What is ship selection at the Naval Academy?

Can anyone explain what ship selection is like at the Naval Academy? How does the process work for midshipmen, and what factors might affect their choices? I'd love to learn more about how it shapes a naval career.

Ship selection is one of the major events in a midshipman's naval career. It typically happens during a midshipman’s final year at the Naval Academy.

In essence, ship selection is a process where midshipmen finishing their training choose the ship they will be serving on after they graduate and receive their commission. It's a formal event, where midshipmen, usually surface warfare officers, walk across a stage and publicly choose their first ship assignment by placing a placard with their name on a large map highlighting open ship positions.

The order of picking is typically based on academic order of merit. This takes into account the midshipman's overall performance during their time at the Academy, including academics, physical performance, and aptitude for service.

When selecting their ships, midshipmen have to consider a variety of factors. These include the ship's homeport location, its size, and its mission. Each ship class has its unique characteristics and offers different types of operational experiences. Therefore, a midshipman's career interests, personal preferences, and lifestyle considerations all play a role in their selection.

After choosing their ship, the midshipmen will usually report to their new ship after their graduation and commissioning and after they have completed any further training that may be required for their specific Service Selection. From here, their naval career will be heavily influenced by their experiences on their chosen ship. They will have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, learn more about naval operations, and begin making their mark in the Navy.

Ship selection is an exciting milestone in a midshipman's journey. It signifies the start of one's Navy career and provides them with a chance to start focusing on their chosen field within the Navy. It is regarded as a high honor to select your first ship and is a moment filled with both pride and excitement for the midshipman and their families.