Thirty-nine plebes entered the academy on July 7, 1982; 32 graduated on May 21, 1986, 31 with 26^th Company.

We came mainly from the eastern United States; only 10 of us lived west of the Mississippi River.  All of the midshipmen nominated from Montana were assigned to our platoon.

We had relatively little military experience prior to entering the academy.  Only one of us had service as an enlisted man, though five of us entered the academy via NAPS.  Three others attended military prep schools, high schools or participated in JROTC. 

While many of our fathers served in the military, only three of us had fathers who made the Navy a career.  One of our fathers was killed in combat in Vietnam.

Three of us followed our fathers to the academy, three of us our elder brothers; two of our younger brothers would follow us.

We were among the last classes required to have 80% of class majoring in engineering or science.

Following plebe year, we lived in “The Village,” “The Shaft,” or “Siberia.”

We were the last class not to be scrambled, either as individuals or as a class.

We had three company officers:  T-Head, Cookie, and Da Cam.

We had three varsity letter winners and one team captain.

We sang in the Catholic and Protestant Choirs and were the leads in musicals.

We played in the Trident Brass and formed our own bands.

We dated townies, loved WUBAs, and headed for Hood.

We received $60, $120, $180, and $300 per month during our four years at the Academy.

As first class midshipman, we could borrow up to $10,000 to purchase a car

The Navy would have 600 ships built around 15 carrier battle groups; there were 207,000 Marines
 

We continue to serve in both the active and reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps.

We are qualified officers in submarines, surface warfare, and several Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialties.  We are qualified in a variety of aircraft to include:  A-6, CH-46, E-2, EA-6B, F-5, F-14, F/A-18, H-2, H-3, H-60, and P-3. 

We have commanded ships, squadrons and battalions.

We have graduated from the Command and Staff College and the War College.

We have completed 20 years of honorable and faithful service, adding (Ret.) behind USN and USMC.

We have served in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

We have been awarded the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service, and Meritorious Service Medals.

We have served and lived throughout the world:  in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

We work for the largest corporations in America, working in aviation, computers, engineering, and finance.

We are entrepreneurs who have successfully started and run our own businesses.

We have become a doctor, dentist and lawyer, specializing in radiology, orthodontics, and criminal defense.

We have completed graduate studies at some of the top schools in the nation, including Harvard, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, University of San Francisco, and the Naval Postgraduate School, earning degrees in engineering, business, management, and public policy.

We have earned PhDs in mechanical engineering and computer science.

We minister, lead Bible study, and teach Sunday school.

We profess and instruct.

We have become fathers:  the oldest child is 18 years old and the youngest is two years. 

We coach, referee and umpire.

To a man, we married above us.