MAKE RESERVATIONS ASAP; THEN GO! Even though it has only been six weeks since I-Day, this weekend is definitely worth the trip. This is the most important break for your mid during his entire Academy experience. Plebes look forward to seeing you as much as you look forward to seeing them.

Prior to the weekend, the Academy will send an itinerary of PPW activities. Although your plebe will be free for Town Liberty on Friday after noon formation, you may want to arrive the night before.

After Friday’s noon formation, you will finally be able to visit with your child. As occurred after the Induction Ceremony on I-Day, the Academy places letters of the alphabet along Stribling Walk, where you can meet your mid by the first letter of your last name. It is amazing how much the plebes look alike, especially in their new uniforms and covers (hats). You may not even notice your own child till she is right in front of you since they will have adopted a more erect style of walking.

It is fun to attend all the special things that are planned, but more importantly, follow your mid’s lead and do what he or she suggests. Probably the thing that will be most important to them is to get off the Yard. They may want to go right to your hotel room to eat take-out pizza, talk, take a long shower, have an un-timed head call, and SLEEP! They may want to go out to eat (probably fast food) and see a movie. Remember that they haven’t had any of that for six weeks.

Enjoy the time with your mid but let him set the schedule of what to do and when to do it. Be sure to visit your plebe’s room during the designated hours. You will all enjoy the time most if there is no pressure to go here or there at a certain time. Plebes need time to decompress but once they do, most will open up and share all sorts of stories and emotions. Just sit back and listen.

You will be invited to eat Friday night dinner at King Hall but prior reservations made by your plebe are a must. If he doesn’t want to return to the Yard for this dinner, respect his wishes.

Your mid MUST return to the Yard each evening. Make sure you allow extra time for the return trip. If you do not give yourself enough time, you will find that traffic will be horrible at all gates and many plebes are forced to leap from cars and run back in order to be back on time. You may want to return earlier so that you can walk around a bit, and say a leisurely good-bye. Plebes are not allowed to sit anywhere outdoors on the Yard, so keep this in mind.

When liberty expires on Sunday evening, be prepared for a very emotional parting. After spending the last six weeks being driven to accomplish so many new skills, plebes begin the weekend confident in their new maturity and military bearing and anxious to show this off to their parents. But these few days of relaxing with their families have reacquainted them with life on the outside world. They know that when you leave, it is back to the grinding life of a lowly plebe. Upperclassmen may make matters worse by playing Christmas carols as a reminder that the first time a plebe can go home is Thanksgiving. For many, if not most mids, that is also the next time they will see their families. We New Jersey parents are fortunate because our location allows us to usually make at least one visit before then. After PPW, you can visit any time your mid is free from obligations.

At the Sunday evening parting, remain upbeat and positive. Continue to offer your love and support. They need to know how proud you are of what they have accomplished and that you are confident they will continue to do well. This day is often called “Black Sunday” and their detailers may be especially rough on them that evening to get them back in the Academy routine.

IMPORTANT: As you walk around the Yard or in town with your plebe, there is a chance that you will meet up with one or more of his detailers. Your plebe will probably introduce you to them. You should be cordial but do not engage in conversations about plebe summer. Remember, detailers are NOT your plebe’s friends. With other plebes and their families, however, you can be more relaxed. Pay particular attention to any of your plebe’s friends whose parents were not able to attend. A hug is often welcome and you may want to invite them to dinner with you. As with all things, check with your plebe first. Your child may not want to share you with his friends and you should respect that wish.

BRIGADE REFORM

Following Plebe Parents Weekend, the Brigade of Midshipmen reforms. This is the time when the rest of the midshipmen return to the Yard and begin the new academic year. For plebes, it means that Plebe Summer is over – finally finished. It also means that the number of upperclassmen with whom the plebes must interact goes through the roof. Where before, a plebe might have to contend with a few hundred detailers on the Yard, the Brigade will now be at full strength with three thousand upperclass mids in close proximity. For many, the plebe year is more demanding than plebe summer. Along with academic studies, there will be comearounds, rates, athletics, watches, marches, room inspections and on and on… We didn’t say it would get easier. We just said the summer was over.