What is the purpose of the Naval Academy?

I'm curious about what the real mission of the Naval Academy is. Like, what are they aiming to achieve with the students they accept? Is it mainly military-focused, or do they also emphasize other skills and education?

The United States Naval Academy, often referred to as USNA or Annapolis, has a distinct mission to develop its midshipmen (students) academically, physically, and morally to prepare them for leadership roles in the Navy and Marine Corps.

With its mission statement, "To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government," the Naval Academy is both military-focused and education-focused.

In terms of an educational standpoint, the academy offers a comprehensive, rigorous curriculum with 25 major fields of study that midshipmen can choose from, and everyone graduates with a Bachelor of Science degree regardless of their major. So while there certainly is an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, there's a robust offering of humanities and social sciences, too. This broad foundation prepares the midshipmen for the varied roles they might assume in their naval careers and equips them with the intellectual capacities needed to be effective leaders.

Physically, the Naval Academy emphasizes fitness and athleticism, with mandatory physical education classes and a requirement that all midshipmen participate in an intercollegiate, club, or intramural sport each semester. This program complements the academy's military training and helps to grow physical endurance and teamwork skills essential for naval service.

Regarding the moral aspect, the academy instills a thorough understanding of honor, integrity, and ethical behavior in its midshipmen, qualities that are paramount for those who will be entrusted with the nation's defense. This moral and ethical education is cultivated through leadership training, character development classes, and a strong, omnipresent honor concept.

In summary, the Naval Academy's mission is to build well-rounded leaders dedicated to naval service, combining robust academic instruction with rigorous physical training and an unwavering focus on moral character growth.