Brief Points

The Naval Academy’s culture is a unique and sometimes baffling phenomenon to the outside world, but with this newly updated guide in hand relatives and friends of midshipmen will find answers to all the questions they might have about Academy life. Since it was first published in 1993, parents have relied on the almanac for insights into their sons’ and daughters’ experiences at Annapolis. Now the son of the original author has taken on the responsibility of bringing the popular reference up to date. An active duty naval officer, Academy graduate, and former English instructor at the Academy, the younger Mackenzie makes full use of his intimate knowledge of Annapolis to fill in the gaps. Here you’ll find a guide to Internet resources along with the latest facts on car ownership, dating policies, athletic requirements, and disciplinary demands. A midshipman profile and a dictionary of “Midspeak” completes the picture in a book whose title recalls the midshipmen’s own manual, Reef Points, but extends its concept for outsiders seeking practical information about the Academy, the Navy, and Annapolis. Prospective applicants, graduates, newcomers to the USNA staff, and visitors seeking a memento will also be attracted to this useful guide. Ross H. Mackenzie is a Navy helicopter pilot currently stationed in Jacksonville, Florida.

Ross H. Mackenzie is the award-winning author of My Sailor Dad, a Navy pilot, and currently lives with his family in Virginia.