<p>Who is heading to West Point for Ring Weekend? It'll be the first time I get to see my D as a firstie!</p>
<p>I'm a Plebe parent, so no heading up there for ring weekend, but I know a few Plebes who are looking forward to mobbing the firsties with their Plebe knowledge ring chants! Finally, some of the "useless knowledge" will come in handy. ;) To you firstie parents heading that direction, I wish you safe travels and a wonderful time visiting!</p>
<p>I'll be there. Can't wait!!!!</p>
<p>WP_Dad, I'll see my D as a firstie for the first time also.</p>
<p>Have fun everyone! :)</p>
<p>My wife and I will be there as well. The rings will be presented to the senior cadets on Friday at a ceremony at Trophy Point that includes a full Brigade Review/Parade. Saturday includes a formal dinner in Washington Hall followed by a dance in Eisenhower Hall. For you trivia lovers, West Point was the first American school to have class rings.</p>
<p>The rings' prices depend on the type, size and number of jewels and precious metal in the ring. According to my son, prices range from a low of about $1000 to some costing over $10,000. Cadets have been encouraged to save money in their cadet accounts for their rings. Some have, some haven't. </p>
<p>After the ring ceremony, the other cadets get to mob and harass the Firsties by reciting the "Ring Poop":</p>
<p>"Oh My God, Sir/Ma'am! What a Beautiful Ring! What a crass mass of brass and glass! What a bold mold of rolled gold! What a cool jewel you got from your school! See how it sparkles and shines? It must have cost you a fortune! May I touch it? May I touch it please, Sir/Ma'am?"</p>
<p>The Firstie can't get away until they let each of the cadets recite the poop and touch the ring for good luck. By the way, the cadets yell the poop at the top of their lungs. </p>
<p>This is a special time for the plebes since they finally get a chance to haze someone and give a little payback to the firsties. It's all good fun and the parents are allowed into the Central Area of the barracks to watch the activities.</p>
<p>While the cadets are looking forward to Ring Weekend , this is a big month for the Firsties for another reason as well. During September they submit their branch preferences. They will find out their branch assignments in November. Assigments are allocated based on cadet rankings and available slots in the various branches.</p>
<p>Aspen, unless it has changed, the ring ceremony on Friday does not include a Brigade Review. In the past the Firstie class marched down to Trophy Point and stood in formation, but the other classes did not participate. I know this because my plebe stood with us last year and watched his brother.
I suggest taking a blanket (or something else) to sit on as the spectators gather on the grassy hill above and behind Trophy Point to watch the ceremony.</p>
<p>Parents were allowed to watch the ring poop from the fringes, but were not allowed into the cadet area. You could still see plenty. Things change, so maybe it will be different this year.</p>
<p>USMA08mom,</p>
<p>You may very well be correct about the Cadet Review being limited to the Firsties only this year, as it was last year. I based my post on the the Cadet Review Schedule that lists "Brigade 1st Class Ring Ceremony" for Friday the 12th. I took it to mean a full Brigade Reveiw. Now that you mention what took place last year, the schedule listing may actually mean only the 1st Class cadets are participating.</p>
<p>I <em>have heard</em> that the Class of 2012 is especially looking forward to the firsties getting their class rings - as demonstrated by this skit done at the Beast Talent show
YouTube</a> - Class Ring Poop</p>
<p>Congraulation to all Firsties and their parents! Have a great weekend!</p>
<p>Aspen or MOT,
If you see a certain cadet from California would you mind taking a pic or two?</p>
<p>Shogun,</p>
<p>We'll keep an eye out for her.</p>
<p>Absolutely, shogun.</p>
<p>aspen, no crying this time...I promise (sort of).</p>
<p>MOT -- Good luck with that!! It is an incredible moment to watch them open their rings and turn into little kids for a second! And then to see it hit each of them how close they are to the goal... You are in for a wonderful weekend.</p>
<p>No way can I do this without crying. I'm getting teary-eyed just reading USMA08Mom's post. :o</p>
<p>Congratulations to all Firsties and their parents for surviving the "roller-coaster" thus far!
