Who can attend I day?

<p>
[quote]
So - should we be there on I-day to take the place of someone who quits?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Seriously -- no. First, I'm sorry that your son didn't get an appointment this year. However, given that he came so very close, he may have a good shot next year if he's still interested. I suggest contacting your BGO (if you've not already done so) and CGO to find out what areas he could improve to be successful next year. </p>

<p>As for coming on I-Day if you didn't receive an appointment hoping to get a slot that opens up . . . don't do it. It is a waste of time and money. Several years ago (under the prior Supe), USNA decided to late-admit about 10 students to make up for those who didn't show on I-Day or those who quit. Apparently, that was not an uncommon practice in the 1960s and maybe in prior years. However, whether or not you were one of those 10 had nothing to do with showing up (although, ironically, one of those chosen actually did show up on I-Day but didn't get the notice until a few days later). Not sure how that worked out but, for whatever reason, the late-admit concept has, I believe, once again been discontinued.</p>

<p>If your son still desires to attend USNA, put the time and money he would have spent showing up on I-Day toward whatever area(s) he feels he needs to improve. Much better spent.</p>

<p>Hopefully, if Bill0510 continues to rationalize jumping in front of people and navy2010 continues to make no apologizes for hogging huge blocks of seats at the expense of others, maybe their paths will cross some day. They certainly deserve each other.</p>

<p>Are they still teaching etiquette at the Academy? Obviously some of the mids are showing up lacking home training.</p>

<p>what is etiquette?</p>

<p>Excuse me while I pray in public: O God, please let her be kidding.</p>

<p>Etiquette - found several definitions - </p>

<p>Oxford Dictionary:
etiquette
/ettiket/
• noun *the code of polite behaviour in a society. *</p>

<p>Merriam-WebsterMain Entry: et·i·quette<br>
Pronunciation: ˈe-ti-kət, -ˌket\
Function: noun
Etymology: French étiquette, literally, ticket — more at ticket
Date: 1750
: *the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life *</p>

<p>Folks - what it all boils down here is manners and common sense. Everyone at I-Day or R-Day is on the same team. That is the team to witness a new class of plebes taking the first step. You may not see your child but you will see somebody's child.<br>
The problem with advising good manners and common sense is that people rarely see themselves as being out of line. Think: The Golden Rule - this applies.
If your 12 year old son is 6 ft tall and standing in front of someone's mother, instruct him to not block the view. If you bring your whole town with you - they should not stake out seats and prevent other parents from viewing the oath of office.
No one's new cadet or plebe reporting is more special than the other. If you see a new cadet or plebe who appears to be alone - ask if they are alone, give them a pat on the back and wish them well.
Make sure that those around you are afforded the same courtesy that you would extend to your own family member.
Do not embarrass yourself, your family members or your new plebe.
Don't do anything that will cause you to make excuses for bad behavior later.
Some parents will have a good view and others will perhaps struggle to see - regardless, you are there to take in the moment for what it is. The academies do a good job of posting pictures and even video online.
USMA runs a streaming video of the oath and it think all the academies post pictures throughout the day.
Relax, be proud of your child and all the other kids as well and have FUN!!</p>

<p>mom3boys - you are excused - LOL.</p>

<p>
[quote]
You may not see your child but you will see somebody's child.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Oh, you will see yours for sure. Many many times. Sometimes a little taller. Amazing what those white works do. Sometimes a little thinner. Already losing weight? And in many places that he will deny ever having been that day. Probably by the end of the day, or at least when you start sorting photographs, you will realize that they all look alike. I would have loved to have been on the phone circuit with the 26 'stalkers'. I am sure they overloaded the circuits.</p>

<p>JAM of 4: Nicely put. I'm often amazed by how oblivious people are to how they are affecting others- which includes saving large blocks of seats, jumping in front of others to get the perfect shot, or just generally not being a little understanding and patient. Here's a tip - the World doesn't revolve around you so be considerate and it will all work out. Gordon Gecko was wrong- Greed is not good!</p>

<p>
[quote]
Hopefully, if Bill0510 continues to rationalize jumping in front of people and navy2010 continues to make no apologizes for hogging huge blocks of seats at the expense of others, maybe their paths will cross some day. They certainly deserve each other.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>that is really too funny.</p>

<p>If one is saving seats when an event is about to start, and there are no other seats to be had or no sign of the intended occupants, and there are others in need of a seat, I would take no issue with Bill or anyone else requesting the seat. Not even a question!!!</p>

<p>And had that been the case, the seats would have been surrendered- as we do with any of our "unused" football seats when we have any left open- and those we pay for!</p>

<p>However, it is a different story when, in this case, the "ropes" were opened at 4pm, allowing access to "any and all" (unless I missed the sign that said "parents only beyond this point"), and our party arrives starting at 4:30pm with everyone present and accounted for by 5pm, with a butt in every single one of them (minus the one in a wheelchair) - 90 minutes in advance before the scheduled event. We were in Alumni Hall like everyone else, walked up Stribling like everyone else, arrived to the next scheduled event like everyone else, except we headed to the sunny seats (where Nana and a sprinkling of cousins were seated) while everyone else headed for cover, for Dalghren, for the Midstore, or for a destination other than a seat in T-Court. Aside from our "25 seats and one wheelchair" there were well over 200+ other "front row" seats all nice and empty at 5pm for anyone wanting one, not to mention another 200+ in row 2, row 3, and row 4!!!! But if you think for one minute I am going to surrender an occupied seat for someone who decides to stroll in 5 minutes before the event starts, better yet- looking for a seat in the front row, when I have been occupying it for 90 minutes, and then complain that there is "no seat for them"- think again! Not happening! So call it "hogging" if you will! I call it "planning."</p>

<p>
[quote]

I too would have to say it was wrong to take up 26 seats. You should have taken only 2.

