The pool was cold, the instructors were unrelenting, and the first week of summer training seemed designed for one purpose only: to make candidates quit. For Midshipman 1/C Lily Williams, that was exactly the point. She hadn’t signed up for Navy Search and Rescue (SAR) school in Jacksonville, Florida, expecting it to be easy - she had signed up to be tested.
“The first week you don’t learn a lot, it’s mainly the instructors trying to get candidates to quit,” she explained. “The second week was slightly less physical, but more stressful because my classmates and I were significantly outnumbered by instructors, so nothing got past their eyes.” By the third week, even as the competition grew, the pressure shifted and preparation for the final assessment brought a new kind of intensity. “Every class typically has at least one person that fails the final assessment.” The heat never let up. “Due to my class size being considerably small, the final week was mainly admin and clean up, but still definitely SAR school.”
By the end of the four weeks, Williams had not only endured as a rescue swimmer, but excelled. She graduated as her search and rescue training class leader, a title she was excited to earn. She noted, “I am most proud of graduating as class leader of my class!”
Williams’ determination to push herself started long before SAR school. “I went to Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, NJ, and I was drawn to the Naval Academy because I wanted a non-traditional college experience,” she said. “When I was in high school, I loved the idea of being a midshipman, but the education and career opportunities were what sold it for me.”
That decision led her to a place where challenge is the norm, and camaraderie is the well-earned reward. Now a senior, or “Firstie,” Williams relishes the tight-knit community that defines Academy life. “My favorite thing about being a midshipman is how I am around others constantly. I am a very social person, so spending every day, every meal, and every weekend with my friends is a lot of fun for me. Especially as a 1/C, I have had some of the same friends at the Naval Academy for over three years.” This dedication to teamwork has served her well.
Academically, Williams has spent her four years diving deep into Weapons, Robotics, and Controls Engineering. Her desired service selection is Surface Warfare Officer (SWO), so when the opportunity for SAR training arose, it felt like the right fit.
“I decided to pursue SAR back in March,” she recalled. “I knew that I wanted to challenge myself this summer, and I felt that I had the proper fitness and background to graduate SAR school. I also knew that being a qualified SAR swimmer would give me cool opportunities as a SWO as well.”
That instinct proved correct. Getting certified in search and rescue stretched her physically and mentally, but it also gave her a taste of the kind of responsibility she’ll take on as a SWO - where quick decisions and resilience can make the difference in critical situations.
Related: Service Assignment Spotlight: Surface Warfare Officer
Another highlight of search and rescue training was the connections she forged. “One of my classmates who I graduated from SAR school with is on the ship I was on last summer for my summer cruise,” she said. Experiences like these reinforce the strong bonds between midshipmen and sailors across the fleet, making the Naval Academy experience as much about people as it is about training.
For Williams, earning her SAR certification was about proving to herself she could rise to the challenge. For the Academy, it’s another reminder of the exciting and challenging opportunities midshipmen embrace beyond the classroom, whether in labs, on athletic fields, on stage, or in training pools. These experiences forge leaders of character who bring determination, teamwork, and resilience to everything they do.
Midshipman Williams’ story isn’t just about swimming or search and rescue careers - it’s about stepping into challenges head-on, leading under pressure, and carrying forward the values that define the Brigade of Midshipmen.
Related: Shows of Strength: The USNA Sea Trials
We are proud of Midshipman Williams and her fellow midshipmen as they excel both on the Yard and beyond. You can help fund programs that help midshipmen stretch even further when you visit the Yard, enjoy a meal, or pick up a USNA souvenir. Your support fuels extracurricular activities like the arts, music, theater, and club sports that bring the Brigade together. Thank you for helping us keep the spirit of service, dedication, and excellence alive!