<p>Subject line should be "I-Day Personal Swearing in" -- sorry
Who can perform a personal swearing in? Active duty or retired career officer? My son would like to ask a family friend who is a retired Navy Capt., but wonders if his father (a naval aviator who served for five years as a USMC pilot) would qualify and should get to perform the honor.</p>
<p>Thanks for advice on this.</p>
<p>The swearing in on I-Day is performed as a class by the Superintendant (or the Commandant, can't remember which). </p>
<p>I would advise against doing a "special" ceremony in the short time allotted for the Plebes to say goodbye to their families. Not only isn't there much time, but it may not go over well if seen. I recommend saving that honor for Graduation Day.</p>
<p>Zaphod, I have to disagree with you here. They are given time ( Plebes got 40 minutes last year according to a friend who's son is class of 2010) and it means alot. We were able to have do the private swearing in up in Memorial Hall with my dad and brother present ( Dad, Uncle and Granddad are all USNA grads) and it meant so much to my son to have that happen and I know it's something that my Dad will treasure that moment always. We didn't have 40 minutes by a long shot but we still had time to do the swearing in and visit a little bit before he was off to look for his canteen (a long story)</p>
<p>sorry about the typo's....must have slept through proof reading in school</p>
<p>Times have changed for the better. Thirty years ago we didn't have any time for private swearing-in ceremonies. We also, for the most part, traveled to the academy unaccompanied. We also didn't get to see our parents after the swearin in nor did we get to call home. As new plebes, we were marched straight into Bancroft Hall for our evening meal in the Wardroom (now called King Hall). Although, I must say that we didn't get to eat much of that first evening meal (Surf 'n Turf with Banana Splits for desert).</p>
<p>I-Day has definitely changed and is a family event. :) USNA is now a kinder, gentler military institution of higher learning.</p>
<p>
[quote]
USNA is now a kinder, gentler military institution of higher learning.
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</p>
<p>You say that like it's a good thing.</p>
<p>I don't think it's a good thing.</p>
<p>yes, everyone's gone soft. i wish we could still beat the plebes and hang people off yardarms-that's discipline. </p>
<p>guys it is not a bad thing that parents can come and be a part of I-day. USNA has evolved, as it must, to accommodate changing times. we need visitors to see us, we need the PR and we need the tourists. we especially need them to buy souvenirs. usna hasn't forgotten its mission and there's still enough things to make every mid's favorite phrase "IHTFP".</p>
<p>I'm not talking about the parents-access thing. That is, of course, wonderful. I was just replying to GA's blanket statement. I'm sick of "kinder gentler" ANYTHING, because it invariably means it's been watered down to nothing.</p>
<p>"IHTFP" - I Have Truly Found Paradise
"IHTFP" - I Hope There's a Friday Parade</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Ha ha this thread calls to mind the t-shirt which says, "The floggings will continue until morale improves." :D</p>
<p>Private swearing in did add some hectic-ness (Is that a word??) to the few moments we had w/ our plebe, but well worth the effort (for us). Retired Navy dad (in uniform) read the oath while grandad (also Navy) and the rest of us looked on. Kinda cemented the whole "family tradition" thing. </p>
<p>Did it benefit our plebe in any way? Who knows!</p>
<p>I believe there is info regarding who is eligible to administer the oath in the permit to report packet.</p>
<p>Where's Philo T. when he's most needed!</p>
<p>Thanks for the reality check about the good ol' days. And about the reality that USNA is essentially a political institution, supported and operated at the behest, mercy, and benefit of and for the society that has willed it into existence and enables its continuance. While many values, principles and mission remain constant what worked in '29 or '49 or '69 or '89 is no more appropriate in '09 than trying to drive a model T to the moon. We all know this but it's easy to forget, hard to surrender the idea that my time was the best.</p>
<p>And here I thought I-Day was celebrated with being personally sworn at... Am totally going to have to amend my way of thinking. Looking more and more like USNA for my mid is going to truly be a vacation from mom's rants?? (j.k. folks!!)</p>
<p>I'm gettin' me that t-shirt! (Boss, you are underappreciated.)</p>
<p>To go back to the top a bit, I'd have to agree with Zaph on this, my dad went there w/ class of '80, and all his old friends w/ kids already there say that its much better to bring a little food and have a nice picnic or something with your plebe before they go away for 6 weeks. Speaking as a hopeful 11'er(its coming this week i can feel it!) I would much rather spend time w/ my family for the last bit of time before im gone for 6 weeks than do that special sworn in stuff.</p>