We have a VRBO pretty close to the Academy for Iday. Is it reasonable to think that my DS can walk from there to where he needs to be to check in? I have seen a lot of information on car drop-off, bus options but we will not have a car and just planned to walk from the townhouse. I just haven't seen a lot of information/instructions on reporting in that way. I am sure it's out there somewhere, but thought I would put it out here for some advice.
USNA Class of 2026 Appointee Ready Room
- Thread starter Capt MJ
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Our mailbox is a 1/4 mile from our front door …. I walk …. Our little country church is about 2 miles door-2-door …. I walk that sometimes. The narrow state road can get a little hectic …. Got to be really careful near those blind hills and gravel sections …. Got to be on your toes to avoid those young squirrelly drivers sometimes.
I’ve never heard of your legs not being your primary mode of transportation.
GO NAVY .
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profec291
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I have limited exposure to USNA with only a drop off/pick up of my DS during Session 1 of Summer Seminar this year. The first day we arrived, we parked at the docks close to Gate 1 and I paid the 2 hour meter, long story short, we did the 90 minute walking tour and I was stressed out as my time on the meter ran out and you are not able to pay for the same spot consecutively. Luckily, no ticket when we returned to the car. For pick up day, we parked further up King George St in the 9 hour parking zone (advice given by a volunteer we chatted with near the 1845 Coffee place, best piece of advice I received), it was less than a mile walk, but I was stress free about the parked car. I've seen stories where you drop off your DS/DD on I-day, park your car, and when you return, DD/DS is gone. Since all they have is a minimal amount of gear on I-day, I'd walk it together as a family and make the most of the walk.
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I wanted to wish the Class of 2026 candidates the best of luck for plebe summer and post some advice - with an emphasis on plebe summer - but which is also applicable throughout the four years at the Naval Academy and as future leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps:
1. Never give up and always try your hardest! Adversity will be a constant in your career and begins with plebe summer. The ability to be overcome adversity, be resilient, and to keep commitment is key. Plebe summer is meant to be challenging – however, the challenges you will face later will be much more demanding compared to the menial challenges of plebe summer, plebe year, and the Naval Academy. If you think you have it “bad” – there are many others who have it worse than you do. One day you will be expected to lead Sailors and Marines through adversity and challenges – plebe summer begins your preparation. A favorite cliché is to “embrace the suck” – don’t fight it!
2. Be a teammate - make others look good! At this point, your individual credentials that got you to the Naval Academy, frankly, doesn’t matter. What matters now is how you fit and interact with a team. Instead of just worrying about whether your rack, uniform, room, etc. looks good or is squared away – help your squad/platoon/companymates. This will be emphasized at various points, lectures, and readings throughout the summer. However, it is completely up to you to implement. Sometimes it is more important to help or make your buddies look better than yourself. Each individual brings many strengths and weaknesses – work as a team to fix each other’s weaknesses (and be open to what your own weaknesses are) to increase team (squad/platoon/company) performance.
3. Be introspective! Every plebe is going to make a mistake, have shortcomings, or in some way “mess up.” Connected with overcoming adversity – evaluate what went wrong and what needs to be done to correct the deficiency. Your character and performance will be evaluated on how you bounce back from shortfalls. Through your time at the Naval Academy and as an officer, your chain of command will be counting on how you will fix issues, not always focusing in on the outcome of the original problem. The Navy is looking for leaders who can rapidly learn from their mistakes, course correct, and re-evaluate. Plebe summer is the start of this mindset and there are many ways you will be evaluated on this.
4. Release stress - laugh at yourself, connect with your new friends! While there aren’t many times to “relax” during plebe summer, it is important that you learn how to manage/release stress – for some it is PT (PEP and sports period), others it is complaining (natural for most), and for some it is talking about non-work related interests. Find what your avenues are – military work is inherently stressful and this will be a somewhat constant throughout your career. Teams typically succeed because they are more connected beyond work – I would encourage you to find out the “person” who is your room/squad/platoon/companymate. You will need some thick skin for constructive criticism and mess ups – everyone is going to make mistakes – you are human after all – but being able to laugh at your own mess ups is another way you can connect with each other. As you probably have seen other alumni comment, numerous times, on the forum, these mess ups are still recalled and laughed about many years after.
5. Never ever lie – bite the bullet, no matter how bad the consequence! The quickest way to get kicked out of the Naval Academy and lose respect of midshipman and classmates is to lie or not be fully truthful. Suffice to say, lying can cause damage to equipment and can seriously hurt or kill your teammates. While it won’t be that dramatic during plebe summer or at the Naval Academy, if you can’t accept consequences over your own integrity, then you definitely can’t lead other servicemembers. Trust is the root of any team, if you can’t be trusted, you will immediately lose the confidence of your team. Undoubtedly, there will be times during plebe summer where it could be easier to cut a corner (lie/cheat), but it isn’t the right thing to do, whether it would or wouldn’t be discovered. I would always refer you back to the consequences that it could have down the road – if you lie now, there is a better chance that you might do it again, when it really matters.
