A Typical I-Day The following photos were taken by Mike and Sandi Zets at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. Copyright © 2002 - All Rights Reserved Click on ANY Photo below for a LARGER view.

The day started out at 75 degrees, overcast with the humidity climbing even at 0630.  There was a forecast of rain, possible Thundershowers, later in the afternoon.  All in all, it might turn into a real scorcher.

The crowds were already there when we arrived. The lines were moving well with many newly commissioned Ensigns from the Class of 2002 (on TAD) on hand to answer questions and make sure that things moved smoothly and everyone knew what to do and where to go.  Lines kept intermingling and more than once, entire lines were redirected to keep Candidates from waiting in lines for Parental Information which at times wrapped around themselves 200 to 300 in length.  The Visitor Center Tours were made available at no charge to Parents starting at 0700 and all available Tour Guides were kept busy with multiple tours starting every 15 minutes.

Parents hurried from their cars and Shuttle Buses to the Melville Entrance where they were greeted with a thin Blue and Gold Rope barrier past which only Candidates were permitted to venture.
A few last words of advice and a quick hug - and the Adventure Begins...

Alumni Hall began welcoming the Class of '06.

The lines begin just inside the main doors The new Plebes are greeted by Detailers who wear Red Name Tags to identify them from other Midshipmen on the Yard.

Past the Master Check in Station and up the "ladder" (stairs) to get your file. Turn left, receive YOUR copy of Reef Points and up another ladder to pin on YOUR name tag.

Then enter the Cavern that is the Main Arena Area of Alumni Hall and verify more information.

First Stop was a table where they asked about Medications and began verifying Medical Records.  Between this Station and the next throughout the process, buffers lines were set up to absorb the overflow and allow the Plebes to utilize the waiting time that naturally happens. 

Every time a Plebe was told to wait in the next line (whether it was standing or sitting) each Plebe's nose was less than 12" from the inside of his or her personal edition of Reef Points.

Early on, each Mid was asked to put their Name and Alpha Number on a Paper Luggage Tag, affix it to whatever luggage they were carrying and ZIP - away went the luggage with toiletries, books and calculators inside, to be returned later in the day.

Lines wound up and down and up and down the wider staircases in a few locations, giving Plebes time to study and (as long as the volume was kept low) to get acquainted."Where are you from?"  "What company are you in?"  Questions and answers were exchanged in an excited frenzy as Plebes got acquainted with classmates.  Then on to more Medical Screening.  A session with a Doctor or Corpsman to verify current fitness and screening for Color Vision.

More tests - including Blood Samples, Urinalysis and a Breathalyzer Station.
A stop at the Athletic Association Table and then a truly personal welcome from the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association.

Another Buffer Line wove its way through the seating, then on to Immunizations.  A walk through for some - many stops for others who needed updates.

Down this ladder and then up the next.  All the time, with their noses stuck into Reef Points, past window draped to prevent prying Parental glances until they reached the line which was probably most anticipated...

The Barber Shop !

At some point during the day, we passed a window looking down upon the Loading Dock at the rear of Alumni Hall.  We found this to be the typical group of parents waiting to possibly catch a glimpse of their Plebe as they left Alumni Hall to board the buses and head over to Bancroft for the rest of the day. Few, if any, parents actually saw their Plebe but there was always hope that they might. Most never saw their Plebe again until the Swearing In Ceremony at 1800 hours.

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