The following is the recommended timeline and program for all USNA midshipmen considering a 2-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

4/C (Plebe/Freshman) Year

Ensure that your membership records have been transferred to the Annapolis Ward's registry.

The decision to serve a mission ought to be your own. Dedicate time toward the legitimate and thoughtful reflection of a mission. Covenant with the Lord, remembering personal prayer, scripture study, sacrament attendance, tithes and fast offerings.

Keep your grades up (academic and military), but don't despair should you receive a low mark! Redouble your efforts, keeping in mind that your being able to serve a mission and then be readmitted to the academy 2-years later will depend primarily on your academic and military performance.

The Resource File is an excellent resource you can access to gain insight and inspiration in your decision making and preparation to serve. Visiting with the Bishop, Midshipman Priesthood Group leader, and return missionaries could benefit you as well. 

3/C (Youngster/Sophomore) Year

Again...keep your grades up (academic and military), but don't despair should you receive a low mark! Redouble your efforts, keeping in mind that your being able to serve a mission and then be readmitted to the academy 2-years later will depend primarily on your academic and military performance.

Prior to Spring Break (or earlier), begin the mission application process with the Bishop. Your application will require formal interviews with the Bishop and Stake President, so waste no time in arranging and following up on subsequent meeting times.

Immediately following Spring Break, visit the Midshipmen Personnel Office in the Operations Spaces on deck 4-0. Inform them of your desires to serve a mission and obtain from them a Voluntary Resignation packet.

Be clear in telling them when an why you are leaving: i.e. after summer cruises.

Turn in your Voluntary Resignation packet and all other paperwork as soon as possible. Quick completion of all the requisite packet will ensure that the process does not conflict with other academic, military, and athletic commitments, and that everything is completed correctly. 

Checking-out

The Naval Academy will buy your ticket and transport you home. Your separation physical will be arranged and administered at the Naval Academy. 

You are allowed to store your uniforms (the bulk of your storage) at the Academy, free of charge. Take your uniforms (properly marked with your name and alpha code) to the Midshipmen Laundry Service Center in the basement of 5th Wing. There, you will need to visit with Mrs. Lilly Nukem.  Be clear in telling her why you are leaving, and how long you will need the academy to store your uniforms: i.e. LDS mission, 2-years.

One cruise box (approx. 6ft. x 3 ft.) will be provided for your belongings and shipped to your home of residence free of charge. You will incur charges for shipments beyond the cruise box provided. Do not pack anything you will be needing in the immediate future as such shipping is often subject to delay.

It is recommended that you take all personal belongings home with you (minus your uniforms in storage) as to not overburden your Academy sponsor family. Having them sent home to your family will help ensure their security and good storage.

We highly recommend that you complete your re-admittance packet prior to your departure. Doing so will enable you to concentrate fully on your mission, and ensure ease in returning. Leave your re-admittance packet with your family for them to mail to the Naval Academy's Admissions office the January prior to your mission's end. Taking an backup copy of your re-admittance packet with you on your mission is good insurance.

Re-Admittance

The process for being re-admitted to the Naval Academy after having served a 2-year mission for the Church has become more common and thus much easier in recent years. Few, if any have not been re-admitted according to their academic or military performance.

We recommend that you begin preparing your application packet for re-admittance several weeks prior to your resignation.  The Midshipmen Personnel Office in the Operations Spaces on deck 4-0, can provide you with the paperwork you will need to fulfill the re-application requirements. The process is neither long nor difficult, however you should not delay at all in getting ahead in this process.

Letters of recommendation supporting your re-admittance will weigh heavily in the Admission Board's consideration of your request. You should therefore ensure that you have at least one to two (1-2) letters of recommendation from each of the following groups: academic professors, military officer chain of command, sport and extra-curricular activity coaches/officers/faculty representatives, and ecclesiastical leaders. These letters of recommendation will combine to assure the academy that you are an outstanding candidate to be re-admitted.

Follow-up continuously. Ensure that the process is complete, and that you have made arrangements to report on the date the academy has assigned you. Transportation of yourself and your belongings back to the Academy will need to be arranged and paid for by you and your family. 

Coming Back   

Report on time and in uniform (Summer Whites)! You will need to check in first by visiting with the Midshipmen Personnel Office in the Operations Spaces on deck 4-0. From there they will provide you with a check-list of procedures to complete your re-admittance.

You will be sworn in to become an active duty member of the US Military once again, so be ready not only for that commitment, but as well to excel, given your unique experience and solid moral living.

Welcome back!