Release and Report back times for breaks?

S

SOLL

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What are the typical release times and return times during Christmas, Spring Break, and Thanksgiving?

Thanks.
 
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Depends on too many factors …. There is no one answer.
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Dr. Strange Love said:
Depends on too many factors …. There is no one answer.
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So true! In general, for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Break, mids are free to leave after their last class or obligation (any number of things, such as watch). Exact return times and dates are more fixed, but won’t be known or official until USNA says so. YMMV…Semper Gumby!
 
Well......God bless the Navy. :oops: So much for planning ahead for us.

So, what are the more typical return times?
 
The calendar link posted by @WT Door is a good one - be sure to note any “tentative” labels.

One thing to always keep in mind, just because something has been done the same way several years in a row, does not mean it will always be so. Certainly COVID-19 upended things, but tweaks occur all the time.

Terms for your mid to know, manage and explain to you:
- LMO, last military obligation. Last class, exam, varsity practice or other required event standing between mid and checking out on leave.
- The rules about required window between scheduled airline landing time and required report back time to the Yard in Bancroft Hall. This means scheduling return flights that land X hours before report-in time, to allow for delays.
- Reform of the Brigade. The term used when the entire Brigade is expected back at a certain time from leave status and “reforms” as the full unit.

Working through the breaks:
Thanksgiving. They usually start the Wed class day early enough to get all 5 periods in before lunch, so mid-afternoon flights from BWI are feasible. Of course, DCA and IAD are much further away. Return time is on Sunday, and I have seen it vary from 1800-2200 over the last 25 years of observation. They have to get an accurate head count of who’s back, who’s known to be late, who’s missing. The later the check-in time, the later the headcount process goes. Throw in a complete unit urinalysis for the next morning for good measure, just to spice up and it’s a bucket of cold water welcome back.

Winter break. Starts after LMO, usually last exam, though varsity athletes in season often have different schedules. Mids will know their individual exam schedule at some point early in the semester. Exams occur during academic reserve periods. Reform is usually scheduled some days into the new year, a few days before class actually starts, to allow for admin time.

Spring break. Usually in March. Departure at LMO on Friday, return on Sunday a week later.

“Inter-sessional.” I put quotes around this because there are some days occurring after last exams and before required events before Commissioning Week. These days may be allowed as leave. Zero Block of summer training also starts then. Much depends on what the mid has going on for summer training and other factors. The actual days may not be known until very close to the period. The management of these has varied with leadership styles over the years.

Exercise caution when booking family vacations for a mid’s 3-week leave block during the summer. There are roughly 4 blocks. USNA does its best to schedule and stick to the requested leave block, but even after scheduling, mids can get swapped between blocks, impacted by Fleet schedules or evening out the load between blocks, etc.

Staying flexible, booking with maximum refundability or re-scheduling ease, are critical. After plebe year, coach your mid on handling their own travel arrangements, as that is a life skill they will regularly use as an officer.
 
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Adding to the detailed post by @Capt MJ: You may need to change your “family vacation window” from summer to Christmas/New Year’s. Barring your mid playing a winter varsity sport, it’s the one time of year you know they’ll be free and clear of USNA. Summer has too many moving parts to be dependable. DD now has experienced three summer cycles, and not one has gone according to the original plan. Yet again, Semper Gumby!
 
The days of booking non-refundable tickets months in advance are over. Some airlines have no change fees -- they are your friend. But you'll still pay any difference in fare when you rebook. Accept it as part of life in the military.

For those living on or near the west coast, Thanksgiving break really isn't long enough for your mid to have any real quality time at home. Many families find a place in between or come to the greater Annapolis area.

Also, there are lots of mid activities during spring break -- sponsored by clubs or major programs. Or mids want to join their friends someplace warm. So definitely remain flexible.
 
@usna1985 makes excellent points, as always. Be open to family patterns changing.

We have seen our sponsor mids meet up with family in NYC or other NE cities, easy AMTRAK routes from BWI Airport AMTRAK station and military fares. Or meet up by air in Chicago or Nashville or Florida - easy nonstops out of BWI and not overlong flights.

It could be an opportunity to gather with family closer to the East Coast.

Of course, we have included many mids at our Thanksgiving table, and ask them to get a favorite recipe from home, and we make it together.

We have had the most fun with international mids. I fondly recall a Peruvian sponsor daughter who was amazed at the size of the turkey, became an instant fan of eating crispy golden herbed turkey skin, was fascinated by the use of sweet potato in a pie, pitched right in to help and made a Peruvian breakfast for us the next morning.
 
Capt MJ said:
@usna1985 makes excellent points, as always. Be open to family patterns changing.

We have seen our sponsor mids meet up with family in NYC or other NE cities, easy AMTRAK routes from BWI Airport AMTRAK station and military fares. Or meet up by air in Chicago or Nashville or Florida - easy nonstops out of BWI and not overlong flights.

It could be an opportunity to gather with family closer to the East Coast.

Of course, we have included many mids at our Thanksgiving table, and ask them to get a favorite recipe from home, and we make it together.

We have had the most fun with international mids. I fondly recall a Peruvian sponsor daughter who was amazed at the size of the turkey, became an instant fan of eating crispy golden herbed turkey skin, was fascinated by the use of sweet potato in a pie, pitched right in to help and made a Peruvian breakfast for us the next morning.
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You've led a very rich life, Capt.
 
@SOLL-

Semper Gumby is the key with flexibility, and some advance planning with your Mid re exam schedules (release), duty/watch schedule, extracurriculars obligations, sports, etc. (during) and weather, flight delays and whatever else (return) is important.

Great advice here by almost every person so far save and except for this:

Dr. Strange Love said:
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Depends on too many factors …. There is no one answer.
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Not at all helpful or necessary. @SOLL didn't ask for "one answer" but he/she asked for "an" answer and received that answer many times.
 
TheRightStuff said:
@SOLL-

Semper Gumby is the key with flexibility, and some advance planning with your Mid re exam schedules (release), duty/watch schedule, extracurriculars obligations, sports, etc. (during) and weather, flight delays and whatever else (return) is important.

Great advice here by almost every person so far save and except for this:



Not at all helpful or necessary. @SOLL didn't ask for "one answer" but he/she asked for "an" answer and received that answer many times.
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There is No answer, and I’m not your minion … go spank someone else.
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TheRightStuff said:
Actually, OP received several answers. Your follow up was like your original post - once again not at all helpful or necessary.
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Cut it out. People are free to post. The answer was on the topic for the OP and only one point of view. In fact there are so many variables, this answer is different for so many Mids. Local, probably stand some duty. An athlete and in season, probably not going home, maybe a few days at Xmas (also depends if they make a varsity squad). Ac board… back early. Also depends on their classes and finals. Back to the topic at hand as there are lots of new Plebe Parents trying to figure this out.
 
Thanks @NavyHoops, but nobody said he/she couldn’t post.

It was only said that the post saying “there is no one answer” was not helpful, which it wasn’t, and the same goes for the follow up.
 
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