Senior Molly Streit’s dream of attending the Naval Academy has finally come true. She has desired to go to the United States Naval Academy since middle school and has finally pursued her goal this year. Following in her family’s legacy, Streit plans on specializing in aerospace engineering.
Streit is a member of the swim team and the Western Albemarle Rescue Squad. “I have a really good crew there. It’s really helped me with my application process to the academy,” she said. The quick decision making and working under pressure is exciting and allows her to see what life might be like in her training.
Streit’s goal in the Navy is to fly, and it all started with her grandfather, John B. Streit, who served in the 10th Company and graduated class of ‘55. After graduating, her grandfather served in the Vietnam War flying planes. Streit’s uncle also attended the Naval Academy, class of ‘83. Although she never got to meet her grandfather, his bravery and skill inspired her to take the same path.
When Streit received her appointment for the Naval Academy, her father thought that she needed to experience what her grandfather’s life was like when he was in the Navy. She and her dad visited the U.S.S. Midway, an aircraft carrier that is now a museum. That very aircraft was the one that her grandfather flew off of during his service in the Vietnam War. While touring the Midway, Streit and her dad were let into the “CAG Room,” a room dedicated to members of the Commander Action Group of the Midway. In that room, she found a photo of her grandfather hanging up. “Seeing his plaque and being on an aircraft carrier helped me realize on a different level the fact that I have the opportunity to carry out the Streit family legacy for one more generation,” she said.
After graduating the Naval Academy, Streit plans on specializing in naval aviation. The Naval Academy has a mandatory requirement of five years of service in the Navy. Because she will be in flight school, her time of mandatory service will be up to seven years. But seven years is not where it stops for her: “I’m hoping to go into the career navy so I’m going to be flying until I’m old.”
Streit will continue on her family’s legacy flying planes and serving our country. Her words of advice? “Figure out why you want to go to the Naval Academy because it is a big commitment and it’s definitely not normal college so make sure you are very passionate about going into the navy.” For Streit, seeing her grandfather’s bravery and selflessness inspired her to bring out her passion for going to the Naval Academy. “At the heart of it, I am just so excited to get to serve at the Naval Academy and in the Navy.”
