United States Naval Academy: A Historical and Contemporary Overview

The United States Naval Academy (USNA), often referred to as Navy or Annapolis, stands as a prominent federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Established on October 10, 1845, by Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, it is one of the nation's leading service academies. The USNA's primary mission is to educate and train midshipmen for service in the officer corps of both the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps. As part of the Naval University System, the academy combines rigorous academic instruction with military leadership training and mandatory participation in competitive athletics.

Location and Campus

The academy's 338-acre (137 ha) campus is located on the former grounds of Fort Severn, at the confluence of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay in Anne Arundel County. Its location is approximately 33 miles (53 km) east of Washington, D.C., and 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Baltimore. The entire campus, colloquially known as the Yard, holds the distinction of being a National Historic Landmark. It is home to numerous historic sites, buildings, and monuments that reflect the rich history and traditions of the United States Navy.

Annapolis, the capital of Maryland, is often called the "Sailing Capital of the World". Its proximity to major cities like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore adds to its appeal, offering a blend of historical charm and modern amenities.

History and Evolution

Early Years and Foundation

The seeds of the Naval Academy were sown long before its official establishment. In 1819, Commodore Arthur Sinclair, then in command of the Norfolk Navy Yard, envisioned a nautical school for officers. His efforts led to the opening of the "Nautical School" aboard the frigate Guerriere on December 3, 1821, with an initial cohort of 40 to 50 midshipmen. The curriculum was broad, encompassing naval tactics, astronomy, geography, French, history, English grammar, and international relations.

Several individuals recognized the need for formal naval officer education, including Capt. John Paul Jones, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. Secretary of the Navy William Jones in 1814 urged Congress to establish an academy for instruction in mathematics, "experimental philosophy," the "science and practice of gunnery, theory of naval architecture, and art of mechanical drawing."

Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Navy HPSP

The institution was formally founded as the Naval School on October 10, 1845, by Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft at the site of the former Army post Fort Severn. The school began with 50 midshipman students and seven professors. The decision to establish an academy on land may have been influenced by the Somers Affair, an alleged mutiny involving the Secretary of War's son, which resulted in his execution at sea. Commodore Matthew Perry, known for his interest in naval education and support for an apprentice system, also played a role in establishing the academy's curriculum.

Initially, the course of study was designed for five years, with the first and last years spent at the school and the intervening three years at sea. In 1850, the school was reorganized and renamed the United States Naval Academy, placed under the supervision of the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography. The course of study was extended to seven years, with the first two and the last two years spent at the academy, and the intervening three years at sea. In 1851, the four years of study were made consecutive, and practice cruises were substituted for the three consecutive years at sea. The first class of naval academy students graduated on June 10, 1854.

Mid-19th Century Developments

In 1850, Edward Seager joined the faculty as the first instructor of drawing, also serving as the first fencing instructor. By 1860, the Tripoli Monument was moved to the academy grounds. In August of the same year, the USS Constitution, then 60 years old, was recommissioned as a school ship for the fourth-class midshipmen after undergoing conversion and refitting.

The Civil War Era

The American Civil War significantly impacted the Naval Academy. Given the high Southern sympathies in Maryland, the government planned to move the school. The outbreak of hostilities forced a quick departure. The United States Navy was strained, with 24% of its officers resigning to join the Confederate States Navy, including 95 graduates and 59 midshipmen, along with key leaders influencing USNA's founding. The first superintendent, Admiral Franklin Buchanan, joined the Confederate States Navy as its first and primary admiral. Captain Sidney Smith Lee, the second commandant of midshipmen and older brother of Robert E. Lee, also left Federal service in 1861 for the Confederate States Navy.

Post-Civil War Reconstruction

Following the Civil War, Admiral David Dixon Porter became superintendent in 1865. He worked to restore the facilities at Annapolis, which had been damaged during the war. Porter focused on recruiting naval officers as opposed to civilians as teachers, bringing in figures such as Stephen B. Luce, future admirals Winfield Scott Schley, George Dewey, and William T. Sampson.

Read also: Naval Community College

During this period, students were termed "cadets" or "cadet midshipmen." In 1864, Antoine Joseph Corbesier, an immigrant from Belgium, was appointed Assistant Swordmaster, later becoming Swordmaster in 1865. He coached Navy fencers in intercollegiate competition from 1896 until his retirement in 1914, and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant in the Marine Corps in recognition of his service.

