiting next week and will probably understand once I have seen it all but could someone help me out please. I also plan on just saying good bye on I day and coming the next day for the swearing in and then taking off to travel home but now I am a bit confused by all the posts. Thanks!
 
Read this from a couple years back. http://www.serviceacademyforums.com...ts-booking-for-i-day.31184/page-2#post-301696

Here is what I posted:

"As I mentioned before, my DS was adamant about going at it alone. He later changed his mind after taking to another mom who had two West Point cadets (he leaned on their family for SA advice). It didn't matter much to me but it deeply mattered to my wife.

That said, his rational was that he wanted a clear head to focus. I think that "focus" was centered around the fear of getting emotional in front of upper classmen. I could picture female basic cadets having that same concern (not showing any "weakness" in front of their male counter parts).

If it was only about dropping them off, I say hug them at home and save the money. But we spent all day watching the events from a distance as well as the next mornings parade. It was priceless. It's not like you follow them around with your eyes peeled on them. You get an occasional glimps here and there. It's hard to miss something that you never experienced. So if we didn't attend, I'd have the same take as others (we looked at webguy photos and we respected his wishes).

I will say with confidence it was a better and more interesting day than his previous high school graduation, any sporting event, or any of his birthday parties. It was a proud experience that is hard to put in words. That's about all I can say.

To the mom's and dad's who are reading this. Free advice: borrow some great binoculars. We brought a few. One was a scope from a hunter friend. About 20 parents borrowed that scope to get an incredible view of their freshly shaven basic cadets head.:wink: They had SE (scope envy)."
:biggrin:
What time do you recommend being at USAFA to get a good spot on the wall for the swearing in???
 
Reading all this made it emotional and so real. I do not want to miss anything. I am a single mom who has worked very hard with my son in these goals the past 9 years. I need help and clarification if someone could please as I am confused on the schedule. For I day what is the schedule like for parents after they say good bye? Is it just good bye and you are off or do we see them again on Iday? And then for the swearing in on July 1st for parents again the schedule for swearing in-time-place-etc? What time do we get there, where do we go and what should I expect? I read about them crossing a bridge? I am visiting next week and will probably understand once I have seen it all but could someone help me out please. I also plan on just saying good bye on I day and coming the next day for the swearing in and then taking off to travel home but now I am a bit confused by all the posts. Thanks!


I would also like this information, especially the time that the swearing in ceremony will occur.
 
Actually, you should be able to see her at swearing in (she may not be able to see, or be too tired to recognize you though). If you know her squad, they line up A-H, A being on your left facing away from the chapel. Get there early though, you will see her drilling and you will want to get to the front of the chapel wall for best view.
We really enjoyed the swearing in ceremony. It's very moving. For the best view of your Basic don't stand on the chapel wall directly in front of your Basic's squad otherwise you will only be able to see the first row. Stand at a slight angle from their squad which will allow you to see the rows of Basics behind the front row. Also bring binoculars.

After dropping off our DS on I-Day, we also hung out on the Chapel Wall and watched Basics being in-processed. We didn't see our DS, but got to see lots of Basics running around.

A few words on the mini-vacation. Do not be surprised if your DD/DS gets very quiet and introspective in the days immediately leading up to I-Day as they mentally focus on the transition process from Appointee to Basic. Ours did and I know many others did as well. Also, Appointees must arrive injury free to I-Day which is an important consideration when evaluating vacation activities.
 
What time do you recommend being at USAFA to get a good spot on the wall for the swearing in???
My wife thought I was crazy when I told her we needed to be there 2 hours ahead to get a spot on wall. We ended up getting there 1.5 hours ahead and it was packed. We managed to weasel spots off to the side of where our Demon was and did spot him.
 
Does anyone know what time the swearing in ceremony will be on July 1?

Last year it was at 8:30am. I can't recall, but it took around an hour and then they were gone - marching away. Once you find out their BCT squadron (closer to I Day), you should stand near their squadron. I want to say that they line up 1-8 starting from left to right with your back to the chapel and facing the field. You will be able to see where the squadrons line up as there are markers on the field marking where each unit goes. It is amazing what they have accomplished in less than 24 hours.
 
Make sure her hair is not too short to tie up into a bun.
 
Reading all this made it emotional and so real. I do not want to miss anything. I am a single mom who has worked very hard with my son in these goals the past 9 years. I need help and clarification if someone could please as I am confused on the schedule. For I day what is the schedule like for parents after they say good bye? Is it just good bye and you are off or do we see them again on Iday? And then for the swearing in on July 1st for parents again the schedule for swearing in-time-place-etc? What time do we get there, where do we go and what should I expect? I read about them crossing a bridge? I am visiting next week and will probably understand once I have seen it all but could someone help me out please. I also plan on just saying good bye on I day and coming the next day for the swearing in and then taking off to travel home but now I am a bit confused by all the posts. Thanks!

