What do I need to do to make sure family friends can get in on I-day?

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KingKrusty

Class of 2028
Joined
Apr 14, 2024
Messages
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Class of 2028 here. I-day is coming up obviously and my grand parents were going to come up to see me come I-day. Is there anything I need to fill out or do to ensure that they have access to the grounds and events? Should I send or tell them anything in particular? Thanks.
 
The Permit to Report will have information about this. In short , and assuming things haven't changed: Each person simply needs to bring a form of government ID. That's enough for entry to the Yard on I-Day.
 
KingKrusty said:
Class of 2028 here. I-day is coming up obviously and my grand parents were going to come up to see me come I-day. Is there anything I need to fill out or do to ensure that they have access to the grounds and events? Should I send or tell them anything in particular? Thanks.
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I wouldn’t say ‘obviously’. It’s a long, hard, hot, humid, emotionally charged day. And some grandparents might not be in for, or able, for all that. Many choose to bring only mom and dad. And reserve the ‘extended family’ time for PPW. Which is a more laid back, easier time. No right or wrong answer here.

Congrats!
 
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Family should keep in mind that time with mid is limited to a brief hug goodbye in the wee hours of the morning (for most) and 30 minutes after the ceremony in the evening. Fine for family to come - just manage expectations.
 
Also keep in mind that the P2B may not want anyone else there except parents and maybe siblings. This is not your typical college drop-off. It's a shock-and-awe experience with a lot of emotions swirling. Some P2Bs don't want to be "on display" for this parting. Let the P2B lead the way and avoid pressuring them. I believe PPW is the better time for show-and-tell with extended family.
 
Also, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Many opportunities over the next 4 years for relatives to participate in the mid experience. I-Day is definitely NOT a normal college drop off. You don’t get to see the “dorm” room. You don’t see the mess hall (cafeteria). You don’t meet the residence whatever (detainers).

And, sad to say, a very small number will quit on I day. You say it won’t be your kid - all plebes to be and parents say that. Don’t create an audience for that (remote) possibility.
 
Well stated by the veteran posters above. It is a looong day for plebes and parents alike. They get in the line at Alumni Hall in the AM and you will likely not seem them until 4ish for the oath. Then it's the brief visit (~20 minutes) before the march into Bancroft. We saw some parents racing around to find some sightings, but I doubt the value of that effort.

We were new to the experience, so we greatly enjoyed the guided tour and various presentations and outdoor expo. If it's a typical Annapolis June day it will be extremely humid. I overpacked a backpack with a laptop and never used it. Our son showed up for the oath and pre-Bancroft march and that was much appreciated. I think anymore relatives would have been too much.

Anyway good luck to you. Just take it in small chunks. Get through the next exercise.
 
KingKrusty said:
Class of 2028 here. I-day is coming up obviously and my grand parents were going to come up to see me come I-day. Is there anything I need to fill out or do to ensure that they have access to the grounds and events? Should I send or tell them anything in particular? Thanks.
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... if these are my grandparents, I will make them stay home. It's too hot and humid. Humanity is not the most pleasant after 8 hours of walking around on the yard. Parents weekend is the most ideal. Grandparents can just relax in the living room, chatting, laughing, eating, watching movies, playing cards.
 
KingKrusty said:
Class of 2028 here. I-day is coming up obviously and my grand parents were going to come up to see me come I-day. Is there anything I need to fill out or do to ensure that they have access to the grounds and events? Should I send or tell them anything in particular? Thanks.
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Everyone is different. Grandma went and she walked around and hopped over barriers to see her grandson. My mom and I got to spend some quality time together with out DS. Bring a chair or buy a chair, seek out shade, eat, enjoy, and don't stress. I found it amusing to watch my son get introduced to being a plebe. The key is to not stress and know what will work best for your DS or DD. Trust the process. Congratulations!
 
All they need is a government issued I.D. We brought cousins, aunt and grandpa to i-day. Our plebe asked them to come and I’m glad they were able to do it. We dropped him off early in the morning, and spent the day touring the yard, we also bought tix to the picnic. The youngest member in our group was 4yrs and the oldest 74. We did a LOT of walking, and we were prepared for it.
 
