United States Naval Academy - Lucky Bag Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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f ,i ' i: 1 A a ULe Uiff da . Navy tradition has it that Hberty is a privilege, not a right. As plebes, we soon learned that it was neither a privilege nor a right. The little blue book, entitled Spe- cial Instructions, Fourth Class Summer made it quite clear that midshipmen of the fourth class were not al- LUCE HALL lowed to leave the Academic limits. At Hrst, overwhelmed with the work and routine, we were content to relax on the weekends. We soon learned of the many recreational possibilities within the walls, and the term Yard and Recreational Liberty took on new meaning. »• ' « ' «» Jilii- ■ ' L-toi j y -fiii0 - ]mm sm» ,- »»!■ k 1 i£ .« Wr »g»Tr

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Qufute Uf, Some of us gained the coveted experts ' ribbon— others were content to spend the major part of their time on the third day. But all of us gained experience and confidence in handling small arms. The hot, sweaty days spent at the rifle range were our basic ordnance training— the part we had to get before we could proceed to a consideration of the bigger guns and more complicated equipment. The basic principles were the same— proper aim meant a bullseye, proper safety would allow us to shoot again. One of the finer arts PuU and paste SflO- lti It seemed simple . . . till we got in the water The physical training department they called it, and very apro- pos was the title. We quickly learned the origin of the 46 pushup routine, and in Natatorium drills not a few of us qualified as poten- tial Sub Squad aspirants. Inter-company sports provided the enigma of competition. Softball championships were in the offing on Worden Field, and MacDonough Hall soon vibrated with the cheers of loyal supporters at Tuesday night battalion boxing matches. a uftaiiaiiA Seven times a day, seven days a week the late bell threw its three minute challenge at us. Many there were who faltered in the first round, but with plenty of daily prac- tice we managed to gauge the length of the hundred and eighty seconds from formation to late bell. As we be- came proficient, we found that only the last thirty sec- onds were the vital ones. 25 At least somebody knew where zue were going ' iim ■■■■• ■■ - ■ --v- y - vl . . ' •. - r , f -T ■

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MacDonough hall . . . W.Z laaned tke %fa id aveA, Thus, while the first and third class sauntered out the gate to sample the pleasures of Crabtown, we of the fourth class began to know and appreciate the yard itself. We spent many leisure hours wandering over the Acad- emy grounds, admiring the buildings, the landscapings, and, of course, the upperclassmen ' s drags. MacDonough Hall attracted us first, and we soon learned of its many recreational facilities. That massive structure provided us with many pleasant hours of relaxation during the long summer, when basketball games and one-minute boxing rounds supplied our oflF-duty enjoyment. 27