PRIOR ENLISTED
ENRICHING THE ACADEMY EXPERIENCE
Midshipman Toni Melton ’22 might have taken a more circuitous route to the Naval Academy than most of her peers, but the 23-year-old is finding her experience as an enlisted sailor to be an invaluable asset during her journey in Annapolis.
Before attending the Academy, Melton was stationed in Washington, DC, where Naval Academy alumni encouraged her to apply, helping her during the strenuous process. She said she likely wouldn’t have pursued the option without their support.
“The Naval Academy alumni propelled a force in me to apply,” said Melton, who chose Naval Flight Officer for service selection in November 2021.
At 17-years-old, Melton consulted with her parents before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Her interest in the Navy was sparked after years of traveling during her childhood. When she arrived at bootcamp, she made the first step in her naval career, unsure of where it would take her.
“The experience was like jumping off a cliff and having no idea what to expect,” she said. “This propelled me my entire life and I didn’t know what the next step was, but it’s exciting not to know.”
A few years later, she would find herself reporting for I-Day, ready to be indoctrinated as a plebe. For Melton and other prior enlisted midshipmen, the chance to attend the Naval Academy seemed too good to be true.
Since the Naval Academy’s founding, prior enlisted midshipmen candidates like Melton have shown up on I-Day and taken an oath, while seeking their place within the Brigade of Midshipmen. Many found themselves taking on more responsibility because of their previous military experience.
The alumni Melton encountered enthusiastically aided her and other enlisted personnel. They helped the prior enlisted excel in their naval careers. Alumni pushed Melton because they saw something in her that she didn’t see in herself. They recognized the traits that would allow her to flourish at the Academy. While prior enlisted have a military background and know the expectations, they still must complete an arduous application process.
After meeting qualifications, completing candidate fitness exams, sending in SAT scores and finding endorsements from their chain of command (which requires a candidate having an exceptional reputation in their unit), they can submit their application to the admissions office.
Every year, enlisted Navy and Marine Corps members go through this process for a chance to become an officer, but each was inspired to apply to the Academy for their own reasons.
After hearing the news of Osama bin Laden’s death in 2011, Midshipman Austin Reyes ’24 knew he wanted to serve his country in the Navy. In 2020, Reyes was stationed in Charleston, SC, working as a Navy nuclear electrician, when the opportunity to apply to the Naval Academy surfaced.
“My commander was very supportive when I found out about the Naval Academy,” Reyes said. “I asked various questions about what was expected, and the officers gave me helpful advice.”
While completing training courses with the Navy, he received his letter of appointment and started the process.
I-DAY AND BEYOND
Prior enlisted midshipmen lose a lot of freedom during plebe year; the freedom to travel freely in their off time, dress in civilian clothes and other perks they were used to as Navy or Marine Corps personnel.
“The hardest thing for me was having the freedom, that I previously had, stripped away and having to abide by more rules,” Reyes said. “This was humbling. I understand the reason behind it and work within parameters that are given.”
Reyes looks at the bigger picture saying it is easy to get caught up in the rules.“It’s up to you how you react to these situations and have a positive outlook,” he said.
Reyes’ classmate, Midshipman Jordan Wayne ’24, showed up on I-Day ready for the next four years along with the challenges and opportunities he would face on the Yard.
Wayne carried his interest in enlisting in the military throughout high school and previously served at the Naval Hospital in Camp Pendleton, CA. During his time there, he attended a brief on admissions to the Naval Academy that piqued his interest. The Academy’s academics and physical mission stood out.
Wayne, a chemistry major, has spent his time at the Academy taking advantage of the opportunities surrounding him.
“I’ve always had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to lead,” Wayne said. “I heard of the opportunities that come from the Academy, including the strong alumni network and the lifelong bonds made there.”
The Academy gives midshipmen the chance to discover other interests and talents they have, which they did not have easy access to as enlisted personnel, Wayne said. Wayne is involved in the combat arms team and has made strong connections with his peers. He is excited about the endless opportunities on the Yard, including clubs, sports and extracurricular activities.
