I have looked around unsuccessfully to find what I am looking for. We will be there for I-day and PPW. We are a long way away, cant just drop by for football games, etc. We anticipate other than these milestone events, that mostly he will travel back home to us. When will he be allowed to do that? Thanksgiving? Holiday break? I looked for the information on the calendar, but it wasn't clear (or I didn't understand the color coding...) to me. Maybe plebes don't get to leave all year and to see him we will HAVE to travel out there?
There are various threads on this, worth browsing for, but some quick highlights:
- Your Plebe-to-be will soon figure it out and be your source. They get smart on all things related to getting away from the Yard!
- Don’t make any plans until your mid can tell you what this year’s guidance is. Just because something has been a certain way for a few years, doesn’t mean it can’t change.
- Many parents find this an ideal time, during the Academy years, to teach their mids how to research, plan and purchase their own travel. It’s an invaluable skill, especially for the lives they will lead, to be a knowledgeable and resourceful traveler. We have two 1/c at the house right now, getting ready to report back in. One was just commenting on how she had planned her travel over the last few years to maximize her Hilton Honors Points, and she was going to use them to cover a room at a Florida beach town for spring break. I smiled, very proud of how she was handling all her own travel.
- At Thanksgiving, Wed classes usually start earlier to get a full class day in, and then they can go. They are due back Sunday by x time, with those traveling by required to land by y time. Many families who live far away, decide it’s an ideal time to visit family on the East Coast and meet their mid there, or enjoy NYC or other closer place to celebrate the holiday in a new way.
- Winter holiday leave starts after last exam period, so that can vary. They will all be due back - “Reform” - at a certain time. Happens to be today.
- Spring break is usually a full class week in March. They can leave after LMO (last military obligation) on Friday; they will all return on Sunday a week later.
- There are Monday holidays, which mean a 3-day weekend. Plebes normally are allowed Saturdays off-Yard, but no overnight stays unless current policy allows them an overnight or a weekend with overnights, or they have earned it in some way. This changes every few years, usually when there is a leadership change. On 3-day weekends, they can have Sat and Sun off-Yard. So - MLK and President’s Day weekends during the Dark Ages (cold and dreary time between winter and spring breaks) are great times for a morale visit. Key factor: your mid’s duty schedule. They may have to stand watch over various weekends. They will know how to figure that out.
- Intersessional leave. This is the time after spring final exams end and the no-class period before Comm Week. There are various things going on, training/briefs/gear turn-in, but there also may be some time off.
- They usually get roughly 3 weeks in the summer. They won’t know their summer schedule for sure until the spring. They also have opportunities to take interesting elective blocks, internships or voluntary summer school activities instead of leave. Or travel with friends, like any other college student.
- During 2/c year, it’s Parents Weekend in the fall.
- 1/c year, it’s Comm Week.
Your local Parent’s Club will be an invaluable resource. If your appointee has accepted, feel free to contact them. They will usually have a Plebe welcoming event in the late spring.
https://www.usna.com/stay-connected-parent-clubs