Naval Academy welcomes class of 2018

The class of 2018 will follow this green line to a new life at the Naval Academy. The school in Annapolis welcomed more than 1,200 plebes Tuesday on Induction Day. The class is comprised of 25 percent women and 34 percent minorities. Students walked through multiple stations to pick up their uniform, learn to salute and to undergo medical examinations. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

A member of the class of 2018 puts his belongs on a truck on Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Plebes said good bye to their parents and to their lives as civilians. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

Tristan Holiday of San Antonio has his head shaved revealing a scar during Induction Day at the Naval Academy in Annapolis Tuesday. Holiday split open his head in 4th grade while jumping on the bed with his brother. The day also included medical examinations and uniform fittings.(WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

Plebes learn how to salute during Induction Day at the Naval Academy Tuesday. The class of 2018 starts classes early as part of the Plebe Summer, which officially began after the Oath of Office ceremony. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

For new students at the Naval Academy, their names are about the only thing that won't change. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

New Naval Academy students read with one arm up, the mandatory position for reading. It's said to build character. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

"Smittyy" Earnest Smith shaves the head of a new Naval Academy student Tuesday. Smith will retire at the end of the day after 32 years and 10 months of work. "I enjoyed being here every day," he told WTOP. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

Tucker William Massie of Detroit smiles while his parents hug him. He says he remained "stone-faced" even as his parents cried in Annapolis Tuesday. Massie is a member of the class of 2018 and will join more than 1,200 other students at the Naval Academy's seven-week long Plebe Summer to introduce them to life in the Navy. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

Margaret Phillips of Leesburg waits to try on shoes on Induction Day at the U.S. Naval Academy. She is one of a record high 303 women in her class of more than 1,200.(WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

Midshipman at the Naval Academy learn to recite every line of Reef Points, which is known as the "Navy Bible" and helps introduce students to the Navy and the academy. New students, known as plebes, picked up their own copy on Induction Day Tuesday in Annapolis. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King

Current Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Mike Miller shows off his "fruit salad" or service ribbons. Rear Adm. Walter Carter is the incoming superintendent. He was a plebe 37 years ago. (WTOP/Kristi King)

WTOP/Kristi King