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

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p-?:;, -: Take for example the establishment of a school for the training of Naval Officers. As of 1813, midshipmen served as a regular member of a ships crew, and after a period of apprenticeship, were promoted to become officers of the line. Each ships ' Captain was responsible for the education of these young men, which left a great deal to be de- sired for standardization of training. This system worked well it seemed for those of- ficers who had risen thereby, and they were disgruntled by the very thought of a Naval School. In the words of Naval Academy historian Thomas G. Ford, on the task as- signed to the first Superintendent, Com- mander (Franklin) Buchanan well under- stood that the experiment entrusted to his hands was opposed to the traditions and practices of his own day, and that it was looked upon with mistrust by almost all old officers. Thus the first period of change in the Naval Academy ' s history occured prior to its official establishment on October 10, 1845.

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Zhe want of a J aval School . . . Correspond iiuj with the Military Aeadeniy at West Point, for the formation of scientific and accomplished Officers. ohn i2. Adams. JS26

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In itself, the Naval Academy has acquired many traditions and customs in its 134 years, which pro- vide the color and enthusiasm we have come to know. Who knows why, when the Brigade used to ride the trains to the Army-Navy game, they pulled the window shades down each time they passed through Baltimore? Or how and when did it become a midshipman ' s duty to collect a kiss from the person who would don their cap? Mysteries such as these might just remain as such forever. Though it did not mean the loss a traditional event, changing the title of June Week to Commis- sioning Week was indeed necessary, due to the shifted academic year which now ends in May. And on the subject of Commissioning Week, what about the traditional Color Parade and Color Girl? Both the Color Parade and Girl were established in 1871 to increase the midshipmen competency in drill, by Captain Samuel P. Carter, then the Commandant of Midshipmen. On the day of the parade, the midshipmen would drill before a group of judges who selected the best comp any, and then the Color Girl would present the award. The first such winner was C company and the first Color Girl was Grace Worden, daughter of RADM John L. Worden, who was then the Superintendent.