All of this may seem very confusing but it is very organized. Your Appointee will receive a time to report to USAFA (Doolittle Hall) based on their Squadron assignment (which comes shortly before they report). I believe this is to spread out the in-processing of Appointees. We arrived an hour earlier than our Appointees time (were worried about traffic and didn't want to be late) and DS said, I am ready, so he got in line. Again, it is very organized. They will drop off their backpack, and then you will be able to stand in line with them. After a quick briefing, they go into Doolittle Hall, pickup their name badge (maybe some other paper work) and then walk over a bridge towards where they board the bus to the Academy. Once the briefing is over, we gave our DS a quick hug and he was off. I recommend that you say your goodbyes/best wishes/prayers prior to walking up to Doolittle Hall as things start to move. You will be able to see them board the bus and drive away. They have a large tent at Doolittle Hall selling stuff. A couple of things that went quickly were the Class of 20XX tote bag with all of the Appointees names on it and the class coin. After the bus left, we drove to the Chapel and just happened to see our now Basic Cadet running up the ramp (with binoculars) going to get his Gold (not yellow) class cap and camelbak. After that, we did not see him anymore but we hung out for a little while observing and talking with parents. We then went back to Doolittle Hall and did a little shopping and went to the CO parents club picnic at the camp grounds. We met so many great people who completely understand what all of us are going through. Many of your friends back home will say they understand what it is like dropping your DS/DD off at college, but this experience is so different knowing that as soon as the bus leaves, the yelling and correcting begins.......Please keep in mind that USAFA will let you know what/where/when in plenty of time as they want your Appointee to succeed. We stayed for the Swearing In ceremony the following day and flew home after. I hope this helps.....
 
. Your Appointee will receive a time to report to USAFA (Doolittle Hall) based on their Squadron assignment (which comes shortly before they report).

We were surprised that DD already received a report time about a week ago -- 0700! Of course she responded, "really?". I told her it was just preparation for the very early wake-ups over the next several weeks - haha:confused2:
 
We were surprised that DD already received a report time about a week ago -- 0700! Of course she responded, "really?". I told her it was just preparation for the very early wake-ups over the next several weeks - haha:confused2:
Our DDs time is 0700 as well. Better try and get plenty of sleep the night before, because that will be the last of it for a very long time. :)
 
Our DDs time is 0700 as well. Better try and get plenty of sleep the night before, because that will be the last of it for a very long time. :)

Hope to see you there and meet in person.
 
Our DDs time is 0700 as well. Better try and get plenty of sleep the night before, because that will be the last of it for a very long time. :)

As I recall, at this point in the process, everyone's time to report is 0700. This is to make sure you are near COS that day. As I Day gets closer and Squadron assignments are given, the actual report times will be adjusted.......
 
As I recall, at this point in the process, everyone's time to report is 0700. This is to make sure you are near COS that day. As I Day gets closer and Squadron assignments are given, the actual report times will be adjusted.......

I'm not telling DD...let her keep thinking it's 0700. It still may be.
 
All of this may seem very confusing but it is very organized. Your Appointee will receive a time to report to USAFA (Doolittle Hall) based on their Squadron assignment (which comes shortly before they report). I believe this is to spread out the in-processing of Appointees. We arrived an hour earlier than our Appointees time (were worried about traffic and didn't want to be late) and DS said, I am ready, so he got in line. Again, it is very organized. They will drop off their backpack, and then you will be able to stand in line with them. After a quick briefing, they go into Doolittle Hall, pickup their name badge (maybe some other paper work) and then walk over a bridge towards where they board the bus to the Academy. Once the briefing is over, we gave our DS a quick hug and he was off. I recommend that you say your goodbyes/best wishes/prayers prior to walking up to Doolittle Hall as things start to move. You will be able to see them board the bus and drive away. They have a large tent at Doolittle Hall selling stuff. A couple of things that went quickly were the Class of 20XX tote bag with all of the Appointees names on it and the class coin. After the bus left, we drove to the Chapel and just happened to see our now Basic Cadet running up the ramp (with binoculars) going to get his Gold (not yellow) class cap and camelbak. After that, we did not see him anymore but we hung out for a little while observing and talking with parents. We then went back to Doolittle Hall and did a little shopping and went to the CO parents club picnic at the camp grounds. We met so many great people who completely understand what all of us are going through. Many of your friends back home will say they understand what it is like dropping your DS/DD off at college, but this experience is so different knowing that as soon as the bus leaves, the yelling and correcting begins.......Please keep in mind that USAFA will let you know what/where/when in plenty of time as they want your Appointee to succeed. We stayed for the Swearing In ceremony the following day and flew home after. I hope this helps.....


Thank you, this helps me a lot as a single parent with budgeting, planning and planning on travel and days off.
 
Don't forget to go to the picnic/bbq that the Colorado parent's club hosts during I day. It's a great time to meet new parents and friends and a chance to write a quick note for your cadet. Get there maybe an hour early, we got there two hours early and I think it made our cadet more anxious and nervous watching the others go into the buses. I agree with saying your goodbyes and prayers way before you get to the briefing and the trip up the stairs of Doolittle Hall as things go very fast from there. Get the appointee class bag and coin, those go pretty fast and may not be available again. You will see a lot of those class bags during Parent's weekend lol. We just loitered around the chapel area and visitors center after our cadet got on the bus.

Get there early for the swearing in the next day. We got there 30 minutes before and the crowd was 8-10 people deep on certain parts of the wall :( We watched the cadets start some marching and training after then took another trip to Doolittle Hall to walk up the bridge and look around the staging area.

It was weird coming back to the hotel during I-day ALONE. I hated that feeling of dread - it was like you just lost your kid on a trip to the mall and couldn't find him/her... weird and unsettling. The plane trip back wasn't easy and just be prepared for a barrage of emotions that you never felt before. Kleenex will be your best friend.

Good luck and enjoy the 4 year roller coaster ride because the whole USAFA experience goes by very fast.
 
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