On The Yard

When you order a latte at 1845 Coffee, the young woman who brews it won’t be a midshipman. In fact, due to the nature of training at the Academy, midshipmen are not permitted to work while they’re studying to earn their degree and commission. They can’t ring you up at the Midshipmen Store, bartend at The Alley, or dish up your meals at Drydock Restaurant. However, thanks to a recently launched and innovative employment program, you will still see students working those jobs. They’ll be Johnnies, or students studying at St. John’s College (SJC).

It All Began With Baristas

The two Annapolis colleges are steps away from each other, but they often feel worlds apart. The Naval Academy is known for being an elite military school and St. John’s is known for being a rigorous liberal arts college. The two typically go toe-to-toe at the annual croquet match started in the early 1980s, the Annapolis Cup—but the story usually ends there.

A couple of years ago, St. John’s was struggling to find jobs for students hoping to earn money for tuition and living expenses. A few blocks away, the USNA was opening 1845 Coffee and needed baristas. NABSD Deputy Director Phil Allison was working with SJC Director of Career Services Jamie Dunn and Treasurer Ally Gontang-Highfield on academic partnerships between the two schools when a lightbulb went off. He had already partnered with the National Association of College Auxiliary Services to fill similar staffing needs. Why couldn’t the NABSD hire Johnnies to perform these Naval Academy jobs that the midshipmen couldn’t?

An employment agreement was struck. This was the first non-academic partnership between the two schools, and it began in May 2019, with three Johnnies working at 1845 Coffee. When the Yard opened up again in October 2020, a few more students joined the workforce at 1845 Coffee, and then another joined the Midshipmen Store in February 2021. “We’re probably one of the only colleges in America that opened a business in the pandemic,” Allison laughs. There are now seven Johnnies working at the Naval Academy and many of them are cross-trained to handle a variety of jobs. They are banquet servers, bartenders, and sales associates—and of course the baristas that started it all. Many work during the day since the curriculum at St. John’s often includes nighttime events. NABSD has been flexible with the scheduling to allow students to fulfill their academic duties first.

“This partnership has resulted in a win for everyone involved. NABSD was looking for more employees, SJC was looking for ways to help their students find jobs, and the students were looking for ways to earn money,” said Allison. “It’s amazing the things that can be accomplished through local partnerships.” What’s more, these jobs prepare the Johnnies for success with future job searches and employment. They are building their work ethic and gaining invaluable skills and experience for jobs after graduation.

Navy Ups the Ante

The partnership has proven beneficial on so many levels, but Allison and his team went one step further to help the Johnnies. In addition to paying them generous federal hourly wages of approximately $14, the NABSD also provides $500 of financial aid to each student for every 250 hours they work. NABSD keeps track of their hours and this money is deposited in an account with SJC and credited towards that student’s tuition. So far, two students have earned the bonus, and one of them has earned it twice.

Both colleges are thrilled with the arrangement. “The college is delighted to be partnering with NABSD. We appreciate the valuable employment opportunities for our students, and the generosity of the NABSD in providing further financial aid benefits beyond employment,” said SJC Director of Career Services Jamie Dunn. Allison agrees, “The U.S. Naval Academy is an equal opportunity employer, and we are delighted that many of the SJC students have become members of our team.”

Breaking Down Walls

The students of these colleges have strengthened their relationships with each other too. Not only do the Johnnies physically break down barriers by entering the Yard, but the program helps them break down the stereotypes that divide them from the brigade. “You'll see the Johnnies are very engaged with the mids, and they’re all learning that there's a lot more similarities than differences,” Allison says. “I think mids enjoy meeting the St. John’s College students when they’re making coffee. And when I visit with [Johnnies], they all seem to enjoy working here.” The students agree wholeheartedly. As they’ve worked on the Yard more and more, they have been surprised to find out that they have a lot in common with the midshipmen, and are forming lasting friendships.

The program continues to be successful, and NABSD is often looking for spots to fill. If you’re a Johnnie looking for a part-time job near you, check here to see if you can apply for one of their open positions.

In perhaps the best indicator of the program’s success, St. John’s and the NABSD just renewed their contract for three more years. Emily Stinemire, Operations Manager at the NABSD, says, “I’m glad that it’s extended and that we can keep it running. Some of our most senior and most cherished employees have come from our St. John’s College partnership.” The employment agreement has been a win-win indeed. So the next time you’re at 1845 Coffee or the Midshipmen Store, please thank a Johnnie for their service too!