Parents Weekend - Is it required?

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RedLeaderRed1

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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?
 
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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... question:

Did you get an official appointment at the United States Naval Academy (USNA)?
 
No, your parents are not required to attend any USNA event, nor will they be invited to attend by anyone other than you. This includes I-Day, PPW, 2/C Parents Weekend, and all of commissioning week.

USNA can arrange travel for you from your home of record and lodge you in Bancroft Hall prior to I-Day, generally the day before.

During the brief pause on I-Day, the detailers will generally just leave you alone. Hang out in the grass for a bit and maybe meet some of your classmates and their families.

During PPW, the detailers will also leave you alone in Bancroft, but you'll have some town liberty and will be able to go around Annapolis. You are welcome to return to Bancroft at night throughout the weekend.

Although many would not recommend it, MIDN are always welcome to live in Bancroft during any leave or holiday period.
 
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severn said:
... question:

Did you get an official appointment at the United States Naval Academy (USNA)?
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No, Im still awaiting status but I just want to ask questions on the forms here so that when I do ask questions it’s not about the fine details but other topics
 
There really isn't anything for you to "participate in" for PPW, other than leaving the Yard for some time on the weekend to spend with your family or friends. There are no official invitations - but if you did not want someone to come, you'd have to tell them yourself. You would be able to spend time alone in Bancroft or go with another Plebe's family, if invited, to dinner in town or something.
 
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.
 
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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I agree. For me as a parent, it was one of the best weekends for my family ever.
 
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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You will want to get off the yard, regardless of your familial relationships/situation. But guess what??? You will also have new “family”: your shipmates. Someone will scoop you up and call you family, if you wish. Most likely one of your company brothers or sisters. And any family would welcome you for those days. Or several families.

Alternatively, if you think it’s too big of an ask for your parents to attend? They most likely will want to go, if they can. It’s honestly one of the top events of my life (I’m a mom). Seeing my boys after missing them, proud of their growth and excited to see what they have accomplished in a few ‘short’ weeks.

You also won’t be the only one without parents attending. There are foreign members, plebes with parents living overseas, parents without the ability to attend, etc etc. So no worries there.

Lastly, you will have a sponsor parent by then, if you sign up for the program (highly recommend…it’s a little oasis for small reprieve in crazyville over the 4 yrs!!). And I would actually note on the application that you don’t have parents involved (if that’s the case) and I would suspect the program administrator can make sure there is a good match for you. Potentially your sponsor parents could host you for those days (you meet them before Iday, and you could inquire).

Once you turn 18, you are an adult. USNA will not divulge ANYTHING (cap lock for emphasis. Not yelling) you do not authorize. Period. Much to the frustration of some parents. No medical. No grades. No general info if a parent email is not included. Nothing. But, USNA is one of the top places to visit, and it’s open to the public (with proper ID, and during visiting hours). Many areas are off limits (ie: Bancroft Hall). So you couldn’t necessarily prevent your parents from attending. Lots of places to hide from them, however. No need to divulge your situation, here, but any family situation can be managed by you. No worries, there!

Good luck on that appointmnet!!
 
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hopefulmama1218 said:
Thanks for saying this. I do feel sometimes its hard to ask questions, worst some will reply in caps lock, like why? it feels like someone screaming at you. Be kind folks, avoid caps lock pls!
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FYI (not yelling): caps lock isn't necessarily ’not being kind’. Many people 🙋‍♀️ use them for emphasis (of important info). Not to be mean. Or to yell. I find this forum to be one of the most respectful places on the internet, actually.
 
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nuensis said:
No, your parents are not required to attend any USNA event, nor will they be invited to attend by anyone other than you. This includes I-Day, PPW, 2/C Parents Weekend, and all of commissioning week.
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Just to pick at a nit... parents' 2/C PW invite actually does come from the class president, and not individual MIDN. Obviously, without the MIDN's support, it would be pointless going. (No meal, no classes, no Bancroft access, etc)

For OP, I agree regarding sponsor. If your family is unable to attend or you would prefer them not, the sponsor family program is amazing and hopefully they are available that weekend. Most MIDNs want to spend a few hours of reprieve without looking over shoulder or worrying about X, Y or Z. Also, Class of 24 didnt have a PPW. They got 3 hours to chill in room and facetime. They survived.
 
