Our family is new to SA & military....is it very difficult to see DS/DD running around frantically & getting yelled at on I-day?? I am mentally preparing myself
I think you will see a range of comments on this, reflecting parenting styles and family dynamics.
Once DS/DD enters into Alumni Hall in the AM, they are sucked into the vortex. You don't officially see them again until you strain to find them in the crowd at the Oath Ceremony late in the day, and then have your mini-meet-up afterwards. They then go through the doors into Bancroft Hall, not to be hugged again till PPW.
Unofficially, you will see hot and possibly anxious groups of parents loitering on the sidewalks near the rear of Alumni Hall where newly shorn plebes are being introduced to plebe life in formation. You will see just as many family groups relaxing on Hospital Point, strolling the Yard, shopping in the Mid Store, exploring DTA, or napping in the AC back at the hotel. Everyone has their own style, and there is no requirement in the Good SA Parent Handbook that requires you to witness any yelling or chase after glimpses of your plebe.
To each their own.
The reporting day rituals have certainly changed since my DH took a train from Philly to Baltimore and a taxi to Gate 1, handling everything himself. No special stuff going on, just report in, get processed, start Plebe Summer. He next saw his parents after the Army-Navy Game in December. No PPW, no weekends, no Thanksgiving leave. Cue violins as other grads read this....
Me - I'd give them a big hug, and wait for the next one after the Oath. That's what my parents would have done but - as noted - to each their own. No right or wrong way.
It has been amusing over the years to hear stories from the sponsor family mids who had detailer duty about the poor plebes who had "those parents" who mortified their DS/DD by appearing in places they shouldn't be.