One key value at the Academy is everyone in the Brigade is equal, therefore prior enlisted find their experience with leadership the same as other midshipmen. While bringing knowledge from their previous experience, prior enlisted midshipmen, along with their peers, find themselves learning and improving thanks to everyone’s experiences and backgrounds.
At times, prior enlisted midshipmen, like Melton, Reyes and Wayne, find themselves meeting higher expectations as senior staff and enlisted personnel expect more from them because of their previous training.
“The relationship between prior enlisted and senior staff is not any different than that of anyone in the Brigade,” said Wayne. “For the most part, we are held to a higher standard. Overall, it’s the same experience for all midshipmen, except they expect more of you.”
LEADING IN THE BRIGADE
Wayne said leadership is a paramount trait taught and exhibited at the Academy.
“We should all be leaders in our lives,” Wayne said.
Wayne, like Melton and Reyes, believes compassion is key to leadership. It is recognizing you’re a part of a team.
“It is challenging those around you physically, academically, making sure to push people and allow yourself to be pushed as well, setting a standard and holding it,” Wayne said.
As Reyes continues to find his interests at the Academy, he reflects on leadership and said empathy and serving those around you is key.
“You have to lead by example,” Reyes said. “You want to be competent in what you do and show that.”
During his plebe year, Reyes realized that no matter your previous experience, it is the people around you that make the experience. In the summer of 2021, Reyes had a different look at plebe year as an administrative detailer. Reyes found being in that position as a youngster was a blessing. He has experience with the staff positions and how the operations work.
He saw the responsibilities of a squad leader and tested how he would deal with a squad of plebes and how experiences like this develop character. He was able to empathize with the plebes because he was in their position a year before.
“For me, experience is the best way you learn things,” he said. “Leadership comes down to love and compassion and serving those people under your stead. There’s one thing during my time here I’ve realized about leadership—at the core of it is love, compassion and actually caring for people that you’re in charge of.”
BEHIND THE CURTAIN LOOK
While Melton, Reyes and Wayne prepare to enter the Fleet or Marine Corps, Captain Matthew McKeen ’14, USMC, looks back at his time at the Academy.
McKeen, an Osprey pilot, currently preparing for deployment with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, applied to the Academy as the first step to becoming an officer.
“I applied to the Naval Academy because I knew I wanted the responsibility of an officer,”
McKeen said, “The Naval Academy was one road to commissioning. I learned that if I attended the Academy, it would give me the opportunity to see all the different ways to serve and choose what I wanted to do. I applied twice and was accepted on the third time. At 22-years-old, I was inducted into the Brigade.”
McKeen says prior enlisted midshipmen have a “behind the curtain look” going into the Academy with the knowledge of military training and expectations. He, like other prior enlisted, had to be careful not to spoil training for their classmates, because he was already accustomed to military exercises and expectations. Once the prior enlisted midshipmen meshed with their classmates, there was not much of a difference.
During his time at the Academy, being prior enlisted gave McKeen a better understanding of military life, which now helps him set realistic expectations for his Marines.
McKeen finds similarities between his experience and current prior enlisted midshipmen, as they can teach and learn from each other.
McKeen joined the Brigade from the Navy. When he commissioned in 2014, he cross-commissioned in the Marine Corps.
“It was the path I wanted my life to go in,” McKeen said. “At the time I commissioned, it was during the war and I wanted to be a part of the action.”
As prior enlisted and a Naval Academy graduate, he builds a relationship between the Marines and Navy in his daily life.
“Having a tie between the two branches is really important,” he said.
Looking back, McKeen says the Academy allowed him to further explore his opportunities and interests in the armed forces. He encourages enlisted personnel who are interested in the Academy to stay humble and remember each midshipman brings something to the team.
Reflecting on the past, he says as a prior enlisted midshipman, it’s easy to think you know more than your peers, but at the Academy you’ll get to do amazing things with adventurous and well-rounded individuals.
“Be ready to serve others,” McKeen said. “You will learn much from those who you think are less experienced and knowledgeable simply because you have different life experiences.”
Source: Jan-February 2022 Shipmate