John Schieffer had to read it twice.
When the U.S. Naval Academy acceptance letter appeared online April 16, the Marblehead High School senior said he was stunned.
“I was shocked at first,” Schieffer told the Current. “I had to lean in and read it twice. It was a great relief. I was pretty fired up.”
The Naval Academy is selective, with a lower than 10% acceptance rate. Applicants must have a recommendation from a member of Congress.
For those who have coached and taught Shieffer, his acceptance came as no surprise.
“I think John will have great success at Annapolis for several reasons,” MHS football coach Jim Rudloff said. “The obvious — good grades, good student and a great kid. More than that, though, they will be getting someone who is incredibly steady — never too high, never too low — and a person who listens before he speaks. We wish him all the best.”
Lacrosse coach John Wilkens echoed that sentiment.
“John will do well there because of his work ethic,” Wilkens said. “He is not afraid to try something new and always stays positive.”
MHS English teacher Jenn Billings said Schieffer stands out even among strong students.
“Truly, I’m not sure I’ve ever taught a student who seems so supremely fit for the United States Navy,” she said. “From the day I met him, he was set apart. There’s a steadiness to him … kind, compassionate, competent — I’ll add curious to that. Just rock solid. When you’re around John, you feel like this is a young man who is going to get things done and do it well. He’s just a superior human being.”
Schieffer, a lifelong Marbleheader and captain of both the MHS football and lacrosse teams, will report for Induction Day — known as “I Day” — on June 25 in Annapolis, where he will begin the transition from civilian to soldier.
The path to the academy began long before the acceptance letter arrived.
“It was a super intricate process that started about two years ago,” he said. “I needed a congressional recommendation, so I’ve been working with Seth Moulton, getting to know him.”
Schieffer graduates from Marblehead High School in June.
Growing up on the water
The appointment marks the next step in a journey shaped by both his hometown and his experiences on the water. Schieffer has spent summers working aboard the Hannah Glover, transporting children to Children’s Island, and as a dockhand at the Dolphin Yacht Club. He also holds a limited master’s license, allowing him to operate commercial vessels within the harbor.
Those experiences, combined with a visit to the Army-Navy Game in 2023 and a campus tour in Annapolis, solidified his decision.
“I was impressed by so much, and when I visited I fell in love even more,” he said.
At the academy, Schieffer will join a corps of midshipmen balancing academics, military training and athletics.
Midshipmen choose their service assignments during their senior year, with options influenced by class rank and available positions. Schieffer already has a goal in mind.
“I want to be a surface warfare officer on an aircraft carrier or battleship,” he said. “It’s a pathway to becoming captain of the vessel.”
Marblehead memories
Schieffer said he’ll always remember his time on the football and lacrosse fields in Marblehead — especially one moment.
“This past Thanksgiving Day. It was an incredible day that I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” he said. “It was high stakes; it was really close. You could feel that it meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Marblehead staged a fourth-quarter comeback and survived a Hail Mary attempt to win the annual clash against archrival Swampscott, 29-22.
Full scholarship
Admission to the academy includes a full scholarship, something Schieffer said his family appreciates.
“My parents are pretty pumped,” he said with a laugh.
Midshipmen incur a service commitment after their second year when they sign a five-year contract. Schieffer is already looking ahead.
“I’ve never been to the Pacific Ocean before — I hear there’s pretty nice weather,” he said. “There are so many interesting places to see.”
His decision is also rooted in family history.
“My grandfather, whom I’m named after, served in Vietnam in the Air Force. That kind of inspired me,” he said.
As he prepares to leave Marblehead, Schieffer reflected on the broader meaning of his appointment.
“I’m extremely grateful to have grown up in Marblehead and America in general and for the opportunities this country has given me,” he said. “I want to be of service to my country.”
He added, “We all have it way better than we think we do. As critical as we are of this country, we have a lot of freedoms that people would kill to have.”
