USNA Class of 2026 Appointee Ready Room

[Capt MJ]

I’m starting this thread as a place for appointees (and parents!) to pop up and discuss PTR questions, gate access, I-Day what to bring, other stuff, etc., to keep the USNA Class of 2026 Appointment thread focused on appointments.

Let me post a link to a past thread:

Handy Links for Appointees & Parents

To save you some search time, though I always recommend using the Search box, as the same questions come up every year, here are some starter kit links. PERMIT TO REPORT (PTR) Sample (wait wait wait until you get the one for your class) Permit To Report (PTR) package. Typically arrives in...

www.serviceacademyforums.com

 

[ParachutePanda]

Ah this is much appreciated! Thank you Capt MJ!!

 

[St.Kath]

Thanks. About the return traffic during the PPW, what’s the time estimate to travel back to the yard at 4-miles out?

 

[Capt MJ]

Pro search tip, if you can’t find what you are looking for with the SAF search tool:

Use google, and in your search string, put:
site:www.serviceacademyforums.com
then your search target.

Try searching for past threads using:
USNA Induction Day I-Day
USNA PPW
USNA Plebe Parents Weekend
USNA Annapolis Where to Stay Hotels
USNA Sponsor Family Program
and so on

 

[Capt MJ]

Thanks. About the return traffic during the PPW, what’s the time estimate to travel back to the yard at 4-miles out?

You’ll get plenty of advice on this one.

I’ll give you an example. I live 6 miles from the Yard and usually come in via Gate 8. There are times during the year when Annapolis is hip-deep in mid families: I-Day, PPW, 2/C Parents Weekend, Comm Week, etc. Add in a reunion football weekend and the fall Annapolis Boat Show, and it’s jammed. I-Day and PPW you have 1100-1200 families and their cars all doing the same thing at the same time, on one-way streets and traffic circles funneling to the Yard tucked into a watery corner of Annapolis.

A week ago Friday, I went to the Yard to gather up 2 sponsor mids to taxi them to their airport launch points for spring break. Four classes’ worth of mids departing the Yard or having people come in and get them. I normally allow 20 minutes home to Bancroft Hall. Knowing how the Yard would be, I allowed 1 hour. It took me 47 minutes to work my way through traffic, sitting through lights, and waiting in line at Gate 8, before crawling to the 7th Wing designated pick-up spot.

 

[St.Kath]

You’ll get plenty of advice on this one.

I’ll give you an example. I live 6 miles from the Yard and usually come in via Gate 8. There are times during the year when Annapolis is hip-deep in mid families: I-Day, PPW, 2/C Parents Weekend, Comm Week, etc. Add in a reunion football weekend and the fall Annapolis Boat Show, and it’s jammed. I-Day and PPW you have 1100-1200 families and their cars all doing the same thing at the same time, on one-way streets and traffic circles funneling to the Yard tucked into a watery corner of Annapolis.

A week ago Friday, I went to the Yard to gather up 2 sponsor mids to taxi them to their airport launch points for spring break. Four classes’ worth of mids departing the Yard or having people come in and get them. I normally allow 20 minutes home to Bancroft Hall. Knowing how the Yard would be, I allowed 1 hour. It took me 47 minutes to work my way through traffic, sitting through lights, and waiting in line at Gate 8, before crawling to the 7th Wing designated pick-up spot.

Thanks. So just to be safe, plan for at least 2.5 hours (from 6 miles out) to get back to the yard during PPW.

 

[Capt MJ]

Thanks. So just to be safe, plan for at least 2.5 hours (from 6 miles out) to get back to the yard during PPW.

Depends where you are coming from too. It’s not the first 3-5 miles, it’s the last mile.

If your plebe’s liberty expires at X, they will want to be back on the Yard being dropped off NLT X-30 minutes to allow a safety margin and avoid having to leap out of the car and sprint for Bancroft. Work it backwards from there.

 

[St.Kath]

Depends where you are coming from too. It’s not the first 3-5 miles, it’s the last mile.

If your plebe’s liberty expires at X, they will want to be back in the Yard being dropped of NLT X-30 minutes to allow a safety margin and avoid having to leap out of the car and sprint for Bancroft. Work it backwards from there.

Crown Plaza. I’m already anticipating the route. So if 12Midnight is the report time, we should be driving to the yard by 2130.

 

[HopefulDad2026]

I’m starting this thread as a place for appointees (and parents!) to pop up and discuss PTR questions, gate access, I-Day what to bring, other stuff, etc., to keep the USNA Class of 2026 Appointment thread focused on appointments.

Let me post a link to a past thread:

Handy Links for Appointees & Parents

To save you some search time, though I always recommend using the Search box, as the same questions come up every year, here are some starter kit links. PERMIT TO REPORT (PTR) Sample (wait wait wait until you get the one for your class) Permit To Report (PTR) package. Typically arrives in...

www.serviceacademyforums.com

Is this "Rollercoaster - Now Boarding"?

 

[justdoit19]

Pro search tip, if you can’t find what you are looking for with the SAF search tool:

Use google, and in your search string, put:
site:www.serviceacademyforums.com
then your search target.

Try searching for past threads using:
USNA Induction Day I-Day
USNA PPW
USNA Plebe Parents Weekend
USNA Annapolis Where to Stay Hotels
USNA Sponsor Family Program
and so on

Mastering the search function is a game changer. It’s also useful in the parent/class/usna FB pages. Great discussion already exists and dumping your query into the search bar brings it all up (a little magnifying glass on FB).

