Media Contacts:#0XX-14

Jennifer M. EricksonMay 5, 2015

Colleen Krueger

Judy Campbell

SCHEDULE OF NAVAL ACADEMY MAY EVENTS OPEN TO THE MEDIA

NOTE TO EDITORS AND REPORTERS:If you have not yet RSVP-ed for any event, please email with your name, outlet, phone number and a list of events you plan to cover, or call 410-293-2292. More information for the media can be found at: . *Credential requests for the Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony on May 23 must be received by 2 p.m. Thursday, May 21.

Parking: As always, there is very limited parking available on academy grounds. We will have a limited number of reserved parking spots available for media, and parking will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. For each event, please anticipate a great deal of traffic in the City of Annapolis, particularly Monday, May 18, Wednesday, May 20 and at the stadium Friday, May 22. Arriving at the time listed will give you ample time to park, check-in with Public Affairs staff for your media credentials, and get to the event site. You will not be granted access to base until the check-in times listed, so if you arrive at a gate too early, you may be asked to come back at the time listed. Media without credentials will not be granted access to the event.

A more detailed media advisory will also be sent closer to the event date for most events listed below.

MAYEVENTS 2-2-2

Tuesday, May 12

SEA TRIALS –Various locations on USNA grounds

Media Opportunity: 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Check-in time: 7:30-7:45 a.m. unless otherwise arranged.

NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Sea Trials is modeled after the Marine Corps’ Crucible and the Navy’s Battle Stations recruit programs. It is a “capstone” event for the fourth class midshipmen (freshmen or “plebes”) and serves as a leadership challenge for the upper class. Sea Trials is led by academy upper class and provides a final physical and mental challenge to the plebes, designed to test their teamwork and to reinforce their bonds as a company and class. Plebes will be physically and mentally tested through a variety of challenges in different stations located across the Academy and Naval Support Activity Annapolis.

Monday, May 18- USMC BATTLE COLOR DETACHMENT SILENT DRILL PERFORMANCE -USNA on Worden Field

(Media check-in at 10:30-10:45 a.m., event begins at 11 a.m.)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon from the Marine Corps Barracks at 8th & I, Washington, D.C., will perform with a Drum and Bugle Corps and Color Guard. The Marines will execute a series of calculated drill movements and precise handling of their hand-polished, 10 and one-half pound,garandrifles with fixed bayonets. The routine concludes with a unique rifle inspection sequence demonstrating elaborate rifle spins and tosses. There is an opportunity to meet the Marines following the performance.

Monday, May 18- BLUE ANGELS INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY- Near Visitor’s Center

(Media check-in at 10:30- 10:45 a.m., event begins at 11 a.m.)

NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The Blue Angels team, will be available for questions from the media. This year’s team includes four USNA graduates, including Marine Capt. Katie Higgins, the first female pilot in the team’s 69-year history. Higgins flies the C-130 “Fat Albert.”

Monday, May 18–HERNDON MONUMENT CLIMB - USNA in front of Chapel

(Media check-in: noon- 12:30 p.m. Event begins at 1:30 p.m.)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Members of the fourth class (freshmen or “plebes”) will climb the 21-foot obelisk in order to retrieve a white plebe “dixie cup” hat on top of the monument and replace it with an upperclassman’s hat.

Wednesday, May 21- BLUE ANGELS PERFORMANCE-Over the Severn River

(Media check-in 1-1:30pm, event begins at 2 p.m.)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

The U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron’s Blue Angels will perform a variety of high-speed, aerobatic precision-maneuvers in an approximate two-hour performance over the Severn River. Best viewing areas are from Ingram Field (narration can be heard from this area), portions of Farragut Field and Hospital Point on Naval Academy grounds. Spectators from other viewing areas can tune-in to WNAV-AM (on 1430 AM and 99.9 FM) to hear the broadcast of the narration.

MAYEVENTS 3-3-3

Thursday, May 21-Color ParadeUSNAonWorden Field

(Media check-in 10:15-10:30 a.m. Event begins 11 a.m.)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

(Please note: Seating available only ticket holders): The highlight of the Color Parade is the formal presentation of the color company pennant by the superintendent, the company commander and the “color honoree,” to the newly designated spring color company. Each semester, the color company is designated by virtue of its excellence in academics, athletics and professional accomplishments throughout the semester. The color company competition began in 1867.

Friday, May 22– Navy/Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony

NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC (By invitation only)

Credential requests for the Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony must be received by noon Thursday, May 21.

(Media check-in 6:15-8 a.m. Mandatory Media Briefing at 8:20 a.m. Event begins 10 a.m. and will last until approximately 1:30 p.m.)

The commissioning and graduation ceremony is the culmination of the four-year education and training of the men and women of the Class of 2015. Each graduate receives a Bachelor of Science degree and takes the oath of office as they are each commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy or as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Contact: If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the USNA Public Affairs Office at (410) 293-2292 or send detailed requests for story ideas to .

Commissioning Week press releases and additional media information will be posted online and available through Photos of these events will be available through the Naval Academy’s facebook page at flickr page at

For more information about the Naval Academy, visit

USNA