1. Never give up and always try your hardest! Adversity will be a constant in your career and begins with plebe summer. The ability to be overcome adversity, be resilient, and to keep commitment is key. Plebe summer is meant to be challenging – however, the challenges you will face later will be much more demanding compared to the menial challenges of plebe summer, plebe year, and the Naval Academy. If you think you have it “bad” – there are many others who have it worse than you do. One day you will be expected to lead Sailors and Marines through adversity and challenges – plebe summer begins your preparation. A favorite cliché is to “embrace the suck” – don’t fight it!
2. Be a teammate - make others look good! At this point, your individual credentials that got you to the Naval Academy, frankly, doesn’t matter. What matters now is how you fit and interact with a team. Instead of just worrying about whether your rack, uniform, room, etc. looks good or is squared away – help your squad/platoon/companymates. This will be emphasized at various points, lectures, and readings throughout the summer. However, it is completely up to you to implement. Sometimes it is more important to help or make your buddies look better than yourself. Each individual brings many strengths and weaknesses – work as a team to fix each other’s weaknesses (and be open to what your own weaknesses are) to increase team (squad/platoon/company) performance.
3. Be introspective! Every plebe is going to make a mistake, have shortcomings, or in some way “mess up.” Connected with overcoming adversity – evaluate what went wrong and what needs to be done to correct the deficiency. Your character and performance will be evaluated on how you bounce back from shortfalls. Through your time at the Naval Academy and as an officer, your chain of command will be counting on how you will fix issues, not always focusing in on the outcome of the original problem. The Navy is looking for leaders who can rapidly learn from their mistakes, course correct, and re-evaluate. Plebe summer is the start of this mindset and there are many ways you will be evaluated on this.
4. Release stress - laugh at yourself, connect with your new friends! While there aren’t many times to “relax” during plebe summer, it is important that you learn how to manage/release stress – for some it is PT (PEP and sports period), others it is complaining (natural for most), and for some it is talking about non-work related interests. Find what your avenues are – military work is inherently stressful and this will be a somewhat constant throughout your career. Teams typically succeed because they are more connected beyond work – I would encourage you to find out the “person” who is your room/squad/platoon/companymate. You will need some thick skin for constructive criticism and mess ups – everyone is going to make mistakes – you are human after all – but being able to laugh at your own mess ups is another way you can connect with each other. As you probably have seen other alumni comment, numerous times, on the forum, these mess ups are still recalled and laughed about many years after.
5. Never ever lie – bite the bullet, no matter how bad the consequence! The quickest way to get kicked out of the Naval Academy and lose respect of midshipman and classmates is to lie or not be fully truthful. Suffice to say, lying can cause damage to equipment and can seriously hurt or kill your teammates. While it won’t be that dramatic during plebe summer or at the Naval Academy, if you can’t accept consequences over your own integrity, then you definitely can’t lead other servicemembers. Trust is the root of any team, if you can’t be trusted, you will immediately lose the confidence of your team. Undoubtedly, there will be times during plebe summer where it could be easier to cut a corner (lie/cheat), but it isn’t the right thing to do, whether it would or wouldn’t be discovered. I would always refer you back to the consequences that it could have down the road – if you lie now, there is a better chance that you might do it again, when it really matters.
Usnavy2019
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If you do walk, make sure to come through Gate 8 (off Baltimore Annapolis Blvd) or Gate 3 (Maryland Ave). Those are the closest gates to Alumni Hall. Gate 1 (King George St) is a pretty far walk to Alumni. Pretty much on the opposite side of the Yard.
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"Pro-TIP".
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I’d call USNA Security and specifically ask if Gate 3 walk gate will be open on I-Day for incoming plebes and family members with regular ID who are walking in.
See map. Gate 3 puts you in between the Chapel and Alumni Hall.
I do think that gate 3 is closed the morning of the 30th until 12pm. We will have to use Gate 1 for drop off for sure- it's a lot closer than Gate 8. Thank you!!
USNAhopeful2025
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Yes you can walk no problem. We did the same last summer.
USNAhopeful2025
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We walked to gate 1. And then walked slowly to alumni hall. It was great.
We parked at the stadium on I-Day and planned to take the shuttle bus to Alumni Hall. It was an unbelievable cluster. The newly minted 2LT suggested to a big group of soon-to-be-late appointees-to-be and us parents to hoof it to Gate 8. “It’s an easy walk - just turn right at the 7-11.” It was 85-degrees at 0900. “Easy” when you’re 22 and 6-percent body fat is not 59.
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Walking is good because it helps the P2B work off stress and nerves and butterflies. DD walked the 1.5 miles from our AirBNB to Alumni Hall at near-Olympic pace. Didn’t say much. That was OK. She was focused. So were DW, DS and I.
