MORE FROM ANNAPOLIS. IT’S INDUCTION DAY AT THE NAVAL ACADEMY IN ANNAPOLIS. HUNDREDS OF PLEBES GETTING READY TO TRAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. FEELING GOOD? YEAH, A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS. NOT TOO MUCH, THOUGH. I THINK IT’LL BE GOOD. NERVOUS FOR TODAY, BUT I’M JUST EXCITED TO GO AND DO IT. JUST GET IT DONE WITH OUTSIDE FAMILIES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, OUTSIDE OF BOISE, IDAHO, BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN. YEAH, WHERE THERE’S POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE SMILES AND PICTURES ARE SMART AND PLENTY OF TEARS. IT’S VERY EMOTIONAL. SO, UH, HE’S MY BABY GETTING READY TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN OFF TO JOIN THE NAVY. A LITTLE NERVOUS, BUT EXCITED. THE DAY IS FINALLY HERE. IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT CHALLENGE AND A GREAT INSTITUTION. SO IT’S GOING TO BE A GREAT EXPERIENCE. PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT IT FOR ERIC AND JENNIFER LYON, THIS ISN’T THEIR FIRST I DAY, BUT IT’S STILL SPECIAL FOR THEIR SON JOSHUA. IT’S A LITTLE BIT SURREAL. I WON’T LIE, BECAUSE I’VE SEEN ALL MY SIBLINGS AND STUFF, BUT TO FINALLY BE HERE IN MY OWN CAPACITY IS, UH, PRETTY CRAZY. I WON’T LIE OUT OF BODY. YOU’VE GOT COOL HAIR. YOU’LL BE READY TO SEE IT GO KNOW YOUR NAME. SO ONCE YOU START YOUR CAR CODE, YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD INSIDE. IT WAS DOWN TO BUSINESS. GET IN LINE, HEAD TO MEDICAL AND HEAD SHAVE. IT FEELS OFFICIAL, MA’AM. SMITTY HAS BEEN SHAVING HEADS ON I DAY FOR 34 YEARS, USHERING THOUSANDS OF PLEBES INTO MIDSHIPMAN OVER A LITTLE OVER 800. WE DID 250 YESTERDAY AND WE’LL FINISH UP TODAY. AND TO MAKE IT CLOSE TO 1200 ALTOGETHER FROM THERE, IT’S NEW UNIFORMS, NEW SHOES, NEW RULES, AND A BRAND NEW LIFE IN THE NAVY IN ANNAPOLIS. I’M JANINE D
Families from across country support new class of plebes at 2024 Naval Academy induction ceremony
Updated: 10:09 PM CDT Jun 30, 2024
Hundreds of new plebes were inducted Thursday at the U.S. Naval Academy as the Class of 2028 settled into Annapolis, Maryland.On Induction Day at the Naval Academy, the plebes prepared to train for the next four years.”(I’m) feeling good, a little bit nervous, not too much, though. I think it’ll be good,” said Josh Engler, a plebe.”(I’m) nervous for today, but I’m just excited to go and do it, just get it done with,” said Ava Nielson, a plebe. There were smiles and pictures taken — and plenty of tears — amongst the families who traveled from across the country to share the moment, including Natalie Ketchum and her family from the Boise, Idaho, area, as well as Eric Lyon and his family from Battle Creek, Michigan.”It’s very emotional. He’s my baby,” said Marla Motsinger, a parent.”(I’m) a little nervous but excited the day is finally here,” Ketchum said.”It’s going to be a great challenge and a great institution. So, it’s going to be a great experience. I’m pretty excited about it,” Lyon said.For the Lyon family, this isn’t their first I-day — but it’s still special for their son, Joshua.”It’s a little bit surreal. I won’t lie because I’ve seen all my siblings and stuff, but to finally be here in my own capacity is a little crazy. I won’t lie,” said Joshua Lyon, a plebe.Inside, it was down to business as the plebes got in line to headed to medical before getting their heads shaved, all done by a man simply known as “Smitty.” He has shaved heads on I-day for 34 years, ushering thousands of plebes into midshipmen. “A little over 800 (plebes). We did 250 yesterday, and we’ll finish up today to make it close to 1,200 altogether,” Smitty said.After visiting Smitty, the plebes were off to get new uniforms, new shoes and new rules to embark upon a brand-new life in the Navy.
Hundreds of new plebes were inducted Thursday at the U.S. Naval Academy as the Class of 2028 settled into Annapolis, Maryland.
On Induction Day at the Naval Academy, the plebes prepared to train for the next four years.
“(I’m) feeling good, a little bit nervous, not too much, though. I think it’ll be good,” said Josh Engler, a plebe.
“(I’m) nervous for today, but I’m just excited to go and do it, just get it done with,” said Ava Nielson, a plebe.
There were smiles and pictures taken — and plenty of tears — amongst the families who traveled from across the country to share the moment, including Natalie Ketchum and her family from the Boise, Idaho, area, as well as Eric Lyon and his family from Battle Creek, Michigan.
“It’s very emotional. He’s my baby,” said Marla Motsinger, a parent.
“(I’m) a little nervous but excited the day is finally here,” Ketchum said.
“It’s going to be a great challenge and a great institution. So, it’s going to be a great experience. I’m pretty excited about it,” Lyon said.
For the Lyon family, this isn’t their first I-day — but it’s still special for their son, Joshua.
“It’s a little bit surreal. I won’t lie because I’ve seen all my siblings and stuff, but to finally be here in my own capacity is a little crazy. I won’t lie,” said Joshua Lyon, a plebe.
Inside, it was down to business as the plebes got in line to headed to medical before getting their heads shaved, all done by a man simply known as “Smitty.” He has shaved heads on I-day for 34 years, ushering thousands of plebes into midshipmen.
“A little over 800 (plebes). We did 250 yesterday, and we’ll finish up today to make it close to 1,200 altogether,” Smitty said.
After visiting Smitty, the plebes were off to get new uniforms, new shoes and new rules to embark upon a brand-new life in the Navy.
