• Plebes struggle to climb lard-covered monument in Annapolis, Maryland

    Mark Wilson / Getty Images

    Annapolis Naval Academy freshmen climb the Herndon Monument which is covered with lard on May 22 in Annapolis, Maryland.

    According to this Wikipedia article, the Herndon Monument on the grounds of the U.S. Naval Academy is a tall grey obelisk. It was erected in memory of Captain William Lewis Herndon who courageously decided to go down with his ship, SS Central America, and the men left aboard rather than save himself on September 12, 1857. All women and children and many of the men aboard were saved by a nearby ship during the storm.

    Mark Wilson / Getty Images

    Each year the freshman class, known as 'Plebes,' climb the monument at the Naval Academy to retrieve the Plebian Sailor's hat and replace it with an officer's hat. The tradition is one step in marking the end of wearing freshman headgear and moving up to headgear more like a U.S. Naval officer.

    Youtube video of plebes scaling Herndon

     

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  • Mark Wilson / Getty Images

    U.S. Naval Academy graduates throw their hats in the air during graduation ceremonies at the U.S. Naval Academy May 27, 2011 in Annapolis, Maryland. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates gave his last commencement speech to this year's graduating class.

    Naval Academy graduates do the traditional hat toss following their commencement

    By Phaedra Singelis, NBC News

    Always makes good pictures..

  • United States Naval Academy freshmen endure 14-hour Sea Trials

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    A member of the United States Naval Academy freshman class wears body armor, helmet and carries a rifle through a mud-filled ditch as part of the "Wet and Sandy" challenge during the rigorous Sea Trials May 17, 2011 in Annapolis, MD. Under strict safety supervision, about 900 freshmen, or "Plebes," faced 14 hours of 32 rigorous physical and mental challenges during the trials, a daylong, action-oriented event modeled after the Marine Corps 54-hour Crucible and the Navy's Battle Stations.

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    Members of the United States Naval Academy freshman class participate in the pipe patching exercise during the rigorous Sea Trials May 17, 2011 in Annapolis, Maryland. Under strict safety supervision, about 900 freshmen, or "Plebes," faced 14 hours of 32 rigorous physical and mental challenges during the trials, a daylong, action-oriented event modeled after the Marine Corps 54-hour Crucible and the Navy's Battle Stations.

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    Members of the United States Naval Academy freshman class link arms and lay back into the Severn River as part of the "Wet and Sandy" challenge.

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    A United States Naval Academy freshman pours water out of her boot and eats a quick snack during the rigorous Sea Trials in Annapolis.

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    Members of the United States Naval Academy freshman class push through tough physical exercise.

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    Members of the United States Naval Academy freshman class Company 16 lead a two-mile run across the Naval Academy Bridge during the rigorous Sea Trials.

    Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

    A member of the United States Naval Academy freshman class carries another during tough physical exercise.