The Herndon Climb
May 18, 2020
The Tradition of the Herndon Climb at the United States Naval Academy
The Herndon Climb is the rite of passage for plebes who at the end of their plebe year, before they can officially be considered 4/c midshipmen are required to climb The Herndon Monument.
The Herndon Monument is a 21 foot obelisk very similar to the Washington Monument, and named after Captain William Herndon. The tradition is that the sophomores of the academy that year will put grease on the monument and then, as a team building exercise, the plebes will attempt to get to the top of the monument with a human pyramid. The monument is covered with approximately 50 pounds of vegetable shortening or lard applied by midshipmen of the 1st Company.
There is a 4/c midshipman "dixie cup" hat on top. The plebes try to get someone to the top.
They take the dixie cup off and then replace it with a midshipman combination cover.
Once that happens, then plebe year is officially over.
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.
It is a Naval Academy tradition that the midshipman who replaces the dixie cup hat will be given the Superintendent's combination cover.
Legend says that he or she will be the first of his or her class to make Flag Rank, although in reality, this has not yet occurred.
The Herndon Climb has developed into a huge event with spectators, news and film crews, a band, and speeches. At the culmination of the event, like any great Navy win, the class sings the Navy Blue and Gold.
The culmination of the long plebe year, the excitement of the event and the chant of "plebes no more, plebes no more" makes it one of my greatest memories at the Academy.
Rear Adm. James McNeal '86 is "The Expert"
Rear Adm. James McNeal '86, U.S. Navy, Retired and is an expert on the Herndon Climb.
He joins Grant on the podcast and tells the story of the Herndon Monument and most specifically the tradition of the climb which he considers the Naval Academy's greatest tradition.
Class of 2023
Rear Adm. McNeal is "the expert" on this topic. He is humble, funny and a great storyteller and you will love this episode.
He has written the book The Herndon Climb: A History of the United States Naval Academy's Greatest Tradition.
The book is culled from interviews with over fifty subjects, including participants in Climbs over the past six decades, with personal observations from the 2019 and 2018 events. James McNeal recalls the joyful pride of participating in the Climb as a plebe in 1983, and his experience helps bring vivid detail to the memories and reflections of his fellow Midshipmen.
A native of Granada Hills, CA, Rear Adm. James R. McNeal graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor's degree in 1986 and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Management from Chadron State College. He graduated from the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education program at the Joint Forces Staff College and is Joint Qualified System (JQS) level II qualified.
His personal decorations include Legion of Merit (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and other unit and campaign commendations. He is a qualified Surface Warfare Supply Corps officer and Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps officer.
Rear Adm. McNeal served six years active duty and twenty five years in the reserves retiring in 2017. He now is back in Annapolis and coaches on the Sprint football staff.
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Links Mentioned in the Show
Rear Adm McNeal's Book - The Herndon Climb: A History of the United States Naval Academy's Greatest Tradition.
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Grant is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy class of 2017. He is also the founder of Academy Insider LLC. You may reach out to Grant with questions at [email protected].
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