NStar Articles

USNA graduate, Lieutenant Commander and Astronaut Kayla Barron has broken barriers her entire life. As a newly minted ensign, she was a member of the first class of women to be commissioned into the submarine community upon graduation in 2010. Then in November 2021, she was part of the historic SpaceX Crew-3 flight that rocketed four people into space for 177 days. Her passion for exploration is evident. In an interview for NASA, Barron notes, “I think the thing that’s most important to me is the inspiration of exploration. I think we all have this innate sense to explore — whether you’re the one who actually gets to step on the Moon or not. I think it changes all of us to know that we can actually do things that would be unimaginable to the generations that came before us.” Her path has certainly honored that — and while her achievements are just beginning, Barron has already proven what it takes to be a USNA  Notable Graduate — and we are proud to highlight her career here.

We’re a small band of brothers and sisters. Just 1,200 USNA midshipmen are accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy each year, and a bit over 1,000 of us will graduate four years later. We’re a hardy lot, accustomed to long hours and late nights, tough physical training sessions and hard leadership lessons. While we enter as plebes, we leave as commissioned naval leaders, ready and equipped to help protect our country and preserve its freedoms. Along the way as midshipmen (and as midshipgoat) for our four years here, we learn what it takes to survive and thrive. We also learn the tips and tricks that get us there.