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Listed below are several questions asked by sponsors in past years. If you feel that your questions
are not listed, please e-mail
sponsor@usna.edu.
How do I become a Sponsor?
In order to become a Sponsor you must fill out the online Sponsor Application and submit
it to the Sponsor Office. This allows the office ample time to process the application and
match Sponsor with the best possible plebe based on similar interests.
As a Sponsor, what can I do for my Midshipmen and what is expected of me?
Sponsors have historically provided necessary friendship, understanding and encouragement to Fourth
Class Midshipmen as they meet the challenges associated with a demanding plebe year. Sponsors provide
a "home away from home" for Midshipmen.
What are my Midshipmen's responsibilities?
Fourth Class Midshipmen are expected to act as mature adults and future Naval and Marine Corps officers
at all times. Only the highest standards of personal behavior, etiquette and accountability are
acceptable. Fourth Class Midshipmen are aware of the regulations to which they are subject and should
not place a Sponsor in any pressured situations regarding Midshipmen rules. Fourth Class Midshipmen are
also encouraged to keep Sponsors involved in Naval Academy activities and to express their appreciation
for a sponsor’s generosity.
Does the Sponsor Program only apply to Plebe year or can I sponsor my Midshipmen until graduation?
The program is designed solely for Plebes, however most families continue their relationship with their
Midshipmen until graduation
What are the rules regarding Midshipmen and alcohol?
Fourth Class Midshipmen are not permitted to consume alcoholic beverages, regardless of age, for the
duration of plebe year. Maryland state law prohibits the sale to or consumption of alcoholic beverages
by anyone under 21 years of age. This restriction extends to the Midshipmen within a sponsor’s home.
As Sponsors, you must understand that the consequences for consumption of alcohol are severe.
What are the rules regarding transportation of Midshipmen?
Fourth Class Midshipmen are not authorized to own or operate motor vehicles. They are authorized to
make use of public transportation to include taxis. They may only ride in private automobiles when
accompanied or driven by a USNA staff or faculty member, their parents and/or guardians, or a
registered Sponsor. (Children, extended family members, or friends of registered Sponsors who are
licensed drivers should not transport midshipmen in their vehicles.) First Class Midshipmen may drive
Plebes directly to and from a sponsor’s home. Fourth Class may also ride in First Class or Second Class
vehicles to and from authorized official functions. Exceptions may be approved by company officers on a
case-by-case basis. Midshipmen of all classes are authorized to operate or ride in automobiles during a
leave period (e.g., Thanksgiving and End of Semester Leave).
What are the rules
regarding motorcycles and Midshipmen?
Midshipmen shall not own, operate, or ride a motorcycle,
moped, or motor driven bicycle regardless of their leave
status.
What is the protocol expected between a Plebe and upperclassman?
The Sponsor Program is meant for Fourth Class Midshipmen. The Naval Academy understands that
Sponsors often continue to Sponsor their midshipmen throughout their four years at the Academy. Should
you continue to sponsor the upperclassmen, the expectation is that Fourth Class Midshipmen will maintain
a professional relationship with upperclassmen at all times and vice versa.
Are the Sponsors permitted to shop in the Naval Academy Midshipmen store?
No. Only Midshipmen, officers, faculty, staff members and their immediate families are permitted to
shop in the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen Store.
What should I do if I have a problem with my Midshipmen?
Should you experience a problem with your Midshipmen, please contact his or her company officer. The company
officer will be able to help you resolve any problems that might arise. If you need the company
officer’s phone number, please call Bancroft Hall Main Office at 410-293-5001or 5002 and they will
provide you with the number.
What are the liberty regulations?
Liberty is a privilege and is granted when deemed appropriate by the Commandant of Midshipmen. While
liberty tends to occur at the same times on a regularly scheduled basis, please understand that liberty
schedules are subject to change with little prior notice.
