<p>So, next weekend, I am headed down to visit the Naval Academy (Currently a Junior). I have never been anywhere near Annapolis before.</p>
<p>Anything I will want to make sure not to miss?
Things to check out?</p>
<p>Thanks so much.</p>
<p>Well, if you are going to Annapolis because you want to go to USNA, I would suggest you really tour the Yard in detail, and perhaps even speak to as many mids as you might be able to snag for a minute.</p>
<p>As for out in town, the walk up West Street to State Circle (the main street in Annapolis) is pretty charming, as is the walk from State Circle to Church Circle. In fact, if you walk out Gate 3 at USNA (if you are a potential Mid, walk through the gate where the cars go through, NOT the PEOPLE gate on the side. Bilger's Gate is bad luck. I've never walked through it, and never will, and I've already graduated.) and walk straight ahead, you will hit Church Circle. Lovely walk. Go around the circle until you find a road leading down to State Circle (where the Maryland State House is. Can't miss it.). From State Circle, take West Street down to the harbor. The harbor area is full of shops, pubs, and restaurants. From there, you can walk to Gate 1 of USNA and re-enter the Yard.</p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>
<p>No vehicle trafic was allowed at gate 3 (semi-permanent vehicle barriers were in place if I remember correctly) last summer. I think everyone may have had to pass through the small arch on the side, but I don't remember if the large iron gate was open or not.</p>
<p>So, what is the tale on this "Bilger's" gate?</p>
<p>This is basic Reef Points stuff.</p>
<p>Back in the early days of USNA, Gate 3 was the main gate. Vehicular traffic (carriages in those days) went through the central gate, and pedestrian traffic entered and left through the smaller "people" gate.</p>
<p>Well, when midshipmen were separated (they bilged), they would hand their final orders to the gate sentry and exit through the pedestrian gate.</p>
<p>It became known as "Bilger's Gate", and you will never see a Midshipman walk through it, in either direction, because it is believed that if you do, you will not graduate. As such, you always see the mids walk through the vehicular gate.</p>
<p>If they've closed it off and left only the pedestrian gate open, I'd climb over the wall or go to gates 1 or 8 before I'd use Bilger's Gate.</p>
<p>I didn't know USNA taught superstitions! Oh well, no institution is perfect! ;)</p>
<p>The Navy is, indeed, one of the most superstitious institutions on Earth. :)</p>
<p>Z- not all has changed- gate 3 is still used for pedestrian traffic, and yes, those we saw on the yard definately kept to the center gate- the pedestrian side gate was open, but we did not see anyone use it. Gate 3 is closed to vehicles- but open to anyone on foot-</p>
<p>bassplayr
Plan alot of hours,not just the 'tourist stop' approach. As Zaphod says, walk the whole place. Go into the Chapel all the floors. Go into Memorial Hall at Bancroft. It's so majestic it takes your breath away. Go into Dahlgren ( did I spell that right??)Try and see if you can be there for a mid-lunch formation and some evening mid-entertainment event...say a Glee Club activity. Check out a sporting event. Go to the bookstore and sit for the little movie in their theater.</p>
<p>I was married for 25 years to a USNA' 72 grad before I ever stepped foot on the Yard. I cried, I was so happy to finally see the place that had so shaped my husband into the man he still is. ( OK all you acad grads. How many of YOU can STILL wear your Firstie Uniform???? MY husband of now 30 years can! He just wore it last month for a local re-enactment event. Talk about tall, dark, handsome and sexy!!! ) But I digress....</p>
<p>Approach the campus as a hallowed place, not just a set of pretty buildings. Let the place speak to you. It is so full of history. No, I don't mean so sound like a wierdo, I'm serious. Our daughter's Summer Seminar Squad leader, an amazing young man, actually woke up his kiddos last summer at session #2, at took them around to places like Memorial Hall at night, John-Paul Jones crypt and talked to them about the history of the Naval Academy, what an amazing Institution the place is, how it molds leaders and why they should be proud to come there. Even when our daughter told us second hand about this experience, which indeed has stuck with her, I got goosebumps. He was 100% right about the dignity, uniqueness and honor of that place.</p>
<p>Study the mids as they walk by. This is still a pretty weary point of the school year. See how they walk, how they talk, how they wear their uniforms. Then imagine walking on any nearby college campus and compare your sights. You'll be awfully amazed and proud of what USNA is doing with the young people at the Academy.</p>
<p>Let us know what you think...and if you are applying for the class of 2011.</p>
<p>God Bless you, kiddo.</p>
<p>Gate 3 is not closed to cars. It is open for vehicular traffic as well as pedestrian -- from 6 am to 10 pm daily. I was just there a few days ago.</p>
<p>The Gate 3 schedule often changes during holidays or special events. The schedule is posted at:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usna.edu/SecuInfoPers/FAQS.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.usna.edu/SecuInfoPers/FAQS.htm</a></p>
<p>You must have a pass to get a car onto the Yard. Your Permit to Report will serve as a pass on I-Day. After I-Day, parents of mids are offered the opportunity to obtain passes for 2 people and 2 vehicles (called FONA passes). These are good for 1 year and are renewable as long as your kid is at the Academy. The FONA pass is not transferable and can only be used by the 2 people listed on the pass.</p>
<p>Thanks for that oiixxg! So have you passed through Bilger's gate? ;)</p>
<p>No -- my mid clued us in on that tradition on PPW. </p>
<p>Don't worry about walking through by mistake though -- The way the gate is set up now pedestrians have to show ID to the guards which means staying on the sidewalk next to the car entrance :)</p>
<p>It's worth noting where Gate 3 is if you are ever returning your mid to the Yard and cutting it close to the last minute 'cause you will find a bit of a traffic jam at Gate 1 where those w/out passes will be dropping off mids. Gate 3 if you are coming through town, or better yet Gate 8 if you're coming off Route 50 or from the stadium, are often the fastest routes to Bancroft!</p>
<p>lol don't be scared of the navy police-so much less intimidating now that the marines are gone, but less of a hassle as well.</p>
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OK all you acad grads. How many of YOU can STILL wear your Firstie Uniform????
