At our July 1st meeting , we were visited by two midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy, Nicholas Hilaire and Carolyn Prickett. They were visiting Vicksburg for a month with the Engineering Research and Development Center’s Coastal Hydraulics Laboratory to work on the Mangrove project.

During their visit, we showed them a previous tank drivetrain design, our current plans for our new Tank drivetrain, and our competition robots. Both Nicholas and Carolyn are Ocean Engineering majors at the Academy and both admitted that they have had limited experience with robotics, but they quickly realized that they are very applicable to their field.

After a detailed discussion about the Academy and the application process, we concluded that anyone interested must be early to apply. The earliest applications are usually more considered. Additionally, the application itself is a thorough task and not to be taken lightly. In addition to the minimum qualifications, each applicant must be nominated by a Representative or Senator.

For those who aren’t aware, the Naval Academy is an undergraduate college, where people aspire to be officers in the Marine Corp or Navy. Students persue degree programs similar to a normal college, but during their summers they get the opportunity to do projects, ride in submarines, an activity that Nicholas completed, and fly helicopters, an activity that Carolyn took part in. Carolyn is currently a senior in the Academy, and Nicholas is a Junior.

It was a great opportunity to meet the two of them and we hope to have the opportunity to spend more time with them while they are in Vicksburg!