US Navy Rank structure

The student body is the Brigade of Midshipmen, and the naval service often is called "the fleet". Midshipmen at the Academy wear service dress uniforms similar to those of U.S. Navy officers, with shoulderboard and sleeve insignia varying by school year or officer rank.

Midshipmen are not classified as freshmen, sophomores, junior, and seniors. Instead they are classified fourth class, third class, second class, and first class.

Fourth Class, the lowest rank of midshipmen structure are also known as "plebes," from the Latin "plebeian," the lowest class of Roman citizen. Because the first year at The Academy is one of transformation from a civilian into a future navy officer or Marine, they are forced to conform to a number of rules and regulations not placed on their seniors, the upper three classes of Midshipmen, and have additional tasks and responsibilities that will disappear upon their promotion to Midshipmen Third Class.

Third Class Midshipmen have been assimilated into the Brigade and are treated with more respect because they are upperclassmen. They are commonly called "Youngsters". Because of their new stature and rank, the youngsters are allowed such privileges as watching television, listening to music, watching movies, and also the privilege of being able to take a nap.

Second Class Midshipmen are charged with training plebes. They report directly to the first class, and issue orders as necessary to carry out their responsibilities. Second Class Midshipmen are allowed to drive their own cars (but may not park them on campus) and are allowed to enter or exit The Yard (campus) in civilian attire.

First Class Midshipmen have more freedoms and liberty in the Brigade, and the most challenging responsibilities. While they must maintain mandatory sports activities and academics, they are also charged with the leadership of the Brigade. They are commonly called "Firsties". Firsties are allowed to park their cars on campus, and have greater leave and liberties than any other class.

The Brigade is divided into two regiments of three battalions each. Five companies make up each battalion, making a total of 30 companies. The midshipmen command structure is headed by a first class midshipman know as the Brigade Commander, chosen for outstanding leadership performance. He or she is responsible for much of the brigade's day-to-day activities as well as the professional training of midshipmen. Overseeing all brigade activities is the Commandant of Midshipmen, an active-duty Navy Captain. Working for the commandant, experienced Navy and Marine Corps officers are assigned as company and battalion officers.

US Navy Uniforms

Midshipmen at the Academy wear service dress uniforms similar to those of U.S. Navy officers, with shoulderboard and sleeve insignia varying by school year or officer rank. All wear gold anchor insignia on both lapel collars of the service jacket. Shoulder boards have a gold anchor and a number of slanted stripes indicating year, except for midshipman officers, whose shoulder boards have a small gold star and horizontal stripes indicating their rank.

On the khaki service uniform shirt, a Freshman (Midshipman Fourth Class or "Plebe") wears no collar insignia, a Sophomore (Midshipman Third Class or "Youngster") wears a single fouled anchor on the right collar point, a Junior (Midshipman Second Class) fouled anchors on each collar point, and a Senior (Midshipman First Class or "Firstie") wears fouled anchors with perched eagles. Midshipmen in officer billets (both Naval Academy and NROTC) will replace their collar insignia with their rank insignia.

Midshipman officer collar insignia are a series of gold bars, from the rank of Midshipman Ensign (one bar or stripe) to Midshipman Captain (six bars or stripes) in the Brigade of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Depending on the season, midshipmen wear Summer or Winter Working Blues. Since 2008, the First Class Midshipmen have worn Service Khaki uniforms as their daily uniform. First Class Midshipmen may wear their service selection uniform on second semester Fridays (i.e.: Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officer selectees wear flight suits, Submariner and Surface Warfare selectees wear coveralls or khakis with their new command ballcaps, Marine Selectees wear camouflage utilities).

During Commissioning Week (formerly known as "June Week"), the Uniform is Summer Whites.