Induction Day is here. Dropped off DS about 0615. Very orderly, and done in a thoroughly proficient, military manner.
Had a look at the detailers moving the truckload of backpacks across the deck. That looked like a job in itself.
Went by Herndon and it still smelled like lard. :D

Congrats... done deal ! Tell us...where you as tough as you thought you were going to be, just dropping DS off with a hearty slap on the back ?

To all the parents of '22, Congratulations...you've done your part ! I am pretty confident in saying that everyone that raises their hand this afternoon is an amazing kid. Now its USNA's turn to turn them into Navy and Marine Corps officers.
 
It really was uneventful. He hugged us, grinned, and turned to start walking. Mrs. THParent didn't even cry.

Well, okay after he turned away and got sucked into the vortex of Alumni Hall, she cried. Only for a little bit though. I was duly impressed.
I'm hoping that she will hold up just as well after about 1915, when those big bronze doors slam shut.
 
Wait until Stribling is awash in emotion as Plebes, fearful of being late to the march in, begin their final goodbyes.
 
Unfortunately, after watching the news, the traffic is going to only get worse, especially for those parents staying in hotels out by Annapolis Mall. I hope everyone makes it back okay for the Oath of Office ceremony and swearing in.
 
I only wish he would tell me more about what he is doing.
@DoubledeuceDad - this is something you are probably going to have to get used to. Part of it is just him being extremely busy and part is probably him starting to find his way and wanting to be more independent. I saw this with my DD when she was a plebe. Hit home the most when we talked about making a trip for Herndon and she said "Love you guys, but this is really my thing to go through". We respected that and didn't go.

My advice is whenever you are able to visit, encourage your DS to bring along friends to dinner or back to the hotel. We got more information about Mid life from being part of their dinner discussions. Same with my SMC DS.

Plebe year seems long for them and for parents, but the rest of the time goes by faster than you expect (I won't say that to DD for a while). I'm not looking forward to losing my parents pass to drive on the Yard and DW is not looking forward to losing Midstore shopping privileges in a few months.
 
@DoubledeuceDad - this is something you are probably going to have to get used to. Part of it is just him being extremely busy and part is probably him starting to find his way and wanting to be more independent. I saw this with my DD when she was a plebe. Hit home the most when we talked about making a trip for Herndon and she said "Love you guys, but this is really my thing to go through". We respected that and didn't go.

My advice is whenever you are able to visit, encourage your DS to bring along friends to dinner or back to the hotel. We got more information about Mid life from being part of their dinner discussions. Same with my SMC DS.

Plebe year seems long for them and for parents, but the rest of the time goes by faster than you expect (I won't say that to DD for a while). I'm not looking forward to losing my parents pass to drive on the Yard and DW is not looking forward to losing Midstore shopping privileges in a few months.

Yes, this is SO true! Gleaming info in stealth mode! It’s a tactic I also used in high school. It’s also so heartwarming and amazing to see your Mid in the presence of other great Mids. They are ALL such amazing people. Congrats on yours graduating!!
 
Yes, I Day seems so far away. Lots of emotions then and still now. I continue to be in awe of my DS. I only wish he would tell me more about what he is doing.

When there is an opportunity to talk, ask targeted questions that allow room for stories, especially if you have DS and a few friends. Less taxing and exam-like than “tell me about your day.” What’s the most annoying thing you have to deal with? What’s the silliest/funniest thing you’ve seen? What are you most excited about getting involved with? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your classmates? Who’s the biggest jerk among the upper class in your company, and why? Who’s been the best leader to you? What’s the hardest thing about military life so far? What’s the best thing you have eaten? Worst? How has being a real mid differed from what you experienced at your CVW or NASS? Most interesting thing you’ve done in class?

He is 10 times busier than what he thought was being busy in HS. He doesn’t have much control over his life right now (that gets better as he gets more skilled at being a mid). He is faced with the pressure of prioritizing his time among mandatory class time (no sleeping late or skipping classes here), academic tasks, athletic requirements plus keeping himself in shape, company duties, plebe duties and pro knowledge, any roommate challenges, any ECAs he manages to jam in, and endless unplanned “mandatory fun” and “voluntold opportunities” that will upend whatever plan he thought he had for the day. Somewhere in there, he eats, sleeps and talks/texts with family and friends. He thinks fondly of all the sleep he got at PS.

He is learning to thrive under pressure, adapt on the fly, discipline himself, make hard choices, coach himself through the tough spots and push himself to operate at a level that he did not know existed and that he could function. This will stand him in good stead in the cockpit, on the bridge, or any other high-stakes situation.

Meanwhile, depending on what you’ve got going at home, this flown eaglet’s absence may open up more time for you and your pursuits. One of the USNA mids we sponsored was an only child. With him well-launched, his mom took up photography and attended formal classes, something she’d always wanted to do. They live in rural Nevada, and her stunning nature photos now grace stationery and prints in boutique stores (and one of our mid bedrooms). The sponsor mid, now a successful junior officer, was amazed and impressed by his mom’s latent talent, and advanced their relationship as he appreciated her from an adult perspective.
 