Be honest - did the past three years go by fast?</p>
<p>Hard to believe the big event is almost over. A true milestone for the cadets and more so for the parents. Remember the day your son or daughter was accepted? The mixed feelings of joy and anxiety? It is all happening so fast now, any way to slow it down?</p>
<p>Ring Weekend Summary</p>
<p>First of all, I have to say this was one of the happiest times I've spent at West Point. The firsties are in great moods - and this is an absolute pleasure to see.</p>
<p>The weather was so bad on Friday that the ceremony had to be moved into Ike Hall. I found it ironic that this was the same setting for that somber, 90-second good-by just about 3 years ago. I looked at the seats we sat in back then and it was almost surreal to recall the emotions and words of R-Day. (You're right, jayspin, it's moving way too fast right now.)</p>
<p>The ceremony itself seemed short. The Firsties have come a long way. They seemed so mature and confident.</p>
<p>There were 2 reunions going on this weekend. The old grads were yet another reminder of the long gray line that our cadets belong to and they were thrilled to be at West Point for Ring Weekend.</p>
<p>Ring Poop: Ohmygosh! It was so much more fun to watch than the youtube videos. Even though it was pouring, the plebes were out in raincoats/ponchos and yelling out their prepared lines. Both plebes and firsties were having fun. </p>
<p>Saturday's weather was hot and humid. Banquet at the Mess Hall was beautiful, as well as hot and humid. The walk to Ike Hall was hot and humid. (Get the picture?) The dates looked gorgeous - I just don't know how they walked around post in their heels. The smart ones carried the dressy sandals and walked in more comfortable shoes. (Yes, the wine glasses were souvenirs, so I have 3)</p>
<p>The hop was great - again because it was such a happy occasion. Firsties were taking lots of pictures of each other with their rings.</p>
<p>As joyful as the weekend was, in the back of so many parents' minds we know that this event brings us closer to graduation. And graduation brings us closer to the day our children are deployed. I'll bet the anxiety on R-Day in Ike Hall 3 years ago is nothing in comparison to what's headed our way. In the meantime, we have Branch Night, the Army-Navy Game, 100th Night, and a few other milestones to reach until then.</p>
<p>By the way, each and every ring was absolutely beautiful, while being unique.</p>
<p>shogun, I tried to find your daughter. Unfortunately, the pictures of her I recall include BCG's or a finish line, rather than India Whites and makeup So, I couldn't get any pictures of her. Sorry. I'll bet some of her friends have some.</p>
<p>No problem, MOT---Aspen was able to track her down and shoot some. THANKS for trying!!</p>
<p>momoftwins,</p>
<p>Sorry we missed each other last weekend.</p>
<p>You are correct the Firsties were in great spirits. The ring is truly charished by the cadets since it is tangible proof that graduation is both real and near. There was a varied range of ring choices and prices. Prices quoted ranged from a low of about $1000 to a high of over $15,000.</p>
<p>The rain was an inconvience on Friday but it certainly didn't dampen the spirits of the cadets. I think the rain made the Ring Poop tradition by the plebes even better since the plebes knew the firsties had to stand in the rain while the they swarmed around them screaming the Ring Poop. It's amazing the volume of noise a thousand screaming plebes can make.</p>
<p>After the poop our son's company hosted a submarine sandwich dinner for the company's firsties and their guests in the company Day Room in the barracks. It was suppose to be an outside cookout but the rain forced the dinner inside. It was a great opportunity to meet some of our son's fellow cadets and their parents.</p>
<p>Saturday's dinner in Washington Hall was the highlight for me. The massive hall with its gothic architecture has to make Washington Hall one of the most beautiful and impressive dinning facility in the country. The thunderlike sound that resonants through the hall when everyone pushes their chairs back across the stone floor to rise for the toasts is unique. </p>
<p>Since the event was for the firsties and guests, real wine specially labeled for the occasion was served. </p>
<p>We were also invited to a reception before dinner in our son's barracks. Like parent/plebe weekend parents were able to visit their cadets' rooms and marvel at the orderliness of the beds, desks and closets. Mothers gasped with delight when they opened the dresser drawers and found all the clothing items neatly laid out. </p>
<p>The cadets shared their secret for keeping their beds properly made. They sleep on top of the sheets under a separate blanket. That way, they only need to smooth out the bedding each morning.</p>
<p>All in all, a great weekend.</p>
<p>aspen,</p>
<p>Also sorry we missed you.</p>
<p>We stood outside the barracks at the Mac statue for over an hour. We missed the barracks visitation time because the 3 female cadets in 1 room take longer to get ready for a banquet and hop than the male cadets. (Just like a civilian college. :D :D :D)</p>