I-Day

Last time my DS flew to BWI, he flew Delta. The young gentleman at the baggage check-in in our city took note of DS’s USNA sweatshirt and all questions of baggage fees/weights were taken care of. He proudly pointed out the Eagle, globe and anchor on his collar as he took DS’s sea bag. Your DS/DS will be looked after on their flights to and fro.
 
I know this is off topic completely, but our DS actually got confronted plebe year by an enlisted guy at BWI. The guy accused our son of “stolen valor” for flying in uniform when he thought our son didn’t have to. He threatened to “report” him. Our son explained that he was just a plebe, and plebes were ordered to travel in uniform, but the guy didn’t understand the whole Academy thing and he persisted. Our son eventually politely invited him to “f” off, and explained that he was in serious jeopardy of getting hurt, and the guy eventually went on his way.

For those of you new to Academy life, you’ll soon come to see that Mids justifiably have little patience or tolerance for those who get in the way of a trip home, and a visit with friends and family.
 
justdoit19 said:
So that’s another ‘hint/hack’. We signed up for our own, when they had their annual big bonus push. My oldest Mid is just now applying for his own, as a referral from us (and we both get big bonus points). This card is pretty persnickety, a plebe probably would qualify. But as @MidCakePa said, their NFCU or USAA ones kick in right away (and build up that credit).
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ok thanks - I have heard that this credit card is hard to get........so that is why I was asking all my friends who have college kids with one of the credit cards for southwest all had to open their. account first and add as an authorized user - my older college kids have discover - building great credit and its easy for a student to get!! I will let her get one from Navy federal credit union when she gets there
 
USNAhopeful2025 said:
ok thanks - I have heard that this credit card is hard to get........so that is why I was asking all my friends who have college kids with one of the credit cards for southwest all had to open their. account first and add as an authorized user - my older college kids have discover - building great credit and its easy for a student to get!! I will let her get one from Navy federal credit union when she gets there
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The other way to assist in score building is types of accounts held within one institution. If you have for instance a NFCU checking and savings, and investment, and credit card etc. That helps.
Our plebe has had NFCU accounts for a few years but right out of the door as a plebe he was offered a cc with excellent terms Re interest rate. He uses it for small things and pays it off to build credit history.
 
Heatherg21 said:
The other way to assist in score building is types of accounts held within one institution. If you have for instance a NFCU checking and savings, and investment, and credit card etc. That helps.
Our plebe has had NFCU accounts for a few years but right out of the door as a plebe he was offered a cc with excellent terms Re interest rate. He uses it for small things and pays it off to build credit history.
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Yes!! That is exactly how I guide my college kids. Thank you!
 
USNAhopeful2025 said:
Great advice for sure!! We fly southwest some but will for sure be using them in the future. We’re your kids able to get the credit card on their own or did you have to get the card and add them as an authorized user? Thinking once my girl is at USNA she will have income that she can state. Right now she has her allowance from us that is it. Some credit cards are easier for students to get than others.
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My son has been declined twice when applying for the Chase SW card. My understanding is they require a pretty solid credit score and income to be accepted.
If you wait until the fall, SW offers major points bonuses for applying for their card. Don't settle for the 40K, wait for the 60-80K range. If you are a business owner, you can apply for their business card on top of a Plus or Premier card, stack your points and get Companion Pass super quickly. We have "gamed" the points bonuses by applying every 2 years for a new card and have had Companion Pass the entire time our Mid has been at the Academy. We haven't paid for airfare to DTA (or anywhere else) in over 3 years. For Commissioning, our family of 3 will travel to Annapolis for $33.60 (+points) total, roundtrip. Also always check SW hotel offerings. Often times chain hotels on their site offer major bonus points to be added to your account.
I second what @Heatherg21 said on calling to make last minute flight changes as well. SW is extremely accommodating to military. We've even had them just change our Mids flight at the same rate we paid initially, no upcharge in fare. Also, it helps if as soon as you set up a Rapid Rewards account for your Mid, or add it if they already have RR, call SW and include their DOD # under their account to ensure they get TSA Pre Check on their flights. You can also list this under Secure Traveler Information, Known Traveler # when booking.
 
