YARD PATROL SQUADRON

The primary mission of Naval Academy YPs is to supplement midshipmen professional training courses with practical training afloat. Such training is designed to develop in midshipmen the abilities of an Officer-of-the-Deck (OOD), a proficiency in navigation, a working knowledge of afloat operations, and the self-confidence born of the experiences of handling a ship. YPs conduct training on the Chesapeake Bay during the academic year and deploy on training cruises offshore along the east coast of the United States as part of the USNA Summer Training Program. As circumstances permit, and on a not-to-interfere basis with midshipmen training and scheduled maintenance, YPs are also used to support USNA extracurricular, public affairs, and recreational activities, and bridge watch training for surface/subsurface units.¹

While I was a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy my involvement with the YPs was extensive. Some of my accomplishments were highlighted in the Trident newspaper. I was a member of the Yard Patrol Squadron for all four years. I served in all crew positions aboard Pennant 1 including Engineer, Navigator, and Executive Officer. I was selected to be the Commanding Officer of Pennant 2 second semester of my junior year. I was then selected to be Commodore of the YP Squadron both semesters of my senior year. I participated in over 20 weekend underway training exercises. Our destinations included Baltimore Inner Harbor, Old Town Alexandria on the Potomac and Penn's Landing on Philadelphia's Waterfront.

I also participated in five more extensive summer cruises aboard the YPs. My first summer cruise as a sophomore, my second as a senior, and my last three as an Ensign. During the summer cruises our destinations included New York, Boston, and Newport RI.

¹ USNA INSTRUCTION 3120.1B

© 2003- Gary Ross. All rights reserved.