the chief of naval operations (cno) is the highest-ranking active duty member of the united states navy and is a member of the joint chiefs of staff. the cno reports directly to the secretary of the navy for the command, utilization of resources and operating efficiency of the navy. of the 29 cnos, 27 were graduates of the united states naval academy (usna). the academy is an undergraduate college in annapolis, maryland, with the mission of educating and commissioning officers for the navy and marine corps. the academy is often referred to as annapolis, while sports media refer to the academy as "navy" and the students as "midshipmen"; this usage is officially endorsed. during the latter half of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th, the united states naval academy was the primary source of u.s. navy and marine corps officers, with the class of 1881 being the first to provide officers to the marine corps. graduates of the academy are also given the option of entering the united states army or united states air force. most midshipmen are admitted through the congressional appointment system. the curriculum emphasizes various fields of engineering.