Midshipman 1stClass Sydney Barber Photo politeness United States Naval Academy

For the very first time in the 175-year background of the United States Naval Academy, an African American lady has actually been selected to the lead midshipmen as brigade leader.

Midshipman first Class Sydney Barber, of Lake Forest, Illinois, was called to the leading management place by the Commandant of Midshipmen onFriday As brigade leader, she will certainly act as the highest possible ranking midshipman and also the only “six striper,” which is referral to the collar insignia endured the midshipman attire.

The semester-long placement is picked with an application and also meeting procedure by elderly management from the Commandant’s team. The initially women brigade leader was after that Midshipman first Class Juliane Gallina from the course of 1992, that offered in the placement throughout the autumn of 1991.

Barber, a mechanical design significant, will certainly be the 16th lady picked for brigade leader in the 44 years ladies have actually been participating in the Naval Academy.

As a walk-on sprinter and also hurdler of the Navy Women’s Varsity Track and also Field group, Barber has actually lettered all 3 years of contending and also is a USNA document owner for the outside 4x400m relay. She is additionally the co-president of the Navy Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club, assistant for the National Society of Black Engineers, and also a participant of the USNA Gospel Choir and alsoMidshipman Black Studies Club Barber functioned as the 13th firm’s executive police officer this past Plebe Summer and also presently works as the brigade’s first routine exec police officer.

“Earning the title of brigade commander speaks volumes, but the title itself is not nearly as significant as the opportunity it brings to lead a team in doing something I believe will be truly special,” statedBarber “I am humbled to play a small role in this momentous season of American history.”

The placement of brigade leader is presently held by Midshipman first Class Ryan Chapman, that praised Barber for her achievement.

“She is a catalyst for action, a visionary, a listener, a doer, and a person driven by compassion, by faith, by a fierce sense of passion and heart full of love,” statedChapman “Sydney is the perfect person to lead the brigade.”

“Sydney stands out amongst her peers, for not only her exemplary record, but for her clear vision of how she intends to make the world a better place and her accompanying bias for action. We were incredibly proud to have Sydney represent the Naval Academy in her Truman Scholarship interview this year,” statedLt Cmdr. Darby Yeager, a participant of the UNITED STATE Naval Academy’s Truman Scholarship option board.