Dear readers: Sometimes our job here at N&S is to dispel rumors, and today is such a day. There is one going around that President Obama – who spoke at the Naval Academy’s graduation ceremony on May 22nd – ordered USNA graduating cadets not to wear their dress swords out of security concerns. The suggestion is that the president is both a wimp, unpatriotic and has no appreciation for the nuances of military history. Indeed, some are dubbing it the “swordless graduation.”

As it turns out, the rumor is not true. A Navy spokesperson tells us cadets have never worn their swords at graduation. Here is the full statement:

Sir/Ma'am,
 
There is unfortunately a considerable amount of misunderstanding and in
some cases a lack of context regarding prescribed uniforms, ceremonial
swords and associated security measures in conjunction with the recent
May 22nd U.S. Naval Academy graduation and commissioning.
 
Midshipmen and officers did not wear ceremonial swords at graduation
because of long established uniform protocol, not due to security
concerns as some observers have inferred.  In fact, the prescribed
uniform for officers and Naval Academy midshipmen participating in the
graduation and commissioning was "Navy Service Dress White" - i.e. the
familiar Navy "choker" white uniform with ribbons; medals and swords
were not prescribed with this uniform for this event.  Other military
service personnel who were participating wore their equivalent service
uniform in the same configuration.  Navy Service Dress White (and Marine
Corps equivalent) has been the prescribed uniform for Naval Academy
graduations in recent history, spanning the past several decades.
Graduating midshipmen did not wear swords because swords were not a
component of the service uniform prescribed for either this graduation
or many other previous graduations.
 
It may also be helpful to know that in conjunction with the graduation
and commissioning celebration, many family members and friends of
graduating Naval Academy midshipman present their graduate and newly
commissioned Navy ensign or Marine Corps second lieutenant the service's
ceremonial officer sword to symbolize the beginning of their careers as
officers in the naval service.
 
The May 22nd graduation was attended by nearly 30,000 people, all of
which had to undergo required security screening.  As a matter of
routine measures associated with similar events, attendees were required
to be screened through magnetometers, and were prohibited from bringing
large bags, large electronic items, and any instruments or tools that
could be considered weapons or appear to be weapons.  The Naval Academy
advised the graduates and their families about the strict security
associated with the graduation and recommended that families not bring
certain items, including ceremonial swords.  The intent was to avoid any
additional stadium entry delays and to preclude family members from
possibly not being able to attend their midshipman's graduation.  This
was consistent with many previous graduation ceremonies.
 
I hope that this helps explain any misunderstandings on these issues.
 
Respectfully
USNA Public Affairs Office