I-Day

Even if you DS/DD responds ‘of course I want the entire and extended family to go with me for Iday”, when the moment comes, they very well may appreciate NOT having them.

It’s a LOT. Tears. Emotions. Confusion. Doubt. Excitement. Trepidation. And more. For parents, and your appointee. We made the decision for our own excited young person, to keep it to mom and dad only. Not even siblings or gf. Even though he thought he wanted everyone to attend.

Instead, our emotional goodbye with family was at the departing airport. That allowed him to concentrate on himself and his next adventure.

In hindsight? We did the right thing. According to him. We also did the same with DS #2.

While it’s true that they may be tired and nap during PPW? The opposite may also be true. A short Power Nap, and then the excitement and adrenaline kicked in. Your plebe won’t sleep the ENTIRE time, most likely. And? If they do? It’s amazing how lovely it is to just watch them sleep ♥️♥️
 
Last edited:
A1Janitor said:
The other thought I will never forget - when those doors slam … there is a hollow feeling. Followed by a five hour drive while exhausted.

The picnic was good.
Click to expand...
My moment, that I’ll never forget, was returning to the hotel. His tiny little pile of shorts and T-shirt that he slept in on the bathroom floor. Toothbrush and razor on the counter. Like he just poof💨 disappeared. Gathering them up to go home. Without him. Only his pile.

It can be a lot. Almost a shock.
 
usna1985 said:
WRT Grandparents, consider their health and mobility. The morning drop-off is typically very, very early and is only a few minutes long. Then there is all day (as in about 10 hours) of "hanging out" (not seeing your mid). USNA has some activities for parents during the day but most, if not all are outdoors. Late June is typically very hot and humid. There aren't a lot of places to sit down. There aren't many places to which parents have access that have A/C. You can't park on the Yard (with some exceptions, generally including a HC permit). Even if you can park, the parking is on the "exterior" of the Yard, meaning there's lots and lots of walking from your parking place to do or see anything. I can't stress this enough. The last thing you want is the GPs passing out.

The swearing in event takes about 30 minutes . You have to get there early to be able to see anything. It's mostly SRO. While cooler b/c it's in the early evening, it's tough to stand out there after a really long day. Then you have about 30 minutes (again, no place other than the ground or chairs you bring on which to sit) with your mid before s/he goes back into Bancroft Hall.

PPW offers so much more. There are parades, static displays, church services, band concerts, tours of your mid's room, meeting with mid's company officer and detailers, etc. And you get to see your mid for the better part of 3 days at your hotel or rented home. You can eat with them, walk around town with them, go to a movie with them, etc.

If GPs are in great shape, then it may be worth it to bring them to I-Day. If they're at all "frail," let them FaceTime (or whatever) for I-Day and let them come to PPW or some of the many other activities that will occur over 4 years that will be easier on them.
Click to expand...
Would recommend parking at the stadium and taking the shuttle instead of trying to find a spot around the Yard?
 
Yes.

Yard parking is restricted during IDay (and other events, like commissioning). Don’t know your credentials, but not everyone can even drive on. Let alone, try and find a spot.

The shuttle is very effecient. And air conditioned. And stress free!! It takes a minute after the Oath, but they use big buses, lots of them. So people move pretty quickly.

Make sure your ID is current. Don’t bring an expired drivers license (🙄). You will do a security check actually at the stadium before boarding the bus.
 
Last edited:
Yeti56 said:
Would recommend parking at the stadium and taking the shuttle instead of trying to find a spot around the Yard?
Click to expand...
You can only park on the Yard if you have the right govt ID. If you don’t, I THINK your plebe’s PTR allows you to drive on the Yard and drop off. Then you head to the Stadium and park, take the shuttle. Allow plenty of time. Or, just go straight to Stadium, park, and all of you take the shuttle to the Yard.

