DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY
121 BLAKE ROAD
ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND 21402-1300

March 18, 2020

 

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL USNA MIDSHIPMEN

FROM: Superintendent
SUBJ: Navigating the 2020 Spring Semester through Coronavirus

1. First, I want to thank you for your patience. Know that the staff and faculty back here in Annapolis are
working extraordinarily hard under rapidly evolving circumstances to ensure your academic and professional
Success.

2. Last week, the decision was made to delay your return until the weekend of 28 March, but given how rapidly
the disease has spread and the response efforts locally, nationally and within the I have decided to delay
the return of the Brigade until further notice for the health and safety of our entire Naval Academy family. At
this point, there is simply too much uncertainty with this virus and the associated risk to bring the Brigade back.

3. Remote classes begin Friday, March 20, following the normal daily schedule on Eastern Daylight Time until
further notice, and 1 cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring you are literally plugged in and ready to
go. Do not suffer in silence! If you are having connectivity issues that impede your ability to learn, notify your
chain of command, as well as your speci?c faculty instructors, immediately. It is also your responsibility to
check your email frequently and respond to messages as requested in a timely fashion. As members of the
Armed Forces, you are midshipmen 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You represent the Naval Academy
whether you are in or out of uniform. You still have military obligations, and attending class is a military
obligation.

4. I want to reinforce that Spring break is over. I want to make sure it is abundantly clear that you are in a duty
status at your current location. The Department of Defense (to include the Brigade of Midshipmen) is subject to
a "Stop Movement? order through May ll, restricting all travel to your local area, which I have de?ned as 150
miles from your current residence or domicile. Additionally, some of you have been placed in 14?day
Restriction of Movement, or quarantine, due to your recent travel in hi gh-risk locations or exposure to
individuals with You cannot "test-out" or be cleared out of ROM prior to the 14-day expiration. I
know these travel restrictions and health protection measures are limiting and challenging, but they are in place
to limit further spread of the coronavirus disease. Those who violate these orders without my explicit approval
will be held appropriately accountable STAY 

5. Last, but certainly not least, take care of yourselves and each other. Continue to maintain your high physical
?tness level. I can con?dently say no other group of Naval Academy classes has ever experienced a challenge
like this you are the ?rst, and I know you will meet and exceed my expectations of you.

6. This is uncharted territory for every single one of us expect there to be more changes, and that we?ll have
to re?ne guidance. But in the end, we will get through this and be better. I am con?dent you will do exactly
what the Navy expects of us: learn to adapt, demonstrate self?discipline and take initiative to accomplish the
mission in this case, complete the semester, and graduate and commission the class of 2020.

5? ?at

S. S. BUCK
VADM USN