 

[justdoit19]

Crown Plaza. I’m already anticipating the route. So if 12Midnight is the report time, we should be driving to the yard by 2130.

As already started, it’s the last bit that’s clogged. Fortunately, that’s last bit also is close enough that your Mid can hop out and walk. Ours did the last few blocks for sure. We didn’t go onto the yard, but rather crawled one way towards gate #1. And they hopped out at some point. Along with the rest of the streets occupants crawling along.

Cape St Clair for us, we left 1.5 hr before report time. Never had a problem and enjoyed our slow moving traffic chats immensely.

It you leave too early, and find you aren’t ready to part ways yet, you can always park, find a bench somewhere and visit. It’s beautiful along City Dock at night! Or the benches on the yard (if allowed on/purposely credentialed).

Exciting times!!

 

[Capt MJ]

Glad someone mentioned the thread - good parental reading. There are some excellent threads with “rollercoaster” in the title.

 

[THParent]

SELECTIVE SERVICE
If you are male and have already turned 18 or will turn 18 within 30 days, you must register with Selective Service.
Here is the government link: https://www.sss.gov/register/
It does not matter that you are entering a Service Academy. You are still required by law to "register for the draft", as we used to say.

 

[Sealion II]

Mastering the search function is a game changer. It’s also useful in the parent/class/usna FB pages. Great discussion already exists and dumping your query into the search bar brings it all up (a little magnifying glass on FB).

Ugh, FB....are the class and parent pages worthwhile? I've been avoiding that place and relying on this great forum. I guess I can re-join to check it out. Any input appreciated.

 

[Old Navy BGO]

So just to be safe, plan for at least 2.5 hours (from 6 miles out) to get back to the yard during PPW.

Depends where you are coming from too. It’s not the first 3-5 miles, it’s the last mile.

Keep in mind, you don't have to drop your Midshipman at the door ---
All you have to do is get to within walking range of Bancroft Hall, and let them walk that last mile.
By the end of 4 years in Annapolis (actually 3, as the last year they will be driving themselves), a Midshipman should know how long it takes to get back to their Company Area from any point near the Yard, usually to the minute .... Don't ask me how I know that.

 

[LT360]

PPW last year we allowed an 1.5 Hr from Parole and made it no issue. If you arrive early on the Yard, you can walk around or just hang in the car. DS wanted to ensure he was not late so both nights we just got to Yard early and walked along the Sea wall or parked and talked in the car.

Plebes are well conditioned at that point to not be late. Also I recall DS CAC card not working so he had to wait to get let in by someone else going in.

 

[kchamp27]

Ugh, FB....are the class and parent pages worthwhile? I've been avoiding that place and relying on this great forum. I guess I can re-join to check it out. Any input appreciated.

These are my favorite groups on FB. In addition to the Parent and Class ones, there are ones for the Companies (with all years) and Class xxxx of Company XXXX. It's a nice way to stay connected with happenings on the Yard and glimpse some pictures and activities - especially during Plebe Summer. They are definitely not for everyone but I love them!

 

[LT360]

Found my post from PPW last year with more details...https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/%E2%80%9825-ps-so-far.82137/post-837828

 

[whataluckymom]

As already started, it’s the last bit that’s clogged. Fortunately, that’s last bit also is close enough that your Mid can hop out and walk. Ours did the last few blocks for sure. We didn’t go onto the yard, but rather crawled one way towards gate #1. And they hopped out at some point. Along with the rest of the streets occupants crawling along.

Cape St Clair for us, we left 1.5 hr before report time. Never had a problem and enjoyed our slow moving traffic chats immensely.

It you leave too early, and find you aren’t ready to part ways yet, you can always park, find a bench somewhere and visit. It’s beautiful along City Dock at night! Or the benches on the yard (if allowed on/purposely credentialed).

Exciting times!!

We also had a time or two where our Mid got out of the car and ran the rest of the way - good times! I think one time he made it back on deck with 30 seconds to spare! Being on the 7th Wing didn't help!

 

[whataluckymom]

Ugh, FB....are the class and parent pages worthwhile? I've been avoiding that place and relying on this great forum. I guess I can re-join to check it out. Any input appreciated.

Here's my perspective - I am not a FB person. I actually ONLY created a FB account once DS received his appointment and I have no FB friends. I just belong to the groups. Is it worthwhile? Yes and no. During Plebe Summer, people will post pictures of the Plebes - it became a routine to look through the posts each day looking for my Waldo and it helped pass the time. I was grateful for those that took the time to take pictures if they were on the yard and send them to us through the FB groups. The class or company specific groups are the most helpful in my opinion.

But be careful - there's a TON of misinformation on those pages. On this forum you can trust and rely on the advice given from the regulars. On FB - sometimes it's good advice, but many times it isn't - and you just have to be careful with any advice given. And it's not always helpful advice - I've noticed plenty of snark, which doesn't help anyone.

On the other hand, there is also a lot of support you won't find anywhere else - offers to take packages to your Mid, offers to make airport dropoffs, or to help when a Mid needs pretty much anything - even if they're driving across Kansas and their car breaks down. . There are always people that step up to help. You'll still have to deal with the posters who say "take a cab", but weed that out and you'll find support from a big family you never knew you had.