Master-at-Arms 1st Class Avonne Collins of Naval Reserve Security Force Annapolis escorts a company of Midshipmen during a walkover to a Navy football game. For the past four years, NRSF Annapolis has been providing operational support to the Academy. USNA photo by Patrick Gordon.

Established four years ago, the primary mission of NRSF Annapolis is to support the security forces at the Academy. Working closely with active duty Sailors and Department of Defense police, NRSF Ann-apolis provides operational support for many high-profile events held at the Academy. From routine patrols to security for special events, NRSF lends a hand whenever needed.

‘‘We are one of the busiest reserve units in Naval District Washington because of the unique mission and operational support we provide to the Academy,” said Senior Chief Master-at-Arms Doug Garner, acting Commanding Officer for NRSF Annapolis. ‘‘In this year alone we have provided 850 [man] days of operational support to the Academy.”

Garner said that events like the Middle East Peace Conference, the Naval Flag Officer Senior Executive Symposium, and graduation week are just a few examples of the events where NRSF Annapolis aides in the security and well-being of the Academy and those who live and work there. NRSF Annapolis often gets called up to provide operational support for events and activities outside of scheduled drill weekends.

Many of the Sailors in NRSF Annapolis serve in law enforcement as civilians, and their expertise benefits the unit.

‘‘We have a lot of civilian experience that we bring to the table,” said Garner, himself a security specialist for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ‘‘From municipal law enforcement officers to federal agents, we have a lot of skills that add to our capabilities and profess ionalism.”

‘‘This is a unique installation, being a military academy, a military base, and a tourist destination,” said NRSF Annapolis Sailor Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Kimberly Collins, ‘‘so this is not a typical police job.”

Many NRSF Annapolis members are also prior active duty service members. Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Joseph Jenkins spent four years in the active Navy before joining NRSF Annapolis as a Navy Reservist. ‘‘I really enjoy it. I’m really drawn to law enforcement, and the professionalism here is great.”

Others in the unit have served as both active duty and reserve Sailors here at the Academy. Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Andrew Brunsting spent 15 months on active duty with the NSA Annapolis security department before becoming a drilling reservist with NRSF Annapolis. He said his experience on the active duty side gave him a great deal of respect for the Reserve unit he now drills with.

‘‘When I was on active duty, there were events where the active duty guys would have had to work 24 hours straight had NRSF not been there,” said Brunsting. ‘‘[NRSF Annapolis] really takes some of the pressure off. It’s extremely helpful.”

NSA Annapolis security department personnel also appreciate the support of the reservists

‘‘[NRSF Annapolis] has supported us for graduation week, and I’ve seen nothing but professionalism from them in the past,‘‘ said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (AW) Darren Villano, Training Officer, NSA Security & Police. ‘‘They’ve always done what they’ve been asked to do to the fullest extent.”

NRSF Annapolis is currently preparing for the two-week period leading up to and including graduation and commissioning week. The unit will provide security and operational support to the Academy during such events as Sea Trials, the Ring Dance, the Blue Angels demonstration, and the Class of 2008 graduation and commissioning ceremony.