US Naval Plebe :: Herndon Monument Climb

These look like footage of All American boys or Abercrombie's models...


1,000 eager, screaming plebes charge toward a 21-foot grey monument that taunted them all year. They attempt to climb the lard-covered obelisk as thousands of spectators watch with the hopes that they complete the task quickly. This event at the U.S. Naval Academy is known simply as "Herndon" or the "Plebe Recognition Ceremony." The Herndon Monument Climb traditionally marks the end of the freshman, or Plebe, year at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.


The plebe class works together to accomplish the goal of retrieving a white plebe "dixie cup" hat from atop the monument and replace it with an upperclassmen's hat. It is a tradition that has endured at the Naval Academy for many years. More than 200 pounds of lard applied to the monument by upperclass midshipmen, who also helpfully spray water on the plebes during the climb to complicate the task. Tradition states that the plebe who reaches the top will rise to the rank of admiral first. [Photo credit: Allrand]


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