Did you ever wonder when our Military Academies were founded? Naval Academy

By David McClelland

Here are the dates when each Academy was founded:
The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York - 1802.
The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland - 1845. *
The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut - 1876.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York - 1942.
The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado - 1954.

This is the third of a five-part series which will discuss each Academy.
* Let's next look at the Naval Academy.

The United States Naval Academy (also known as USNA, Annapolis, or Navy) is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland. Established in 1845 under George Bancroft, it is the second oldest of the five service academies, and educates officers for commissioning primarily into the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The 338-acre campus is located on the former grounds of Fort Severn at the confluence of the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay, approximately 33 miles east of Washington, D.C. and 26 miles southeast of Baltimore, Maryland. The entire campus is a national landmark and home to many historic sites, building and monuments.

Prospective candidates to the Naval Academy must be first nominated by a Congressman, Senator, the Vice-President, the President, or be the child of a Medal of Honor recipient; and must pass a physical fitness test and a medical exam. Once admitted, students are addressed as Midshipmen, an official rank and paygrade. Midshipmen are in the United States Navy from the moment they raise their hands and affirm the oath of office at the swearing in ceremony. Upon graduation, most Naval Academy Midshipmen are commissioned as Ensigns in the Navy or as Second Lieutenants in the Marine Corps and serve on active duty for a minimum of five years. If they become pilots, they will serve 8-11 years and if Naval flight officers, 6-8 years. Foreign Midshipmen are commissioned into the armed forces of their native countries. Each year, a few Midshipmen are cross-commissioned into the Army, Air Force or Coast Guard.

Participation in athletics is, in general, mandatory at the Naval Academy and Midshipmen participate on varsity, intercollegiate sports teams, intramural team or one of the club teams. The Naval Academy fields 30 varsity sports teams and 13 club teams. Varsity letter winners wear a specially designed blue cardigan with a large gold "N" patch affixed. Members of teams that beat Army are also awarded a gold star to affix near the "N" for each such victory. The sports team mascot is a goat named "Bill."

On October 7, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed legislation permitting women to enter the United States service academies. About 22% of entering plebes are women.

The Naval Academy attracts more than three million visitors a year, including alumni. You would enjoy a visit to the Naval Academy to see and photograph its many national landmarks.