When will I see my plebe again?

justdoit19

Proud parent of an ANG, USNA X2, and a MidSib
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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?
 
Barring restriction, your plebe is free to go home for Thanksgiving, Christmas and spring break. You can also see them for a couple of weeks in the summer unless they opt to spend it doing something else like an internship. If your plebe is playing a sport that could determine whether they get to go home. I believe the basketball teams where playing over Thanksgiving and did not get to go home.
 
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
 
AWESOME read...Thanks!!
 
One other factor to consider...... your mid may choose to voluntarily not come home for some of those breaks. When I was a plebe, 6 of us borrowed a firsties car and went to Boston for Thanksgiving together instead of coming home. When I was a yearling another cadet and I decided to go overseas for spring break. Many find a new family in their brothers and sisters and USXA. It isn't a knock on home or parents, just a part of maturing and spreading wings.
 
And don't forget you can visit them on long weekends, too. No guarantees of how much time you'll get together but combining sight seeing with some kid time can be fun for all.
 
Since you asked about plebe year, a lot depends on how far away from USNA you live or how much you want to travel. MOST plebes go home for the first time at Thanksgiving. Those who live in AK, HI (and probably most of those on the west coast) won't get home until winter break.

In recent years, plebes will get an overnight if football wins a home home, the plebe is in good standing and if they don't have duty. Those WEs can be "banked," meaning can be used on a different WE. So, if you live in the greater Annapolis/DC/B'more/NoVA area, you might see your plebe at home one or more WEs before T-giving.

As noted, you are free to visit USNA and take your plebe out on Saturday -- as well as spend time with him/her on the Yard on Sunday. Most parents will do this in conjunction with a football game but need not be. However, as noted above, before you plan to show up, be sure your plebe doesn't have duty, sports, ECA trip or something else that keep him/her away from the Yard or prevents him/her from leaving the Yard.

Your plebe will have time at home over winter break. Some who are involved in certain sports (e.g., football) may have shorter breaks but I don't ever recall someone who wanted time at home not to get any. Ditto with spring break -- some plebes will have sports obligations (e.g., crew) and some may choose to do certain activities in conjunction with their major an an ECA during that time. The majority can go home if they want to.

And, finally, all plebes who want sponsors will be assigned one -- this is a family in or around Annapolis where your plebe can spend time in a home environment on WEs.
 
Very helpful, thank you all!!!
 
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