[/quote]

dad/grad- had the sign said "parents only" seating, we would have been happy to comply. There were no such restrictions, and the seats were open to everyone. Granted, we were a large group, but by far, we were not the only group, nor were we the largest.</p>

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[quote]
And why the early worm gets eaten.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>USNA1969: with all due respect, it's not the early worm that gets eaten.... the early worms are already back plowing the ground- it's the tardy ones that the birds get- and even they will go hungry if they arrive too late. Natures rules, not mine!</p>

<p>For those arriving alone, or just a few of you: not a probem, really! What you will need to do is to note the schedule, and schedule yourselves accordingly! We arrived 90 minutes ahead of time- but it could have been shortened to an hour ahead of time and we still would have been right up front! The seats that filled first were not the ones in T-court, but the ones on the bleachers that had some shade- they were filled by the time we arrived, and I have no idea how early to arrive if those are the seats you want! As for the "front row seats"--- they were in the full sun and there were plenty of seats up until about 5:45pm- not so many by 6pm!!! PLAN accordingly!!! </p>

<p>The "down side" of opting for the "front row," however, is that it will take you twice as long to get out of T-Court to meet with your Plebe.... so if that is a concern, then opt for a seat on the bleachers (as close to Stribling as you can get), or opt to stand by the entrance to T-court- you will arrive at your Stribling Letter (and your Plebe) all the sooner!!! </p>

<p>
[quote]

Are they still teaching etiquette at the Academy? Obviously some of the mids are showing up lacking home training.

[/quote]

The answer to your first question is "yes." To the second: "Don't count on it."
But it is increasingly obvious that at least one member of the Class of '69 either snoozed his way through or pulled a Foxtrot. But see- we have yet another thing in common- "I am not surprised" either!</p>

<p>
[quote]

I would have loved to have been on the phone circuit with the 26 'stalkers'. I am sure they overloaded the circuits.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I bet you would! And trust me- not a chance in heck!!!! But make that 24-the grandmothers are not cell-savy. And if anyone asks, I would do it again in a heartbeat. Which reminds me- make sure the cell phones are fully charged. While our plebe had family with him, there was another plebe flying solo that joined our group that welcomed the opportunity to call home.</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>Even though I agree completely, this was '85s comment, not mine.</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>Interesting comment since we have never met. I can assure you that it is not a gap in my education or upbringing. However, it does seem the older I get the less is my ability to suffer fools.</p>

<p>Hey, let's all argue about this some more.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Interesting comment since we have never met.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, you are correct. You bailed out on a bet you lost if I recall correctly- twice. A bottle of merlot if you need your memory jogged a bit. </p>

<p>As for suffering fools- I would comment, but confidences are confidences, and some of us are honorable enough to live up to the bargains we make. You reap what you sow- I believe that about sums it up. </p>

<p>And you are correct- it was a response to '85- with all due respect.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Hey, let's all argue about this some more

[/quote]
</p>

<p>discuss, my boy, discuss! ;)</p>

<p>


</p>

<p>I think our bet was that history would prove that the food situation last fall was not what the initial rumors out of Bancroft would have us believe. Actually, I initially conceded defeat but on two separate occasions you did not meet me at the prearranged location to pick up your wine. Ultimately, as the real story began to unfold, if you will recall, I PMed you and put a hold on my concession of defeat. I think we can all agree that the initial rumors were overblown which would indicate that I am the winner of the bet. In any case, a rather weak effort to deduce that I slept through etiquette classes.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Hopefully, if Bill0510 continues to rationalize jumping in front of people and navy2010 continues to make no apologizes for hogging huge blocks of seats at the expense of others, maybe their paths will cross some day. They certainly deserve each other.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I disagree. I think you, USNA69, and navy2010 are meant for each other. You 2 would make a cute old couple, always arguing...</p>

<p>"what is etiquette?"</p>

<p>OH MY GOSH!!!! I AM SO SORRY!!!! i feel so STUPID!!! sorry please excuse my dumbness!! i read the word and i just didnt process it quite right, maby i should get a bit more sleep at night!! ahhh! okay i really do know what etiquette means (my mom is a freak on manners!) please excuse my mistake! ;) wow i feel real embarassed right now!!</p>

<p>oh & mom3boys it is totaly okay, now i dont feel completely dumb because you pointed it out and gave me a chance to explain myself! -thanks for praying for me ;) (i really do need it at times like this!) LOL</p>

