- November 29, 2024
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Ormond student finds himself suited to military life.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
Alexander Fedorovich, a recent graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, said it’s not easy to explain to his friends about his life at the military college the last few years.
“Some of the things we do make no sense, but turn out to be bonding experiences,” he said.
For an example, Fedorovich, 22, a graduate of Father Lopez Catholic High School, described the Herndon Monument Climb,
At the sound of a cannon blast, 1,000 “plebes” (first year students) charge toward a 21-foot grey monument. On top, is the white “Dixie cup” hat, like the one they’ve had to wear throughout their year. As thousands watch, they work together to replace it with an upperclassman’s hat, to signify the end of their plebe year.
Adding to the difficulty is that 200 pounds of lard have been added to the monument by upperclassmen.
Other than the occasional raucous event such as the Herndon climb, life on the campus is regimented like the military.
“You have a love/hate relationship while you’re there, but after you get out you appreciate the experience,” Fedorovich said.
He also said it’s one of the most beautiful campuses you’ll ever see.
Fedorovich had friends at other colleges, where the life was quite a bit freer. But he has no regrets about his choice.
“I found it suited my personality,” he said. “I thought I would do well in a military structure.”
But Fedorovich and his dad, Nick, agree that it was academics, not the military that drew him to the academy.
Growing up, he spent a lot of time on the beach, and went to the Keys each year for lobster season. At one time, he considered marine biology as a career, but then discovered ocean engineering and found that it was available at the academy. Ocean engineering is civil and mechanical engineering applied in a water environment, such as renovating ships in dry dock or developing weapons systems, oil platforms, etc.
“People have told me for a long time I need to be in some type of engineering,” Fedorovich said.
Now an ensign, Fedorovich will soon head out to Hawaii where he will be assigned to a destroyer.
His dad, Nick, said he’s happy about his son’s choice, and he’ll never forget the night he brought up the Naval Academy as a possibility. He told his son that he would help, but he would have to do all of the research, find out what was required and follow through.
“I wanted to make sure he was committed,” he said.
Nick Fedorovich recognizes that everyone in uniform is in harm’s way, and there is always unrest in the world.
“On a destroyer, he’s probably safer than you and me,” he said.
Fedorovich got the required nomination from Rep. John Mica and had several interviews before being accepted. In the last six years, there have been 27 Naval Academy graduates in the Sixth Congressional District, which includes Volusia County.
A normal tour of duty after the academy is five years, but Fedorovich chose a seven-year program, where he will be on a ship for two years and then go to graduate school to eventually become a project manager.