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</p>
<p>Ahem. Uh..... Never mind! :o</p>
<p>
[quote]
Approach the campus as a hallowed place, not just a set of pretty buildings. Let the place speak to you. It is so full of history. No, I don't mean so sound like a wierdo, I'm serious. Our daughter's Summer Seminar Squad leader, an amazing young man, actually woke up his kiddos last summer at session #2, at took them around to places like Memorial Hall at night, John-Paul Jones crypt and talked to them about the history of the Naval Academy, what an amazing Institution the place is, how it molds leaders and why they should be proud to come there. Even when our daughter told us second hand about this experience, which indeed has stuck with her, I got goosebumps. He was 100% right about the dignity, uniqueness and honor of that place.
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</p>
<p>Well said. The place really does speak to you, especially at night when it's quiet. It's a magical place.</p>
<p>When I have gone back, I've asked whoever I was with to give me a few minutes alone. I've walked out into T-Court and just stood there, eyes closed, and listened, and smelled. I can't describe it, but it's a combination of coming home and returning to a place where a great wrong was done to you. Just walking through you relive the whole four years at once, and at the same time you wonder, "God, did I really graduate from here?"</p>
<p>If you think it's wild when you're not a graduate, I can assure you that it's 1,000 times stronger when you are.</p>
<p>
[quote]
See how they walk, how they talk, how they wear their uniforms. Then imagine walking on any nearby college campus and compare your sights. You'll be awfully amazed and proud of what USNA is doing with the young people at the Academy.
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</p>
<p>Yep. Walk two blocks west into St. John's College, and see what the modern hippie movement is all about. They're the anti-Academy, and it shows.</p>
<p>You need a pass to drive on the yard now?</p>
<p>So where do all the rubbernecking sightseers park, then?</p>
<p>I need to know, because I'll be cleaning out the Midstore next time I go, and I don't much fancy having to do the trek from the Midstore parking lot to the Halsey Field House carrying 50 pounds of USNA stuff. There's a REASON my uniform doesn't fit anymore! :D</p>
<p>Zaphod, do you have any suggestions on what i should do while i'm at my CVW? I've been to the academy many times before for NASS and other functions that my dad performs at the chapel.</p>
<p>Hey everyone....did you all notice I got HIGH PRAISE from Zaphod from my post about the USNA campus!!! I feel like a little kid in my Catholic school nun's classroom getting a 'holy card' sticker!!! </p>
<p>Zaphod liked my post and didn't go into a rant against me!!</p>
<p>(Zaphod, we've communicated privately too, you KNOW I understand and appreciate you, you New York buddy, you!)</p>
<p>Thanks for the affirmation for my second-hand experience with your and my husband's " close encounters of the first kind" there at the Academy.</p>
<p>Zaphod:</p>
<p>If you have a Department of Defense sticker on your car and a current military ID, I believe that you are allowed to drive your vehicle on the yard without an additional pass. I suggest you check with security prior to your visit.
CM</p>
<p>I'm afraid my DOD stickers are all in a landfill somewhere. Been a long time since I've needed them. :o</p>
<p>I'm just wondering where they expect visitors (including Alumni) to park. USNA is a national park and always full of tourists (unless they got rid of that, too). It's not like there's lots of parking in Downtown, you know...</p>
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Zaphod, do you have any suggestions on what i should do while i'm at my CVW?
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</p>
<p>I'm sorry. CVW?</p>
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[quote]
Hey everyone....did you all notice I got HIGH PRAISE from Zaphod from my post about the USNA campus!!! I feel like a little kid in my Catholic school nun's classroom getting a 'holy card' sticker!!!
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</p>
<p>LOL!! Here's a St. Joseph card! Good girl! ;)</p>
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Zaphod liked my post and didn't go into a rant against me!!
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</p>
<p>Now why would I have done that? What you posted is absolutely true!</p>
<p>I only rant against liberalism and stupidity (but I repeat myself). :D</p>
<p><a href="Zaphod,%20we've%20communicated%20privately%20too,%20you%20KNOW%20I%20understand%20and%20appreciate%20you,%20you%20New%20York%20buddy,%20you!">quote</a>
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</p>
<p>;)</p>
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Thanks for the affirmation for my second-hand experience with your and my husband's " close encounters of the first kind" there at the Academy.
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</p>
<p>No. Thank YOU for reminding ME of it. It's been too long since I've been back. I need to go back and remember what I've accomplished, what I went through, and in effect what my pedigree is, and that I'm not worthless as some people I once cared deeply for have made me feel.</p>
<p>ETA: I'm not looking forward to returning to Memorial Hall, though. I'm going to recognize some names under that glass, now.</p>
<p>Guard heaven well, noble shipmates. :(</p>