US?A said:
Everyone is different. Grandma went and she walked around and hopped over barriers to see her grandson. My mom and I got to spend some quality time together with out DS. Bring a chair or buy a chair, seek out shade, eat, enjoy, and don't stress. I found it amusing to watch my son get introduced to being a plebe. The key is to not stress and know what will work best for your DS or DD. Trust the process. Congratulations!
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fyi grandma was 85 at the time. A few months before Iday, she was told she could a wheel chair for the event. The next morning she started walking to get in shape for IDay!! No wheel chair for her!!!
 
US?A said:
Everyone is different. Grandma went and she walked around and hopped over barriers to see her grandson. My mom and I got to spend some quality time together with out DS. Bring a chair or buy a chair, seek out shade, eat, enjoy, and don't stress. I found it amusing to watch my son get introduced to being a plebe. The key is to not stress and know what will work best for your DS or DD. Trust the process. Congratulations!
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... yah, some grandmas are tough. My grandma smoked and was a centenarian... +10. The cigarette was unfiltered. The VA sent a federal investigator looking at a possible fraud. The investigator found a tiny woman. She's been receiving a military pension since the 1960s due to my grandfather's WWII service.
 
KingKrusty said:
Class of 2028 here. I-day is coming up obviously and my grand parents were going to come up to see me come I-day. Is there anything I need to fill out or do to ensure that they have access to the grounds and events? Should I send or tell them anything in particular? Thanks.
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Report time tip :) I posted this in another thread last year...
If you think you allowed enough time, double it! If you plan on walking on at Gate 1
In 22, those that hopped on the Bus at Navy/Marine Corps Stadium had a little easier security check prior to getting on bus and getting dropped off at Alumni Hall. Gate 3 was NOT open.

Keep in mind if bringing grandparents as others have stated the Heat & Humidity and lines... In 22 we stayed at a place about a 15 min walk from Gate 1. DS report time was 9am we left at 8am, and as stated already, arrived at Gate 1 seeing the line wrap around the building🤢. After getting through, Grandparents will face the 10-15 minute walk from there to Alumni Hall. If Grandparents are comming for drop off, take the bus on from Stadium.

Everyone is different and and do what works best for you and their health & comfort.

It worked better for us to hold off bringing grandparents until a Fall Parade. Much cooler on the Yard in the fall, less crowded, lazy slow stroll with GP to take in Yard sights. Hit noon formation, and then Brigade Parade in afternoon. Spent good time after with DS MIDN and GP.
 
If the grandparents cannot take the rigor of walking all day, they can set up chairs on the grass in the shade close to the Tecumseh and picnic all day. They will see their plebe for 30 minutes all decked out in whiteworks, take pics, they will hear the swearing in ceremony, they will shed tears of pride no doubt. Unforgettable, not to be missed. I disagree with those who say wait for PPW. Not the same thing, not by a long shot. I-day is special.
 
KingKrusty said:
Class of 2028 here. I-day is coming up obviously and my grand parents were going to come up to see me come I-day. Is there anything I need to fill out or do to ensure that they have access to the grounds and events? Should I send or tell them anything in particular? Thanks.
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Make sure they have accepted ID- a RealID drivers license (or passport or military ID). They will enjoy the family presentation in Alumni Hall, the picnic on Hospital Point (must buy tickets in advance from the Alumni Association). Then maybe a tour of the Yard. I would suggest bringing chairs for them for the Oath Ceremony. They can be left on the grassy areas in front of Bancroft and the Chapel during the day- preferably under a tree in the shade. Bring a small cooler bag with beverages, too.
 
mspeachintexas said:
All they need is a government issued I.D. We brought cousins, aunt and grandpa to i-day. Our plebe asked them to come and I’m glad they were able to do it. We dropped him off early in the morning, and spent the day touring the yard, we also bought tix to the picnic. The youngest member in our group was 4yrs and the oldest 74. We did a LOT of walking, and we were prepared for it.
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Not sure if it has changed, but not long ago some state issued driver’s licenses did not meet the standards required to be used as appropriate ID to enter USNA (or to pass through TSA at airports)

Double check as you wouldn’t want to be turned away.
 
Cerberi said:
Not sure if it has changed, but not long ago some state issued driver’s licenses did not meet the standards required to be used as appropriate ID to enter USNA (or to pass through TSA at airports)

Double check as you wouldn’t want to be turned away.
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I had a non-compliant drivers license but they let me through. Better not to chance it and have a passport or Global Entry ID or something like that.
 
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