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Make a schedule for each day:
Commissioning
Week can be extremely busy or somewhat relaxed depending on
what you decide to do and the length of time you plan to be
in Annapolis. It varies from family to family.
The USNA web
site will have a
Commissioning Week schedule, including general
information, parking and
guidelines for attire. Either forward or provide hard
copies. Many activities are listed that may or may not
pertain to your mid and/or your family. It can be confusing
for even the most seasoned military individual. The schedule
frequently changes so be sure to obtain the most up-to-date
copy.
Either highlight
activities of interest or prepare a separate schedule for
each day. At the top of each day type in the day
and date (for instance, Monday, May 26). Be sure to include
times and locations of the Drydock Restaurant and Mid Store
hours. Provide a copy to everyone in your party and post one
on the fridge/hotel door. Consider saving the schedules for
a scrapbook, including photos from the events of the day.
Making your own
schedule includes activities that only pertain to your
group. Include cell phone numbers and hotel/house
telephone numbers for everyone in the party in case someone
gets separated, lost or sick. If you have reservations for a
specific restaurant, include the name, address, directions
and phone number. Consider adding items to bring
for each event, for instance, folding chairs, bottled water,
blankets, a hat, sunscreen, etc.
Tickets:
Everyone entering the stadium on
commissioning day MUST have a ticket. Graduating
Midshipmen must pre-order tickets. Each Mid can request up
to six (6) tickets in the company seating area (lower or
upper level seating closer to the stage). Each Mid can also
request an unlimited number of additional tickets for the
general seating area. Company-area seating is on a
"first-come, first served" basis within the section and are
not assigned seats.
In the unlikely event the graduation ceremony is held
indoors in Alumni Hall due to inclement weather, only four
(4) tickets will be given to each Midshipman. Graduation
will be televised on local televistion and simulcast on
streaming video on the USNA
web site. Indoor seating
is limited and it is very difficult to obtain additional
tickets. Determination of the graduation site will be made
early Friday morning (graduation day) and posted on the USNA
web site or by calling 410-293-1000. Due to the limited
seating in Alumni Hall, an outdoor ceremony is usually
desired and attendees should be prepared for a variety of
weather conditions.
The tickets will be
distributed directly to graduating Midshipmen, usually after
May Intercessionals.
Additional tickets issued include five (5)
tickets to the Superintendent's Garden Party - one for
the graduating Midshipman and four (4) guest tickets for the
family. Each battalion will have a designated time for the
Supe's Garden party. Four (4) tickets will be for the
Color Parade.
Handicapped Seating: Handicapped seating
is limited. Midshipmen may request handicapped/wheelchair
tickets, for the person needing handicapped seating and for
an attendant. Other family members will be directed to sit
in an adjacent reserve seating area to allow for maximum
handicapped space. Wheelchair accessible seating at the
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium can be accessed by
utilizing ramps located adjacent to Sections 8 and 25.
Handicapped seating is available at the stadium on a first
serve policy (no reservations).
Tickets for other Commissioning Week
events are required for some activities. Coordinate with
your midshipman ahead of time.
Meals:
Plan meals in advance, if
possible. Annapolis has many good restaurants, many of which
do not take reservations. Order graduation cakes or special
foods well in advance as well. There are a variety of local
grocery stores and supermarkets that offer party trays,
bakery cakes, etc. Some may even deliver.
Traffic/Parking/Shuttle Buses:
Traffic is usually very
congested, especially if Herndon is held during
Commissioning
Week. Be prepared for traffic jams and delays around
Annapolis this week. Vehicles parking on the Yard and/or Hospital Point
require special stickers and is VERY limited. Plan
to park at the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for the
majority of Commissioning Week activities. Shuttle buses
will operate to and from the stadium to the Naval Academy
Monday through Thursday, usually from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Buses will make stops at Alumni Hall, Preble Hall, Dahlgren
Hall, Luce Hall (by the Midshipmen Store parking lot) and
the Visitor's Center at approximately 30-minute intervals.
The best and primary location to meet a bus for
transportation to/from the stadium is Alumni Hall, or Luce
Hall as a secondary location where additional buses will
drop off and pick up.
No shuttle buses will
operate on graduation day, unless the ceremony is held in
Alumni Hall. Buses will run from the stadium to Alumni Hall
for indoor ceremony ticket holders only. The indoor ceremony
can be viewed on the Videoboard at the stadium.
Handicapped Parking: There will be
reserved parking for those vehicles with state issued
handicapped placards or license plates. In order to park in
these areas, the vehicle must have one of the state issued
items. If the handicapped areas are full, guests may be
dropped at the stadium before parking at an alternate
location.
Maps:
Provide a map of
the Yard to everyone in your party, particularly to those
that have never been to the Naval Academy. It might be a
good idea to highlight the locations of the bathrooms and
shady resting places. Free USNA maps are available in the
Visitor's Center.
