I-Day Question!

<p>I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly what occurs on i-day as far as the medical screening goes. The reason i ask is because i passed my vision test with dodmerb (20/20) back in the fall, but i have a feeling that since then the visual acuity in my left eye has deteriorated. would this keep me from being inducted?</p>

<p>it is my understanding you will be given another vision test during processing , as well as a number of other medical tests. They also give a breathalyzer, ( could you imagine a plebe showing up hammered on I day). I know of one plebe who was given a full compliment of shots even though their shot records were up to date. Be prepared for any and everything</p>

<p>
[quote]
The reason i ask is because i passed my vision test with dodmerb (20/20) back in the fall, but i have a feeling that since then the visual acuity in my left eye has deteriorated. would this keep me from being inducted?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>while anything is possible, it is highly doubtful that your vision would have changed that much to make a difference.....</p>

<p>the worst that would happen is that they sign you up for some BCG geekers... not the end of the world! So continue to pack your bags and have a safe trip!</p>

<p>Don't they also check for undocumented tatoos?</p>

<p>I've also heard of kids whose 20/20 vision deteriorated during the academic year. I'm sure you're still within the limits.</p>

<p>Oh lord .. not the dreaded tattoos again! :)</p>

<p>Hey, we sent the photo and Spider signed the statement. I have nightmares that they never received it and he'll get turned away. I live on stress!</p>

<p>Can we revisit the tatoo thing for an anniversary? :D</p>

<p>Just kidding!!!!!</p>

<p>im behind on the whole tatoo thing... lol seriously.</p>

<p>I think the tatoo thing really happened....
or is it an urban legend?
But it is true that candidates were released on I-Day for failing the test for color blindness.....
or last-minute injuries....
pass the bubble wrap!!!!</p>

<p>My daughters report time is 8:00am, what time should we be at the stadium to get on the bus and then to the Academy?</p>

<p>Yea, I was kind of wondering that to. Do you go stand in line at your report time, or like 5-10 minutes earlier so you actually "report" at your proper time?</p>

<p>I would be at the stadium no later than 0700. Remember in the military to be early is to be on time....etc</p>

<p>Just get there around your report time doesn't matter if you're a little late or a little early becuase you'll be standing in a huge line.</p>

<p>Keeping in mind that your time to report is through the doors of alumni hall (and not just to the yard or the "line"....)</p>

<p>I would allow about 45 minutes leeway to get from the stadium to alumni hall.... 1 hour if you want to be "absolutely positive"....that for reporting times before 7:30am.... after that, I would add in additional times, as the crowds will grow (as will the traffic)... so an hour for 8am, and perhaps up to 30 minutes more for reporting times of 8:45 or later....</p>

<p>and then get on line....
you will find yourself in the midst of various reporting times.... for example, the thorpedo had a reporting time of 7:30.... we arrived by 7am (would have been earlier, but the whole flip flop fiasco set us back about 15 minutes)... anyway, we arrived at the stadium at 6:30am, and alumni hall by 7am.... so we got right in line as already it stretched beyond the front of alumni hall.... there were people in front of us with a reporting time of 8am, 8:15, 8:30.... and even a very ambitious 9am'er.....all mixed in with the reporting times circling around our 7am time.... just as there were 2 or 3 families with 6:45 times BEHIND us....surprisingly enough, the thorpedo walked through the doors at 7:25am.....</p>

<p>the line does move quickly- and do try and get your hugs and kisses and pics all in well before you reach within 100 yards of the door.... from that point forward they are meeting officers-shaking hands (make sure to keep your right hand empty and available!).... the line FLIES- and there is no time for that last minute hug.....after all the waiting, they are wisked right in and suddenly they are gone! </p>

<p>Best lesson of reporting in for I-Day is to make sure to wear your running shoes, wear "benign" clothing (short-sleeve collared shirt- TUCKED IN- neat shorts- WITH BELT- running shoes.... absolutely NO LOGOS on ANY CLOTHING)....remove all jewlery before hand (you can leave on a single religious medal if you want to ....just make sure the chain is long enough so that it doesn't show from underneath your issued blue-rim)....guys, make sure you shave before going....[ask me how I know all of this!!!! :o ]</p>

<p>mom-this is a good morning to forget the lipstick...I would hate to think what might happen if you plant a last minute kiss with the evidence carried through the doors of alumni! :eek:</p>

<p>re: tatoos: you will be asked-again- to report on "all body markings, tatoos, and piercings".... you will sign a declaration.... that is about the extent of what I know about that....</p>

<p>eye exams- you will be tested again, however not as thorough an exam as DoDMERB.... some how the thorpedo's left eye, tested during the application process at 20/40 (requiring a waiver at that time).... improved to 20/20 during his year of prep when he reported for I-day- go figure! </p>

<p>Have a safe journey everyone- this is a proud day- savor every minute of it- it only gets better!</p>

<p>"wear "benign" clothing (short-sleeve collared shirt- TUCKED IN- neat shorts- WITH BELT- running shoes.... absolutely NO LOGOS on ANY CLOTHING)" </p>

<p>You can wear what you want, in the long run it doesn't matter. No one is going to know you or remember what you wore through the doors of Alumni hall on I-Day. There was a girl next to me at one point wearing an Army shirt, and she did fine.</p>

<p>^^^^ you would think!</p>

<p>there is one officer to this day that still "reminds" our son of his flip-flop debocle....only now they laugh about it.....</p>

<p>navy2010. You've given us this much, you might as well tell us the entire story.</p>

