Parents Weekend - Is it required?

RedLeaderRed1 said:
Yeah i've been reading the comments recently and my relationship with literally my entire family isn't very bright. Once I get out of high school and get into USNA or ROTC (hopefully academy ideally), that's when I plan to just cut contact, get all my stuff out of my room and move it into some storage locker in Annapolis, and avoid them entirely so that they don't have to deal with me anymore. Yes, call me out on it saying its disownment or whatever, but I don't think they'll ever wanna hear me or see my face again after hearing their thoughts onto me from countless beratements.

So it's not really why they wouldn't attend, it's why I wouldn't attend, since I don't think they'll be able to handle me for another moment in their house. But hey, I've gone to candidate visit weekend a few months ago and I don't know if I've seen it through rose colored glasses but the lifestyle quality looks enough for me to be happy. Hopefully yeah I can go out on liberty with future shipmates from the regiment, but only time will tell :/
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I would still encourage an invite for them. Plebe Summer is hard and the best part for me was seeing my family and showing them everything that I had gone through. Maybe they'll see a difference or realize something. If not, please lean on classmates and your chain of command. Feel free to also pm if you need support or have questions abt academy lifestyle.
 
RedLeaderRed1 said:
Yeah i've been reading the comments recently and my relationship with literally my entire family isn't very bright. Once I get out of high school and get into USNA or ROTC (hopefully academy ideally), that's when I plan to just cut contact, get all my stuff out of my room and move it into some storage locker in Annapolis, and avoid them entirely so that they don't have to deal with me anymore. Yes, call me out on it saying its disownment or whatever, but I don't think they'll ever wanna hear me or see my face again after hearing their thoughts onto me from countless beratements.

So it's not really why they wouldn't attend, it's why I wouldn't attend, since I don't think they'll be able to handle me for another moment in their house. But hey, I've gone to candidate visit weekend a few months ago and I don't know if I've seen it through rose colored glasses but the lifestyle quality looks enough for me to be happy. Hopefully yeah I can go out on liberty with future shipmates from the regiment, but only time will tell :/
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Did you go to the CVW without your family's support? I still hope that you can change your mind about your family.
 
Luke Gs Dad said:
Unless you are having issues with your parents, why not have them come? It will be nice to have the support, especially afteer youe Plebe summer and right before school starts.
As a parent I hope you would reconsider.
Good luck.
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Best advise!
 
RedLeaderRed1 said:
Yeah i've been reading the comments recently and my relationship with literally my entire family isn't very bright. Once I get out of high school and get into USNA or ROTC (hopefully academy ideally), that's when I plan to just cut contact, get all my stuff out of my room and move it into some storage locker in Annapolis, and avoid them entirely so that they don't have to deal with me anymore. Yes, call me out on it saying its disownment or whatever, but I don't think they'll ever wanna hear me or see my face again after hearing their thoughts onto me from countless beratements.

So it's not really why they wouldn't attend, it's why I wouldn't attend, since I don't think they'll be able to handle me for another moment in their house. But hey, I've gone to candidate visit weekend a few months ago and I don't know if I've seen it through rose colored glasses but the lifestyle quality looks enough for me to be happy. Hopefully yeah I can go out on liberty with future shipmates from the regiment, but only time will tell :/
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... so I'm calling out that first paragraph. That's the reason why the U.S. active military members are commiting suicide at an alarming rate: 30,177 have died by suicide from 9/11 to 2021. In 2022, 331 Active Duty suicides, compared with 328 in 2021.

Of the 2022 deaths, 45% behavioral health diagnosis, 42% relationship problems, 26% difficulties at work, 10% financial problems, 26% legal problems, according to DOD report.
 
RedLeaderRed1 said:
I plan to just cut contact, get all my stuff out of my room and move it into some storage locker in Annapolis, and avoid them entirely so that they don't have to deal with me anymore
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I'm not gonna comment on your reasons, you got yours. But if this is what you want to do, it's very doable. Roommates and I stashed stuff out in town at a Public Storage. You can figure it out.
 
In addition to what has been said with support from your chain of command…the USNA chaplains would also be a resource that you could talk with in your specific situation…there is no judgement, they are active listeners, can help you chart a course, and have confidentiality if you don’t want to disclose any or all of the details to others. If you receive an appointment, I would strongly recommend you speak with one…their assistance might be beneficial beyond just PPW. Just know there is always a support structure around!
 
My suggestion based on what I know through the short time my plebe has been there - if you do not have parents or others there, do not hesitate to hitch a social ride with anyone. My son hangs with his sponsor family and the sponsor family of his friends as often as he can. You will not be considered a third wheel and are not putting anyone out by communicating your lack of support or taking people up on their offers. And it ain't a pity party either... People will want to help and you'll want to take them up on it, whether you know it or not. Frankly, if you mention your situation to damn near any USNA family or other resource you come in contact with, you're going to get adopted (whether for that day, weekend, year, etc) without much say in it! You haven't experienced it yet, but there's very much a "Your Mid is my Mid" mentality in the USNA community... And it's f'n awesome.
 
RedLeaderRed1 said:
I am a USNA Class of 2028 candidate who has researched initial plebe summer and the following academic year, and I am wondering about the post plebe summer break “Parents Weekend” - is it required that 4C midshipmen participate in the Parents Weekend break before the academic year starts?

If I do have a choice on whether I want to participate or not, will USNA send my family a letter not to come to Annapolis? And what will I be doing instead?
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Well unless things changed, if you are a plebe you will be on the yard for Parents Weekend. Whether or not your parents come is completely up to you and them.
My parents were from the Midwest and couldn’t come. For me that was just fine since I had already served two years in the Marine Corps. I saw a good number of classmates go through the separation blues all over again like on I-day.
If you get accepted into the class of 2028 just do what works for you. Everyone has different needs.
 
To my fellow parents on this thread, with all the love and respect, we are here bc we are highly invested in our students’ journeys. As someone who did not have that kind of support, please know that not every student has the support they deserve, and having family there could very well be quite detrimental to their wellbeing. Although well-intended, encouraging someone in this situation to continue putting themselves into an emotionally unsafe situation just creates further heartache and can highlight all they don’t have. Let’s trust this candidate to know what is best for them - they are clearly a great young adult if they have made it this far in the process on their own!
 
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