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 after your Plebe summer and right before school starts.
As a parent I hope you would reconsider.
Good luck.
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The OP could very well be a candidate that I recently did a BGO interview with.
Whether it is this specific candidate or not, please recognize that there are candidates for whom parental attendance at PPW would not be a positive thing.
 
This ^^

We do not know the personal history of each of the candidates on a public forum. As we saw last year, there was a Plebe who was unsure what to do and if to report for PS with examples of lack of family support. The forum backed them up incredibly and provided positive resources for them to have the chance to succeed. Let's use that same mentality with others.
 
justme said:
Just to pick at a nit... parents' 2/C PW invite actually does come from the class president, and not individual MIDN. Obviously, without the MIDN's support, it would be pointless going. (No meal, no classes, no Bancroft access, etc)
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The class president will not have contact information unless you provide it.

ParachutePanda said:
I would also say to let your detailer know when it comes to this point. They may be able to help you out and get a family.
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Good detailers and upperclassmen just want their Plebes to be successful. Don't hesitate to communicate with them.
 
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justme said:
Just to pick at a nit... parents' 2/C PW invite actually does come from the class president, and not individual MIDN. Obviously, without the MIDN's support, it would be pointless going. (No meal, no classes, no Bancroft access, etc)

For OP, I agree regarding sponsor. If your family is unable to attend or you would prefer them not, the sponsor family program is amazing and hopefully they are available that weekend. Most MIDNs want to spend a few hours of reprieve without looking over shoulder or worrying about X, Y or Z. Also, Class of 24 didnt have a PPW. They got 3 hours to chill in room and facetime. They survived.
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... so looking forward to 2/C Parents Weekend and formal parades {and '26 graduation}. Maybe this should be in '26 rollercoaster commiserate thread :)
Wearing Dress Blues, checking off bucket list items.😎
 
My question (which the OP need not answer on a public forum) is why your parents would not attend. If they are not able to due to financial reasons, health reasons, etc., then fully agree that you will be able to "get away from USNA" with your sponsors or family of a roommate, etc. Trust those of us who've been there, you absolutely will want to get off the yard, eat "real" food, use social media, etc. PPW is a "reward" for plebes as much as an opportunity for parents.

If there are different concerns, such as your parents aren't supportive of your attending a SA, the above is still true. Perhaps invite them and let them make their own decisions.

If there's some reason you don't think they should come or don't want them to come, I still lean toward inviting them with the caveat that you know your parents better than anyone else.

Finally, the attendees need not be your parents, despite the term PPW. Could be grandparents, favorite aunt or uncle, close family friends, etc. Could even be a BF/GF. There may be limits on whether you can ride in a car with someone who's not a relative (someone else would need to weigh in), but you certainly can do things out in town with anyone you choose.

I STILL remember PPW more than 42 years ago. :eek2: Figure out whether there's anyone in your life with whom you'd enjoy spending the time at PPW. If no one, then go the sponsor/friend's family approach.
 
usna1985 said:
My question (which the OP need not answer on a public forum) is why your parents would not attend. If they are not able to due to financial reasons, health reasons, etc., then fully agree that you will be able to "get away from USNA" with your sponsors or family of a roommate, etc. Trust those of us who've been there, you absolutely will want to get off the yard, eat "real" food, use social media, etc. PPW is a "reward" for plebes as much as an opportunity for parents.

If there are different concerns, such as your parents aren't supportive of your attending a SA, the above is still true. Perhaps invite them and let them make their own decisions.

If there's some reason you don't think they should come or don't want them to come, I still lean toward inviting them with the caveat that you know your parents better than anyone else.

Finally, the attendees need not be your parents, despite the term PPW. Could be grandparents, favorite aunt or uncle, close family friends, etc. Could even be a BF/GF. There may be limits on whether you can ride in a car with someone who's not a relative (someone else would need to weigh in), but you certainly can do things out in town with anyone you choose.

I STILL remember PPW more than 42 years ago. :eek2: Figure out whether there's anyone in your life with whom you'd enjoy spending the time at PPW. If no one, then go the sponsor/friend's family approach.
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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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