All I can say is to let them come to you while quietly peeking from afar. I was probably a lit more hands-offish than most when my son began his plebe year but then I was diagnosed with cancer and had a total f 12 surgeries during the remainder of his plebe and then his Youngster year. All the while I stayed in contact, visited occasionally and gradually begin to be "friended" by a number of his classmates. During 2nd class year, I was invited to join their "guild" in the online game "World of Warcraft" which I really wasn't a fan of but as the only non-mid invited, I saw it as an honor and participated. I was quite surprised late in his First Class Year when the company invited me to be the guest speaker at their "Company Dining Out" and gladly did so. I was surprised as there were other parent who were much more involved but again, I never pushed, just answered when they came to me.
 
I only wish he would tell me more about what he is doing.
@DoubledeuceDad - this is something you are probably going to have to get used to. Part of it is just him being extremely busy and part is probably him starting to find his way and wanting to be more independent. I saw this with my DD when she was a plebe. Hit home the most when we talked about making a trip for Herndon and she said "Love you guys, but this is really my thing to go through". We respected that and didn't go.

My advice is whenever you are able to visit, encourage your DS to bring along friends to dinner or back to the hotel. We got more information about Mid life from being part of their dinner discussions. Same with my SMC DS.

Plebe year seems long for them and for parents, but the rest of the time goes by faster than you expect (I won't say that to DD for a while). I'm not looking forward to losing my parents pass to drive on the Yard and DW is not looking forward to losing Midstore shopping privileges in a few months.

Thanks for the advice. I love the support and information from the forum and FaceBook. I do wish we were closer to visit, but we respect his independence.
 
@DoubledeuceDad - this is something you are probably going to have to get used to. Part of it is just him being extremely busy and part is probably him starting to find his way and wanting to be more independent. I saw this with my DD when she was a plebe. Hit home the most when we talked about making a trip for Herndon and she said "Love you guys, but this is really my thing to go through". We respected that and didn't go.

My advice is whenever you are able to visit, encourage your DS to bring along friends to dinner or back to the hotel. We got more information about Mid life from being part of their dinner discussions. Same with my SMC DS.

Plebe year seems long for them and for parents, but the rest of the time goes by faster than you expect (I won't say that to DD for a while). I'm not looking forward to losing my parents pass to drive on the Yard and DW is not looking forward to losing Midstore shopping privileges in a few months.

Yes, this is SO true! Gleaming info in stealth mode! It’s a tactic I also used in high school. It’s also so heartwarming and amazing to see your Mid in the presence of other great Mids. They are ALL such amazing people. Congrats on yours graduating!!
Yes, some awesome pictures from parents of fellow Plebes and USNA.
 
Yes, I Day seems so far away. Lots of emotions then and still now. I continue to be in awe of my DS. I only wish he would tell me more about what he is doing.

When there is an opportunity to talk, ask targeted questions that allow room for stories, especially if you have DS and a few friends. Less taxing and exam-like than “tell me about your day.” What’s the most annoying thing you have to deal with? What’s the silliest/funniest thing you’ve seen? What are you most excited about getting involved with? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your classmates? Who’s the biggest jerk among the upper class in your company, and why? Who’s been the best leader to you? What’s the hardest thing about military life so far? What’s the best thing you have eaten? Worst? How has being a real mid differed from what you experienced at your CVW or NASS? Most interesting thing you’ve done in class?

He is 10 times busier than what he thought was being busy in HS. He doesn’t have much control over his life right now (that gets better as he gets more skilled at being a mid). He is faced with the pressure of prioritizing his time among mandatory class time (no sleeping late or skipping classes here), academic tasks, athletic requirements plus keeping himself in shape, company duties, plebe duties and pro knowledge, any roommate challenges, any ECAs he manages to jam in, and endless unplanned “mandatory fun” and “voluntold opportunities” that will upend whatever plan he thought he had for the day. Somewhere in there, he eats, sleeps and talks/texts with family and friends. He thinks fondly of all the sleep he got at PS.

He is learning to thrive under pressure, adapt on the fly, discipline himself, make hard choices, coach himself through the tough spots and push himself to operate at a level that he did not know existed and that he could function. This will stand him in good stead in the cockpit, on the bridge, or any other high-stakes situation.

Meanwhile, depending on what you’ve got going at home, this flown eaglet’s absence may open up more time for you and your pursuits. One of the USNA mids we sponsored was an only child. With him well-launched, his mom took up photography and attended formal classes, something she’d always wanted to do. They live in rural Nevada, and her stunning nature photos now grace stationery and prints in boutique stores (and one of our mid bedrooms). The sponsor mid, now a successful junior officer, was amazed and impressed by his mom’s latent talent, and advanced their relationship as he appreciated her from an adult perspective.
Capt MJ, you have once again impressed me with your insight and advice. Those are great questions to ask during phone calls or texts. Thank you!
 
All I can say is to let them come to you while quietly peeking from afar. I was probably a lit more hands-offish than most when my son began his plebe year but then I was diagnosed with cancer and had a total f 12 surgeries during the remainder of his plebe and then his Youngster year. All the while I stayed in contact, visited occasionally and gradually begin to be "friended" by a number of his classmates. During 2nd class year, I was invited to join their "guild" in the online game "World of Warcraft" which I really wasn't a fan of but as the only non-mid invited, I saw it as an honor and participated. I was quite surprised late in his First Class Year when the company invited me to be the guest speaker at their "Company Dining Out" and gladly did so. I was surprised as there were other parent who were much more involved but again, I never pushed, just answered when they came to me.
That must have been such a difficult time. So great that they invited you into their group and what an honor to be a guest speaker.
 
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