<p>Do we need to bring our check book to I-day?</p>
<p>At CVW they said we could "just drop our kids off at the gate and the Academy would take care of everything from there." But friends who's S graduated 09 said they had to write a check for upwards of $2,000. </p>
<p>So which is it?</p>
<p>No, you dont need a check.</p>
<p>That was to cover the initial payment on the ACE (Aditional Clothing and Equipment) loan which the navy automatically gives each incoming mid to cover the cost of new uniforms, their computers, and all of the issued stuff. None of that is free. </p>
<p>Since the class of 2012 (or 2011 I am not sure) you do not need to put that down payment down, and this you no longer need to bring that check to I-Day.</p>
<p>That being said, about $100 in the pocket of your mid would not hurt for the few times they can hit up the mid store during plebe summer. ;)</p>
<p>No funds needed I-Day. However, son did set up his bank account the day before I-Day at Navy Fed Credit Union there on the yard. He had received a number of checks for high school graduation and opened his account with those. The info will be in the gynormous packet you will receive in May.</p>
<p>The “no fee” began with 2012.</p>
<p>One of Adm Fowler’s first actions as Supt.</p>
<p>Where’d he take the $300,000+ in revenue from? Chow, it seems.</p>
<p>Mids still pay it. It just comes out of their salaries. Subsistence is a separate pot of money.</p>
<p>Each Midshipman is given an “ACE” loan upon starting at USNA. The loan covers their initial uniform issue, computers, etc, and is paid back by automatic deductions from their MidPay each month. In the past, incoming plebes up-fronted money to offset that loan amount; that practice has stopped, and now Mids just get issued a larger loan at the start.</p>
<p>Families can opt for a “yard card” for their Mids, which they can use in Drydock and Steerage, as well as the Midstore. You can add to that throughout the year as you see fit.</p>
<p>As for food-
A big “hoo-rah” for Masterchief Banks!
While not “perfect” [is perfect ever really attainable?] the food and offerings have improved considerably over the past 2 years. Contrats and a huge “thanks” for that-
and especially for the Starbucks coffee in Kings Hall!</p>
<p>Yard Card:</p>
<p>To parents of mids coming in, I would not get the yard card for your mids. Much better is a direct deposit account set up in their Navy Federal account. It is easy to set up, and it lets them use their cash at places off the yard, as well as on, which is so much more convenient. I have used both systems and greatly prefer the ease and no restrictions on the Direct Deposit route.</p>
<p>And yeah, BZ CMC Banks, this place’s food has gotten so much better.</p>