The U.S. Naval Academy celebrated the graduation of 1,049 midshipmen from the Class of 2025 at a ceremony in Annapolis, marking a milestone in their four-year journey. Graduates were commissioned as officers, with many expressing excitement to serve their country. Vice President JD Vance addressed the graduates, emphasizing their role in adapting to new challenges in warfare. The ceremony included family pride and tradition, highlighted by Blue Angels flyovers. Notably, one graduate, Rayuan Lane III, was drafted into the NFL instead of being commissioned. The Class consists of 751 men and 298 women, with several international students.
ON A SUNNY DAY AT THE U.S. NAVY MARINE CORPS STADIUM IN ANNAPOLIS, THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025 FLOWS ACROSS THE FIELD. 1,049 GRADUATES FROM DIFFERENT STATES AND ACROSS THE GLOBE HAVE SPENT FOUR YEARS PUSHING THEMSELVES MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY, ACQUIRING AN EDUCATION FROM ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN THE WORLD. “I’M THRILLED, REALLY HAPPY TO GRADUATE ALONGSIDE MY CLASSMATES. IT HAS BEEN A LONG FOUR YEARS, BUT IT’S BEEN WORTH IT. I TREASURE CULMINATING EVENTS LIKE THIS, AND IT’S A MILESTONE I’VE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO FOR A LONG TIME. THIS DAY VALIDATES MY ENTIRE JOURNEY. I CAN’T WAIT TO GO SERVE. I JUST WANTED AN EXCITING CHALLENGE IN LIFE AND TO EXPERIENCE FUN AND DEMANDING THINGS WHILE I’m STILL YOUNG.” THE CEREMONY IS RICH IN TRADITION, AND THE MILITARY, TRADITIONAL BY NATURE, HOSTS IT EACH YEAR ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY. THE GRADUATES WILL BECOME COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, MOSTLY ENSIGNS IN THE U.S. NAVY AND 258 AS SECOND LIEUTENANTS IN THE U.S. MARINE CORPS. “I FIND GREAT JOY IN HELPING PEOPLE AND MAKING THEM HAPPY. SERVING MY COUNTRY SEEMS LIKE THE BEST WAY TO ACHIEVE THAT. I LOVE AMERICA AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT, AND I WANTED TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION.” THERE’S ALSO A PREGNANT ENLISTED MEMBER WHO SERVED ABOARD A SHIP AND WENT ON DEPLOYMENT, EAGER TO CONTINUE HER SERVICE. FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, THIS IS A MOMENT OF GREAT PRIDE. THE THOMPSON FAMILY FROM MASSACHUSETTS SHARES IN THIS JOY, AS THEIR DAUGHTER, ONE OF THE “COVID KIDS” FROM 2020, GRADUATES TODAY, MAKING IT A DREAM COME TRUE. “WE’VE WAITED FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME. I’M OVERWHELMED WITH PRIDE! WORDS CAN’T CAPTURE MY FEELINGS.” A MARINE WHO ENLISTED IN HIGH SCHOOL, VICE PRESIDENT J.D. VANCE, DELIVERED THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS, RECEIVING ROARS OF APPLAUSE AS HE SPOKE WITH GRADUATES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE RESPONSIBILITIES. “THE NATION RESTS EASIER KNOWING THAT WE HAVE THE MOST BRILLIANT STRATEGISTS AND TACTICIANS LIKE YOU, PREPARED TO FIGHT AND WIN THE WARS OF TOMORROW. I SPEAK FOR A GRATEFUL NATION WHEN I SAY WE ARE CHEERING FOR YOU. NAVAL ACADEMY CLASS OF 2025, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND RELY ON YOU. CONGRATULATIONS, BEST WISHES AND EXCEL IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.”
