Midn. 4⁄C Michael Graham lowers the flag during evening colors aboard USS Constellation in Baltimore. Midshipmen from 10th Company conducted a special training session aboard the 19th century sloop of war. Photo courtesy of Midn. 1⁄C Nicole Yarbrough.

''I wanted to do something different, get the Plebes off the Yard, and do something Navy-related,'' says Yarbrough, who service-selected Surface Warfare.

Tenth Company Officer Lt. Walter Manuel originally brought the idea of the Constellation to Yarbrough during a brainstorming session for the semester. Seeing the opportunity to give her Plebes a new perspective on naval history integrated with a solid team-building experience, Yarbrough took the idea and ran with it. She contacted the sloop, sent up the proper paperwork, organized transportation, put in a Movement Order, and worked with the Company Wardroom fund to subsidize the Plebes.

The Midshipmen arrived in Baltimore around 5 p.m. on Friday, and immediately got to work learning about the different masts and rigging through hands-on activities. The Constellation staff treated the Midshipmen like new recruits in the 1850s, being ''welcomed'' aboard their first three-year duty tour. After working together to brace the sails, lower the flags, and raise a giant barrel of ''whiskey'' (which the Marines on board guarded), the Midshipmen received a full tour of the vessel. Then, they participated in a scavenger hunt for answers to various questions about the history of the ship. Following a dinner of ship’s stew, dried fruit and hard tack, the Midshipmen made ready for their hammocks.

The Plebes stood watch in shifts throughout the night, passing the time in the Captain’s Cabin learning how to tie monkey’s fists and trying to stay warm. The following morning, the Midshipmen competed against in each other in simulations of loading and firing the cannons following breakfast.

''Besides the cold, the trip was pretty good,'' said Midn. 4⁄C Sarah Faessel. ''I learned a lot that will actually help me in my Naval History class because we are learning about the same time period.''

Midn. 4⁄C Travis Turner agreed. ''The SMT was really good. I think it’s important to look back on heritage and history. It definitely helped to gain a greater understanding of what shipboard life was like during the age of sail.''

Midn. 1⁄C Ben Judy accompanied the Plebes to the USS Constellation. Judy said the experience gave him a renewed appreciation for his naval heritage, and that he ''felt the experience allowed the Plebes to gain appreciation for the trials of many Sailors of the past.''

Everyone involved agreed on two things. It would have been nice if it had been a little warmer, but overall it was a terrific experience.