I'm considering applying to the Naval Academy and am curious about what the spring semester is like. Are there any unique events or traditions during this time? Any insights would be super helpful!
The U.S. Naval Academy indeed has an assortment of special traditions that define its spring semester. One such tradition is the Naval Academy's 'Another Link in the Chain' (ALITC) program which pairs the current class of midshipmen with the class that graduated 50 years before. Each year the program selects a significant event from the graduating class’s time together (1969) and recreates it. This usually happens during the spring semester and helps create a sense of continuity and camaraderie among the midshipmen.
Spring semester is also when the Herndon Climb, a cherished Naval Academy tradition, takes place. Freshmen midshipmen, also known as "Plebes," work together to climb a greased Herndon Monument to replace a plebe cap, known as a "Dixie cup," on the top of the monument with a midshipman's cover, thereby symbolizing their transition from Plebedom.
Lastly, Commissioning Week, which takes place in the spring, is a week-long series of events that celebrate the graduating midshipmen before they are commissioned as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps. It’s packed with activities such as awards ceremonies, concerts, baccalaureate service, Color Parade, and the much-anticipated Blue Angels flight demonstration. The week culminates with the graduation ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
These events help to create a unique and memorable spring semester, building common experiences and fostering strong bonds among midshipmen.
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