1,049 graduates become officers at 2025 US Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony
One member of the Class of 2025 graduated, but was not commissioned Friday: The Jessup native was drafted to play in the NFL
Midshipmen collected their diplomas and were commissioned as officers at the U.S. Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony. Graduates faced extensive mental and physical challenges throughout the last four years, benefiting from an education at one of the best institutions worldwide. They assembled Friday morning at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis to take their oaths and become ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. “I’m super excited, really happy to graduate with all my classmates. It’s been a challenging four years, but it has been worth it,” U.S. Navy Ensign Stelios Boyaci shared with 11 News. “I wanted an adventure, to accomplish exciting tasks while I’m still young,” U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Peter Lee remarked to 11 News. Many graduates expressed enthusiasm about serving the country. “I enjoy helping people and making them happy, so serving my country feels like the best way to do that,” said U.S. Navy Ensign Bryanna Chaname in her interview with 11 News.
“I love America, appreciate everything about it, and wanted to contribute. Having previously enlisted, I served on a ship and have been deployed. Now, I’m eager to continue my service. For family members, this day holds tremendous pride,” U.S. Navy Ensign Yasmin Latham conveyed to 11 News. “I cherish events like this. It’s a milestone I’ve been anticipating for so long; it makes my journey worthwhile, and I can’t wait to serve,” U.S. Navy Ensign Tara Thompson mentioned to 11 News.
Friends and family gathered at the ceremony, radiating pride. Thompson’s family, traveling from Massachusetts, expressed joy. “She was one of the COVID kids from 2020, and to see her now graduating is a dream come true,” remarked her mother, Sandra-Lee Thompson. “I’m overwhelmed with pride. There aren’t enough words to express my feelings,” commented parent Mitzi Manuel.
A ceremony steeped in tradition
Held annually on the Friday before Memorial Day, the Blue Angels flyover is a traditional highlight of the ceremony, reflecting the military’s deep-rooted customs. The graduates listened to speeches from U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids and Navy Secretary John C. Phelan. This year’s commencement speaker was Vice President JD Vance, a Marine Corps veteran who enlisted during his high school years.
Video below: Watch the vice president’s commencement address in its entirety
The vice president assured graduates they would create tools to excel in a new century of warfare.
“It will be you, the graduates gathered here today, who will guide the rest of us. Your service will introduce new challenges and environments, many of which may be unfamiliar, even to past veterans. You will implement fresh equipment, novel systems, and advanced technology. Through these experiences, you will learn, teach, and assist our military and our country in adapting to future challenges,” Vance elaborated.
This marked Vance’s first address as Vice President to one of the military service academies.
“The remarkable education you have received is an investment from the American people—an investment not just in your courage but in your intellectual strength and leadership potential, ensuring our nation feels secure with brilliant strategists and tacticians on guard,” Vance stated.
By the numbers: 1,049 graduates comprise USNA Class of 2025
The Class of 2025 comprises 1,049 graduates—751 men and 298 women. One graduate, however, did not receive commissioning on this day.
Navy football safety Rayuan Lane III from Jessup was selected during the 2025 NFL Draft and is set to join the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round.
Raw video below: U.S. Naval Academy 2025 Hat Toss
“I’m excited and grateful that the Jacksonville Jaguars recognize me as both a person and a football player, providing me this unique opportunity,” Lane stated in a release from Navy Football in April. “I extend my gratitude to my family, teammates, coaches from both the Gilman School and the Naval Academy, as well as everyone who has guided me through this journey. I’m thrilled about becoming both a Jacksonville Jaguar and a Marine Corps officer.”
Lane represents the fourth Navy football player drafted in the past eleven years and is the first defensive player drafted since Bob Kuberski was picked in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers in 1993.
Additionally, there are 14 international students graduating this year, representing nations such as Egypt, Fiji, Georgia, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Peru, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tunisia.
Among the distinguished graduates of the Class of 2025 are:
- Owen Michael O’Malley from Pittsburgh, a robotics and control engineering major with honors, set to commission as a U.S. Navy ensign.
- Andrzej Jakub Korlacki, from Lincoln, Nebraska, a nuclear engineering and computer engineering major, who will become a U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lieutenant.
- Tenlea Whelan Radack from Washington, D.C., a mathematics with honors major, who will also commission as a U.S. Navy ensign.
Since its establishment in 1845, approximately 92,000 midshipmen have graduated from the Naval Academy, including the Class of 2025.
Maj. Geoff Ball, Pierre Deverne, and Sondra Duplantis are honorary members of the Class of 2025.