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MBMikeB, I saw THREE plebes leave, and one return. That same one left a second time and came back again. I thought perhaps he was feeling sick. I believe the other two left and did not return.
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<p>That would make sense. Easy to lose recollection whether it was 2 or 3, combined with one of them making two trips, compounded by the fact they all looked alike!</p>
<p>Looking forward to your video. I know where the band was, so it sounds like you got those that entered from the right of center....we were left of center and son came in from right so we never saw him at all!</p>
<p>Well, if you endure the entire video, you'll see him for sure. The whole thing was about 52 minutes long...as you know there was some lag time while they waited for the planes to approach. So some of the video is boring, my vantage point wasn't great on all of it, but it was perfect for the plebe entrance from right of center!</p>
<p>I wonder which side my son came in from?? Probably the OTHER side--but let me know when you post--I'll endure the whole thing, I promise!!</p>
<p>Between crying and taking care of my other little kids, I did not see anyone come or go at all, but obviously I missed that! I also have a video of the flyover--a two minute long video with 5 seconds of f-18 at the end of it! LOL!</p>
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For you new parents, this can be the first example of the Bancroft rumor mill. Don't believe 90% of the rumors and be totally skeptical of the other 10%. </p>
<p>The mids have already taken the official oath and signed their paper work. This is a requirement before they start processing. Probably one of the first things they do in the morning. The outside oath ceremony is just for show. For the parents. So any mid that thought he was accomplishing something by getting up and leaving, was totally clueless. I am most positive that 'the rest of the story' will be rather anticlimactic.</p>
<p>Since they were already in processed, those plebes would still have to go through the whole check out process which takes weeks. During this time they see their entire chain of command along with chaplains. Be assured that no midshipman leaves the academy before being counseled multiple times by midshipman and officers. In fact during the summer plebes who are thinking about quiting are encouraged to stay.</p>
<p>So by combining the factoids of USNA69 "The mids have already taken the official oath" and navy07 "those plebes would still have to go through the whole check out process which takes weeks" I guess it leaves the burning question unresolved (to me at least)....</p>
<p>Is it truth or myth that some plebes never make it beyond I-Day and are on their way home by the next day (or sooner)?</p>
<p>A Candidate may leave anytime before the oath. I have <em>heard</em> that some just sort of freak out and won't sign it and go home but I don't know if that's "urban legend" or not.<br>
The USMA website posted pictures of NC's taking the oath and signing it in a classroom - they had changed out of their civies at that point and were in their PT uniform - before they got their Class "A"'s, so I think it must have been before lunch. West Point expected 1305 New Cadets but the Oath was administered to 1292.<br>
Some may have gotten injured or sick just prior to R-day while a few are found to be sick or otherwise medically disqualified during the medical exam.</p>
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<li> I think every SA has a Basic who quits the first day.</li>
<li> To me, something is horribly wrong if a Basic quits the first day. As nerve wracking as it might be, I know there are support mechanisms at every SA to help a Basic out that first day. Perhaps one reason it takes so long to outprocess...the want the Basic to BE SURE he/she wants out.</li>
<li> I cannot imagine a Basic not know what he/she was about to get into such that he/she quits that first day. To me and I think to many...he/she DID take a spot away from someone who was just as worthy and was not given that spot.</li>
<li> It's immaterial whether it was one Basic or 3 Basics that left during a ceremony...what IS important is whether they left to quit permanently or for other reasons. We should not speculate. The sad truth is that statistically there is at least 1-2 who DO quit that first day. Sad.</li>
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<p>It depends on if the candidate took the oath. After receiving your issue you are taken to your company area. You meet with the company officer where he/she explains the oath you are about to take. You then take the oath and sign the paper accepting your position as a midshipman in the US Navy. The swearing in ceremony is simply a reaffirmation of the oath you took earlier with your company officer. </p>
<p>It is possible for a candidate to go home the same day, if they are not willing to sign the oath, however every attempt will be taken to get them to do it. Although it is possible 99.9% of the time the candidate will at least be convinced to stay for a couple of days. </p>
<p>The only kind of reason I can see for allowing a candidate to leave the same day is if they had a moral objection with the oath they had to take....a candidate that did not want to execute the duties as explained in the oath.</p>
<p>From a 2008 USNA Varsity Athletics Program first page inside cover (statistics I guess are from 2006-2007 CY):</p>
<p>More than 34% of Brigade competes in varsity athletics
42% of all female mids are varsity athletes
Varsity Athletes graduate at a higher rate than the Brigade
More than 1500 athletes represent USNA at the D1 Level</p>
<p>I'd guess that from these numbers V. athletes don't leave early more than anyone else.</p>
<p>"The only kind of reason I can see for allowing a candidate to leave the same day is if they had a moral objection with the oath they had to take....a candidate that did not want to execute the duties as explained in the oath."</p>
<p>With ALL that a candidate has to go through to get admitted HOW is it that they didn't realize there was an oath involved or what it meant???? Anything is possible...but I find it difficult to believe that this is a reason.</p>
<p>That is why it is so rare. Although I am sure it has happened, I do not see many other scenarios where the candidate would be allowed to leave the same day. Throughout the summer, plebes are allowed to drop on request at any time, however if they do they are moved to Tango company to do outprocessing and be counseled by multiple people. When in Tango company they can always be moved back into a training company at any time before they sign their final resignation. </p>
<p>This time required to check out is specifically designed to allow the plebe to reconsider before making their final decision.</p>
<p>Yes, it is hard to believe some candidates report not knowing anything about the academy, but it does happen. Some members of my class were pretty clueless about the academy when they arrived. They made it through however with the amount of work needed it was suprising that they were so clueless. I attributed it to the difference in different districts requirements for nomination.</p>
<p>I've posted the first of several videos of the I-Day Oath of Office ceremony. This one shows the first half of those plebes who entered from the right of the stage. The resolution is greatly reduced for some reason. I will do my best to try to clean it up.
Here's the link: YouTube</a> - 2012USNA's Channel
It takes a long time to upload these lengthy segments. I'll try to get the rest of the videos up over the next day or two.</p>
<p>not all may be as it appears!
It is very possible that plebes seen leaving T-Court during the Oath of Office Ceremony do so because of feeling sick- the heat and humidity can be oppressive.</p>
<p>Lets hope all that have gotten this far make it to the next day, and the next, and the next after that. If they ultimately decide this is not for them, then let's hope they have the courage to get out. This is not for everyone.</p>
<p>For future candidates- this is a lesson to take to heart. It is imperative to do your homework if you are considering a service academy. Visit, read, ask questions, ask more, read more, visit again. Go in with "eyes wide open." If someone shows up not knowing they will have to surrender a cell phone, or get a haircut, or have to wear a uniform, it is clear they did not research this as thoroughly as they could have.</p>
<p>As for coaches, as well intended as they may be, they are trying to recruit the best for their respective teams. They are no different than their civilian counterparts, except they have to sell their program in a different way as the obligations are obviously different. A wise candidate- or any prospective student applying to any college- will look beyond the coach and do a deep dive into the school and the opportunities offered- over and above athletics. You are one injury away from not playing your sport again.... so make sure to base your decision on the end goal. If it is not to be a Naval Officer or officer in the Marine Corps, you need to look elsewhere. If this is the goal, however, then do your homework and due dilligance- there should be no real surprises, except for how you will react come I-Day, come plebe summer, plebe year, and the rest of your time on the bay. </p>