And it’s time for my annual warning to Plebes-To-Be: If you are dropped off well before your assigned time and are waiting for family to return from parking, DO NOT loiter near the glass doors leading into Alumni Hall. If the line is running fast, the black hole maw of the plebe-inhaling vortex will come out in the form of Plebe Summer Staff to kindly welcome you in. Do your waiting across the street on the parade field near the gazebo or under the trees. Many a parent has returned from parking, ready to share those carefully curated words of parental encouragement and a last hug, only to find no trace of the plebe, or the other parent reporting the vortex phenomenon.
 
“Find a spot to park on the Yard.” 🤣

I-Day is a major evolution on the Yard. The military and civilian staff know how early the plebes-to-be start reporting, and they arrive even earlier to park.

Now, if you are renting/staying in DTA (downtown Annapolis), the hotels often have a shuttle to Main St. or possibly Gate 1. It’s still a bit of a hoof to Alumni Hall from Gate 1.

If you have govt ID, Gate 3 is a good walk gate and closest to Alumni Hall. It is open to vehicles but can also be closed to them, depending on how it’s organized.

If you’re walking in from DTA, estimate your walking time keyed to your slowest walker on a hot and humid day on uneven bricks. Your PTB will likely be at Olympic Trial race walk pace.
 
Capt MJ said:
You can only park on the Yard if you have the right govt ID. If you don’t, I THINK your plebe’s PTR allows you to drive on the Yard and drop off. Then you head to the Stadium and park, take the shuttle. Allow plenty of time. Or, just go straight to Stadium, park, and all of you take the shuttle to the Yard.

And it’s time for my annual warning to Plebes-To-Be: If you are dropped off well before your assigned time and are waiting for family to return from parking, DO NOT loiter near the glass doors leading into Alumni Hall. If the line is running fast, the black hole maw of the plebe-inhaling vortex will come out in the form of Plebe Summer Staff to kindly welcome you in. Do your waiting across the street on the parade field near the gazebo or under the trees. Many a parent has returned from parking, ready to share those carefully curated words of parental encouragement and a last hug, only to find no trace of the plebe, or the other parent reporting the vortex phenomenon.
Click to expand...
Great clarification about driving on for drop off. My ‘22 wasn’t allowed a drive on, to drop off (absent proper credentials, which we didn’t have). We walked in with him.

My ‘24 was the first ‘covid’ drop off class, which is how it’s been done the last 3 yrs (your PTR will state). Which allows for a drive through gate #8 to drop the plebe off, but not onto the yard (absent proper credentials). It’s a marked off round about, with parking, to drop off and say goodbye.

For the rest of Iday activities (again, absent credentials) after the drop off, the bus is a great way to go. Or stay close, and walk.

The bus system worked well for PPW, and commissioning weeks, as well.
 
Last edited:
The difference between I-Day (nervousness, tears, anxiety, fear of the unknown, shock) vs. PPW (confidence, smiles, excitement, pride) is amazing. I personally would want GP to see the latter. Bask in the accomplishments.

To be clear about my prior post re driving onto the Yard, typically the only people who can park on I-Day are those with military IDs and those with HC stickers (who may also need military IDs, but I'm not sure about that). Info will be in your PTR. As Capt MJ says, parents may be allowed to drive onto the Yard to drop off their plebes but won't be allowed to park. Best bet is to take the shuttle.
 
Bookmark at least an hour to get through Gate 1.

Camping out on the Stribling with a blanket and cooler is a waste of your time (imho).

Park in downtown Annapolis near the docks and walk to Gate 1 for initial drop off. It is not that far at all. May have to feed the meters. After you drop your kid off, leave campus and go walk around DTA. Just give yourself enough time to get back for swearing in, cuddle time, and door slams.

My allergies kicked in some when I dropped my kid off for his check-in time. Wife's kicked in when the dude marched into Bancroft. It was rough for her. She wouldn't stick around for the doors slamming shut and we just walked back to car after they started marching in. I was okay then.

PPW is a whole different ballgame. We are generally local (within the 35 mile town liberty radius), so we just brought him home and returned him to the Yard daily. Others will just want to hang out at their hotels and sleep!
 