Huursoldaat
USNA 2026 Dad
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I have the same situation. We are a 30 minute walk. We will walk to Gate 1 and enter there, or walk to Marine Corps stadium and hop the bus. I believe the PTR or other document says all vehicle traffic goes through Gate 8 for drop off only, or you can enter by foot at Gate 8 or Gate 1. The busses from Marine Corps stadium also stop at Gate 1, so they are clearly able to handle people coming through Gate 1.
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We also walked.
Another ‘pro tip’ - if parking and riding the bus, ALLOW ENOUGH TIME! You will have to clear security there at the stadium before boarding the bus. That can be a bottleneck. And if walking through Gate 1, that can also be a long lined bottleneck. Also double check that your drivers license isn’t expired (*cough* @MidSib
). Bc that’s a problem if it is.
And yea you can walk from the stadium. It’s long, but doable.
Leave early, no matter what. Don’t add stress to your already emotionally heightened feelings. Leave early, and visit on the Yard if you are too early. Or just go in…most likely, plebe will be ready. Mom and dad? Maybe not
.
Excited for C/O ‘26!!
Another ‘pro tip’ - if parking and riding the bus, ALLOW ENOUGH TIME! You will have to clear security there at the stadium before boarding the bus. That can be a bottleneck. And if walking through Gate 1, that can also be a long lined bottleneck. Also double check that your drivers license isn’t expired (*cough* @MidSib
). Bc that’s a problem if it is.And yea you can walk from the stadium. It’s long, but doable.
Leave early, no matter what. Don’t add stress to your already emotionally heightened feelings. Leave early, and visit on the Yard if you are too early. Or just go in…most likely, plebe will be ready. Mom and dad? Maybe not
.Excited for C/O ‘26!!
The tour departs from the gift shop and there is where you register for it. I don’t believe we booked in advance and do it if you haven’t. It is really nice!
Heatherg21
USNA '24 Mom BGO Bacon Lover Dog Lover
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I sure do like living vicariously through all of your past experiences. Like so many others affected by a pandemic, our normal just wasn’t normal.
I can say that when I did visit, my GS14 friend forgot his CAC and the guards at gate 8 were not playing. Windshield sticker or no, he was denied driving on. Here I come, like you are not stopping me from getting to my kid, thanks for the ride, see ya’!
I got out with my suitcase (large and stuffed with items Covid 3/C wanted me to bring). I had no clue where I was going. Or how far my destination was. The humidity was wicked!! I just hoofed it. Saw some nice officer residences (clearly my map app wasn’t working ) Saw Alumnus Hall, some boats, then finally, after asking some questions, got to my destination. Saw my kid about an hour later after walking Stribling alone and meeting Tecumseh for the first time. Such precious moments. Standing in front of those big doors with my uniformed son was a life moment. Granted it was a year after I pictured it, but that didn’t change the precious moment that it was.
My best wishes to the incoming families and soon to be plebes. My advice, soak it all in and let go as much as possible. Cast off the stern line.
I can say that when I did visit, my GS14 friend forgot his CAC and the guards at gate 8 were not playing. Windshield sticker or no, he was denied driving on. Here I come, like you are not stopping me from getting to my kid, thanks for the ride, see ya’!
I got out with my suitcase (large and stuffed with items Covid 3/C wanted me to bring). I had no clue where I was going. Or how far my destination was. The humidity was wicked!! I just hoofed it. Saw some nice officer residences (clearly my map app wasn’t working ) Saw Alumnus Hall, some boats, then finally, after asking some questions, got to my destination. Saw my kid about an hour later after walking Stribling alone and meeting Tecumseh for the first time. Such precious moments. Standing in front of those big doors with my uniformed son was a life moment. Granted it was a year after I pictured it, but that didn’t change the precious moment that it was.
My best wishes to the incoming families and soon to be plebes. My advice, soak it all in and let go as much as possible. Cast off the stern line.
2026 parents will be experiencing what us pre-COVID parents experienced on I-Day (and I am so very sorry 2024 parents didn’t get) - watching your son/daughter march through those big bronze doors and seeing them close. Our mid is third oldest but the only one in the military so we’d weened two at regular college but it in no way prepared me for the myriad of emotions I experienced when those doors shut - immense pride, sadness at the turning of the page, some trepidation, and (I’ll admit it) envy. Also a sense of “my job is finished” - both in a good way an a sad way. So 2026 parent - let yourself feel it all. It can be surprisingly moving in unexpected ways.
Then the Waldo hunting begins.
Then the Waldo hunting begins.
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So it's nothing but kissing and fun until you get to Gate 1?
"busses" are multiple kisses, whereas "buses" are multiple vehicles for transporting people.
IronmanDaremo
What, me worry?
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Not sure what happened with me then.
When all the other plebes were hanging out with their families, I just strolled on into Bancroft and (attempted) to get to my company. I did not even realize we were all supposed to march into until later!
My son will be marching in with the brigade. Not making the same mistake I did.
