Fourth generation Naval Academy Midshipmen return home to the Mat-Su Valley

Many Alaskan families anticipate celebrating Thanksgiving with their returning college students. Two such returning students are Natalie and Jeffery Lautrup, who are students, more commonly called “midshipmen,” at the United States Naval Academy. Together, they have earned the privilege of returning home to the Valley as part of the college’s community outreach program called OPINFO. Siblings attending the same university at the same time is unique. What is more unique is that they are the fourth consecutive generation attending that university.

Four generations of attendance at US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, began with the Lautrup’s great grandfather, George Lautrup. Arriving in the United States at age 3 from Denmark, he graduated high school at age 16. Too young to attend the academy, he attended Cornell University for one year until he was eligible to apply. He was accepted and upon graduation, he served as a naval officer in the submarine force and began a four-generation legacy of academy attendance, academic excellence and professional service. Their grandfather, Robert Lautrup, was the second generation, graduating and also electing to serve in the now nuclear submarine force. Next, father Joel gained acceptance and graduated, going on to serve in the US Marine Corps as a pilot. In light of this lineage, it is less surprising that both Natalie and Jeffery would develop an interest in academy life. Being a legacy recruit has little bearing on whether you are accepted into the Naval Academy.

“If anything, they might be a little more in tuned to whether you actually want to attend instead of the pressure from family to be there.” Natalie said.

For Natalie it’s special to be a part of an academy that is similar to what the three previous generations experienced but has developed over the years.

“Talking to my Grandfather and my Dad and hearing the stories. It’s so special to be walking… I’m living in the same dorm as they lived in but now they’ve added on extra wings to the dorm. I’m probably carrying the same rifle or sword they carried for parades. Attending the Army-Navy football game like they did.”

Natalie is a cheerleader for the Naval Academy.

“So many traditions have remained the same but there are a lot of little things that have changed that makes it my own unique experience. Just sharing that common bond with my great-grandfather, grandfather and father and now with my brother. That’s a lot of fun.”

For Natalie wanting to attend the Naval Academy is something she started to desire a little bit later than her brother Jeffery.

“Being from a Naval family I grew up with the whole ‘Go Navy! Beat Army!’ mentality. Around middle school I began to get interested in it. When I started high school, I thought I’m not sure that the whole military and regimental stuff is for me. Then when it was time to go through the college process. I did the Naval Academy summer seminar program. It’s designed to expose rising seniors to what the academy is like. I did that and visited other colleges. I loved my peers that I was around, I loved the midshipmen that were leading us. The school is beautiful. I knew I wanted to go into a STEM major.”

Natalie stated reflecting on her decision to attend the Naval Academy.

Jeffrey’s initial interest in attending the academy began in second grade. Then, in high school, he began actively pursuing acceptance, (sophomore USNA).

Consistently rated among the top 5 public universities, undergraduate engineering programs, and STEM schools, acceptance to the US Naval Academy is no small achievement. It demands success in the most rigorous high school classes, outstanding SAT/ACT test scores, varsity athletic success, extensive community service, leadership development, and high moral character. Acceptance is the culmination of hard work and determination that begins in middle school and must be maintained through graduation.

Father Joel Lautrup, class of 1986, serves as a local Blue and Gold officer, providing guidance to prospective students and performing applicants’ interviews. His advice to students is simple – have a plan and work hard.

“You must take the difficult classes, demonstrate your physical abilities through varsity sports, and seek out leadership and service opportunities in school clubs and community activities.”

Representing one of America’s most selective universities, he offers students a unique perspective when he advises that they must compete against students from all over the country.

“Students may believe they are competitive when compared to their local peers, but they must be aware of the higher level of competition nationwide,” he states.

Although there have been reports of sexual harassment at the various military academy’s Natalie states she has not been subjected to harassment.

“Everyone has always welcomed me with open arms and been there for me. If I’m going through a break up the guys that I live around are like brothers to me. So during those times they don’t do the brotherly and sisterly grief like we usually do. They help me with school work or if I want to walk by myself to get ice cream they tag along. It’s been wonderful, it really has been.”

In spite of the rigorous demands, both Natalie and Jeffrey continue what has become a family legacy. Natalie will graduate in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research, a branch of Applied Math. Like all graduates, she will serve a minimum of 5 years active duty as a naval officer and has chosen to serve as part of the Surface Warfare community. While at the academy, she has been a member of the varsity coed cheer team, intramural cross country team, and Baptist Campus Ministries. As a senior, she has held the position of regimental protocol officer and is a brigade training team coach. Jeffrey is a member of the class of 2021, majoring in mechanical engineering. Following in his great grandfather’s footsteps, he has been a member of the varsity lightweight crew team. He is active with the intramural cross-country team, the rock-climbing club, and Baptist Campus Ministries. Despite the strenuous academic, athletic, and professional obligations and pressures, they consistently earn the academic distinction of Superintendent’s List.

While back in Alaska, they will be keeping an ambitious schedule as academy representatives. High school and middle school visits are scheduled to allow local students to meet current midshipmen and learn about the university, STEM majors, and college life in general. They will also visit with Dr. Monica Goyette, Superintendent of the Mat-Su Borough School District, and numerous community organizations, such as Wasilla Rotary. When not engaging the community, they will each attend to approximately 16 hours of homework that must accompany them from Annapolis to Alaska.

Departing the US Naval Academy to enjoy the holiday season will be a well-deserved break from the endless daily demands and rigors. Undoubtedly, their sense of excitement as the holidays approach is yet one more part of academy life Natalie and Jeffrey share with their three previous generations.

Natalie and Jeffery’s father Joel Lautrup said, "I am very proud of my children. They have chosen to attend, and are thriving at, the academy and, upon graduation, will go on to serve as naval officers."

Frontiersman publisher Dennis Anderson contributed to this story.