The USNA Alumni Assn and USNA usually produce some good videos for Induction Day. Non-traveling family members will enjoy those as a glimpse of what you experienced.

Here’s a Class of 2026 selection. Bonus points if anyone spots their plebe!







 
SteffOfftheCliff said:
This is all helpful. We’ve been told on PPW often the Plebes just want to leave during the day and sleep or relax. That made me think IDay would be a better experience for the GPs and at least we can spend the day prior together. Now I am rethinking things…..
Click to expand...
My 2cents, IDay is tough for GP's it was extremely hot and humid all day and during the swearing in I felt like I was baking in the sun.

I'd think PPW would likely work better as it is more to see over a spread out time.

If you are a few hr drive to USNA, an option that was fantastic for my 81yrd mom, the GM of DS, was a Fall Friday visit on a parade day. The yard was beautiful in the Fall, perfect temps at 63 the day we went, and less crowded. The cooler temp and less crowds allowed for a long leisurely visit

We arrived by 10am and made 'tuition visit' at the Mid Store, watched lunch formation, grabbed lunch at the Alley at the Club, visited the Chapel, JPJ Crypt, museum, and then walked over to Worden Field early and caught the parachute team jumps, and then the formal parade. After parade, we met up with our MIDN at the benches at T-Court, caught TAPS, and headed home. Great slow paced Day
 
^^^^

Fully agree. There are lots of events at USNA throughout the year where it's easy to bring friends and relatives. Not only parades but football games, concerts, religious services, other sporting events, etc. Assuming plebe is "sat" (ok academically, PRT, conduct), s/he will have town liberty on Saturdays and at least Yard liberty on Sundays. And an extra day of liberty on 3-day WEs. Some years (depends on leadership), plebes may even rate overnights during Ac Year. So many opportunities to visit when things aren't crowded, when your plebe is at ease (as much as any plebe is at ease), etc.

There are a few things you can do PPW that you can't do the rest of the year (visiting plebe room is a notable), but most of the stuff -- including spending time with your plebe -- is available year round when the weather is better and moving around Annapolis and the Yard is easier on those who are frail or have mobility issues. Again, if GPs are in good health and mobile, I-Day and PPW are eminently more doable for them.
 
For I- Day of June 29, 2023, Is it okay to arrive on June 28th (housing is not an issue) just a day early or do you recommend 2-3 days earlier? We are flexible with time. Just trying to see what is best. Thank you.
 
Mav&Kylo said:
For I- Day of June 29, 2023, Is it okay to arrive on June 28th (housing is not an issue) just a day early or do you recommend 2-3 days earlier? We are flexible with time. Just trying to see what is best. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Whatever feels right for you and a fun pre-PS mental break for your plebe-to-be.

Some make it a mini-vacation, do the M&M (monuments and museums) stops in DC with a few days in DC, go down to Mt. Vernon for the day, rent bicycles and do the various Potomac River bike paths, visit the National Aquarium and Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, go to a Nationals or Orioles game, head over to the Eastern Shore beaches in DE or MD (my fave: Cape Henlopen, use the “borrow a bike” program and do various park loops, https://destateparks.com/Adventures/Beaches) or the more boardwalk type experience at DE/MD beaches in Ocean City, Rehoboth, Bethany, etc. Eat beach boardwalk food! People-watch! Be far away from the Yard!
Allow a day to wander DTA (downtown Annapolis) on foot and get oriented to the historic downtown area and outlying shopping/dining/hotel clusters.
Bonus points if you find/visit:
Naval Bagels
The Amish Market (Pennsylvania Dutch cooperative market)
Chick ‘n’ Ruth’s Deli
Kilwin’s
Double-T Diner
Iron Rooster
(random cherry-picking of Annapolis favorite places, for residents, mids, families)
Triple bonus: You may need to know this sometime during your 4-year run as a parent, the tiny but well-stocked package store tucked into the back corner of the Walgreen’s on Taylor Ave, no signage out front, same strip mall as Naval Bagels, in the Navy Stadium area.
 
