I-Day Recap

Induction Day was over a week ago. I-Day was a long day. I’ve wanted to write about it but I haven’t trusted myself to not cry while doing it. Well, here it goes.

Mr. A was nervous the night before. He doesn’t get nervous very easily so he wasn’t familiar with the sensation. We dragged him to an Irish pub for dinner and he was able to eat a cold salmon and cheese plate. I’m not sure if he got any sleep that night.

The next morning we were up early and headed for the Yard. It was a two-mile walk from the hotel to the main gate and then to Alumni Hall where all of the appointees reported. We stopped on the way for a quick breakfast. By this point, Mr. A’s nerves had rubbed off on me. I didn’t want to eat either but made myself. I think even A managed a few bites of an egg sandwich.

It was still early and we had plenty of time so we took our time walking. We stopped for Colors.

Once at Alumni Hall we waited for the detailers to call Mr. A’s report time. The 8:30am report time was called 15 minutes early… as usual. We hugged, we said our “I love you’s,” and we said good-bye. Mr. A got in line with his shipmates and walked away.

Watching him walk away was so very hard. Even though I knew that I would see him that evening, I felt like we had come to the end of an era in our lives but we hadn’t started the next one yet. Looking back, I can see that the time between dropping Mr. A off and the Oath Ceremony was like a sort of limbo.

I silently cried as we crossed Stribling Walk and headed to the Midshipmen Store. We bought a few more souvenirs and by the time we checked out, I stopped my crying. I decided that I need to talk to my Mom. Of course, I started crying again while on the phone.

But then we noticed the detailers rushing some of the Plebes (that reported earlier in the day) off a bus and into the back of Bancroft Hall. We stayed for a few minutes and watched the detailers haul the Plebes’ gear to the upper deck and some of the Plebes studying their Reef Points manuals and learning how to “cover” and “uncover.”

Watching all of that actually made me relax and smile. Some helicopter parents stood there ALL DAY waiting for a glimpse of their son or daughter. Other parents grabbed seats for the 5:30pm Oath Ceremony at 8am and sat in the full sun ALL DAY.

Not the PLRH family! We saw a few more sights on the Yard, ate lunch, and walked back to the hotel for a nap.

In the afternoon, we walked back to Alumni Hall for the Parents’ Briefing that didn’t include any of the ridiculous advice from the neurotic parents’ club members. After the presentation we strolled back to Stribling Walk and claimed a spot on the lawn underneath the shade trees. It was wonderful to sit in the grass and not have to worry about fire ants. G-Man and I both napped on the quilt we brought with us.

When the Oath Ceremony started there was such a crush of people that we couldn’t see a thing. My Sweetie grabbed the camera and tried to maneuver around to get some snaps. That’s when G-Man and I had the best conversation of the day:

Mom, do you want to try and get closer?

No, it’s ok. They all look the same anyway. As long as I can hear the Oath and say good-bye to A afterwards, I’ll be happy.

Well, if they all look the same, can’t we just grab the first one we see, say good-bye, and leave?

By sheer luck, Mr. A happened to be in the first row for the ceremony and we found photos and video of him on the USNA Facebook site taking the Oath.

After the ceremony, the Plebes were dismissed and we had about 30 minutes to spend with Mr. A. My first impression of him when I saw him with the shaved head, government issued glasses, and the over-sized jumper was that he looked like he did when he was in kindergarten. (No, I never dressed him in a sailor suit!)

Midshipmen aren't allowed to wear their contacts during Plebe Summer and are issued BCGs - Birth Control Glasses - so called because he'll never get a date while wearing them!

Mr. A was tired but I could tell by the tone in his voice and the look in his face that he was perfectly fine. He was in his element. All of my worry evaporated. I knew that this new phase of his life would be challenging but that he was definitely ready for it. I didn’t even need to talk to him. I just sat and listened while he called his grandparents, his girlfriend, and then described his day to us.

When it was time to say good-bye, we all hugged A. My Sweetie choked up. G-Man with all of his complaining that day even choked up when he hugged his big brother. My eyes welled with tears but this time from love and pride. Mr. A gave me an extra kiss on my forehead, said Adios, and walked back to his Company.

Then our family of three gathered our things and walked (I hobbled) back to town. We stopped at the very first restaurant we came to and had and excellent dinner. We toasted Mr. A and the Class of 2015.