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Dear NAPS Parents,
Spring has finally arrived here in Newport, and as long as the wind stays
relatively calm, trees will continue to bloom, flowers will continue to spring
up, and the weather will remain manageable. However, Newport has a reputation
of being the “Sailing Capital of the World” because Newport held
the first America’s Cup race and subsequent races for more than a hundred
years, but that reputation requires wind, and normally lots of it. To hope that
the winds remain calm in the Spring is almost too much to hope for, but suffice
to say, the freeze has thawed here in the northeast.
With the arrival of Spring, our Candidates’ thoughts are turning to final
exams, graduation, packing gear from Ripley Hall, and summer vacation plans.
We are down to less than a week left of classes, three “reading days”
and then the final examinations May 5th, 6th, and 7th of next week. You may
have heard them speak of their English portfolio – a total compilation
of their English compositions for the year, complete with revisions, and a final
paper that was to reflect on their growth as a writer – well, that was
turned in last Friday, and the English instructors are feverishly grading that
final project. Most classes are beginning to review material to help to prepare
for the final exams next week.
As we get closer to the end of the year, and as the weather has cooperated,
we are finishing up the Physical Readiness testing as well. Your son or daughter’s
physical readiness and stamina will be a big factor to help them during Plebe
Summer, and throughout the entire Plebe Year at the Academy. We have worked
with each of our Candidates to ensure they will be able to pass the Physical
Readiness Test (PRT) when they get to the Academy, and there are some that are
still struggling with their preparation and their confidence regarding this
test. While the standards are demanding, they will be required to meet them
at the Academy, unless they are on a medically directed light duty period, or
cannot physically perform the test because of medical documented medical issues.
So, it’s important to pass the test here at NAPS, but it’s just
as important to maintain that level of fitness and stamina while your son or
daughter is on leave before reporting to the Academy as well. Those that don’t
maintain what they have achieved here, will have a tough time in the first couple
of weeks of Plebe Summer.
Hopefully, by now, you have heard the details of our Commencement (Graduation)
festivities. We will have a Pass-in-Review on Thursday, 14 May on Nimitz Field
at 1000. That evening, we will have our Commencement Ball at Rosecliff, one
of the mansions in Newport, at 2000. This will be an opportunity to kick back
a little and celebrate the year. Tickets are on sale – your Candidate
can buy them from the NAPS staff, and everyone is invited – not just dates,
but parents as well. The Commencement Ball is a great time in a great setting
and I encourage everyone to come. Commencement will be on Friday, the 15th of
May at 1000, and will be held inside Building 1801. We would ask that everyone
be seated by 9:45 so that we can begin the march-in on time. There will be opportunities
to take plenty of pictures and there will be a small reception after the ceremony.
At this weekend’s Lacrosse game (NAPS beat Bridgton Academy), I overheard
some parents discussing when our Candidates should report to the Academy. I’ll
try to explain the process. Once we have determined the final graduation list,
the Naval Academy Admissions staff will have packets of information that we
will have everyone fill out, but included in that packet is their “Permit
to Report” and the date will say ‘no later than 1630 29 June. Induction
Day is 1 July, but our Candidates (and by that time, they won’t be ‘Candidates’
any longer…they will be ready to become ‘Midshipmen’), will
actually report two days early. Each entering class is more than 1200 Midshipmen,
and it’s a tremendous effort – and transformation – to have
each of them receive their initial issue gear, have haircuts, be inoculated,
and learn to march (a little) in one day. To ease the burden, our Midshipman
Candidates, report early to go through the I-Day “dress rehearsal”
on 30 June to ensure things flow smoothly – they will receive all of their
gear, get the haircut (if needed), and move about the Yard to test the set-up
and help to identify any flaws in the system for the rest of their classmates
who will report on I-Day, the next day. Your son or daughter will still be inducted
with their classmates at about 1730 on 1 July in Tecumseh Court, but for most
of that day while their classmates are scurrying around the Yard, your Midshipman
will be busy putting away his or her gear, and organizing their rooms in Bancroft
Hall.
While your son or daughter may not be moving around the Yard on I-Day, I would
encourage you still to go to the Academy that day because there are briefs given
by the Superintendent, the Commandant, the Academic Dean and the Athletic Director;
there are opportunities to sign up with local USNA Parents’ organizations
(they are normally a great resource for information and are fun to belong to);
and become familiar with the Academy itself (if you haven’t already).
The Induction Ceremony is impressive (I would like to say it’s patterned
after what we do here at NAPS, but it’s really the other way around),
and I would recommend you attend the ceremony, at least, if you can. After the
swearing in, or induction, there will be about 30 minutes where parents will
be able to meet their ‘new’ Midshipman, take pictures, or opportunities
for individual swearing-in ceremonies. Then the Plebe Regiment is formed and
will march off to their first meal in King Hall – the messing facility
– to start Plebe Summer as a member of the Naval Academy Class of 2013.
As I have said in these letters before, the time has flown by for this NAPS
Class. Remember back to that warm July day last year when your son or daughter
was just starting this journey, and here we are almost ten months later, ready
to embark on another part of this journey of education and service to their
country. Your Midshipman Candidates have proven to themselves, and to others,
they are worthy of attending the Naval Academy. They have demonstrated they
are ready to face the challenges the Naval Academy will present, and they can
– and will – be successful. They probably stretched themselves,
beyond what they thought possible and gained new heights and achieved more than
they ever had…all because of their hard work, discipline, dedication,
and perseverance. They did some great things. However, many would not have made
it without the love and support they received from you each and every day; so
I would encourage you to be proud of your son or daughter’s accomplishments,
but know they couldn’t have done it without you and your love and support.
Well done, Parents.
We hope to see everyone at the Commencement Ball, and at the Commencement ceremony
on the 15th. This is only the beginning, and the future is bright indeed with
these NAPSters – the Class of 2009 – ready to assume the mantel
of leadership as they go on to the United States Naval Academy as members of
the Class of 2013. I wish them, and you, the very best of luck, the fairest
of winds, and a following sea in all their future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Capt Hart Sebring
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