Buy at least one
road map of Annapolis. The free map provided by the
Annapolis Tourism Center is nice, but it is not to scale and
does not show all the streets. You may want to buy a map to
all those with cars in case they get lost or want to attend
an event separately. If you get stuck in a traffic jam on
graduation day, a good road map will provide alternate
routes.
Alternate routes to
Navy Marine Corps Stadium (map)
With possible traffic congestion, alternate routes to the
Marine Corps Stadium are:
From Hwy.
50/301, take West Street towards Annapolis. turn left on
Taylor Avenue which will take you to the southeast end of
the stadium. Almost everyone else will take the Rowe Blvd.
exit, which will have a huge backup.
Take the West
Street/Generals Highway North (away from Annapolis towards
the Annapolis Mall) exit. Turn right (east) on Bestgate and
follow it for about 1/2 mile to Ridgely Avenue. Turn right
(south) on Ridgely Avenue for 1/4 mile, then right (west) on
Melvin Avenue, taking you to the northwest side of the
stadium.
Go east on West
Street and about 1/2 mile before you get to the West
Street/Spa road/Taylor Drive roundabout, turn on Glen
Avenue. This street will be a straight shot to the northwest
side of Navy Marine Corps Stadium.
Recommended events:
Glee Club
Concert
- Many consider this a "must see event" even if their Mid is
not participating.
Morning
Colors - Each day is different and includes the
Marine Corps, Silent Drill Team, etc.
Baccalaureate
Mass
- Many religions will be represented either the Friday or
Sunday before Commissioning Week. Consider eating brunch at
the Officer’s Club afterwards. Advance reservations are
required (410-293-2611).
Blue Angels Air
Rehearsal/Show
- The Yard will be closed to incoming traffic during
both events. Plan accordingly
Shop at
the Mid Store - Hours of operation will vary.
Graduation items tend to sell quickly, consider going early
to buy these items.
Superintendent's Garden Party - Throughout the
week, done by company.
Keep a journal:
You may want to
keep a journal during the course of the week.
Photography:
Your
son/daughter will more than likely want to be with their
friends/roommates for photo ops immediately after
graduation. Plan to take large group shots after the
ceremony. Before the ceremony, select a special place to
meet after graduation to pin on the new ensign boards/bars.
Consider
requesting a press pass to take photos of your graduate and
other WISNAPA members. You will need to obtain a
letter from your local newspaper or other credited media
source. Contact the
USNA Public Affairs Department
or Jan Haupt for
more information.
The Ensign and
2nd LT covers cast a shadow over the face of your newly
commissioned officer. Don't be disappointed if many of the
photos have shadowy faces from the brim of the covers. If
it's bright sunshine outside you may want to get several
shots of them in the shade to avoid this problem.
If you're going
to a favorite restaurant or place on the Yard, take a
picture of the outside and include the establishment's sign.
When putting the photos in the albums afterward, it's nice
to start each event with the picture of where it took
place.
Disposable
cameras are optional. Some provide cameras to family and
friends, while others use digital cameras.
Bring a VCR tape:
The house you
are renting (should you choose that route) will more than
likely have a VCR. Learn how to use it and how to
reset the time and timer. Test it and set the tape to record
the local Annapolis station that is broadcasting the
commissioning ceremony.
Consider tailgating before/after
graduation:
The stadium
gates open early graduation day, usually at 7 a.m. for a 10
a.m. ceremony. Getting to the stadium by 7 a.m. should
provide plenty of time to park and tailgate before the
festivities. Consider caravanning if you have a large group
to allow parking near one another.
Many people
enjoy tailgating after graduation as well. It's advisable to
provide cold drinks and a light snack for visitors and your
newly commissioned officer and friends.
Meeting after the hat
toss:
Be careful about
the spot you choose to meet at the stadium after the hat
toss. In the end zone by the cannon is a popular spot and is
usually crowded immediately following graduation. Let your
graduate determine the spot well ahead of time, draw a map,
X the spot, make several copies and pass it out to your
guests.
Consideration for others:
Be mindful of
the newly commissioned who have only their parents/immediate
family present. Offer to take a few group family photos for
them if you see such circumstances. Take pictures of elderly
family members early or after graduation. Dragging them down
on the field in the baking sun may be too much for them. If
they want to be there on field, take their pictures with the
new Ensign/2nd LT immediately so that they can escape to a
cooler (or dryer) place as soon as possible.
Keep your sense of humor:
Most
importantly, the week should be about the graduate.
Coordinating a large group and the parking situation may
make things a little more complicated, especially if you are
traveling with older adults and/or children. Remember to
smile. Things may not go as planned, try to let things slide
right off your back. Try not to over plan. It may be helpful
to make arrangements ahead of time and don't get too upset
if someone decides not to attend an event. |
