The Class of 2019 will report to The Citadel in August. The Facebook group for the parents of the Class of 2019 already has over 170 members. I met several families and incoming knobs this past week at the annual send off dinner hosted by the Atlanta Citadel Club. I began to ponder the unique experience parents of cadets at The Citadel go through their son or daughter’s first year. I decided to write down a few of my observations about being the parent of a cadet who used to be a knob. Feel free to add your insights in the comments section.
Signs you were the parent of a knob at The Citadel:
You know the best places on campus to wait for your knob without their cadre seeing them.
You know how to pack a very small box from the U.S. Post Office with lots of goodies and still pay a low flat rate.
The workers at your local post office know you by name and ask about your knob by name.
You know where to find white T-shirts at the best price.
You stay up for hours combing photos of hundreds of knobs, all dressed alike, just to get a glimpse of your son or daughter.
You have shared a photo of a group of knobs because you thought your child was in it, only to find out that was not your child.
You know the importance of condiments and chocolate milk.
You’ve ever referred to a teen aged cadet as “Mr.”
You’ve found T-pins in your laundry.
You know insect repellant is a necessary item when you visit the campus.
You’ve combed the internet for the best prices on plain toe black oxfords, shirt stays, socks and underwear.
You drive onto campus in the silent procession before midnight to drop your knob off before “All ins.”
You know what “All In” means.
You know how great it is to have your knob with you, even if they are sound asleep for most of the visit.
When you hear MRI you think “morning room inspection” before “magnetic resonance imaging.”
Sallyport, SMI, rack, brace, sir sandwich, are part of your normal vocabulary.
You’ve known exactly where your college freshman is Sunday through Thursday evenings and after midnight Friday and Saturday.
You’ve made great friends with the parents of your knobs classmates.
You recognize a Citadel sticker on a car from 50 paces.
You are pretty sure you are the reason The Citadel Bookstore has met their monthly sales goals.
