Another Link in the Chain
The Another Link in the Chain program forms bonds and relationships between current midshipmen and members of the 50-year class counterpart throughout the four years on the Yard and beyond. The midshipmen are buoyed and encouraged by the physical presence and moral support of the senior alumni, and members of the 50-year class counterpart enjoy working with the current midshipmen in their development of Navy and Marine officers. From Induction Day to Commissioning and beyond, the 50-year counterpart class becomes a part of the Naval Academy experience for the Brigade. The Class of 78 will be matched with the Class of 2028 meaning that we will start our work with their induction in the summer of 2024.
NAPS
Another Link in the Chain Starts with the NAPS Class that will be members of the Class of 2028 which will be the summer of 2023. in the December 2021 Shipmate, the Class of 76 had this in their column:
“Garry Hall visited NAPS in September to participate in the first event for the Class of ’76 for the Another Link in the Chain program:
M This September I had the opportunity to visit the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, Rhode Island. It was Parents Weekend and the Midshipman Candidates just completed 8 weeks since reporting. During my visit I had the honor of being the reviewing officer and guest speaker at their first official Pass in Review parade. This is the NAPS class of 2022 and prospective USNA class of 2026. They are our Class of ’76 fifty-year class and our Another Link in The Chain. This marked our first event in the Another Link in the Chain program. We inherited a fantastic group with the NAPS class of 2022. I predict they will be amazing leaders in their class and in the Brigade.
My partial remarks included the following:
“Today I represent the NAPS class of 1972 and the US Naval Academy class of 1976. We are proudly your 50-year class. And today you all become Another Link in The Chain. A chain that goes back 176 years. Today’s Parade represents yours and the Naval Academy’s Bicentennial Class’s first Link in the chain event. Many more will follow. …Remember this, NAPS class of 1972 and Naval Academy Class of 1976 will be with you the next 5 years and beyond to mentor you, coach you, recognize you, and cheer you on to success. We are here for you.”
It was an honor and humbling to represent our Class at NAPS for our first Another Link in the Chain event. The future is bright for our Academy with the quality of men and women at NAPS today.
NAPS CO, CAPT James Bahr ’96 and RADM Garry Hall reviewing the Pass in Review parade at NAPS
Other Classes
To give you an idea of the events included in Another Link in the Chain, check out the classes linked below: