<p>I think it is better to bring less people on I-day, if any at all. Makes the depression from the transition to cheers to screaming and yelling less shocking.</p>
<p>If your parents have to choose between one choose PPW. As for bringing friends on I-day I would think they would get pretty bored being there all day and maybe seeing you for 15 minutes. The 15 minutes you have with your family you are probably going to want to spend with your family and not with a huge group since it will be the last time you see them for six weeks.</p>
<p>Bill0 - Thanks for your post. That just confirmed that the grandad will be included in the "immediate family". Our mid will be 3rd generation Navy so it will mean alot to him to see his DGS take the oath. Grandmothers, etc. can join us PPW.</p>
<p>(The brothers, dad & grandad makes 5 men & me - It's good to be the Queen! Actually I'm lucky to be included!).</p>
<p>Hey all you kids, remember, Mom gets the last hug on I-day. It's a rule!</p>
<p>Amen, Navy! Preach it, brother!</p>
<p>At the Air Force game last year, they had Navy veterans stand up decade by decade. . . there were not many left but my father was proud to stand among those that served in the 40s. The woman that was sitting next to him the whole game, chit-chatting away, had no idea. She just stared up at him in awe.</p>
<p>I am not a fan of a bunch of friends going for I-day, it is a very long, confusing day. [In the entire day, you only see the new plebe for about an hour, at the end of the day.] Immediate family, however, is a different matter. Although grandfather did not go on I-day [he went on PPW], plan on a LOT of water, have a plan for rest stops, bring a portable chair with you. </p>
<p>By the way, grandfather is going to Herndon!</p>
<p>I don't think seeing family for those few minutes you get hurts. The upperclass usually take such good care of you that first night you don't have time to think about them once your brief "family" time is done. I had my HS girlfriend there which was nice...by parent's weekend, my MD-NAPS girlfriend showed up for that weekend which is a whole lot more fun. My friend and I took our dates sailing to show off how much we had learned. Fortunately for us, my girlfriend (now my wife) knew how to sail and got us out and back without any problems. An officer was watching and remarked to my family that it was good thing she was along as undoubtably our skills were not refined as of yet. This was before women had been admitted. </p>
<p>I would think if you had your buddies there, they would indeed be bored but perhaps not. They won't spend much time with you so it they can entertain themselves they'll be ok but your family has a vested interest so it's a great time for them to be there if they can. Of the two, parent's weekend is better for the family if they can only make it to one of the weekends. </p>
<p>Back in the day, the upperclass played the song "See you in September" (our Plebe year ran from July 3 or so until September) out on T-Court. It made all the moms cry and even some of the Mids. I thought it was great and funny. I actually enjoyed Plebe Summer, Plebe year was entirely a different story.</p>