ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Matthew Ledger of Americus successfully completed four years of challenging academic, physical, and professional military training, graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, May 25, with a bachelor of science degree in ocean engineering and a commission as a U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. He is a graduate of Southland Academy.
At the U.S. Naval Academy, Ledger was a member of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, the National Eagle Scout Association, and the SCUBA Club. He graduated with academic merit, having been named to the Dean’s List his first semester and Superintendent’s List all subsequent semesters.
Following six months of Marine Corps Officer training in Quantico, Va., 2nd Lt. Ledger will continue on to flight school in Pensacola, Fla., to pursue a career as a Marine Corps pilot.
Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically to be professional officers in the naval service. More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body, known as the Brigade of Midshipmen. U.S. News and World Reports has recognized the Naval Academy as a top five undergraduate engineering school and a top 20 best liberal arts college. Midshipmen learn from military and civilian instructors and participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities. They also study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, naval engineering and weapons, and military law. Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 25 different subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.
The Brigade of Midshipmen is comprised of approximately 4,400 students from every state in the union. Each year, approximately 1,200 young men and women are admitted to the Naval Academy’s incoming class.
The academy’s more than 81.000 alumni include one president, 21 members of Congress, five governors, 73 Medal of Honor recipients, two Nobel Prize winners, 52 astronauts, and 4,000 admirals and generals.