<p>The “go with or send them alone” decision is very personal and there will never be one right answer. Only the candidate and their family can know what is right for them. The discussion is helpful though for those who have a kid sitting on the fence, unsure whether family should be there or not.</p>
<p>The one thing to remember, for those trying to decide: other than that last night in the hotel and the short couple hours in the morning standing in lines, R Day (speaking WP because that’s all I know), is really for the families. The candidates depart so quickly and the rest of the very long, emotional day is a chance for the families to do a lot of fun (distracting) things: buy WP stuff, join a parent club, talk to upperclassmen who wander around, take tons of photos of kids who aren’t even yours, and then finally share with all the other families as the oath is taken. In otherwords, it’s not so much a family day WITH your candidate…cause they’re not with you.</p>
<p>Also, for those families coming from a non-military background, seeing R Day is a helpful first look at the next four years.</p>
<p>In the end though, as already said, those candidates who arrive alone will be just fine. Once they walk out of Ike Hall, having family there or not becomes a non-issue for the candidates.</p>