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SCREENSHOT - US Naval Academy plebe class completes long standing tradition

Video. US Naval Academy students scale greased monument in annual tradition

Updated:

Freshmen at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis tackled the slippery Herndon Monument on Wednesday, marking the end of their gruelling first year, known as “plebe year.”

In a tradition steeped in teamwork and resilience, students formed a human pyramid to scale the 6-metre-tall monument, slicked with over 90 litres of vegetable oil.

The goal was to remove a plebe’s white “dixie cup” hat from the top and replace it with an upperclassman’s cap.

Known as plebes throughout their first year, the students earn the title of fourth-class midshipmen after completing the climb.

The Class of 2027 completed the challenge in 2 hours and 32 minutes, cementing their place in academy tradition.

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