The calendar slipped into June, Commissioning Week memories are fading into legend, the Brigade jumped into Summer Training, and that means one thing. The Class of 2026 is on the clock for Induction Day. That means we say Welcome Aboard and in addition to Fair Winds and Following Seas, we offer them some advice. So … Continue reading June is here, welcome to the Class of 2026

While Susan Weisberg (the brilliant author of the Chester Midshipmouse books) and I were recording this year's Herndon Climb Playlist, she reminded us of the simple fact that the Midshipmen are training to become Naval and Marine Corps officers. Now that may sound rather simple, but it's easy to get swept up in the pageantry … Continue reading The leadership challenges that await

If you're connected with the United States Naval Academy in any way, you are excited right now. It's Commissioning Week and things don't get much better. For the Firsties and families, this is like Super Bowl Week. Ball gowns, receptions, party favors, graduation announcements, brunches, pictures, parties, and everything leading up to the Big Moment … Continue reading USNA’s Christmas in May: Commissioning Week

As I've written before, I love May. I mean, who doesn't love a good celebration and May is full of them. I'm writing this the day before Mother's Day and what better reason is there to celebrate? The fact that Mother's Day comes about right as classes are wrapping up is synchronicity, I think, mixed … Continue reading The celebrations of May

You learn a lot as a Naval Academy parent and sometimes it's like drinking from a firehose. But when you have a moment to reflect, your reactions can range, in order of likelihood, from perplexed to surprised to "of course, that makes sense." One of the things from Plebe Year that at first caused me … Continue reading It’s always very public