Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber
Midshipman 1st Class Sydney Barber was the first Black woman to serve as the U.S. Naval Academy’s Brigade Commander, a semester-long position she assumed in 2021. Brigade commander is the highest student leadership position. She was the 16th woman to serve as brigade commander in the 44 years since women have been allowed to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. She graduated and received a commission in the Marine Corps as a second lieutenant.