Shirtless Navy Men Finish Lard-covered Monument Scaling Ritual (PHOTOS)

One Wild Navy Initiation (PHOTOS)
Naval Academy Freshman Partake In Annual Climb Of Greased Herndon Monument

One Great Coming Of Initiation Ritual

Annapolis Naval Academy freshmen make a human wall to climb the Herndon Monument which is covered with lard in Annapolis, Maryland.

Each year the freshman class, known as 'Plebes,' climb the monument at the Naval Academy to retrieve the Plebian Sailor's hat and replace it with a midshipman's hat. The tradition is one step in marking the end of wearing freshman headgear and moving up to headgear more like a U.S. Naval officer.

That's one way to finish freshman year!

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