Plebe Parents Weekend

Hello All!

This is my first post, although I've been following for months. I am trying to make arrangements for PPW2019. I have read the various threads and there seems to be differing opinions regarding where to stay, ie. within walking distance or away. I have tentative reservations at a VRBO within walking distance of gate 1 (and gate 3, but farther) and at a beach house about 10mins away.

I am hoping to hear from someone with recent PPW experience. Many say it is a nightmare trying to get plebes back to the yard each night, but I've heard from others that it is fine. I think DD would appreciate the serenity of the beach house for the few hours she's there. Also wondering if they use gate 1 or 3 to enter upon returning each night.

Appreciate any input!

You can’t go wrong with either location. Let your P2B pick, and plan transit times accordingly.

Do you have a military ID? Gate 8 is the 24-hour gate, and you can avoid the DTA (Downtown Annapolis) carjams on the roundabouts and one-way roads. Slip in Gate 8, go a few blocks, and Bancroft is right there. USNA is very compact.
Yup, I always use Gate 8 for comings & goings to get around the traffic at Gate 1.
As a Mid, Gate 8 was fine to get in and out in my car before we were even authorized cars. The (then) Jimmylegs manning the gate didn't seem to care much and as long as you were an hour or more before liberty expiration, you could get in or out without disciplinary action. The first time I left my car parked overnite in the Midstore lot was unnerving but it was never an issue.
 
Speaking of Gate #1, saw this yesterday. Oopsies! Wonder how often this happens?IMG_5399.JPG
 
Ah. Those work rather well, don't they? Look at the chains on those things.

I am such a creature of habit, It never occurred to me to enter in Gate 8. I have left via Gate 8 many times, but I always enter through Gate 1. I don't know why.
 
Speaking of Gate #1, saw this yesterday. Oopsies! Wonder how often this happens?View attachment 2213

Funny story, I was visiting USNA several years ago - I was taking my daughter on a DC/Baltimore college visit trip, so we stopped in Annapolis for the evening. I was driving onto the yard for the first time since they enhanced security post 9-11. I wasn't paying attention (long day visiting schools in DC), so when turned into Gate One, I drove straight toward the guard shack instead of pulling off to the side where they check IDs, inspect cars etc. Bottom line, I was going in the out lane..and heading straight for the guard shack like a mad suicide bomber. (Okay, I was going slow, but you get the point). I quickly realized that that I had royally screwed up, and raised my hands before they had the chance to draw their sidearms., they had me pull to the side and essentially strip searched the car while I apologized profusely and tried to explain that I was simply a dumb a$$ old grad that was simply entering the way I had done so many times before.
 
Hello All!

I am hoping to hear from someone with recent PPW experience... Appreciate any input!

Getting back to Army2USNA's question...

We attended PPW last year and decided the house in town was the way to go being that it offered the greatest flexibility. Some Plebes just want to sleep. Some want to get back to civilization. Our DS wanted some of each. This is the first opportunity the Plebes have off the Yard since I-day so many are happy to be able to walk around DTA.

Make sure you attend the PEP session Friday morning if you can. It's well worth the early wake up.
 
I visit DD when work has me in WashDC. I always use Gate 8....... ALWAYS. No drive through DT Annapolis, never any wait.

Siri likes to send me to Gate 1 when asked for "Gate 8 USNA" so.........

Coming into town on Rowe BLVD from BWI (and I think Regan Int DC); take a left on Taylor; GO PAST the "USNA Gate" sign that wants you to turn right on King George Street [= back to Gate 1 :( ]; Take the second right AFTER King George St. ----Bingo-Bango-Bongo ...Gate 8.

NOTE: 1) I have always had a green card (ID issued to MID parents) for my visits: 2) Never tried Gate 8 during PPW or I-Day or 2c weekend. It could be that Gate 8 is not an option for high traffic civi-event weekends.

Congratulations to the Parents of USNA CL2023. Now, please take a deep breath and congratulate yourself on the fine parenting job you did;upload_2019-4-24_11-56-43.pngM--Kay?
 

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Gate 8 is at the junction of MD Route 450 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd and Bowyer Rd., the road inside USNA terminating at Gate 8.

Coming into Annapolis on Rowe Blvd, (pronounced to rhyme with “how” not “slow” if you are local), the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will be on your right, bounded by Farragut at one end and Taylor Ave on the other.

Turn LEFT on Taylor Ave.

Turn RIGHT on Balt-Annapolis Blvd.


Continue on Balt-Annapolis, going past King George St. (runs outside the Yard straight past Gate 3 and terminates at Gate 1).

- Turn right into Gate 8. That is the 24-hour gate for military ID card holders. I do not know what current policy is for the various forms of ID given to parents and sponsors.


