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

Page 15 text:

• SWS ' :. -■S i i , f w • 1 J ' .jgax. «•£ ' ' ' J i V 3rj ; ,.j;J,jV-, ifl iar?.; n-iH( ,V;:. ■■■■■•. V

Page 14 text:

Gate 3 tHe ( enten. ymbolic of the function it serves in ministering to our spiritual needs, the Chapel with its imposing dome dominates the yard. The Chapel plays an important part n our academy life — the dome when first viewed from far out in Chesapeake Bay on the return from third class cruise has the vital function of giving us the title of youngsters. In the crypt beneath the Chapel lies the remains of John Paul Jones, serving as a constant reminder to the fme traditions established with the incep- tion of our Navy. Sunday mornings we gain inspiration and new courage in tackling our problems as the chaplain guides us in establishing basic principles on which to build a strong moral foundation. As we march to Chapel or to classes, the band, playing in its stand in front of the Chapel, keeps us in step with strains of martial music. On the other side of the Chapel Walk stands the tall, obelisk-shaped stone known as the Herndon Monument and established as a memorial to the captain of the Central America who preferred to go down with his ship when it sank with the loss of many lives. Tradition has it that the first plebe to climb to the summit of Herndon Monument after graduation elevates the status of his class to the coveted third class rank. Approaching the Chapel from the main gate we pass the Administration Building. From our first day at the Academy this building pl ays an important but remote part in our lives. The print shop in its basement is responsible for the deluge of forms with which we are confronted. The Superintendent ' s Office is located in this building as are the offices of the Academic Board. Those of us having business in this building are usually con- cerned with them, for it is they who decide the fate of those dropping below the sacred 2.5. On the other side of the Chapel is the sup rintendent ' s residence. The scene of official receptions, the midshipmen ' s acquaintance with it is usually limited to a view of the exterior and the well-kept gardens visible through the driveway.

Page 16 text:

11 L muu m fl iiii piflD In looking back this June Week all of us in the Class of 1 948 offer ourselves a silent, smiling congratulations before we enter Dahlgren Hall to throw our caps away for good. We realize in leaving the Academy, that our class saw many changes come to the standard curriculum of the Naval Academy. Of all these changes there was a super change scheduled on V-J Day that could have turned us all out of the Academy, so that Bancroft Hall would have changed overnight into an officers ' finishing school. The present Naval Academy system would have been annihilated. We know that this event did not occur, and although we sing I hope the hell you never get out to those we leave behind us we know that they and many classes will graduate from Annapolis as many classes before them have done. The reason that they will graduate is that the Holloway Plan by our present superintendent w ill give new staying power to the Naval Academy as we know it today. We, of course, all know of the Holloway plan. We went to Europe last summer with some of the new Holloway NROTC midshipmen. However, to conclude that this is the principle of the Holloway plan would be to make a big mistake. The essence of the plan is education of the embryo officers and the continuation of this education long after they have been com- missioned. The vision behind the plan is far reaching and complex, and the aim is good. Admiral Holloway surrounded by his staff. Comdr. R. S. Craighill, Secretary to the Academic Board; Mr. R. E. Heise, Chief Clerk to the Superintendent; Captain J. R. Wallace, Administrative Aid; Comdr. B. L. Gurnett, Flag Lieutenant; Comdr. J. J. Sutherland, Flag Secretary; Admiral Holloway. The plan consists of two fundamental points; First, ap- pointment of candidates and their subsequent education, training and preparation for a commission in the Navy or Marine Corps or an air component, and second, a well integrated training program designed for officers who have advanced beyond the probationary period and have held per- manent commissions for several years. The first point was agreed upon by Mr. Forrestal and Con- gress as being the best solution to the Navy ' s need for many temporary junior officers. Instead of having two Naval Acade- mies in order to graduate more officers a year, as are needed, or instead of sending all of the Navy ' s officer candidates to college for a couple of years and using the present Academy at Annapolis for the last two years of precommission training, a practical compromise was adopted. This compromise pro- vided that the number of midshipmen that the Academy cannot accommodate be selected by competition and sent to the NROTC college of their choice, provided that they can meet the college ' s entrance requirements. During their four year course these midshipmen will take such Naval subjects as fire control and damage control. Aviation candidates, selected in the same manner, are given two years of college and then Navy flight training. Upon graduation all NROTC midshipmen would be given probationary commissions. At the end of that Seated: John W. Rogers, Assistant to Secretary, Academic Board in charge of Admissions Section. Standing: Jesse M. Suit, Assistant to Head of Admissions Section. 12 m