What's the Naval Academy ring ceremony like?

I'm curious about the Naval Academy ring ceremony and its significance. What happens during the event, and how do students and their families usually celebrate this occasion?

The United States Naval Academy ring ceremony is one of the many traditions that mark a midshipman's journey. Held annually during the second class (junior) year, it is one of the key moments that links midshipmen to the long line of naval officers who have come before them.

The ceremony is traditionally held outdoors on a crisp fall day in the later part of August. It begins with a formal presentation or parade with midshipmen in their dress uniforms. After some speeches commemorating their past and their future, the rings are presented to midshipmen class by class. Each midshipman receives their ring from a Naval Academy graduate.

The rings themselves are quite significant. They are customized for each class and include unique details that represent their class's experiences at the Academy. After receiving the ring, tradition calls for the midshipmen to dip their rings in the waters of seven seas, which is usually fulfilled by a ceremonial dipping in a large bowl that is said to contain water from each of these seas.

Parents, family, and friends are often invited to watch the ceremony and join in the celebrations. Events traditionally include a dinner for the second class midshipmen and their families. The evening often ends with a formal dance, known as the Ring Dance, where attendees are dressed in formal attire.

In general, the ring ceremony serves as a time for both celebration and reflection for the midshipmen as they look forward to their last year at the Academy and their future service to the nation. It's a significant milestone marking the midshipman's transition from underclass status to upperclass status. It's a moment of pride, accomplishment, and forward-looking anticipation.