<p>xcpetersen: I teach kids your age, so I'm not usually surprised when their vocabularies have gaps, but I was surprised at that one...glad to know it was simply a processing error. It's nice to see someone your age already planning ahead for HS. If you go in w/ a plan, you won't feel the need to scramble and pad your "resume" at the last minute by joining things you do not care about. My students enjoyed watching my son go through the process. They were able to see that regular people get into academies, "not someone who knows someone." Good luck to you...start strong, finish strong.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I think our bet was that history would prove that the food situation last fall was not what the initial rumors out of Bancroft would have us believe. Actually, I initially conceded defeat but on two separate occasions you did not meet me at the prearranged location to pick up your wine. Ultimately, as the real story began to unfold, if you will recall, I PMed you and put a hold on my concession of defeat. I think we can all agree that the initial rumors were overblown which would indicate that I am the winner of the bet.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>And with all due respect, you, dear Sir, continue to keep your head buried in the sand on this one. I conceded nothing.</p>

<p>The Dant continues to cry "one day one meal," to this day, but my vote is with the "too numerous to count" Mids who tell a very different story. And an athlete does not drop 35 pounds over 28 days when there is food-a-plenty on the table. And this is not a plebe but an upperclass who managed to eat the year before. And if you were following reports further, you would have known that one worker has been found guilty for stealing 3500 steaks found in his trunk- all bound for Kings Hall- and who knows what happened before they caught him.... no doubt one reason for at least on missed meal! And whether it was "not enough food" or that "the food was there but there were distribution issue, the bottom line remains the same: there was a lack of food placed on the table to feed every member of the Brigade, required to report for meals, for a period of 28 days following the Reform of 2007. YOU were not there. I was not there. But we have one Dant saying one thing, and a ton of Mids telling an entirely different story. I am supporting the mids on this one- no way they are all "lying," and watching the Dant stand up in front of a Board of Visitor Meeting, placing the blame on Mids afraid to ask for more food, or taking more than their share at the tables, is pure rubbish and as far as I am concerned, a blatent lie. No way I am buying that, and 35 pounds is proof enough for me. But you know what- you continue to hold to the company line if it makes you feel better, but you will not be the only one "suffering fools."</p>

<p>And I did try meet as scheduled- twice- only no '69 tent seen anywhere. 67, 68, 70- found all of them- but not a '69 in sight, unless it was the "class of no class."
Whatever-</p>

<p>The Dant is history, and I trust ADM Fowler has brought in someone who will be able to communicate the needs of the Brigade effectively. </p>

<p>
[quote]
In any case, a rather weak effort to deduce that I slept through etiquette classes.

[/quote]

one has nothing to do with the other.
I was referring to an observation that, from my perspective, a pattern of adding words and comments clearly meant to inflame and provoke. Examples from this episode:
-"Suffer fools"
-"hogging"- a reference used twice
-"they certainly deserve each other"
-"Obviously some of the mids are showing up laking home training."
-"unbeliveable, but somehow I am not surprised."</p>

<p>We have discussed this back and forth on several occassions now, and yet the same pattern repeats.
Thing is- most "take it"....
and no doubt you bit off more than you can chew with me.
So be it.</p>

<p>It is easy enough to select words that do not inflame.
I have said it to you publically and privately- you have a lot to offer on here, and I read and take to heart much that you offer. You have a unique insight that I do not have, and as such, your comments are welcomed.</p>

<p>However, you cross the line- and in this case, I have put it in the "ediquette" category- when you post your opinion in such a way that it is insulting, disrespectful, and clearly lacking taste. Other posters were able to say "you know, NAVY2010, it was not right to take up so many seats"..... I can live with that- what I take offense to is when the "adjectives" are added meant to insult and inflame.... that is where you cross over the line. </p>

<p>Obviously we all have opinions, and the majority are trying to dialogue respectfully. We can when the rest of us are trying to dialogue repectfully. We can agree, we can disagree, we can even agree to disagree, but all can be accomplished respectfully. You can still make your point clear, but with words that are less inflammatory and less likely to provoke the response they do. It is your choice to make, and when I cite a failing grade in etiquette, it is in response to the verbage you choose to use; but then don't be surprised when you get the response.</p>

<p>"ediquette"??? Did I miss something??</p>

<p>


<br>
I suppose to brand an entire class as "no class" because you disagree with one individual in the entire class is both respectful and tasteful.</p>

<p>OBTW, the way the cars were parked around the '68 tent the first day you stood me up, you probably would have had to walk through the '69 tent immediately adjacent to get to their tent. Ours was the one with the four foot tall "USNA 69" on the roof. I am truly surprised that you could have missed it.</p>

<p>I think some of the folks on this thread have WAY too much time on their hands.</p>

<p>hey, please stop argeing, i beleive BOTH of you offer GREAT advice. but when you are arguing all the time, it is pretty hard to get that good advice. really i think if you want to start an arguement than you should start a thread called "argument", i am sorry and please excusse what i have just said, but really this is just going to continue if someone doesnt put a stop to it.</p>