Every year at the Army-Navy football game, one of the most anticipated traditions is the "prisoner exchange," and this year marks the 50th year of the exchange program between the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
At midfield, a handful of cadets and midshipmen are ceremonially returned to their home side of the stadium after spending the fall semester at their rival academy.
"The Service Academy Exchange Program is a voluntary and competitive application process at West Point," said Noah Keith, a class of 2027 West Point cadet. "At the beginning of second semester sophomore year, everyone with a cumulative GPA over 3.3 is invited to apply."
Under the program, cadets and midshipmen spend the fall semester at their rival academy, living in barracks, attending classes and training together alongside the other service. The memorandum of agreement between each school's commandant formalized the process. Today, it is considered a one-for-one swap in most cases.
"I got interested in the West Point exchange during my [freshman] year when I saw the prisoner exchange for the first time," said Michael Middleton, a Naval Academy senior. "I asked my upperclassmen who they were and how they got to do that. That interest grew as I became interested in commissioning as a Marine Corps officer."
Reasons for applying may differ, but for each academy, it's not a guarantee you'll be accepted.
"West Point selects the cadets going to each of the service academies. I found out I was going to [the Naval Academy] around spring break," Keith said.
This tradition has its roots in much earlier academic exchanges and weekend trips. As far back as 1945, cadets and midshipmen began swapping campuses for short, informal weekend visits that laid the groundwork for this long-held tradition among the sister academies.
"I got to study subjects like grand strategy and generalship that I would have never [gotten] the opportunity to study in Annapolis," Middleton said. "I would recommend for everyone at USNA to apply. It was an invaluable experience to learn the joint environment and make interservice friendships."
In 1975, the program expanded into a semester-long service academy exchange. The program is designed to build professional understanding between the future officers of both services.
"I have really enjoyed my time on the yard," Keith said. "This semester I have been taking sailing lessons on the [Nonsuch] 26 sailboats and earned my [basic] qualification — I've had a lot of fun learning to sail and being out on the water."
On game day, the symbolic return is more than pageantry. It marks the end of a semester spent in "enemy territory" and showcases the balance between healthy rivalry and camaraderie. Once the exchange is complete, the cadets and midshipmen rejoin their classmates in the stands to cheer on their team for the remainder of the game.
"I would highly recommend the exchange experience to cadets at West Point. It has been a very rewarding experience going into and embracing a new culture and military perspective," Keith said.
The exchange serves as a symbol of unity between branches despite the competitive nature between both service academies. The midshipmen and cadets may battle fiercely on the athletic fields, but they share the same ultimate mission. After graduation, they will serve together in defense of our nation.
"Being a part of this tradition makes me feel closer to the institution and more invested in our naval service. The Army vs. Navy game is not just a sporting event for me anymore. It is a reminder of the brothers and sisters I have in the Army and how we are all fighting for each other," Middleton said.
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