The U.S. Naval Academy Bridge will be closed for the Blue Angels’ rehearsal on May 20 from 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. and from 1:45 p.m. until completion of rehearsal (approximately 4 p.m.). For their demonstration on May 21, the Bridge will be closed from 1:45 p.m. until the show is over (approximately 4 p.m.). On May 20 and 21, Gate 8 will remain open to staff, faculty, residents and high priority case-by-case delivery vehicular traffic. Gates 1 and 3 will remain open for pedestrian traffic but will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Commissioning Week Stadium Parking

Due to extreme congestion downtown and at USNA, only cars with DOD stickers and handicapped tags (display your handicap placard) will be permitted on the yard. Parking will be provided at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Families of 1⁄C Midshipmen will be given one vehicular parking tag (rear view mirror type) that must be displayed for free parking at the stadium during Commissioning Week. All other guests⁄visitors must pay the daily parking fee ($5⁄car and $10⁄RV). All Commissioning Week parking will be on the Blue (West) Side of the stadium, with entry and egress through Gate #5 on Taylor Avenue. No overnight parking is permitted at the stadium. On May 23, parking is free for those with graduation tickets, opening at 6 a.m. on a first come, first served basis. Stadium gates will open at 7 a.m. on graduation day.

Visitor Center Gift Shop

The Gift Shop offers two book signings: Brad Johnson and Capt. Greg Harper, USNA ’71, ‘‘Becoming A Leader the Annapolis Way,” May 21, from 11 am - 1 pm. Sharon Disher, USNA ’80, ‘‘First Class,” May 22, from 1 - 3 pm.

Stadium Gates

All gates open at 7 a.m. on May 23, with the exception of Gate D which opens at 6 a.m. Gate D is for press only at 6 a.m. and will be run by USNA Security. At 7 a.m., Gate D will become an entry gate like all others. The Blue Side of the stadium contains gates A, B, C, D. The Gold Side of the stadium contains gates M, N, O, P. Wheelchair accessible seating at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium can be accessed by utilizing the ramps located adjacent to Sections 8 and 25. Determination of graduation site will be made early May 23, and posted on the USNA web site or available by calling 410-293-1000. In case of inclement weather, graduation will be held at 10 a.m. in Alumni Hall. Only designated indoor ticket holders will be admitted. (Children under 15 years of age, unless related to a member of the graduating class or accompanied by an adult, will not be admitted to the graduation exercises.) Outdoor graduation ticket holders may view indoor graduation at the stadium on the Videoboard. For anyone else unable to view graduation in Alumni Hall, the graduation ceremony will be broadcast on Comcast Cable Channel 99 in Annapolis and north Anne Arundel County.

General Information

For up-to-date Commissioning Week information, contact the U.S. Naval Academy’s web site www.usna.edu. Updated information will also be available via phone at 410-293-1000.

Shuttle Bus Schedule

Shuttle buses will operate to and from the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and USNA during the following times: May 19-22 from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. (Wednesday, May 21 (extended hours) 6 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.) Blue Route only. During these hours one bus will make stops at Alumni Hall, Preble Hall, Dahlgren Hall, Visitors Center and Luce Hall (by the Midshipman Store Parking Lot) at approximately 30-minute intervals. The best and primary location to meet a bus for transportation to and from the stadium is Alumni Hall or Luce Hall as a secondary location where additional buses will drop off and pick up. Due to Blue Angels flight regulations, the only pick-up point for passengers for the Stadium will be in front of Alumni Hall during the following hours: May 20 noon - 5 p.m. May 21 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. No shuttle buses will operate on graduation day, May 23, unless weather dictates that the ceremony be moved into Alumni Hall. If that occurs, buses will run from the stadium to Alumni Hall for the indoor ceremony ticket holders only. Indoor ceremony may be viewed on the Videoboard at the Stadium.

MWR Seeking Exercise Instructors

MWR Fitness is currently seeking certified, licensed group exercise leaders to lead lunch time classes from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in Lejeune Hall at the Academy. Interested persons should contact James Senn, MWR Fitness Director, at 410-293-9211 or jsenn@usna.edu

Trident Online

Trident articles can also be viewed online at www.dcmilitary.com⁄navalacademy.shtml.