[merry10]

The speech was to start at 0945. Were they kept waiting, or were they there early?

[Kaslin]

The speech was to start at 0945. Were they kept waiting, or were they there early?

The president is always on time. Most likely they were there early

[CFC__VRWC]

The speech was to start at 0945. Were they kept waiting, or were they there early?

They were probably ordered there early, to make sure everyone was seated when the President spoke. When you're in the military you "hurry up and wait" a lot, and catching a nap is a popular way to kill that time.

[joesnuffy]

The General's inspection scheduled for 11AM
And just to make sure the guys are ready......
The Colonel tells the Major its at 10am
The Major tells the Capt it's at 9
The Capt tells the Lt. its for 8
The Lt. tells the Sgt its for 7
Sarge has the men ready and standing at parade rest at 6AM

Hurry up and wait...you haven't lived till you see guys standing at parade rest fall asleep and fall over backwards of course you have to be in the last rank to actually hit the ground ...lol

[BluH2o]

Were they kept waiting, or were they there early?

Having spent three years of active duty in the Marine Corps I can tell you from experience they were seated at least 45 minutes before the President's speech. Hurry up and wait is the order of the day in the military, more so at the academies I'm sure.

[my4kidsdad]

The speech actually started 2 or 3 minutes earlier than expected.

[combat_boots]

"were they there early?" They were on hand at 6:30 a.m.