<p>There wasn't really a line at the time Son reported. Just enter the doors whenever y ou wanted.
While Academy wants you there at the time to minimize logjams, the report time is not hard and fast. Just get there and start the process. As long as your name is on the list, it didn't seem to matter.</p>

<p>I will be at the Academy for a week come mid-July. while there is no guarantee I will see your kids, I will report back what I see.</p>

<p>bill- how is it possible you missed that whole story? I posted it last year after I-day- but since you asked- </p>

<p>will give you the condensed version-</p>

<p>son buys new running shoes 6 weeks prior to reporting. Breaks them in as directed. All set.
Son packs up backpack evening prior to I-Day....along with 16 other "family members" staying at the house. House bursting at seams.<br>
No one sleeps.
Alarm goes off at 0400.
Coffee and donuts - </p>

<p>Cars packed up at 0500 for rendevious with remaining family members for trip down to annapolis.
Car running in driveway- packed- keys get locked in-
it's a rental van.... to hold lots of us......
not many locksmiths available at 0500
call rental company- there is a keypad on the door.
"we don't have the combo" they tell me. "call the local office."
They open at 0900.</p>

<p>call 911.
"is there a child locked in the car? otherwise we don't respond- you need to call a locksmith."
I plead my case....."you don't understand- our son has been appointed to the.........he needs to report by.............we have other family members waiting at exit .........."....
she sends a patrole car
we are on our way within 10 minutes.
I send a nice donation when we get back.
Visions of "home alone."</p>

<p>Meet remaining family members. 0600. Back on schedule.
Visit nearly every rest stop en-route to Annapolis.
So much for schedule.
Arrive. Finally.
Meet the remaining aunt and uncle pair up from Florida at staduim.
Park car.
tolly into annapolis.
have lunch.
Tour academy.<br>
Night-before dinner.
Crab feast.
everyone running hands through thorpedo's hair "one last time" before it's history.
Early to bed. </p>

<p>Earlier to rise.
all 26 of us.<br>
and one reasonably anxious plebe.
we meet in hotel lounge for breakfast 0600, I-day.
25 report.
Thorpedo is missing.
A call to the room goes out.</p>

<p>Enter thorpedo.
promply states: "mom,where are my running shoes?"
to which the reply: "exactly where you left them."
the answer becomes painfully obvious: they are at home.
I tell him "don't worry, just wear your other shoes."
"Mom, I didn't bring other shoes."
Anxiety starts to set in.<br>
Uncles and dads offer their shoes.<br>
Not a size 12.5 amongst them.<br>
"try these" i say, handing him a size 10.
desptie a valant effort, the attempt is unsuccessful.</p>

<p>Anxiety is building to panic.
It's 6:20 and time to get going.
"I can't go."
"I can't start like this."
"I'm not going."
Think-think-.....too early for stores to be open.
what else....</p>

<p>GF spots an upperclassman (female) across the room. Unlike the adults losing theirs, she keeps her wits about her and simply approaches the upperclassman.</p>

<p>"My bf left is running shoes at home- all he has is his flip flops- would it be ok if he just wore them?"
to which the answer:
"sure, that's fine- he will get everything he needs"....
she even comes over to the thorpedo, reassuring him "it's ok- don't worry about it... NO ONE WILL EVEN NOTICE."
Thorpedo gets a reprieve. Back to normal jitters.</p>

<p>We proceed as scheduled. 26 anxious aunts and uncles, cousins, sister, gf, mom and dad, and one soon-to-be plebe in flip flops.
"No one will notice" we all say.</p>

<p>HA!!!!!!</p>

<p>EVERYONE NOTICED.</p>

<p>"Nice shoes- where'd ya get them?"
"Do you plan in running in those or are they just for show?"
"Are you sure you are in the right place?"
"Didn't you get the packing list?"</p>

<p>All true- all said with a broad smile- but all from "uniforms" that had this plebe sweating.
"Don't let them see you sweat" his dad offers.</p>

<p>The best one came from an officer attached to the sports team, whom our son had met before.</p>

<p>"Nice shoes. Please tell me you have them in another color for lacrosse- they will clash with the blue and gold."</p>

<p>He had a big grin. The thorpedo just shrugs- and smiles- the most nervous smile I have ever seen.
I think he wanted to die.</p>

<p>He turns around so I can give him a final hug.
"Mom," he says, "so much for no one will notice- right!!!"</p>

<p>And off he goes- flip flopping his way through the doors- but not before we ALL heard one last comment from the last cadre standing right outside the door-
"nice pony (the logo on the shirt....a nice white polo, with blue collar, purchased just for the occassion)...."we have one just like it here- without the mule. Oh, and nice shoes!"</p>

<p>That was the last we ever saw of his J.Crew madris flip-flops.
They dissappeared into the bowels of Bancroft Hall, along with his electric razor, never to be seen again.</p>

<p>We did see the thorpedo however, several hours later at T-court, sporting brand new, sparking white running shoes. Size 12.5.</p>

<p>True story.
And when looking back on it, one of our best-and funniest- memories of I-day.</p>

<p>Now you have it, as God is my witness.
(and if that fails, I have the pics to prove it! ;) )</p>

<p>Great story, I'm sure you were out of your mind when you locked the keys in the van. I thought crazy stuff like that only happened to our family. It sounds to me regardless what you wear the Cadre will find something to get you on.</p>

<p>I can't emphasis this enough...DO NOT LOSE YOUR CANTEEN ON I-DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>My DS (08) did this so he AND his roommate (just met that day) had to sit at Brigade Tables for the first week...trust me, it's not good. Remember, if you mess up, your roommate messes up too. Amazingly enough, they got very close have stayed best buddies ever since. Adversity forges strong friendships I guess</p>