Late 19th Century Developments

In 1867, indoor plumbing and water were supplied to the family quarters. The figurehead of Tamanend from USS Delaware, later nicknamed "Tecumseh," was erected in the yard in 1868. Class rings were first issued in 1869, and weekly dances became a feature of academy life.

The 1870s saw cuts in the military budget, resulting in smaller graduating classes. In 1872, only 25 students graduated, with eight making the Navy a career. In 1874, Congress passed an anti-hazing law due to the severe hazing of fourth-class students by the third class. Several milestones for minorities occurred during this period. Kiro Kunitomo, a Japanese citizen, graduated from the academy in 1877. In 1879, Robert F. John H. Conyers of South Carolina was the first African-American admitted on 21 September 1872. He faced severe hazing, including verbal torment and beatings.

In 1874, the curriculum was altered to focus on naval topics in the final two years.

Early 20th Century Expansion

The Spanish-American War of 1898 increased the academy's importance, leading to a significant rebuilding and enlargement of the campus between 1899 and 1906. The ground on which most of the academy sat was dredged from the surrounding bodies of water and consisted of silt, which was too fragile for the newer, heavy stone buildings. Pilings were sunk from 100 feet (30 m) to 400 feet (120 m) deep to support the structures. The campus seen today largely dates from this era.

Prior to this expansion, about 43 men entered the academy annually. In 1910, the academy established its own dairy farm. In 1913, the Navy purchased the Howard's Adventure estate in nearby Gambrills, Maryland, to expand their dairy operations. This farm also became home to Bill the Goat, the academy's mascot.

Aviation and World War I

On August 23, 1911, Navy officers on flight duty at Hammondsport, New York, and Dayton, Ohio, were ordered to report to the Engineering Experiment Station, Naval Academy, to test gasoline motors and conduct experimental work in aviation development. This included instruction at the aviation school set up on Greenbury Point, Annapolis. The "aerodrome" at Greenbury Point consisted of a building with three hangars, a workshop, an office, and bunk rooms. All three airplanes cost a total of $14,000.

Pilot candidates were required to pass swimming and other qualifications according to Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) standards. By 1914, the Midshipmen Drum and Bugle corps was formed, but it went defunct by 1922. The brigade and faculty tripled during World War I.

Interwar Period

At the 1920 Summer Olympics in Brussels, the Naval Academy rowing team won the gold medal in the men's 8+ competition. Also in 1920, the Naval Academy football team played the University of Washington in the Rose Bowl, tying 14â14. In 1925, the second-class ring dance was started, and the Midshipmen Drum and Bugle Corps was formally reestablished.

In 1926, "Navy Blue and Gold," composed by organist and choirmaster J. W. Crosley, was first sung in public and became a tradition at student and alumni gatherings, such as pep rallies, football games, and graduation day. That same year, Navy won the national collegiate football championship title. In the fall of 1929, the Secretary of the Navy approved graduates to compete for Rhodes Scholarships, with six graduates selected that year.

Mid-20th Century Developments

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law an act of Congress (Public Law 73â21) on May 25, 1933, providing for the Bachelor of Science degree for Naval, Military, and Coast Guard Academies. Four years later, Congress authorized the superintendent to award a Bachelor of Science degree to all living graduates.

The Naval Academy was honored by Longines in 1937, which depicted the Naval Academy seal on the Weems ref 3931, issued in collaboration with P. V. H. Weems.

In April 1941, superintendent Rear Admiral Russell Willson refused to allow the school's lacrosse team to play a visiting team from Harvard University because the Harvard team included an African-American player. Harvard's athletic director ordered the player home, and the game was played as scheduled, with Navy winning 12â0.

In 1941, the 5th and 6th wings of Bancroft Hall were completed, and landfill was made outboard of the hospital to create a sports field. During World War II, a total of 3,319 graduates were commissioned.

Dr. Chris Lambertsen held the first closed-circuit oxygen SCUBA course in the United States for the Office of Strategic Services maritime unit at the academy on May 17, 1943. In 1945, a Department of Aviation was established, and Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch became superintendent. The naval academy celebrated its centennial that year.

Post-World War II Era

On January 15, 1947, James L. Holloway became the 35th superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. An accelerated course was given to midshipmen during the war years, affecting classes entering during the war and graduating later. The students studied year-round, which most affected the class of 1948. For the only time, a class was divided by academic standing.

