A student at the U. S. Naval Academy and in Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps units. Prior to the establishment of the Naval Academy in 1847 it was an entry-level rank to commissioning as a Naval officer. Appointments as midshipman were given, by politicians, to boys as young as 9 , who would be assigned to serve on board a ship for the purposes of learning seamanship and leadership. When they felt prepared they would apply to a Naval School in Boston, New York, Baltimore or Norfolk where they would study in preparation for an examination. Successful completion of the examination made the midshipman a Passed Midshipman and he was eligible for promotion to lieutenant.