JmeBeMe said:
My son has been declined twice when applying for the Chase SW card. My understanding is they require a pretty solid credit score and income to be accepted.
If you wait until the fall, SW offers major points bonuses for applying for their card. Don't settle for the 40K, wait for the 60-80K range. If you are a business owner, you can apply for their business card on top of a Plus or Premier card, stack your points and get Companion Pass super quickly. We have "gamed" the points bonuses by applying every 2 years for a new card and have had Companion Pass the entire time our Mid has been at the Academy. We haven't paid for airfare to DTA (or anywhere else) in over 3 years. For Commissioning, our family of 3 will travel to Annapolis for $33.60 (+points) total, roundtrip. Also always check SW hotel offerings. Often times chain hotels on their site offer major bonus points to be added to your account.
I second what @Heatherg21 said on calling to make last minute flight changes as well. SW is extremely accommodating to military. We've even had them just change our Mids flight at the same rate we paid initially, no upcharge in fare. Also, it helps if as soon as you set up a Rapid Rewards account for your Mid, or add it if they already have RR, call SW and include their DOD # under their account to ensure they get TSA Pre Check on their flights. You can also list this under Secure Traveler Information, Known Traveler # when booking.
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ok thank you so much! great info! appreciate you sharing all of this - I think I know what I will do now. thanks!!!
 
Saw this on the USNA 2025 BLB Parents FB today, for what it's worth (this is a FB source, NOT directly from an official source, and who knows if it's been edited):

Mark Donahue - NAPS Command Services Director

Midshipman Candidates (Cadet Candidates can disregard), I just received word of a revision to the reporting dates to USNA. Please review below:

Marines - Report to USNA NLT 1600 27 Jun -- USMC sep will be on 28 Jun and then USNA I-Day stuff with other NAPSters and Fleet accessions on 29 Jun.

Navy (Priors and Directs) - report to USNA NLT 1600 28 Jun -- I-Day for NAPS/Fleet accessions will be on 29 Jun.

Remainder of USNA Class of 2025 will have I-Day on 30 Jun.

All NAPSters will be given a room in Bancroft Hall for the nights of 27 Jun (Marines) and 28 Jun (all). There is no early arrival, so adjust your travel plans accordingly.

These new dates will affect the departure dates for the priors. You should all recalculate your departure date and put the revised date into the Google Form (you can edit your original entry). In determining their new departure begin counting backwards from 26 June (27 June is a travel day and 28 Jun is reporting so they don't count). Those leaving on 14 May won't need to change anything. For most of the others you can leave two days earlier than previously planned.

Please edit your departure date by Monday. Regards,
 
There is a link posted on the @usnaplebesummer Instagram with a link for the Permit to Report ! Just wanted to share in case anyone had not see it yet
 
Maggiemay said:
There is a link posted on the @usnaplebesummer Instagram with a link for the Permit to Report ! Just wanted to share in case anyone had not see it yet
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The PTR link for the Class of 2024 with various 2020 dates on it is still posted at USNA.edu

Is this a fresh link for the Class of 2025?

We should be seeing updated links for 2025 on USNA.edu very soon. I’m sure website updates lag Insta posts.
 
Capt MJ said:
The PTR link for the Class of 2024 with various 2020 dates on it is still posted at USNA.edu

Is this a fresh link for the Class of 2025?

We should be seeing updated links for 2025 on USNA.edu very soon. I’m sure website updates lag Insta posts.
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I thought it was the old one as well, but there is speficif information that says 2025 Parent Information, so I'm not sure.
 
All of the documents on the page have been updated to fit the class of 2025. Are we supposed to begin filling these out or wait until we specifically get our PTR emails?
 
Haginsway6302 said:
All of the documents on the page have been updated to fit the class of 2025. Are we supposed to begin filling these out or wait until we specifically get our PTR emails?
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It looks like they are currently updating it. Some things are from the class of 2024, and some have been updated to the class of 2025. I’m sure when it is time to begin filling everything out, you will get an email :band:
 
Some items have been updated (letter to parents), some haven’t (checklist still has 2020 dates). I assume the forms are unlikely to change.
 
It’s on the official ‘25 plebe summer IG page so should be official! Every year, at least the last few ones, there have been a spot or two that slipped through the prior year class change edit. Perhaps this will yet be fixed.
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