Have you ever considered opening your home and heart to a U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) midshipman? If you live in the Annapolis area, enjoy meeting remarkable young individuals, and want to support the future leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps, the USNA Sponsor Program might be the perfect opportunity for you. This program is a win-win, fostering meaningful connections while providing midshipmen with a much-needed “home away from home.” Here’s everything you need to know about how to sponsor a midshipman and make a lasting difference in their lives - and your own.
A Mutual Exchange of Benefits
The USNA Sponsor Program creates a unique bond between the Annapolis community and the midshipmen. By hosting a midshipman, sponsors gain firsthand insights into life at the Naval Academy, its traditions, and the rigorous schedule midshipmen undertake. In return, midshipmen benefit from the warmth, mentorship, and support of a local family, which helps them acclimate to life at the Academy.
For midshipmen, especially those coming from across the country or overseas, having a “home base” provides relief from the demands of their structured environment. Sponsors often serve as mentors, sounding boards, and trusted friends, offering a glimpse of life outside the Academy walls. One of the great Navy traditions, these relationships frequently evolve into lifelong friendships and mentorships that transcend the years spent at the Academy.
Related: USNA Traditions: Brigade Parades
How to Become a Sponsor
Joining the USNA Sponsor Program is straightforward but requires a bit of preparation. The application period runs annually. This year, it runs from December 9, 2024 to July 15, 2025 for the Class of 2029, who enter the Academy in June of 2025. Here’s how the process works:
1. Submit Your Application
Application instructions can be found here. Fill out the USNA sponsor application form.
2. Attend Mandatory Training
Accepted sponsors must complete a training session every five years to ensure they’re well-prepared to support their midshipmen. Training dates for the Class of 2029 plebes will be posted here in mid-March, and sessions last approximately two hours. No pre-registration is required.
3. Meet Your Midshipman
Once you’ve completed the training and been accepted into the program, you’ll meet your assigned midshipman at a Naval Academy-hosted event, usually in Alumni Hall in early August. Further details will be sent via email.
What Does Sponsorship Involve?
Sponsoring a midshipman means providing them with a supportive and welcoming environment where they can relax, enjoy home-cooked meals, and take a break from the rigors of Academy life. You don’t need to host them every weekend or holiday, but a consistent connection is invaluable.
Many sponsors say the experience enriches their own lives just as much as it benefits the midshipmen. Whether it’s cheering them on at sports events, helping them navigate personal challenges, or simply sharing conversations over a meal, sponsors become an integral part of their midshipman’s journey.
Related: The Naval Academy Club: At Home on the Yard
A Ripple Effect of Impact
Sponsoring a midshipman is about more than offering temporary respite - it’s about creating a strong, interconnected community that supports our future military leaders. By opening your home and heart, you’re contributing to the greater mission of the Naval Academy: shaping men and women of character into true leaders.
The bonds formed through the program often last a lifetime. Many sponsors remain in touch with their midshipmen long after they graduate, celebrating milestones, achievements, and even weddings. These enduring connections exemplify the power of mentorship and the deep sense of camaraderie fostered through the program.
A Grateful Community
The USNA community deeply appreciates the time, energy, and resources sponsors dedicate to supporting the Brigade. Sponsors provide midshipmen with a sense of stability and belonging, allowing them to excel both academically and personally. By extending the Academy experience beyond the Yard, sponsors help midshipmen form roots in Annapolis and establish connections that strengthen the entire Naval Academy family.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re ready to be part of this incredible program, don’t wait! Becoming a sponsor is a chance to give back to those who have committed to serving our nation. It’s a chance to be a mentor, a friend, and a source of ongoing inspiration for a young person navigating one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of their lives.
Apply today and join the ranks of the extraordinary families who have made a lasting impact on the lives of midshipmen. Together, let’s continue to build an Annapolis family of support, strength, and shared purpose.
For questions not covered here, contact the USNA Sponsor Program Office at (410) 293-7031 or email sponsor@usna.edu.
When you visit the Yard, you’re also helping the midshipmen. Your USNA tours, dining experiences, and shopping excursions all help fund the Brigade of Midshipmen’s extracurricular activities, like the arts, music, theater, club sports, and more. Let’s create memories, friendships, and connections that will last a lifetime.
