Parents’ Weekend: Friday, October 9th

Seniors Get Their Rings! 
Freshmen Get General Leave!

Key Events

Cadets may leave after their last class – TBD to order Shirts, Totes and Saturday Lunches

Families and Friends are allowed to watch the procession to the Chapel from the Barracks. Please respect the lined off area on the Parade Field as well as the Avenue of Remembrance. Public Safety will close the Avenue of Remembrance around 2PM to traffic. Please be mindful of the Public Safety Officers and keep the road clear as the Seniors cross and enter the Chapel.

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Additional Details

Meet-Up Planning

• Make sure you and your cadet coordinate when and where you will meet. 
• Note: the General Leave schedule at the bottom of the page
• Make sure they know how – and ask them – to contact you in case they are delayed or need to change the plan!

Morning Schedule

• 0700: Starbucks and Chick-fil-A will be open for those who come early to get a good parking spot.
• 0900-1300: Pick-Up of Pre-ordered and Sales of Parents’ Day T-Shirts and Tote Bags. We’ll be located on the second floor of Mark Clark Hall – right outside the auditorium where the CFA Meeting will take place.  If you placed an order, you (or your cadet) just have to show up. If you don’t place a order, come up anyway and say hello on your way to the CFA Business Meeting.
• 1030-1145: The CFA Annual Parents’ Update will take place in Mark Clark Hall Auditorium (2nd floor). CFA Chair, Claire Shern, will officially kickoff Parents’ Weekend 2026 as she call the meeting to order at 10:30AM. Updates will include membership numbers and financial standing. It is a great way for parents to learn more about what the CFA does and how it can help support the Parent base, Cadets, and the Institution.

Lunch (1145-1445)

• For the parents and families of Junior, Sophomore and Freshmen cadets, ask your cadet when they can/want to leave campus before deciding whether to eat on campus or not. Many may want to depart as soon as possible and eat somewhere off campus. 
• While there are quick off-campus options, Senior parents waiting for their cadets can take advantage of the following eating locations on Campus: 
  • 1) The Canteen which includes a Chick-fil-A and sandwich/pizza/smoothie bar – located in Mark Clark Hall.
  • 2) The full-service Starbucks located in Mark Clark Hall. 
  • 3) The coffee shop in Daniel Library – Starbucks drinks and sandwiches.
  • 4) Bring lunch with you and tailgate from the car.
• Regardless of what year your cadet is, having a plan of when and where you will meet makes the day a lot more enjoyable. Make sure you discuss this with your cadet before the day’s events – that plan should include how they will let you know if they need to change to the plan.

Freshmen Families Note

• For Freshmen families, your cadet may leave after their last military duty which is normally their last class. They may have other things they need to get done, so coordinate with them to find out when they would like to be picked up.
• You will find most cadets want to eat and sleep.
• It is good to get them back a little earlier than the expiration of leave, so you can get some rest – Saturday is a big day for everyone!

Ring Presentation and Evening Events

• Ring Presentation Ceremony: Although Parents and Families will not be allowed in the Chapel, it will be livestreamed on our Youtube Channels. You can watch it comfortably in the auditoriums of Jenkins or Capers Halls. You are welcome to watch them march across the parade field to the Chapel and leave after the ceremony – just make sure you are watching the time if you intend to go to back to the hotel before the evening ceremony – traffic is terrible on Friday afternoons.
• 1700 – Evening: The Ring Reception for Senior families only. Although all family members are invited, the main purpose is to serve as the staging area for the cadets and those they will be escorting through the ring. There will be light hors d’oeuvres, but not enough to serve as a meal.
  • The Ring Chair will issue a set of Special Instructions as we get closer to the Weekend. It’s important that your cadet share them with you so everyone will be on the same page. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before your cadet’s company is scheduled to walk through the ring. We will have those times as we get closer.  Also, please be ready to practice patience, sometimes there are delays. Don’t let that ruin a wonderful evening with your cadet! 
• 1800: The Sword Arch Performance and Walk Through Ring Ceremony in McAlister Field House is open to the public and all family and friends.To honor the Seniors, the Sword Arch team will present a precision performance before providing an arch of swords for each Senior passing through the ring. This is a culmination of hard work and dedication.  Please be in your seats before 1800 as there will be no movement during the presentation. This will be a chaotic time for Senior families, so we recommend that all families consider attending the performance before your cadet is a senior. Again, this performance is open to everyone.
• 1815: Cadets and their special guests will begin their walk through the Ring starting with the Regimental Commander, Senior Class President, Regimental Activities Officer and the Ring Chairman. At 1820 the Senior football players (need to get them to bed for the game the next day) and Active Duty Seniors will make their walk.  

Since the family will be all dressed up, you may want to take advantage of a photo op with large ring on the other side of campus that will be displaying the shiny new “27” on it.

Dress and Etiquette

• For Parents and Families of Seniors, the Ring Walkthrough ceremony is a formal event. When considering what to wear, keep in mind your cadet will be wearing their most formal uniform for this ceremony.
• Senior families: tell your Cadet to be prepared to introduce you to the VIPs at the Ring Reception. Like you, they are very proud of your cadet.
• Charleston traffic is at its worst on Friday afternoons. Please plan to get to the reception in Deas Hall about 30 minutes early. If you miss your time slot, you go to the back of the line and will go through after the last company.

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