Michael, thanks so much for answering questions. My DD is going to be a rook this fall. I have so many questions. The rook packing list looks like we are going to need a U-haul but the vibe of the whole arrival day sounds minimalist.
1. Can you describe what rook arrival is like? For instance, she wants to play club ice-hockey...so she is going to arrive as a rook with all these school supplies, linens, cleaning supplies, room supplies, hockey gear (goalie pads, big bag, sticks). Is there a time where parents can help them get all the stuff into the barracks? Is there a "pre-arrival time" before she is in the rook arrival uniform to check in?
2. Is the iPad and a keyboard sufficient or should we get a separate laptop? MAC or Windows friendly campus?
3. Ironing board...full size or something else?
4. Linen Service or not?
5. Does she need to contact her desired ROTC branch and get established prior to getting there or do you choose after arrival.
6. Her goal is to commission in the Marines. If she chooses a Marine specific boot that has the Marine EGA imprinted on it will that get her in trouble?
Alright, I'll answer this as best as I can.
1) Rook Arrival - as the time comes closer to August 20th, there will be a schedule of that day's events. There will be a certain time for arrival, in which you will have a specified time where you come to campus, and move your stuff in, your DD will be issued, her Rook Cover, Name tapes, Rook Book, etc. You should just take the time to drop off the bags in her room, and not bother emptying anything out, as that will be figured out once you leave your DD with the cadre, and throughout Rook Week.
After this, you'll have a set amount of time to walk around campus, you will can be with her around this time. I believe it is around 1200 or 1300, where you will be directed to Shapiro Field-House, and there will be certain things that occur, before you say your final goodbyes, and leave your DD with the cadre, and you will not hear from her till, at least till Rook Week is over.
2) I would HIGHLY recommend another laptop, as usually the iPad isn't enough - the campus is friendly for both Mac, and Windows, but take such factors as major into consideration, such as if she is a CSIA major, I would recommend a Windows device.
3) For the Ironing board... I've been able to use both the full-size, and a table top, although I only brought a table-size since I had to fly to Vermont from Indiana. Overall, post-Rook Week, I recommend a full-size, it'll just make your life easier, and you can also share with roommates, so I had only 1, and it was split amongst 3 Roommates.
4) DO NOT bother with the linen service, I am not familiar with a single person who purchased the service, as it is quite the waste of money. DD can simply wash and dry the sheets, and whatnot using the laundry room.
5) Contacting her ROTC branch isn't really necessary, in-terms of before arrival, I only did, simply to clear up some questions I had prior to arrival. There should have been sent a form, or at least indicated what branch DD plans to pursue on the original application to NU.
- I would make sure she does her research on if she plans to pursue PLC, or the NROTC Batallion (they're quite different in retrospect)
6) Wearing the EGA, on the boots, isn't really a problem, I know of individuals who are also pursuing a USMC Commission who aren't contracted yet, but they still wear the EGA boots. It's really just a personal preference, like for myself pursuing USMC, I did not choose to wear EGA boots. I entertained the idea of earning the right to wear something as symbolic as the EGA!
I hope this answers your questions! Feel free to reach out more if needed. You can also Private Message me, or I can call as well!
Feel free to really use me as a resource, as I will be leaving to bootcamp for USMC Reserves, in July now, and I won't be back on campus till January next year!