There are three types of liberty for midshipmen:
- Yard Liberty – During Yard liberty, Midshipmen are authorized to participate in activities within the Yard. The Yard is the part of the Naval Academy inside the wall line and fence line that includes Gate 1 to Gate 8. Midshipmen shall not visit a sponsor’s home on the Yard. Plebes have Yard liberty from 0530 until 2000 (5:30 am to 8:00 pm).
- Town Liberty – Town liberty will
commence at the discretion of the company
commanders. Company commanders will publish
their requirements for each class to earn
town liberty during the week. Normally,
liberty for plebes will be authorized on
Saturday from 1200 to 2400 (12:00 noon to
12:00 a.m. midnight) and Sunday for
religious services only from 0800 to 1300
(8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.) or begin after the
last military obligation is completed,
whichever is later. Plebes shall go no
further than 30 miles from the chapel dome during town liberty
- Weekend Liberty – With the company officer’s approval, Plebes may depart on Saturday not earlier than 12:00 noon or last military obligation and must return Sunday by first military obligation and no later than 1700 (5:00 P.M.).
Are Plebes allowed to wear civilian clothes?
No. Plebes are to be in the uniform of the day at all times during town liberty. Plebes may relax
this requirement within a Sponsor’s home, but only issued USNA uniform articles may be worn. Plebes may
not store civilian clothes at their Sponsor’s home.
Can I contact my Plebe's Parents?
Yes. However, we do request that you do not contact your Plebe’s parents until after you have met your
Plebe. This affords the opportunity to ascertain the wishes of your assigned plebe and to accommodate
any last minute changes in the assignment of a Sponsor.
What time do the Naval Academy gates close, and which one should I use when returning Midshipmen to the academy?
Sponsors are authorized to use any of the three gates when picking up and returning your Midshipmen:
- Gate 1: Open to vehicle access:
- Sunday-Thursday
0600-2200
- Friday-Saturday
0600-0100
- Visitor Access Center: Open
for pedestrian access:
- Sunday-Thursday
0600-0000
- Friday-Saturday
0600-0200
- Gate 3: Open for pedestrian
access:
- Sunday-Thursday
0600-1900
- Friday-Saturday
0600-2200
- Open for vehicle access: No change
to hours of operation
- Monday-Friday
0600-0900 (inbound only)
- Monday-Friday
1500-1800 (outbound only)
- Gate 8: Open 24 hours a day for vehicular and pedestrian traffic
What if I want to
arrange an outing or special event outside the 30 mile radius?
Requests should be made in advance by your Plebe via their chain of command. These requests will be
considered and approved on a case-by-case basis.
How do I contact my Midshipmen?
All Midshipmen have phones in their rooms and most have cell phones. To contact them via room phone
call 443-321- and room number as the last four digits.
To contact them via e-mail, use a lower case "m", the Midshipmen’s six number alpha code, and
"@usna.edu", for example, m091234@usna.edu .
What should I do if my Midshipmen becomes injured or sick while visiting my home?
If the illness or injury is life threatening, call 911. If the illness or injury is not life threatening,
but you think the Midshipman needs immediate care, bring the Midshipman to the USNA Medical Clinic. The
clinic is located in Bancroft Hall Sixth Wing. If the illness or injury is not life threatening, and you
are not sure whether the Midshipman needs immediate care, or if you or the midshipman wish to speak with
a health care provider, call 410-293-1758. The clinic corpsman will connect you with the Duty Health Care
Provider. The Midshipman maybe directed to report to the clinic or given other instructions regarding a
time and place for further care.
How do I get a package to my Midshipmen?
Packages are sent to your midshipmen’s post office box address.
How do I obtain a FONA pass?
All Sponsors wishing to sponsor Plebes (Midshipmen from the incoming class) are required to submit
their vehicle information for a FONA pass within the Sponsor Application. Current Sponsors who only
wish to renew their FONA pass must send their information to the Office of the Sponsor Coordinator.
The Sponsor Coordinator will verify the sponsor's name and forward the information to the Pass &
Tag Office. FONA passes must be renewed every year.
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