It's almost 1:30 PM, and the United States Naval Academy freshmen, known as "plebes," begin the 80-year-old tradition of climbing the Herndon Monument, a 21-foot obelisk at the center of campus. Its granite surface is covered completely in lard. Some plebes have already ripped off their freshly bleached T-shirts, while others are taking selfies with family members, who have come to watch. Their mission is simple: to replace the plebe "dixie cup" with a Midshipman's cap as fast as possible.