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[Baltimore Sun] Nearly 1,200 students arrive at Naval Academy for Induction Day: ‘Plebes come in knowing that they know nothing’

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Jack Clark had a sense of familiarity while arriving at the Naval Academy on Thursday morning to be inducted into the class of 2028. For ten years, the Broadneck High School graduate and his water polo team practiced at the school, a sport that got him recruited to the college.

“Once he started playing [water polo] and got exposed to the Naval Academy and seeing all the midshipman, it just strengthened his desire to come here,” said his dad, Shane Clark.

One of 23 incoming freshman from Anne Arundel County, Clark lined up with the nearly 1,200 students from around the country at Alumni Hall Thursday morning for the first day of Plebe Summer, a rigorous six-week program that prepares first-year students for the next four years at the academy.

“I have a family background of military service and I’ve always just wanted to serve and I felt like the Naval Academy was just right,” said Jack Clark.

Throughout the day, the “plebes” — as freshmen are known — receive uniforms, undergo medical examinations and the men get a mandatory buzzcut. Once they look the part, they are taught how to salute and receive a copy of Reef Points, a 225-page introduction to the academy they are expected to memorize.

The plebes are encouraged to use any downtime throughout the day to start studying the guide and may be quizzed on it at any point.

“The plebes come in knowing that they know nothing,” said Brigade Master Chief Jay Holley. “Plebe Summer is just as much an opportunity for the first midshipmen to learn how to lead and to put into practice the things that they’ve learned over time.”

During the summer session, students lose access to their phones and most of their personal possessions. Each inductee is issued a large white bag, known as a “Santa sack,” which they carry throughout the day, gathering the uniforms and gear that will be their sole belongings for the summer. At the end of the day, they haul the stuffed sack back to their new dormitories.

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Midshipman MaryClare Oliver spent the day helping during the induction process, a requirement for recent graduates. She remembers her induction day fondly, as it was the height of the pandemic in summer 2020. Though her family couldn’t be there because of the quarantine requirements, she settled in quickly.

“Plebe Summer feels really long, your plebe year feels really long, but then the rest of the time goes really fast,” Oliver said. “You get to do fun stuff. …We got to go to the rifle range and you get to do obstacle courses.”

The first years will spend the next several weeks learning the basics of military protocol, seamanship, weaponry and physical training.

“Knowing that this connects me to 200 years of naval officers, it’s just amazing,” said Rockville native Elizabeth Pearson, a recent graduate of St. John’s College High School in Washington.

The day culminates at 6 p.m., when the plebes take the oath to become midshipmen. There, they say goodbye to their family who they won’t see until mid-August.

Many of them have family members that went through the Naval Academy. Caleb Kang, a freshman from Louisville, Kentucky, arrived in Annapolis with his sister Samantha, a rising sophomore. He’s been interested in attending since watching his sister’s induction.

“I feel ready now,” Kang said. “I came last year and I was just sitting, and now I’m actually here. I am excited to learn how to shoot … wear all the uniforms and be engaged in everything.”

Induction Day marks the beginning of a nine-year commitment for the plebes; four years at the Naval Academy and then five years of active military service.

Clark says he feels a sense of pride for this next journey.

“I want to take away a good experience, learning the military background, the military experience more and be able to put that in my life,” Clark said.

Incoming plebe Joseph Bonavilla gets a hug from his mother, Kristen Bonavilla before entering Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes gather outside Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Joseph Bonavilla gets a hug from his sister, Diana Bonavilla, 9, before entering Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebes line up outside Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

After saying goodbye to loved ones incoming plebes wait in line outside Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Caleb Lyles, 18, an Arundel High School graduate, lines up outside Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Ensign Michael Boukhaled, right, instructs incoming plebes on how to proceed outside Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Local incoming plebes, from left, Nash Bailey, from Rockbridge Academy, Jack Clark and Ben Sterner, both from Broadneck, wait to check in. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Navy Football head coach Brian Newberry greets incoming freshman football players as he sees them in line outside Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Caleb Kang, center, listens for instructions before entering Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Caleb Lyles, 18, an Arundel High School graduate, begins the check-in process at Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Caleb Lyles, 18, an Arundel High School graduate, begins the check-in process at Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Caleb Lyles, 18, an Arundel High School graduate, begins the check-in process at Alumni Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Dylan Simons, left, gets his copy of Reef Points, the midshipman’s handbook, from Ensign Jake Evert. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Barber Alonzo Cureton takes a little off the top as he gives incoming plebe Leo Choi a haircut. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Barber Bridgette Cole takes a little off the top as she gives incoming plebe Raymond Priest a haircut. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Incoming plebe Raymond Priest gets a haircut. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

A stack of Reef Points, the midshipman’s handbook, awaits incoming plebes. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

A plebe reads from Reef Points, the midshipman’s handbook. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

A plebe reads from Reef Points, the midshipman’s handbook. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

A plebe reads from Reef Points, the midshipman’s handbook. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes learn some basic commands from Marine 2nd Lt. Kevin Thibodeaux before moving out to Bancroft Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes learn how to wear their Dixie cup hats. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes learn how to wear their Dixie cup hats. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes learn some basic commands before moving out to Bancroft Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes learn some basic commands before moving out to Bancroft Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes learn some basic commands before moving out to Bancroft Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids takes a cell phone photo of a group of plebes learning to salute. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

Plebes learn some basic commands before moving out to Bancroft Hall. The U.S. Naval Academy welcomed approximately 1,200 members into the Class of 2028 when they reported for Induction Day. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

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