The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) freshman class endured 14 hours of rigorous physical and mental challenges during the annual Sea Trials training exercise, May 12, as part of the culmination of their plebe year.

Sea Trials is modeled after the Marine Corps' Crucible and the Navy's Battle Stations recruit programs and is a "capstone" event for the plebes, and serves as a leadership opportunity for USNA upper class who led the event.

"Sea Trials is a culminating event for the plebe class," said Midshipman 3rd Class Paul Whalen, 23rd company and Sea Trials station corporal. "The plebes of each company are sent through as whole day of phases and training, so they all have to take what they learned and put it together as a company and class and see how they work together to complete each task."

The day started at 3am with a physical training warm up to help get the plebes ready for the strenuous activities ahead of them.

After the warm up, the day was filled with several events which included: emergency re-supply, shore defense, combat fitness test, military operations, damage, aquatics challenges and endurance, water tactics, hill assault, two-mile regimental run, ground fight, stretcher relay, land navigation, survival skills, athletic combine, tug of war, endurance course, obstacle course, pugil stick jousting, riverine operations, rucksack run and casualty evacuation.

The overall exercise tested the plebes' teamwork and reinforced their bonds as a company and class.

"It definitely builds camaraderie," said Midshipman 4th Class Brennan Murnane. "You get a lot closer with your fellow plebes participating in sea trials. It's all a culmination that leads to this point and this is part of the final push until we're plebes no more."

In the end, the 29th company was designated the "Iron Company" for demonstrating top performance through endurance and spirit during the trials. They were presented with a plaque by command leadership.

"I am very proud of everyone. The plebes for completing today's event and working together, and I am very proud of the staff as well," said Capt. William D. Byrnes, commandant of midshipmen. "The Sea Trail's staff killed it today."

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