Mav&Kylo said:
For I- Day of June 29, 2023, Is it okay to arrive on June 28th (housing is not an issue) just a day early or do you recommend 2-3 days earlier? We are flexible with time. Just trying to see what is best. Thank you.
Click to expand...
Depends on what you are wanting to do. We arrived Tuesday, did some relaxed things Wednesday (explored an ‘empty’ yard. Set up a NFCU account. Opened our account at the Mid Store - no lines!! Ate a several local favorites we had tagged from SAF suggenstions) at our leisure, and dropped our Mid off on Thursday. I will say, that emotions, anxiousness, worry, excitement, etc are all very real. For all of us, we tried to stay light and cheery. But Iday emotions were always right underneath. Whatever you choose, it wont feel ‘normal’. There will be emotional undertones brewing under the surface, constantly.

Our 1st Mid was great with it all and enjoyed the extra time. Our 2nd, not so much.

There is no one, right answer.

EDIT: Capt MJ’s mini vacation ideas are spot on! Over the years, we have done most of them. We particularly enjoyed her vacation/DE Parks suggestion during Plebe Parents Weekend. Cape Henlopen was a highlight. Our family had not traveled out east before, and went out to PPW on Monday, and did many of her suggestions early during that week. We enjoyed our plebe time during PPW friday-Sunday.
 
Last edited:
Capt MJ said:
Whatever feels right for you and a fun pre-PS mental break for your plebe-to-be.

Some make it a mini-vacation, do the M&M (monuments and museums) stops in DC with a few days in DC, go down to Mt. Vernon for the day, rent bicycles and do the various Potomac River bike paths, visit the National Aquarium and Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, go to a Nationals or Orioles game, head over to the Eastern Shore beaches in DE or MD (my fave: Cape Henlopen, use the “borrow a bike” program and do various park loops, https://destateparks.com/Adventures/Beaches) or the more boardwalk type experience at DE/MD beaches in Ocean City, Rehoboth, Bethany, etc. Eat beach boardwalk food! People-watch! Be far away from the Yard!
Allow a day to wander DTA (downtown Annapolis) on foot and get oriented to the historic downtown area and outlying shopping/dining/hotel clusters.
Bonus points if you find/visit:
Naval Bagels
The Amish Market (Pennsylvania Dutch cooperative market)
Chick ‘n’ Ruth’s Deli
Kilwin’s
Double-T Diner
Iron Rooster
(random cherry-picking of Annapolis favorite places, for residents, mids, families)
Triple bonus: You may need to know this sometime during your 4-year run as a parent, the tiny but well-stocked package store tucked into the back corner of the Walgreen’s on Taylor Ave, no signage out front, same strip mall as Naval Bagels, in the Navy Stadium area.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this! We went to Annapolis for the first time last yr to drop off DS in Summer Seminar. We only stayed one night, just enough to do a tour of the Academy, and walk DTA. This time we are arriving on Monday to do all the touristy stuff; museums in DC, wonder in DTA. We love to try “hole in the wall” kinda restaurants when we travel. I copied and pasted your list in my “things to try in Annapolis” notes 😝
 
+10 to suggestions from @Capt MJ and @justdoit19. The P2B will no doubt be a wash of emotions, both positive and negative, likely simmering just below the surface. So be careful that you don’t schedule too many activities. A well-paced official tour of the Yard, or even just an easy stroll, is good. Same with DTA. An early stop at the Amish Market, before the midday crush, is always rewarding.

We spent some time in DC, but it’s “old stomping grounds” for DW and I, so not our first time there. That allowed us to be more relaxed, not feeling the need to check off all the M&M boxes. The revamped Washington Harbor area was great for dinner and a free outdoor concert, and we also hit a Nationals game that was cut short by a thunderstorm. The night before I-Day was DD’s 18th birthday, but we kept it simple knowing she was at that point a bundle of nerves. All in all, a good prelude to drop-off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top