Post-Appointment Class of 2027 Hangout: PTR, I-Day, What To Bring, Leave Periods…all that endless new stuff

[Capt MJ]

Appointees and supporting parents, here is a place to ask those burning questions which come up every year, and you are just not feeling Search mode.

Here’s a link to a vintage thread, which may still have some usable nuggets:
Thread 'Handy Links for Appointees & Parents'
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/handy-links-for-appointees-parents.65672/


And go find the “Rollercoaster” series of threads, especially the plebe year one.

 

[ajaymoni]

Thank you Capt MJ! This is very helpful. Do you know know or if anyone knows whether there is ANY flexibility in reporting on I-Day? I assume there is none. We booked an international trip a while ago and the return date in June 29. It is likely that we will have to cancel the trip if I-Day is indeed on June 29 but the cancelation costs are pretty steep. Just asking for any insights. Thanks in advance.

 

[justdoit19]

No flexibility, and 99pct sure it’s June 29.

 

[Capt MJ]

Thank you Capt MJ! This is very helpful. Do you know know or if anyone knows whether there is ANY flexibility in reporting on I-Day? I assume there is none. We booked an international trip a while ago and the return date in June 29. It is likely that we will have to cancel the trip if I-Day is indeed on June but the cancelation costs are pretty steep. Just asking for any insights. Thanks in advance.

Induction Day is the day the Class of 2027 will be inducted into the Navy as midshipmen, and all records, pay, benefits, admin start dates will be that day, and he will start training with classmates. The entire point is the class experiences everything together. I doubt there is any flexibility. His PTR is essentially his orders to report for induction into military service, and for the next minimum of 9 years, his active duty life will be governed by orders and mandatory dates and actions. They would not arrange his own individual report in day and plan catch-up assignments and an individual oath ceremony. He will be treated as an adult from that day on.

Of course, I am an unofficial opinion, but as with many other active duty and veteran members of the site, we have a clear understanding of the expectation.

The only exception I could think of would be a death of a sibling or parent, and discussions would be had with Admissions as to whether it would be deferral for a year with an LOA or a special, exceptional humanitarian circumstances late report.

Your son can always call Admissions for an official opinion - they understand military service norms can be baffling.

This is all said with kindness and compassion. Your son’s life is about to change in a staggering way, and there will be secondary and tertiary impacts.

 

[justdoit19]

Thank you Capt MJ! This is very helpful. Do you know know or if anyone knows whether there is ANY flexibility in reporting on I-Day? I assume there is none. We booked an international trip a while ago and the return date in June 29. It is likely that we will have to cancel the trip if I-Day is indeed on June 29 but the cancelation costs are pretty steep. Just asking for any insights. Thanks in advance.

Another option, would be to still go, and let your son report on his own. Lots of kids do that every year. @Heatherg21 is a SAF member whose son did exactly that. Others on here have their ‘back in my day’ stories of reporting alone.

Having gone through reporting twice, with two, it’s not the end of the world to miss. Only you can decide that. It’s a pretty neat day, but I suspect it will be streamed as it’s been in the past.

PPW will be the one to not miss, where you will actually spend quality time with him. Iday, is a short amount after the Oath. Otherwise, it’s a day without him. And things you would do that day, you can do on any visit to the Yard.

Only you can decide. But it’s not out of the question to still go on that trip.

 

[ajaymoni]

Induction Day is the day the Class of 2027 will be inducted into the Navy as midshipmen, and all records, pay, benefits, admin start dates will be that day, and he will start training with classmates. The entire point is the class experiences everything together. I doubt there is any flexibility. His PTR is essentially his orders to report for induction into military service, and for the next minimum of 9 years, his active duty life will be governed by orders and mandatory dates and actions. They would not arrange his own individual report in day and plan catch-up assignments and an individual oath ceremony. He will be treated as an adult from that day on.

Of course, I am an unofficial opinion, but as with many other active duty and veteran members of the site, we have a clear understanding of the expectation.

The only exception I could think of would be a death of a sibling or parent, and discussions would be had with Admissions as to whether it would be deferral for a year with an LOA or a special, exceptional humanitarian circumstances late report.

Your son can always call Admissions for an official opinion - they understand military service norms can be baffling.

This is all said with kindness and compassion. Your son’s life is about to change in a staggering way, and there will be secondary and tertiary impacts.

I am so grateful to you Capt MJ for your detailed and thoughtful response.

 

[ajaymoni]

Another option, would be to still go, and let your son report on his own. Lots of kids do that every year. @Heatherg21 is a SAF member whose son did exactly that. Others on here have their ‘back in my day’ stories of reporting alone.

Having gone through reporting twice, with two, it’s not the end of the world to miss. Only you can decide that. It’s a pretty neat day, but I suspect it will be streamed as it’s been in the past.

