Hundreds of hot, sweaty Naval Academy plebes lathered in oil worked together to scale a 21-foot obelisk yesterday.
The annual tradition happens in mid-May at the United States Naval Academy. Freshman students can’t begin their summer until they’ve taken off their shirts, climbed the slicked down edifice whilst being sprayed by a giant hose, and replaced the underclassman’s “dixie cup” hat at the top of the monument.
Once this task has been completed, a cannon is fired and the men cry out, “Plebes no more!” officially marking the end of their first year at the USNA.
The Herndon Monument is a 21-foot tall stone obelisk erected in honor of Captain William Lewis Herndon, who died in a shipwreck in 1857. The first recorded Herndon Monument Climb happened in 1962 and took 12 minutes. The fastest recorded time was by the class of 1972, who completed the task in 1 minute and 30 seconds.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
This year’s freshman class took significantly longer. 2 hours and 21 minutes, to be exact.
Scroll down for pics…
Related: Half-Naked Naval Academy First Years Get Greased Up In The Name Of Tradition
Hussain-TheCanadian
How do we get invited to this event?
Kieran
If that’s not a phallic symbol I don’t know what is.
highestbidder
The United States Navy – the finest military force that has ever been created in the history of Earth!
Terrycloth
Surprised no one made a video with the Village People’s “In the Navy ” as soundtrack…still 2 hours…boys are lazy …supposed to drink after. …not before..lol..
Richard 55
Don’t get too dirty, fellas….
crowebobby
The guy top center in the first photo seems to be having a good time. And the black-and-white photo should be the Academy’s recruiting poster.