Parent and Family Orientation Matriculation Day - Saturday, August 16th

Prepare for an intense day, both physically and emotionally. Today will be demanding. Physically, expect hot and humid weather typical for this time of year in Charleston. Emotionally, saying goodbye to your child, knowing they are about to embark on a challenging week, will be significant. Remember, they are capable, and so are you.

Your first destination is the Holliday Alumni Center (HAC), building #56 on the map. It's located across from the football stadium. Please drive up to the HAC and wait there until vehicle processing begins promptly at 7:00 AM. When you move forward, you will be asked for your cadet's name. The cadets assisting with intake will give you a card with a letter indicating your student's assigned company. Place this letter visibly on your dashboard. This will help the cadet-guides stationed around campus direct you to the correct barracks. Rest assured, we will ensure you don't get lost.

A common question is: How early should we arrive? To help you decide, it's important to understand the unloading process. CFA memebers on Matriculation Day

Once you reach the unloading zone at the barracks, you will be greeted by upperclass parents from The Citadel Family Association (CFA), easily identifiable by their blue CFA shirts – our "Blue Shirt Army." While your student proceeds to the entrance of their battalion (the Sallyport) to check in and receive their initial uniforms, the CFA volunteers will assist you in unloading your vehicle and placing your cadet's belongings on the sidewalk. After unloading, you will be asked to move your car to a nearby parking lot. The person who parked the car and your student should then meet back at the unloading area. At this point, the "Blue Shirt Army" will help you carry everything into the barracks. Family members are welcome to accompany their cadet to their room, which for all freshmen will be on the third or fourth floor. The "Army's" assistance will significantly reduce the number of trips up and down the stairs! You'll have the opportunity to join the "Blue Shirt Army" yourself next year if you wish. You are welcome to spend some time in your cadet's room and the battalion, but please remember that all families need to depart by 10:00 AM.

Regarding arrival time, we recommend prioritizing your child's cues over your own preferences. Some cadets prefer to arrive early and get started, while others are comfortable with a slightly later arrival. In past years, some families have arrived as early as 6:00 AM to maximize their time in the room before saying goodbye. We typically process the last vehicles before 9:00 AM, so aiming to arrive before 8:30 AM is advisable. Keep in mind that arriving later will mean less time spent in the barracks. Similarly, when it's time to leave, pay attention to your cadet's signals for when they are ready for that final hug, your words of pride, and your departure from the barracks.

From 8:00 AM to 10:30 AM, there will be a Parent and Family Information Fair in McAlister Field House (building #21 on the map). Representatives from various Administrative and Academic Offices will be present to welcome you and provide information about their services. The Post Office will also have a table, so feel free to bring letters for your cadet – no postage is necessary! We encourage you to attend and begin connecting with other families of the Class of 2029. At 10:30 AM, you will be asked to take a seat with other families from your cadet's company for remarks from the President and other Senior Leaders. This session usually concludes around 11:45 AM. After this, you are free, and encouraged, to leave. We understand the desire to check on your child, but please resist this urge. The new cadets and the upperclassmen training them need to focus without distractions during this busy time.

The morning will be full. Now is the time to head home, to the beach, or to your hotel to rest. You've earned it!

Campus Map

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