On June 3, 1949, Wesley A. Brown became the first African-American to graduate from the academy. The Navy eight-man rowing crew won the gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. The 1959 fencing team won the NCAA national championship, placing first in all three weapons (foil, Ã©pÃ©e, and saber). All three fencers were selected for the 1960 Olympics team, as was head coach Andre Deladrier.

Expansion and Modernization

From 1959 to 1973, land was reclaimed from the Chesapeake Bay and Severn River, which included the removal of Isherwood, Melville, and Griffin Halls, and moving the stadium off-campus. This allowed for the expansion of Bancroft Hall and the addition of Mitscher, Michelson, Chauvenet, Alumni, Rickover, and Hopper Halls, as well as the Nimitz Library.

Joe Bellino (Class of 1961) was awarded the Heisman Trophy on June 22, 1960. In 1961, the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference was started. In 1963, the academy changed from a marking system based on 4.0 to a letter grade. The academy started the Trident Scholar Program in 1963. Professor Samuel Massie became the first African-American faculty member in 1966.

On June 4, 1969, the first designated engineering degrees were granted to qualified graduates of the Class of 1969. From 1845 to 1968, midshipmen studied identical courses, with the exception of a choice of foreign language. During the period 1968 to 1972, the academy moved beyond engineering to include more than 20 majors.

Integration and Contemporary Era

In 1972, Lieutenant Commander Georgia Clark became the first female officer instructor, and Dr. Rae Jean Goodman was appointed to the faculty as the first civilian woman. Later in 1972, a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia terminated compulsory chapel attendance, a tradition in effect since 1853.

Academics and Curriculum

The academic program at the USNA grants a Bachelor of Science degree. The curriculum evaluates midshipmen's performance based on a broad academic program, military leadership performance, and mandatory participation in competitive athletics. Candidates for admission generally must apply directly to the academy and separately apply for a nomination, usually from a member of Congress. Students are officers-in-training with the rank of midshipman. Tuition for midshipmen is fully funded by the Navy in exchange for an active-duty service obligation upon graduation. Approximately 1,200 "plebes" (an abbreviation of the Ancient Roman word plebeian) enter the academy each summer for the rigorous Plebe Summer. About 1,000 midshipmen graduate and commission into the Navy and Marine Corps.

The academy's Latin motto, Ex Scientia Tridens, meaning 'Through Knowledge, Sea Power', reflects its commitment to academic excellence and its role in developing future naval leaders.

Admissions and Access

Candidates for admission generally must apply directly to the academy and apply separately for a nomination, usually from a member of Congress. Students are officers-in-training with the rank of midshipman. Tuition for midshipmen is fully funded by the Navy in exchange for an active-duty service obligation upon graduation. Approximately 1,200 "plebes" (an abbreviation of the Ancient Roman word plebeian) enter the academy each summer for the rigorous Plebe Summer. About 1,000 midshipmen graduate and commission.

Effective May 7th, 2025, anyone with a locally prepared DBIDS or a DOD credential, including military retirees and dependents, may drive onto USNA. All others will need to park outside the Academy and walk in through Gate 1. All visitors 18 years of age or older must have a valid REAL ID Compliant Driverâs License or State ID card (look for the five-point star on the driverâs license), United States Passport, or Enhanced Driverâs License (EDL). Please note that as a result of the REAL ID Act, some state/territory IDs are not sufficient for access to the Academy. Visitors under the age of 18 who do not have a valid picture ID must be escorted by an adult with a valid form of identification. For visitors without a locally prepared USNA ID Card or a DOD credential, all-day parking is available in various parking garages, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, or at two-hour parking meters around the City Dock. USNA Admissions presentations are held Monday through Saturday at 10 am and 2 pm, except federal holidays.

Naval Support Activity Annapolis

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Annapolis is located across the Severn River from the US Naval Academy and is charged with delivering base operation support services to tenant commands. These include the United States Naval Academy and North Severn complex.

Visiting the Academy

Directions to the Naval Academy are available from various locations:

From Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI): Take Interstate 97 South to US 50 East, cross the Severn River Bridge, and take exit 27 to the Naval Academy.
From Baltimore: Take Interstate 97 South or MD RT 3 South to MD RT 100 to Gibson Island, then MD RT 2 South (Ritchie Highway) to US 50 East Naval Academy.
From Washington, DC: Take US 50 East, cross the Severn River Bridge, and take exit 27 to the Naval Academy.

tags: #United #States #Naval #Academy #location