U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen returned from their summer training to a strict edict from their new superintendent: more studying, less leisure time.
“We want fewer distractions and fewer excused absences from important developmental events, such as class and study hours,” said academy superintendent Vice Admiral Jeffrey Fowler, who told the midshipmen this week that weeknight liberty off the Annapolis campus has been replaced with study hall.
“I take pretty seriously what my mission here is, and that?s moral, mental and physical development.”
The mandate, issued by Commandant Capt. Margaret Klein, calls for all midshipmen to remain on campus for a mandatory study hall between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Third- and fourth-class midshipmen (sophomores and freshmen) will have study hall during the same hours Friday nights.
The previous policy allow upperclassmen liberty on two weeknights, and study hall was only mandatory for third- and fourth-class midshipmen.
It is one of the first policy changes under Fowler, who took over as the academy?s 60th superintendent in June, replacing Adm. Rodney Rempt. Fowler unveiled the policies Friday in his first meeting with the media since his installment.
Fowler expressed the need to prepare the midshipmen to lead the Navy at a time when the nation is fighting terrorism. He also said midshipmen need to be more accountable as they represent the face of the Navy.
“It?s more than just graduating midshipmen or having them excel personally here ? that is important,” Fowler said. “But in the end, they?re going to be leading sailors and Marines, and they need to start doing that on day one.”
Klein, under the direction of Fowler, will order the review of summer training exercises and improve exposure to the fleet.
Uniforms also will change, as first-class midshipmen [seniors] will wear khaki-colored uniforms during the summer to show their senior status, mirroring what is done at sea.
Midshipmen also must eat all meals between Sunday night and Friday noon at the campus? mess hall. They will also be required to sit with their squads to better formcohesion.
Klein was not available for comment Friday.
“We support of what [Fowler] is doing,” said Skid Heyworth, an academy alum and spokesman for the Naval Academy Alumni Association. “We?re a nation at war, and his job is to develop midshipmen and the face of the Navy. His actions make a lot of sense to us.”
