R-Day question

[jebdad]

Never thought I would admit it, but shopping therapy did wonders for this Dad. Left my wife and rest of the family behind while bringing out our cadet candidate, so it can be a long lonely day when you are use to having the rest of the gang to hang with. A trip to the Cadet Chapel can help quiet the soul and if Fort Putnam is open - highly recommend a trip up there to walk around and experience some history and take in the great territorial views. You would be surprised how much time you spend chatting with other parents in lines, at the Brief, while waiting for the R Day Parade in the bleachers. Connecting with other parents can also prove to be very therapeutic on this emotionally charged day.

We kept it to immediate family - but that is really dependent on the health and closeness of other family members. We were glad we did as its tough to look after Grandma and Grandpa if they need a little extra attention on a day like that.

Definitely an emotionally charged day. This was our oldest, so it was hard to leave WP after that day, but we knew we were coming back on A Day. As emotional as R Day was, leaving on A Day was by far the most emotional. For R Day, it was almost as if we were dropping them off for camp - knowing you would be back in six weeks. Leaving after A Day - sheesh! Life was never going to be the same. That was one of the most emotional days of my life as a parent.

 

[MilitaryMama]

Thank you for that suggestion, @bookreader. We will have to check the times for the service during the day. I know his Dad and I would appreciate meeting the Chaplin and other parents, and taking the time to recharge and pray for our Plebes as they begin Beast.

 

[TriService2017]

Anyone can accompany you to R-Day. The planned activities are:


7. Sit in the bleachers at 6PM and watch all the newly-shorn cadets parade on the plain (we weren't able to pick our son out).

After the 60-90 second goodbye, there are lots of booths at IKE Hall. One of the tables will be where you can pick up your cadet's address, which will also include the company he/she is in. They march onto the parade field in order, so knowing the company will help you spot your new cadet. I think they also have a map of where they will be standing, so you can position yourself on the stands accordingly. Binoculars help. They won't have hats, so any head scars, birthmarks or large moles are also helpful .... that's how I spotted mine!

 

[NavyHoops]

Generally you will see Chaplains all over the place during big days like this at any SA. Usually most Chapels on base are open to just walk in and check out and catch a few moments of silence unless there is something going on like a funeral or wedding (which they won't do on R Day). There will probably even be a Chaplain in the Chapel most of the day providing prayer and open ears.

 

[VelveteenR]

One of the tables will be where you can pick up your cadet's address, which will also include the company he/she is in. They march onto the parade field in order, so knowing the company will help you spot your new cadet. I think they also have a map of where they will be standing, so you can position yourself on the stands accordingly. Binoculars help.

Yep, we had all that and still couldn't find him.

 

[bookreader]

Well, @VelveteenR , they do look amazing IDENTICAL by the end of the day!

 

[BSN1985]

R Day was awesome. By chance, I found my son just as he was marching back from the barber outside of Grant and got a quick pic. I thought I was taking pics of my son's company during the parade but I was in the wrong position. So I just sent pics to family and friends and pointed him out; the handsome young man with no hair, black rimmed glasses, dressed in white over gray. Luckily everyone found him!!!

 

[RLTW]

R-Day also begins the four-year game of "Where's Waldo". We didn't see our DS all day after the early morning goodbye hug. Walked all over and around post taking photos hoping to find a glimpse of him somehow. Nada. Took tons of images at the review that night. Zip. Then, lots of parents posted images online from that day and sure enough we scrubbed through them and found some amazing images of him at different points during the day and in the evening review/formation. Didn't see him in person until A Day (which is hugely impactful BTW).

Let the games begin! It continues the four years, part of the ride, enjoyed the photo hunt each event (football games, Army-Navy, Sandhurst, etc. etc.). There has been of late a superb photo effort put on for the Army Navy game, I encourage you to get those images, the product is amazing (it'll be talked about on the WP Parents or WP Dads or WP Moms facebook pages in the coming years but you can see it here https://www.facebook.com/ArmyNavyPanoramaProject/).