To get to the NEX, Commissary, golf course, Brigade Sports Center, Navy Lodge, continue past Gate 8 on Balt-Annapolis Blvd over the Severn River Bridge. Take the very first right, follow it around to where it splits between Kincaud Rd (NEX, Commissary, Navy Lodge, Naval Support Activity Gate) and Greenbury Pt Rd (golf course, BSC, etc.).
 
Gate 8 is at the junction of MD Route 450 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd and Bowyer Rd., the road inside USNA terminating at Gate 8.

Coming into Annapolis on Rowe Blvd, (pronounced to rhyme with “how” not “slow” if you are local), the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will be on your right, bounded by Farragut at one end and Taylor Ave on the other.

Turn LEFT on Taylor Ave.

Turn RIGHT on Balt-Annapolis Blvd.


Continue on Balt-Annapolis, going past King George St. (runs outside the Yard straight past Gate 3 and terminates at Gate 1).

- Turn right into Gate 8. That is the 24-hour gate for military ID card holders. I do not know what current policy is for the various forms of ID given to parents and sponsors.


To get to the NEX, Commissary, golf course, Brigade Sports Center, Navy Lodge, continue past Gate 8 on Balt-Annapolis Blvd over the Severn River Bridge. Take the very first right, follow it around to where it splits between Kincaud Rd (NEX, Commissary, Navy Lodge, Naval Support Activity Gate) and Greenbury Pt Rd (golf course, BSC, etc.).

Thank you all - great info! Speaking of habits...it will be quite a change to now cheer, "Go Navy, Beat Army!"
 
Thank you all - great info! Speaking of habits...it will be quite a change to now cheer, "Go Navy, Beat Army!"[/QUOTE]

Might I suggest "Go Army, Go Navy!" As a USMA grad and proud parent of a 2023 plebe, that's about the best I can muster!
 
Does anyone know how a family can help host a few plebes who don't have parents coming up for PPW? We plan on getting a good-sized place with plenty of room for BBQ-ing and relaxing in the back. (For full disclosure I was one of the cadets who was regularly adopted by other folks during my time at USMA, so it's payback time!) Go Army, Go Navy!
 
By the time PPW comes around, you will have sent letters back and forth and even talked on the phone 3 or 4 times with your Plebe.
Your Plebe will know who isn't going to have family there, and can invite a few if you like. More than likely you will know their names before you meet them.
 
Does anyone know how a family can help host a few plebes who don't have parents coming up for PPW? We plan on getting a good-sized place with plenty of room for BBQ-ing and relaxing in the back. (For full disclosure I was one of the cadets who was regularly adopted by other folks during my time at USMA, so it's payback time!) Go Army, Go Navy!

Task your plebe to lasso up some orphans and bring them along. There will undoubtedly be some in his platoon. Give him a target number. No one will worry or need special permission that particular weekend, because plebes can’t get into too much trouble with any set of parents. All plebes will have the same liberty hours, regardless of family attendance. They can spend it with whom they wish, or take the bus to the Mall, watch a movie, eat their way through the Food Court, solo.

It’s a great intro to the military traditions of hospitality to offer to do that. Tell your son he has a mission of servant leadership!
 
Thanks, Capt MJ - words of wisdom for sure. We reserved a "big ol' place" via HomeAway and will pack the house with a bunch of folks in need of some R&R! As a side note to other parents who plan on going up but haven't made reservations yet...you need to get on it! Decent flight rates are going fast, hotels/rentals are filling up (only 25% availability when we pulled the trigger yesterday). I wouldn't wait much longer, folks!
 
After a quick search, I was unable to find the schedule for Sunday, August 11 for PPW. I need to decide ASAP how late I should plan on staying Sunday. Need to get another kid off to school later that day, or possibly evening. TIA.
 
After a quick search, I was unable to find the schedule for Sunday, August 11 for PPW. I need to decide ASAP how late I should plan on staying Sunday. Need to get another kid off to school later that day, or possibly evening. TIA.

If my memory serves me correctly, they had to be back by 6pm. But that’s my memory. And it can change. And you also have to allow for dropping off. TRAFFIC!! So ours was dropped off at 5 ( again, my memory of a year ago...).

Did you look on their website? Under parent I information? I would think by now it would be out. Or in a schedule in your BFE.
 
Thanks - the schedule isn't posted yet. I'm wondering if there are any activities I would be missing Sunday. I want to spend as much time with me plebe, but may need to leave as soon as I check out of the hotel.
 
Thanks - the schedule isn't posted yet. I'm wondering if there are any activities I would be missing Sunday. I want to spend as much time with me plebe, but may need to leave as soon as I check out of the hotel.

Your time away from the yard, with your plebe, is your time. We went to Mass at the chapel together and then left the yard. Spent the day together. Dropped him off and headed out of town from there. Nothing is scheduled Sunday evening.
 
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