The Guide 8.24 - Flipbook - Page 31
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EDUCATION
SET SAIL FOR SERVICE
A guide to the US Naval Academy academic year
By James Matheson
The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis is one of five service academies in the
country. Students who graduate from the
academy become commissioned officers
in the armed services.
The university maintains an undergraduate enrollment of about 4,400
students.
COMMISSIONING WEEK
Since its founding in 1845, more than
92,000 midshipmen have graduated from
the academy, according to USNA data.
In May, the Class of 2025 had 1,049 firstclass midshipmen graduate as officers.
Of this year’s graduates, 751 were men
and 298 were women. There were 776
graduates commissioned as ensigns in the
Navy, and 258 joined the Marine Corps as
second lieutenants.
The celebratory Commissioning Week
began with Sea Trials, a capstone event
for freshmen, or fourth-class midshipmen, designed to test teamwork and reinforce their bonds as a company and class.
This approximately 14-hour evaluation
is designed similarly to the Marine Corps
Crucible and the Navy’s Battle Station
recruit program.
Sea Trials conclude with the Herndon
Monument Climb, where hundreds of
first-year midshipmen take turns scaling
a 21-foot obelisk covered in vegetable
shortening. The class works together to
replace a hat — known as a Dixie Cup —
with an upperclassman’s cap.
The Class of 2028 completed the feat
in 2 hours, 27 minutes, 31 seconds in rainy
conditions. The Class of 2027 completed
the challenge in 2 hours, 19 minutes in
similar weather.
At the end of the week, fourth-year
midshipmen participate in a graduation
and commissioning ceremony. The affair
is marked by a keynote address, typically
given by the U.S. president, vice president
or secretary of defense.
This year, Vice President JD Vance
was tapped to deliver remarks to the
class of 2025. The former Marine, who
attended Ohio State University on the GI
Bill, called out previous administrations’
foreign policies during his 25-minute
address. He said the U.S. military landscape was changing under the Trump
Midshipmen toss their hats at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2025 graduation and commissioning ceremony in May at Navy-Marine
Corps Memorial Stadium. PAUL W. GILLESPIE/STAFF PHOTOS
administration.
Twenty-five members of the graduating class hailed from Anne Arundel
County.
INDUCTION DAY
AND PLEBE SUMMER
The incoming class of 2029 was
inducted into the academy in June to
start a nine-year service commitment.
Nearly 1,200 inductees reported to the
academy for Plebe Summer, the six-week
orientation that prepares the freshmen
for life at the academy.
The number of women inductees
has consistently remained in the 300s
in recent years, with the Class of 2028
Turn to Navy, Page 34
Incoming
midshipmen
learn to salute.
The U.S. Naval
Academy
welcomed
about 1,200
plebes, or
freshman, into
the Class of
2029 when
they reported
for Induction
Day Thursday.
