Frequently Asked Questions

1. When are the phone calls home this year?

   Plebes will only be permitted phone calls, not video calls. Arrangements will be made for international calls. 
   The phone calls this year are currently scheduled for the following times:

   • 09 July 23, 1330-1400
   • 06 August 23, 1600-1630
     
     
2. Who is eligible to conduct a personal swearing-in ceremony?
   The personal swearing-in may be conducted by a relative or close family friend that is an active duty, reserve or retired military member. Some civilian government offices are authorized to conduct swearing-ins. Normal protocol for Oath of Office ceremonies should be followed.
   
   
3. Where is the personal swearing-in ceremony conducted?
   There is designated space for a personal swearing in inside Smoke Hall, located underneath the Rotunda in Bancroft Hall. The ceremony is an informal opportunity for midshipmen candidates to share the experience with family and friends. If the midshipmen candidate feels that they have a large group of family and friends and Smoke Hall may cause difficulty including all of their guests, the midshipmen may choose to find another suitable location around the T- Court or Stribling walk-way area with their guests. This portion of the yard contains numerous monuments and scenic locations for photographs. No additional action is required after the Personal Swearing in Form has been emailed to iday-2027-group@usna.edu.

3. Is this personal swearing-in the midshipmen candidate’s official Oath of Office?
   No, the personal swearing-in is ceremonial only. The personal swearing-in is a favorite custom that the Naval Academy utilizes in order to allow midshipmen candidates to share the experience with their family and friends. The midshipmen candidates will sign their official Oath of Office with a commissioned officer earlier in the day and they will take their Oath of Office with the Commandant of Midshipmen during the Oath of Office ceremony in T Court at 6 p.m.

4. If I submitted paperwork for the personal swearing-in ceremony, do I need to check-in with anyone at Smoke Hall?
   No, there will not be a central location for you to check-in for the personal swearing-in ceremony. If you desire to conduct the swearing in in Smoke Hall, please follow the signs when entering the Rotunda to Smoke Hall and there will be someone there to direct you to an open area for the swearing-in ceremony. Please contact one of the commissioned officers in Smoke Hall if you require assistance.

5. In case of inclement weather, where will the Personal Swearing-in ceremony be held?
   In case of inclement weather, the Oath of Office ceremony will be held in Alumni Hall. Personal swearing-in ceremonies will be conducted in the Bo Coppedge Room of Alumni Hall upon conclusion of the ceremony.

6. What time should family members show up for the Oath of Office ceremony?
   It is recommended that family and friends show up no later then 5:45 p.m. Midshipmen candidates will begin seating earlier and the official program will start promptly at 6 p.m. The personal swearing-in ceremonies will begin upon the conclusion of the Oath of Office ceremony.

7. How is the midshipmen Oath of Office administered?
   For the personal swearing-in ceremony, the midshipmen Oath of Office can be administered in two ways:

1. Read the entire Oath of Office below and have the midshipman candidate reply with “I Do”.

HAVING BEEN APPOINTED A MIDSHIPMAN IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY, DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT YOU WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT YOU TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT YOU WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO ENTER, SO HELP YOU GOD.

2. Read the Oath of Office below in steps and have the midshipman candidate repeat each step after you (similar to the traditional Oath of Office).

HAVING BEEN APPOINTED A MIDSHIPMAN IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY, I SOLEMNLY SWEAR (OR AFFIRM) THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC; THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER, SO HELP ME GOD.

8. What is the uniform for the personal swearing-in uniform?
   It is asked that the uniformed member doing the swearing-in by in Navy Summer White or service equivalent. Summer Whites are considered the Navy’s “Service Uniform.” If the member is unable to wear a uniform, appropriate civilian business attire is requested.