Class of 2020's Herndon Monument Climb

The Class of 2020 triumphed in their final hurdle as Plebes. The climb took a total of 2 hours, 21 minutes and 21 seconds. MIDN Joe McGraw from Illinois was the one to finally reach the top.
The Herndon Monument Climb is the traditional culmination of plebe year at the Naval Academy. Demonstrating the teamwork and perseverance they have learned during their first year at the academy, the plebes build a human pyramid to remove the “dixie cup” hat at the top of the vegetable shortening-covered monument and replace it with an upperclassman’s hat. After successfully completing the Herndon climb, the freshmen are no longer called plebes but “fourth class midshipmen.”
The Herndon Monument is named for Commander William Lewis Herndon, 1813-1857, who possessed the qualities of discipline, teamwork and courage. In command of the SS Central America and home-bound with gold-seekers from California, the ship encountered a three-day hurricane off the coast of North Carolina. Herndon went down with his ship after a gallant effort to save it, its sailors and passengers. A monument was erected on the Yard in his honor shortly after his death.
On the day of the Herndon Climb plebes are required to remove their shoes prior to the starting the climb. Over the past 10 years, thousands of these athletic shoes have been donated by the plebe classes to various charities through the Midshipman Action Group.

[@2NAKIDD]

Congratulations Class of 2020! Plebe no more!

[@ramble16]

THAT IS WILD! Go 2020!!

[@johnreed9050]

Do they got to clean it off once they're done?

[@myeflatley1150]

It obviously helps to look like Adonis if you want to succeed in the Navy. I have nothing against that as long as fat guys, skinny guys, and furry guys are allowed too.

[@2headedtasman200]

Its not about looks, its about strength. They have to pass some serious physical tests, so as a result most end up fairly strong and muscular. The entire summer preceding this was basically a boot camp, so even the skinny ones and fat ones ended up more lean and muscular. Even the guy who placed the upperclassmen s hat was pretty skinny.

[@myeflatley1150]

@@2headedtasman200 I had not thought of that. Yet When I was in the Navy, blond hunks were a very real feature of what swirled around me. The first time, I had a blonde hunk sit down next to me, cheek to cheek, while we were both buck naked. This was in the days when being gay was grounds for expulsion. I do not think the situation is as bad now as it was then.