What can parents do after I-day

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usafadad2022

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Sorry if this question has been asked before but I'm wondering if parents could do anything interesting after I-day with their plebes.

My older DD went through Basic Cadet Training at USAFA 5 years ago which is the AF version of Plebe Summer. After I-day, parents can actually "stalk" their Basics(Cadets before finishing BCT) in the USAFA campus, see what the Basics are doing in BCT. It's quite an experience.

Can plebe parents do the same thing or there is nothing interesting to see after I-Day at USNA?

Thanks!
 
Oh, there are plenty of people on the Yard for the whole summer ogling the kids! Son described it as living in a zoo. ;)

They have activities daily that are all over the campus and across the river (range, endurance course stuff, etc.).
 
Plebes going through PS are a tourist attraction in and of themselves. Stalk would not be the right word, but you can definitely get on the Yard during PS and you will inevitably run into Plebes. However, there won't be a schedule per se. There is no A Company is doing X activity at Y location at Z time posted externally. The only real regularly scheduled event for the public post I-Day is Noon Meal Formation. There will be plenty of photos taken of everyone throughout the summer by photographers.

That said, it might be embarrassing for your DS/DD (although that has not stopped parents before :)) to have you following them around. They also might get some extra (usually good-natured) attention from the detailers. Plebe Summer is not a high moment in most people's USNA career and I bet most Plebes don't want their parents watching them in a less than graceful state and less than cheerful mood.
 
We did not visit, after I-Day, until PPW. My daughter wouldn't have been too happy to see us wandering around. This is their time; let them have it! Search for your waldo on one of the many photo option pages:)
 
I'd highly recommend saving that for PPW and get up and catch the Friday morning PEP with Maj. Antonelli. The guy is a beast & super impressive leading and motivating the Plebes.

If you join the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and the United States Naval Academy Foundation you can get access to the daily/weekly photos of Plebe Summer. Gives access to play 'Where's Waldo'
https://www.usna.com/parents https://www.usna.com/parent-photo-program-public
 
I looked up “cringe-worthy” in the dictionary and it said this: Parents who hang around the Yard during plebe summer, hoping to get a glimpse of DS/DD. 😳🫢😬

To each their own. But I personally think that I-Day is the time to let go. Give them a hearty embrace, a warm kiss and a sincere goodbye. Then head home, count the days until PPW, and play Where’s Waldo on the alumni association’s photo website. 😄

Want to hang around for a couple days after? Visit the Amish Market, Fort McHenry, DC, Eastern Shore, etc. Plenty to do and see.
 
Drown your sorrows in adult beverages. Kidding, but it an emotionally draining day. A nap and shower may be just the thing. Or dinner with other classmates parents you have met.

HIGHLY suggest you don’t stalk your plebe. They will be emotionally charged. Seeing a glimpse of mom or dad can send even the staunchest plebe over the edge, emotionally. Don’t do that to them.
 
Mother B doors slamming closed ........ yeah, that does a number on most parents. My wife wouldn't even stick around for it, so we were already walking toward the car with her in tears. But we still heard them close. ;)

(I had my allergies when I dropped him off in the morning for his report time).
 
usafadad2022 said:
Sorry if this question has been asked before but I'm wondering if parents could do anything interesting after I-day with their plebes.

My older DD went through Basic Cadet Training at USAFA 5 years ago which is the AF version of Plebe Summer. After I-day, parents can actually "stalk" their Basics(Cadets before finishing BCT) in the USAFA campus, see what the Basics are doing in BCT. It's quite an experience.

Can plebe parents do the same thing or there is nothing interesting to see after I-Day at USNA?
Click to expand...
I can tell you that as an alumni parent - we had a few get togethers with some of the in-yard folks and we were told stories of parents
doing exactly that and yelling to their plebes to "smile", etc and after the first few days of Plebe Summer, the staff went around and
told some of them that they would be helping their plebe to leave at that point as they were becoming a problem/distraction.
 
Salty and savvy new Navy plebe parents make new friends and repair to appropriate watering holes for their soft or unsoft beverage of choice to aid in stress-fueled nest-launching recovery protocols.

You taught them to fly. Let them soar now.
 
OldRetSWO said:
I can tell you that as an alumni parent - we had a few get togethers with some of the in-yard folks and we were told stories of parents
doing exactly that and yelling to their plebes to "smile", etc and after the first few days of Plebe Summer, the staff went around and
told some of them that they would be helping their plebe to leave at that point as they were becoming a problem/distraction.
Click to expand...
Lol If I could do it all over again - I would have stalked my son and yelled goofy things to him to get him in trouble with the detailers.

Actually - I am glad I left the moment the doors closed.
 
That awful moment when Bancroft's doors close has a sense of finality.....it just lends itself to tears!!
 
Thank you guys for very helpful comments! The experience of being SA parents, from the initial application to the moment we pinned her butter bars on her shoulders... I can't believe I'm going through this all over again. Very excited-:)
 
Due to Covid, I watched IDay on Facebook live. Thought I found my masked DS's eyebrows. He confirmed later, that again, I was wrong in my Covid era Waldo Hunting.

I can attest to the fact that even on FB live, those doors shutting will stop your heart, and make you sob. It's making my allergies act up just thinking about it.

DS was the second and last to fly the coop. I knew we were dropping him on the curb at the airport and there would be no PPW, mentally prepared myself. Then, I signed up to go back to school to finally, after decades get my darn AA. I also started multiple yard projects, went to see my best friend in TX, and mentally committed to trying to land a DoD contractor job. Kept me busy. So did sending care packages, bad dad jokes, postcards of the dogs, and our sunsets. I'm glad I didn't live close enough to be on the Yard.

IMHO, it's their time to experience this with their fellow plebes, dive into the immersion blender, and evolve into what USNA knows they can be. To a large degree, we need to be in their rearview mirror and as my former USNA parent and club President always told us, "butt out, CHEERLEAD from the sidelines". It's a tough transition. But the growth you will see will baffle you. And, make you invest in Kleenex stock and actual boxes. Proud tears just seem to keep coming, and I'm a 2/C mom!!!
 
Heatherg21 said:
Due to Covid, I watched IDay on Facebook live. Thought I found my masked DS's eyebrows. He confirmed later, that again, I was wrong in my Covid era Waldo Hunting.

I can attest to the fact that even on FB live, those doors shutting will stop your heart, and make you sob. It's making my allergies act up just thinking about it.

DS was the second and last to fly the coop. I knew we were dropping him on the curb at the airport and there would be no PPW, mentally prepared myself. Then, I signed up to go back to school to finally, after decades get my darn AA. I also started multiple yard projects, went to see my best friend in TX, and mentally committed to trying to land a DoD contractor job. Kept me busy. So did sending care packages, bad dad jokes, postcards of the dogs, and our sunsets. I'm glad I didn't live close enough to be on the Yard.

IMHO, it's their time to experience this with their fellow plebes, dive into the immersion blender, and evolve into what USNA knows they can be. To a large degree, we need to be in their rearview mirror and as my former USNA parent and club President always told us, "butt out, CHEERLEAD from the sidelines". It's a tough transition. But the growth you will see will baffle you. And, make you invest in Kleenex stock and actual boxes. Proud tears just seem to keep coming, and I'm a 2/C mom!!!
Click to expand...
I day just happened for my son.

Tomorrow he gets his orders.

I predict he will be stationed in the Caribbean.
 
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