PPW will be the one to not miss, where you will actually spend quality time with him. Iday, is a short amount after the Oath. Otherwise, it’s a day without him. And things you would do that day, you can do on any visit to the Yard.

Only you can decide. But it’s not out of the question to still go on that trip.

Thank you justdoit19. This is our only DS (younger sibling, the older one is already in college) who will attend USNA so we certainly do not want to miss I-Day experience. Money will come and go but the experience will remain with us for the rest of our life. I would not trade it for anything else. Thank you!!!

 

[justdoit19]

I would add, should a decision be made to request an exception, or make a call, this it be DS’s decision to do so. And that he make the inquiries.

And to consider, that there may be ‘unofficial’ consequences/banter IF an accommodation is made (no idea, but a detailer knowing Jimmy/julie got to report late bc of a vacation might have unintended results). Plebe summer, you only want to blend in with the masses…..

 

[usna1985]

Maybe everyone could return from your trip a few day early.

The ONLY reason I could possibly see I-Day reporting waived would be something entirely outside of the plebe’s control. For example, being required to testify at a criminal trial or unexpected death of a parent or sibling that day or day before. Or an act of God, such as COVID.

 

[ajaymoni]

Yes, jusdoit19 and usna1985, these are key factors in making such a key decision. We will likely cancel the trip or try to return a couple of days earlier. The airline does not seem to allow any exceptions when modifying the trip either. Oh well.....that's how life goes! Thanks!!

 

[Luke Gs Dad]

Thank you justdoit19. This is our only DS (younger sibling, the older one is already in college) who will attend USNA so we certainly do not want to miss I-Day experience. Money will come and go but the experience will remain with us for the rest of our life. I would not trade it for anything else. Thank you!!!

Could you come back a couple days earlier?
I am sure you thought this through.
Just asking.

 

[justdoit19]

Yes, jusdoit19 and usna1985, these are key factors in making such a key decision. We will likely cancel the trip or try to return a couple of days earlier. The airline does not seem to allow any exceptions when modifying the trip either. Oh well.....that's how life goes! Thanks!!

What about when he has his PTR? His military orders to report? Maybe you could speak to a supervisor and try that route?

 

[ajaymoni]

Could you come back a couple days earlier?
I am sure you thought this through.
Just asking.

Yes, we can come back a couple of days earlier but the trip modification is costing around $1000.

 

[ajaymoni]

What about when he has his PTR? His military orders to report? Maybe you could speak to a supervisor and try that route?

We are waiting to receive his PTR. His BFE should be coming this week. Does that include PTR? We are new to this so don't know.

 

[LST271]

We are waiting to receive his PTR. His BFE should be coming this week. Does that include PTR? We are new to this so don't know.

The PTR is separate from the BFE. If I recall the PTR is released in early May via his portal and it will include a lot of information that he'll need to know about what is expected on I-Day. I'm new to this too and my son is in the class of 2026. Believe me not only is his life going to change but your family life is going to change too.

 

[MidCakePa]

Yes, we can come back a couple of days earlier but the trip modification is costing around $1000.

On one hand, that’s a substantial amount. If it’s indeed a financial hardship, then as others above have said, missing I-Day is not the end of the world. PPW in many ways is more poignant and meaningful.

On the other hand, your DS is about to save someone from paying an exorbitant amount — give or take, depending on Plan B — in college costs. So in that context, $1000 isn’t very much. Of course, with all financial and emotional issues, YMMV.

 

[ajaymoni]

On one hand, that’s a substantial amount. If it’s indeed a financial hardship, then as others above have said, missing I-Day is not the end of the world. PPW in many ways is more poignant and meaningful.

On the other hand, your DS is about to save someone from paying an exorbitant amount — give or take, depending on Plan B — in college costs. So in that context, $1000 isn’t very much. Of course, with all financial and emotional issues, YMMV.

Agree 100%. Thanks!

 

[penguin05]

An I-Day prep tip - recommendation to keep an extra copy of I-day paperwork at home, preferably in electronic format. Lots of things get turned in on I-day and sometimes extra copies/flash drives get misplaced. It will save a lot of time if there is a copy at home that can be sent if needed, especially the clearance form,

 

[Rach3]

Yes, we can come back a couple of days earlier but the trip modification is costing around $1000.

I would say that's $1,000 well spent, though I realize it's still a difficult decision to make.

 

[usna1985]

The other thing to keep in mind . . . in a military career, be it short or long, military members will miss more than a few important life events. No one likes it, but it goes with the territory. That's why -- as you going forward with DS in the military-- make sure any tickets for him or where he is a mandatory / desired participant are refundable or be prepared to lose your money (recognizing the plans under discussion were made prior to USNA acceptance).