'Full-contact philosophy'

It was denim and sneakers versus service dress blues last night as students from St. John's College crossed King George Street to invade the Naval Academy.

Once behind academy walls, the Johnnies and mids sat in conference rooms, discussing the philosophical justifications for military engagements.

At the end of the semiannual gathering, modeled after seminars at St. John's, the roughly 50 midshipmen and 25 Johnnies ate cookies, said how much they enjoyed the experience, and expressed a hope of seeing each other again.

"It was like full-contact philosophy," said one midshipman who enjoyed the intellectual...