The buses started rolling into the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland at 6 AM on June 27. Aboard those buses were approximately 1200 young men and women who will make up the class of 2017 at the Academy.
Induction day nicknamed “I-Day” marks the day that a group of carefully selected applicants are transformed from civilians to midshipmen at the Naval Academy. I-Day, the first day of plebe summer, begins with prospective plebes (they are not technically considered Midshipmen until they complete plebe summer) reporting to the Naval Academy’s Alumni Hall. Here, they cycle through medical examinations, uniform fittings, equipment issue, haircuts and administrative processing. They are introduced to selected First Class Midshipmen, the commissioned officers and senior enlisted personnel who will lead the plebe summer training program. They also meet their classmates, many of whom will become their close friends by summer’s end.
The Naval Academy received more than 17,500 applications for the class of 2017. In this class approximately 1200 of those applicants will be admitted to the Naval Academy on Induction Day.
Each Midshipman is given a copy of the book, Reef Points, that is revised annually. Reef Points, approximately 225 pages, serves as a thorough introduction to the Navy and provides a wealth of information about the Naval Academy including its mission, history and traditions. New Midshipmen are required to memorize virtually all of the facts that are outlined in Reef Points so that their transition into military life is comprehensive and complete. Onlookers will often see new Midshipmen holding these books squarely in front of their faces as they memorize facts on I-Day. Before I-Day, each Midshipman must memorize the mission of the Naval Academy, the administrative chain of command, and the first three General Orders of a Sentry.
I-Day culminates when the new Midshipman take the oath of office in front of their friends, family and new classmates in Tecumseh Court at 6 PM. The ceremony may be moved indoors this year due to inclement weather.
Kevin Carroll was in Alumni Hall for Eye On Annapolis taking still shots as the men and women of the Class of 2017 made their way through the myriad of hallways in Alumni Hall.
All images © 2013 Kevin Carroll for Eye On Annapolis.
Eye On Annapolis followed midshipman candidate Cooper Blas from Boise Idaho as he arrived at the Naval Academy this morning to document his day. Aside from any of the required medical screenings, we were able to video Plebe Blas throughout his journey–from an emotional goodbye to his parents, great aunt and uncle, and girlfriend to his haircut to his uniform to his shoes to his first introduction into life in the military. This video will be posted in the near future.
Our coverage of I-Day will continue this evening as we catch up with Plebe Blas and the rest of the plebes for the Oath of Office Ceremony.
