Approximately 1,200 men and women reported to Alumni Hall at the Naval Academy yesterday morning for Induction Day – Class of 2029, culminating in an Oath of Office ceremony. These incoming plebes (freshmen) said goodbye to their families and were processed through various stations inside Alumni Hall to become members of the Naval Academy’s Class of 2029. Stations include uniform issue, medical examinations, haircuts, and learning to salute. The day culminated with the Oath of Office ceremony at 6 pm on Worden Field (a new location due to the construction at T-Court) along the banks of the Severn River. After the ceremony, plebes met with their families for the last time until Plebe Parents’ Weekend, in mid-August.

Class of 2029 Stats – Men: 814 ( 10, 2987 applications); Women: 373 (4,859 applications); Minority: 511; Legacy: 38 Men, 27 Women.

As one of my classmates wrote to me: “same as it was 55 years ago… only a lot hotter”.