Formal USNA parades have been an exciting tradition at the U.S. Naval Academy since it was founded in 1845. Not only do these parades inspire pride and patriotism in all involved, but they also bring USNA midshipmen together as one unified Brigade, teach them the crucial drilling skills important to military precision and engage important dignitaries and the public in a meaningful way. On the Yard, USNA parades are an exciting show of strength, highlighting USNA midshipmen’s unceasing dedication to professionalism, military discipline and teamwork—all tenets they build at the Academy and then rely on extensively in their careers as naval officers.
These impressive parades often start at the Brigade dorm, Bancroft Hall, and wind through the Yard to the official Naval Academy parade field, Worden Field. The U.S. Naval Academy Band and the Drum and Bugle Corps keep the beat as they march in unison, their crisp dress uniforms cutting a scene both dignified and electric. Once on Worden Field, the Brigade presents a moving parade. They perform a series of well-coordinated drill movements, render honors to the senior military or civilian dignitaries in attendance and then march by in review for the official party and their guests. It is a formal affair, teeming with the pride and tradition of more than 175+ years of parades on the Yard.
USNA midshipmen start learning the intricacies of a parade right after they enter the Academy for Plebe Summer, which kicks off in late June every year and runs for six to seven weeks. In the sweltering Annapolis heat, they’ll spend hours on Worden Field perfecting their parade skills. They will hone marching movements, cadence and the correct positioning/manual of arms. With consistent practice, plebes soon master the format, and start performing formal parades in preparation for the academic year formal parade season.
In fact, one of the milestones of Plebe Summer comes at the end when the plebes participate in the Turnover Parade, the final parade which officially completes Plebe Summer and formally hands the reins from the Plebe Summer detailers over to Brigade leadership. Through dedicated training all summer, plebes will have refined their drilling skills so they’re ready for Reform of the Brigade, when the entire Brigade reconvenes after their summer training. Returning upperclassmen will be monitoring their skills closely, so plebes must be ready to flawlessly execute their duties to prove they are capable of participating in the fall and spring parades during the academic year.
Related: What are Navy Midshipmen Doing During Their Summers?
As the school year resumes, the entire Brigade gets in step. If you’re lucky enough to see a formal parade during the fall and spring seasons, you’ll be treated to a procession of grace and fluidity. The Brigade will enter Wordon Field in formation by company; there are 30 companies numbering about 80 women and men in each. A midshipman will lead them in with a guidon pennant featuring the company number—and the name, home city and state of the company’s company commander will be announced as the company passes in review, open for inspection by all in attendance. During the fall parade season, these parades are especially exciting because they occur on the Friday afternoons before Saturday Navy home football games.
As one of the highlights of Commissioning Week, the Color Parade is an important milestone and has been a highly anticipated tradition since 1867. Full of patriotic music and pomp, it honors the fall and spring color companies, those who have won these coveted titles through exhibiting excellence in academics, athletics and professional accomplishments for each semester. The color company commander picks a “Color Honoree” and the Color Parade’s most exciting moment happens when the USNA superintendent formally presents the “Color Honoree” with the color company pennant. It is a huge honor for the entire company, and carries extensive bragging rights!
Related: 5 Can’t Miss Events During USNA Commissioning Week.
Dedication Parades are another type of parade USNA midshipmen present during the academic year. Meant to mark special occasions, these parades recognize individual faculty members who have achieved professional goals. Often, you’ll see dedication parades that honor academy faculty who have completed 20 or more years of service, been selected as Emeritus Faculty or are retiring. They’re a powerful way to express gratitude for USNA faculty’s dedicated service to the Academy and the midshipmen.
Experiencing a formal parade is a don’t-miss USNA event that gets to the heart of what it means to be a Naval Academy midshipman. Parades last about one hour and are free and open to the public, occurring when weather permits. We welcome you onto the Yard to be a part of this proud long-standing tradition. You can find the schedules on the USNA website, and we recommend pairing it with a USNA tour. While you’re here, you can give back to the midshipmen that give so much for our freedom. The Naval Academy Business Services Division supports the Brigade of Midshipmen by donating our proceeds from our 20 business units that allow our midshipmen to be successful, well rounded future leaders. We support a variety of extracurricular activities such as cultural arts, theater, music, club sports, and a variety of other activities. Feel the history that happens every day on the Yard and come be a part of this incredible tradition.