U.S. Naval Graduation Ceremony 2009

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • U.S. President Barack Obama arrives at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. Obama delivered the commencement address to more than 1,030 graduating midshipmen in the Class of 2009 who will be commissioned as Navy ensigns and Marine Corps 2nd lieutenants. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Patrick Green
  • Midshipman 4th Class Sunny Tsao checks over seating arrangements minutes before the Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. President Barack H. Obama delivered the commencement address to an estimated audience of 27,000 friends and family. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry Simmons
  • Members of the 2009 graduating class at the U.S. Naval Academy raise their arms in excitement as the Blue Angels storm over Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009, kicking off graduation and commissioning ceremonies. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • President Barack Obama delivers the commencement address to U.S. Naval Academy graduates and about 27,000 friends and family at the Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry Simmons
  • U.S. President Barack Obama delivers the commencement address during the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony, Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Shannon O'Connor
  • U.S. President Barack Obama addresses the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis during the graduation and commissioning ceremony, Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. Obama delivered the commencement address to more than 1,030 graduating Midshipmen, who were commissioned as Navy ensigns and Marine Corps second lieutenants. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Croft
  • Members of the U.S.Naval Academy's Class of 2009 listen to President Barack Obama honor their decision to serve the country at a time he told the shipmen it faces challenges ranging from 18th-century piracy to 21st-century cyber-threats. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • More than 600 members of the U.S. Naval Academy's Class of 2009 take their commissioning oath during graduation ceremonies in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. President Barack Obama delivered the address and Navy Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, vice chief of naval operations, swore in the new ensigns. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • The 226 members of the U.S. Naval Academy's Class of 2009 headed to the U.S. Marine Corps after graduation and commissioning take their oath of office from Marine Lt. Gen. Richard S. Kramlich, director of the Marine Corps staff, at the academy in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • Midshipman Ben Breitenbach, left, laughs and cheers with soon to be Air Force Lt. Katrina Brye at the Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. President Barack H. Obama delivered the commencement address to an estimated audience of 27,000 friends and family. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Larry Simmons
  • U.S. President Barack Obama congratulates a new Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant on his commissioning into the U.S. Marine Corps during a graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. Obama delivered the commencement address to more than 1,030 graduating Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Croft
  • A newly commissioned Ensign celebrates after receiving her diploma at the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony, Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. The Class of 2009 graduated 785 ensigns and 233 Marine Corps 2nd. lieutenants in front of an audience of nearly 30,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. U.S. Navy photo by Shannon O'Connor
  • U.S. President Barack Obama congratulates a newly commissioned Navy Ensign during the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 graduation and commissioning ceremony, Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. Obama delivered his first graduation speech as Commander-in-Chief to an audience of nearly 30,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. U.S. Navy photo by Shannon O’Connor
  • A newly-commissioned Ensign celebrates after receiving his diploma from Capt. Matthew Klunder, U.S. Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen, at the U.S. Naval Academy during the graduation and commissioning ceremony for the Class of 2009, Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. This years class graduated 785 ensigns and 233 Marine Corps 2nd lieutenants in front of an audience of 27,000 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. U.S. Navy photo by Gin Kai
  • Newly-commissioned Navy Ensigns and Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenants from the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2009 celebrate their graduation with the traditional hat toss at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md., May 22, 2009. President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address to an audience of 27,000 family and friends. U.S. Navy photo by Gin Kai
  • Newly commissioned Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Anthony Arguelles said a deep-seeded love of America’s freedoms led him to the U.S. Naval Academy and on to become a Marine Corps officer. He’s among 267 members of the Naval Academy’s 2009 graduating class to be commissioned into the Marine Corps – the highest number in history. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • Newly commissioned Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Stephanie LaLiberte said she hopes to bring a blend of tough, mission-mindedness and a softer, people-focused sense of caring to the Marine Corps, along with important lessons she learned at the U.S. Naval Academy. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • It took three attempts before he got accepted into the Naval Academy, but newly commissioned Navy Ens. Will Arnest persisted to follow his dream, and is now headed to become a submariner with hopes for a long Navy career. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • Navy Ensign Ben Zintak, center, first learned about the U.S. Navy Academy by following University of Notre Dame football. After his May 22, 2009, graduation from the academy, he’s headed to flight school with a commitment to winning the trust of the people he leads. DoD photo by Donna Miles
  • Navy Ensign Katherine Adler, left, and Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Clare McKenna grew up swimming together in New York, became best friends at the U.S. Naval Academy, and are now setting out on separate paths: Adler to the Navy, and McKenna, to the Marine Corps after their May 22, 2009, graduation and commissioning. DoD photo by Donna Miles