Through driving rain and layers of grease, U.S. Naval Academy plebes battled up the Herndon Monument in a greasy, rain-soaked climb that tested—and affirmed—their unity, endurance, and transformation.
At a Glance
- 1,300 first-year Naval Academy plebes completed the Herndon Monument climb
- The 2024 climb took 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 11 seconds
- Rain and grease added to the physical challenge of the 21-foot ascent
- Midshipman Ben Leisegang successfully placed the upperclassman’s hat
- The tradition dates back to 1940 and marks the end of plebe year
Rain, Grease, and Grit
On May 14, soaked by rain and smeared with vegetable shortening, the U.S. Naval Academy’s Class of 2027 gathered around the infamous Herndon Monument. For over two hours, they heaved, hoisted, and climbed—a human mass clawing their way up the 21-foot greased obelisk to mark the symbolic end of plebe year.
The challenge took 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 11 seconds to conquer, a respectable time amid torrential rain and slick conditions. At its climax, 20-year-old Californian Ben Leisegang placed the upperclassman’s hat at the summit. His first attempt left the traditional “Dixie cup” hat still in place, but Leisegang quickly scrambled back up, correcting the oversight and igniting cheers from the crowd. “All I have to say is: We went out there. We executed on the controllables, and that was working together. Let’s go!” he declared in triumph.
Watch a report: US Naval Academy Class Attempts Annual Grease Climb.
Plebes built human pyramids, adjusted strategies mid-climb, and braced each other through wipeouts and weather. It was not merely physical strength but shared purpose that drove the team upward—a living metaphor for the kind of unity expected in future naval operations.
Tradition and Transformation
Since 1940, the Herndon Climb has served as a rite of passage for first-year midshipmen. Grease was first introduced in 1949 to increase difficulty, and the ritual of capping the obelisk with an officer’s cover began in 1947. The record time stands at just 1 minute and 30 seconds, set in 1969, while the longest climb stretched beyond four hours in 1995.
But speed isn’t the measure of success. The climb honors the transition from plebe to midshipman—a status not earned in isolation but through teamwork, resilience, and grit. For the Class of 2027, the slippery climb was a literal and symbolic ascension, bonding classmates in shared struggle.
Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids, the Academy Superintendent, addressed the group after the successful climb: “You represent so much, not just the past but the future,” she told them, introducing Leisegang to raucous applause.
A National Spectacle
The annual climb has become a spectacle, streamed online and attended by families, friends, and fellow service members. This year’s event began at 8 a.m. ET, drawing live coverage from outlets like 7News DC and EpochTV.
As future officers stumbled, slipped, and supported one another through every inch of greasy granite, they demonstrated the qualities that will guide them in uniform: collaboration, strategy, and perseverance under pressure.
The Herndon Climb remains a messy, marvelous reminder that leadership doesn’t begin with authority—it begins with trust.
