News Article Release

“Reef Points:” Naval Academy Customs and Traditions

July 3, 2012

During Plebe Summer, the newly arrived midshipmen are required to memorize and be prepared to recite at a moment's notice information from “Reef Points,” a 250-page book of naval traditions and information about the U.S. Navy and the Naval Academy specifically.

The book is updated each year with the most current information, and the plebes will become familiar with all of it. Here's a small sampling of Naval Academy customs and traditions the plebes must memorize.

The Rank of Midshipman

The rank of midshipman has its traditional roots in the British Royal Navy, where boys in their early teens known as “midshipmen,” were apprenticed on board sailing vessels to learn their trade as members of the Royal Navy. The youngest known midshipman was only two years old. Prior to the founding of the Naval Academy, midshipmen lived on board ships. However, an incident aboard USS Somers involving a midshipman that resulted in a hanging ignited the drive for a shore-based naval school. In 1845, midshipmen were granted the rank of Naval Cadets. Upon graduation, Naval Cadets received Midshipmen warrants, which they possessed for roughly two years. After completion of these duties, they were commissioned as officers in the Navy. During the 1870s, Naval Cadets who were members of the engineering program were referred to as Cadet-Engineers; this title existed until 1899. On 01 July 1902, Congress reestablished the rank and title of Midshipman to Naval Academy students. Beginning in 1912, midshipmen were considered commissioned officers when they received their diplomas at graduation.

Tecumseh

Tecumseh, “god of the 2.0,” is also known as the lord of football games and final exams. For years he has received a deluge of our pennies as we march by to exams or football games. Before any football game, especially the Army-Navy Game, he is bedecked in full warpaint in preparation for the big encounter. This figurehead, really an image of Delaware Chief Tamanend, was brought here after the ship USS Delaware was scuttled. He was given several names by midshipmen before “Tecumseh” received general acceptance. When he began to weather badly, the Class of 1891 replaced his timbers with bronze, sealing within the metal the heart, brains, pipe, arrows, and tomahawk of the original, and an 1891 class ring and muster. The original Tecumseh is in the Visitor Center, and a model of USS Delaware is in the basement of Mahan Hall.

The Naval Academy Ring

One of the most significant occasions at the Academy is having that special someone place upon your fingerthe Naval Academy ring. Except for the classes of 1877 through 1880, every class since the Class of 1869 has had its own ring, designed by members of its own class. According to custom, the ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand with the class crest inside, signifying the bond of fellowship with one’s classmates. Upon graduation, the Academy seal is turned inside to remind the graduate of his/her days at the Academy. The importance of the Naval Academy Class Ring can be best summed up by an alumnus who lent his ring to the Naval Academy Alumni Association for display, “My ring is a bit more bald-headed than originally, but remembering that it has been on deck in sunshine and shadow for 66 years and is still ready for duty may speak a word in its favor.” The Naval Academy Ring is a constant reminder of your accomplishments at the Academy, the ties of friendship you will make, the history you are a part of, and the role you are yet to play.

Ring Dance

Few traditions have as much significance to a midshipman as the Ring Dance, which dates back to 1925. Held on the Saturday before graduation, at the start of Commissioning Week, the Ring Dance celebrates the Second Class as they are on the threshold of assuming leadership of the Brigade. Originally, midshipmen would “whet” their ring by jumping into the Severn, but that soon changed when one unfortunate soul drowned. Now, the Second Class, with their date, dip the ring into water obtained from the seven seas, and put the ring on while standing underneath a large replica of the class ring. The ring has the class-designed crest on one side, and the Naval Academy crest on the other.

Graduation Salute

It is tradition that newly commissioned ensigns and second lieutenants give a silver dollar to the first uniformed service person who salutes them.

Bilger’s Gate

Upon departing from the Naval Academy by way of Gate 3, one will see a small gate on the right called Bilger’s Gate. This gate received its name many years ago when midshipmen who could not meet the academy’s standards would turn in their dismissal papers at the guard house next to the gate and then leave through this exit. Tradition has it that any midshipman who uses this gate will “bilge out.” For this reason, one will never see a midshipman walking through Bilger’s Gate.