Midn. 1/C Keegan Kinkade speaks to a member of the Brigade Staff. U.S. Navy photo by MC1(SCW) Chad Runge.

Kinkade has assumed the duties as the Brigade Commander, the highest position within the Brigade of Midshipmen. He relieves Midn. 1⁄C Ryan Steenberge, who held the position during the first semester of the academic year.

A hockey-loving Indianapolis native, Kinkade got an early start down a military career path.

‘‘I attended school at the Culver Military Academy, and I really learned a lot about military life there,” he said. ‘‘There were two students there that were huge role models for me. One decided to attend the Air Force Academy and the other went to Annapolis. It really got me thinking that there must be something special about the service academies.”

It didn’t take long for him to make his decision.

‘‘I knew I wanted to be a combat leader because I don’t think there’s any greater responsibility. But I wasn’t sure in what capacity I was going to do that,” said Kinkade. ‘‘The Naval Academy offered me the greatest options. If I wanted to fly, I could go that route. If I wanted to lead on land, I could become a Marine. The Academy offered it all.”

Mids have three years to decide on a career path, choosing their service community preferences in their senior year. In November Kinkade was selected to be a Marine Corps pilot.

‘‘I’m really looking forward to leading the Brigade,” he said. ‘‘I think it’s going to be a great leadership-building experience for me, and will help me lead my Marines better later in my career.”

He’s no stranger to leadership positions though. Last semester, he served as 5th Company’s executive officer, and he is a co-assistant captain of the Academy’s hockey team.

‘‘Navy hockey has had one of the biggest impacts on my life,” he said. ‘‘The guys on the team have taught me so much and I’ve gone through a lot with them. It’s an honor to go out on the ice and do battle with them every night.”

In a statement released shortly after Kinkade’s selection as Brigade Commander, Head Coach Mike Fox congratulated him.

“As coach, I am extremely proud of the success Navy hockey players have in academics and leadership at the United States Naval Academy. We have always believed that Navy hockey players exemplify what it means to be trained as a naval officer. We are equally proud of every player on our team, and I know they all share in the joy and pride of having one of their own achieve such a stellar accomplishment in the Brigade.“

After a month of waiting, Kinkade looks forward to finally taking over as the Brigade Commander, and he plans on using concepts he’s used on the ice.

‘‘I’m really hoping to create a team concept,” he said. ‘‘I want to have a team that has people that are committed to each other and hold each other accountable.

‘‘My goal is to have a system where we’re able to handle everything at the lowest level of the Brigade,” he added. ‘‘When we need a solution to a problem or need a better way to carry out our mission, I want to ensure that every idea from every level is heard.”

Kinkade will lead the Brigade and his fellow 1st class Mids through the second semester, ending at graduation and commissioning.