This post is a mixture of pictures that we took and pictures that the USNA Association took. There was a lot that happened that day that we weren't able to see.
We arrived at the school early Thursday morning.
We easily found the line of waiting students outside of Alumni Hall.
This book bag and that yellow folder are all that Steven brought!
USNA's Superintendent was greeting families as they arrived. We didn't get to meet him, but I did see him out there welcoming families.
Steven's report time was 8:15, and around 8:10, we hugged him goodbye.
He now waited in line by himself to check in. Look just to the left of the detailers.
He has the yellow folder.
We were able to watch Steven go through the first of many checkpoints for I Day.
He had everything he needed and was inside Alumni Hall before we knew it.
Steven said the first couple of check in points were fairly friendly.
But once he got a haircut, the detailers took over and things got a little more tense.
Learning to read "Reef Points" with your arm parallel to the ground was one
of the first skills the detailers taught them.
Next they received lots of personal attention as they learned how to salute.
Meanwhile, Kurt and I went on an extensive campus tour.
The indoor picture shows the entrance to the dorm - Bancroft Hall.
The guide told us that students only use the main door when they first arrive as plebes and then after they commission as officers.
We walked over to an area called Hospital Point and the USNA Alumni Association put on a
fantastic lunch for all of the parents. It was Mission BBQ, and they also had tents set up with
information for the families. It was a great treat!
When we came back to the main part of the Yard, people were lined up and hoping to catch
sight of their plebe. It was funny to think that back across on the other side of the bridge,
the incoming midshipmen were NOT having a picnic.
None of these group pictures include Steven, but
they give you an idea of what was going on and what he would have been doing.
At 2pm, the Academy hosted a briefing for all of the families. We heard from 4 members
of the school's leadership about the upcoming summer and academic year.
Here you can see a typical day for the 6-week plebe summer.
Finally!! It was around 5:45 and we were getting close to the time when we could see Steven.
The plebes were being marched in using 2 lines, and we were thankful to have chosen the
side that allowed us to see Steven!!
All of the incoming midshipmen were seated in front of Bancroft Hall.
Then...the detailers marched in!
The superintendent spoke to the students, and they were sworn in as a group.
The midshipmen were dismissed and had until 7:15 before they had to form up with their companies.
It took about 10 minutes to connect with Steven - it was so great to see him and walk with him!
Earlier in the spring, Steven applied for permission to participate in a personal swearing in ceremony.
Kurt recited the oath of office, and Steven repeated it after him.
This was more ceremonial because Steven took the oath with his class, but the class only said, "I do."
I appreciated that Steven was able to repeat the oath word for word.
HAVING BEEN APPOINTED A MIDSHIPMAN IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY, I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER, SO HELP ME GOD.
Although it had been a long, rough day - Steven was in excellent spirits.
It was so good to have a Jersey Mike's dinner with him and hear about his experiences.
He was thrilled that he could answer all of the detailers' questions (there were 2 pages of things he
had to memorize before arriving), and he was "left alone" for the most part. He knew the summer
was going to be hard, but he was doing great and knew that many family and friends are cheering
for him and praying for him!
7:10 came quickly and it was time to say goodbye. We walked Steven to the spot where
M Company was forming up.
Here he is waiting for 7:15 to come
....and this is the moment where both of our phone batteries went out!
Here the midshipmen are marching into Bancroft Hall the and the doors closed once all were inside. Good night - the tears were flowing at that point for me!
It was hard to say goodbye to a young man that we absolutely love and love to spend time with, but we are excited for him and are confident he is going to love being at USNA!
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