Midshipman 1st Class Kevin Rodrigo shows the crowd his ship choice during Ship Selection Night on Feb. 11. U.S. Navy photo by Midshipman 4th Class Dominic Montez.

Vice Adm. D.C. Curtis, commander, Naval Surface Forces was in attendance to welcome the 268 future SWOs to the fleet.

“Surface warfare is the heart of the Navy, and this is an exciting time to be a surface warrior,“ Curtis told the midshipmen. “You are joining a community of professional mariners, as well as warfighters, and in no other community are you thrust directly into a leadership role immediately following commissioning. I have faith that you are ready; welcome to the Surface Force!“

Ship selection night is held in Memorial Hall, a space in Bancroft Hall designed to commemorate Naval Academy graduates who have given their lives in service to their country. Though the seniors have known for weeks that they would join the surface warfare community, on this night they found out where and to what ship they will report.

Selection proceeds based on order of merit, a ranking system that takes into account academic performance, physical fitness scores and extra-curricular activities. Large boards at the front of the hall list the ships and homeports available. As each midshipman walked to the board and selected their ship, their choice was announced to the friends and family present.

Surface warfare officers in the audience watched intently, poised to offer encouragement, words of wisdom or enthusiastic applause to the young officers who will follow in their footsteps.

“This is the night when the midshipmen begin their transition into the fleet. We are extremely excited to welcome them into the surface warfare community,“ said Lt. Cmdr. Jessica O'Brien (USNA 1997), Naval Surface Forces flag secretary. “After four years of hard work and instruction, they are selecting their first ships and their first opportunity to do what they have been trained to do.“

Midshipmen take a variety of considerations into account when making their decision, including homeports, ranging from Yokosuka, Japan, to Pearl Harbor, ship type, and operational schedule.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to welcome our newest shipmates,“ said Lt. Cmdr. Tony Then (USNA 1997), Naval Surface Forces flag aide.

He recommended that the new surface warriors select an Aegis ship, regardless of homeport. “My first ship was USS Cape St. George (CG 71). I learned a lot about leadership, about running a division, and tactics during that tour.“

With the name of their first ship firmly in hand, the surface warriors of the Class of 2010 have one last milestone to reach before fully joining the surface fleet – graduation and commissioning, scheduled to take place in Annapolis May 28.