Every summer, incoming students to the U.S. Naval Academy arrive in Annapolis, Maryland to begin their transition from civilian to military life. They say goodbye to their families and begin a six-week summer training program.
Incoming U.S. Naval Academy students, or plebes, learn how to put on their hats properly during Induction Day in Alumni Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on Thursday, June 30, 2011. Induction Day marks the day the young men and women begin their transformation from civilians to midshipmen and begin their plebe-summer training program. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
Plebe Joshua Werling of Beloit, Wis., gets his hair cut during Induction Day for first-year students in Alumni Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on Thursday, June 30, 2011. Induction Day marks the day the young men and women begin their transformation from civilians to midshipmen and begin their plebe-summer training program. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
Midshipman 1/C Ken Bunnell (foreground) gives instructions to plebes (from left) Anna Funkhouser and Michael Johnson during Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis on Thursday, June 30, 2011. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
Incoming U.S. Naval Academy students, or plebes, stand straight as they await further instructions during Induction Day in Alumni Hall at the academy in Annapolis on Thursday, June 30, 2011. Induction Day marks the day the young men and women begin their transformation from civilians to midshipmen and begin their plebe-summer training program. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
1/C Matthews Adams (right), a senior at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, instructs plebes, or first-year students, to walk "fast and with purpose" as they make their way from getting their hair cut to picking up their gear during Induction Day at the academy in Annapolis on Thursday, June 30, 2011. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
Frederick McDonald, a U.S. Naval Academy plebe from Oceanside, Calif., gets fit for a hat during Induction Day in Alumni Hall at the academy in Annapolis on Thursday, June 30, 2011. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
Incoming U.S. Naval Academy students read their Reef Points booklets while waiting with their Navy-issued gear to head to their dormitory on Induction Day at the academy in Annapolis on Thursday, June 30, 2011. The Reef Points serve as an introduction to the Navy, and the plebes are expected to memorize all of the facts in the book. They are instructed to hold the books squarely in front of their face as they read them. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
Incoming Naval Academy Plebes wait to make their pledge during the Oath of Office Ceremony, in Tecumseh Court, the courtyard of Bancroft Hall, on Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Md., Thursday, June 30, 2011. Induction Day marks the day the young men and women begin their transformation from civilians to midshipmen and begin their Plebe Summer training program. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)
Naval Academy Plebe Brandon Hudson is embraced by his mother Tracy Hudson after during the Oath of Office Ceremony, on Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Md., Thursday, June 30, 2011. Induction Day marks the day the young men and women begin their transformation from civilians to midshipmen and begin their Plebe Summer training program. (Drew Angerer/The Washington Times)