Naval Academy welcomes plebes for Induction Day

Unusually calm experience under pandemic circumstances

Induction Day at the Naval Academy is normally filled with detailers yelling at new plebes to hurry up as they make their way through various stations. Plebes get uniforms and their hair shorn before buses take them to the Midshipman Store.

But the 2020 Induction Day came during a global coronavirus pandemic. Nothing is normal.

Under U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and other restrictions in place to keep people healthy, induction had to change.

Instead of one day, it’s now spread over four days, with about 325 plebes coming each day, said Cmdr. Kelly Laing, officer in charge of Plebe Summer.

It’s “a year that’s very unique and very different,” Laing said during a news conference.

That difference was clear by the relaxed atmosphere, with ensigns commenting how different it was than their Induction Day experience. Everyone still dressed in formal uniforms, although masks were now the must-have accessory. Some like Commandant of the Midshipman Capt. Thomas Buchanan walked around with an orange pool noodle, meant to keep people 6 feet apart.

It was almost quiet. There were only a few plebes at each station at a time. No plebes gathered in groups learning to salute.

Another difference was the lack of parents walking the yard. Parents dropped off their plebes — while staying in their cars — then drove away as the new plebes took their place in a socially distanced line. The typical Oath of Office Ceremony has been pushed back until after a two-week restriction of movement period and will be livestreamed for parents, Laing said.

First, plebes answered a COVID-19 questionnaire then had a temperature check. They next went from station to station before making their way into Alumni Hall, where they were given name tags and assigned their “Alpha number,” similar to a student ID, said 2nd Lt. Chandler Derbyshire, who manned that station.

But before the plebes were done with Derbyshire or others at the name tag stations, they learned an important lesson. From then on, the first and last words out of their mouths would be sir or ma’am.

“We call them sir sandwiches,” Derbyshire said.

Sure enough, he would ask if they understood. And the new plebe would have to respond, “Sir, yes, sir.” Some figured it out right away. Others needed a second try.

After administrative sessions, plebes went to medical stations to be tested for COVID-19, screened for pregnancy, vitals taken and other medical tests.

Once done, plebes entered a strict 72-hours restriction of movement period, giving the Naval Academy time to get samples tested. If a plebe tests positive for COVID-19, they would be moved to an isolation wing where they could be monitored, Laing said. Those who do not test positive will be paired with another student in a dorm for a two-week restriction of movement period.

The first two weeks will be moral and mental classwork, done digitally instead of in-person lessons, covering topics such as sexual harassment and respect for people from different cultures, Laing said.

Due to Induction Day changes, plebes were asked to cut their hair before arrival. But some, like Kenneth Nguyen, an18-yearold plebe from Portland, Oregon, did not quite meet the standards when he arrived Monday. So Nguyen’s hair was sheared off at the barber shop.

“It’s been really exciting,” the plebe said. He applied to the Naval Academy as a first generation American, Nguyen said. He wants to give back to the country through his naval service.

After collecting gear, getting their hair to standards and picking up a snack, the plebes learned to tie their garment bags, now full with their belongings, so that they would be easier to carry to Mitscher Hall.

Ariana Bryant, a 17-year-old plebe from Bennington, Nebraska, was one of the first plebes in her group to arrive. The Induction Day process went well, she said, with the process keeping people safe.

Bryant is looking forward to Plebe Summer with her fellow midshipmen and working with them.

Like Nguyen, Bryant wanted to serve her country. She will major in operations research.

“I felt there was no better place than the academy,” she said.

She was soon joined by Grady Griess, 18, from Grand Island, Nebraska. Griess was recruited by the academy to wrestle.

“I chose it for all the opportunities I’ll have after the Naval Academy,” he said.

He arrived in Annapolis two days ago, he said, and Griess is looking forward to the grind of Plebe Summer.

“I’m excited for all the challenges we will face,” he said.

Once 10 more plebes joined Bryant and Griess, they were escorted by ensigns, demonstrating 6 feet with a pool noodle, to Mitscher Hall for laptops, lunch pickup and to sign the Oath of Office.

Although the formal ceremony will occur after the restriction of movement period, in order to receive medical treatment and gear, plebes must sign the Oath of Office, Laing said.

For the plebes, Induction Day was finished once they were received for the restriction of movement period at Mitscher Hall.

But for the ensigns, 2nd lieutenants and staff of the Naval Academy, there were two more days of Induction Day, and at least 650 more plebes to process.