In about six months, the plebes (the newest members of the U.S. Naval Academy) will be running, sweating, and saluting their way through one of the most challenging and transformative experiences of their lives: Plebe Summer. Inducted on I-Day (Induction Day) in late June, these incoming midshipmen will learn the ropes of Academy life, adapting to new routines, mastering Navy customs and traditions, and meeting the demanding physical and mental standards of a Navy plebe.
For about six intense weeks under the summer sun (and humidity) in Annapolis, they’ll train, march, study, and lead. By the end of the summer, they will have transformed from civilian high school graduates into disciplined members of the Brigade of Midshipmen, a change their families will proudly witness at Plebe Parents’ Weekend in August.
Not many people outside the Academy get to see what really happens during this time, so let’s take a rare look inside USNA Plebe Summer, and how it’s organized into two key phases: the first set and the second set.
Related: Plebe Summer Peek
How Long Is Plebe Summer?
Plebe Summer runs from late June to mid-August. This training period is divided into two distinct phases, or “sets,” to help organize and structure the development of each new plebe class.
- First Set for Class of 2030: June 25 – July 19
- Second Set for Class of 2030: July 20 – August 12
During each set, plebes are led by a different group of upperclass midshipmen known as detailers (specially selected student leaders who guide, train, and mentor the incoming class). The mission remains the same for both sets: to prepare every plebe to join the Brigade of Midshipmen when the academic year begins.
By the end of USNA Plebe Summer, every member of the incoming class is expected to meet the Academy’s rigorous standards of military bearing, fitness, leadership, and teamwork.
The Detailers: Leaders in Training
Plebes make up what’s called the 4/C Regiment, which is divided into two battalions and nineteen companies. Their leaders are the 1/C and 2/C midshipmen - upperclassmen who have already proven their excellence in leadership and academics. These detailers are supervised by a select cadre of active-duty officers and senior enlisted personnel.
According to Marine Logistics Officer Harrison Rosenbaum, who has served as Plebe Summer Port Battalion Officer, the selection process for detailers is incredibly competitive. “Upperclass midshipmen undergo an intense interview and selection process that ranges from company to brigade-level interviews with the senior Brigade leadership team, depending on the specific assignment the midshipman is seeking. Once selected, each detailer completes a series of significant trainings to ensure we provide the most qualified midshipmen possible on I-Day who have the responsibility of training and developing the plebes into basically-trained midshipmen. In this way, USNA ensures both the detailers and the plebes are exceedingly well-trained.”
In other words, Plebe Summer is not only a test for the plebes, it’s also a leadership laboratory for the detailers who guide them.
Building the Best Possible Plebe
Over the years, USNA Plebe Summer has evolved to incorporate new knowledge and methods in leadership, physical fitness, and mental resilience. The overall goal remains unchanged: Produce well-rounded plebes who are ready to meet the demands of the Academy. While the concentration has not changed, the “training density,” or amount that USNA develops the plebes morally, mentally, and physically, has increased.
Plebes train in naval leadership, honor, naval warfare and tactics, rank structure, and the Chain of Command, with the second set building off the knowledge and skills learned in the first set. Some of this training is provided in a classroom setting, but the real academic classes start when the entire Brigade returns in August.
All plebes receive identical training in order for the entire 4/C Regiment to meet USNA’s threshold standard for performance prior to entering the Brigade. Due to operational limitations, some of the training is offered at different times throughout the summer, but the entire Regiment usually receives the same training within one to three days of each other.
The Second Set: Strength and Finish
The second set marks the final stretch of Plebe Summer. A new rotation of detailers steps in to continue the mission of developing each plebe’s leadership potential, discipline, and endurance. While the detailers change, the focus remains the same: Reinforcing the lessons learned during the first set and preparing plebes for life as full-fledged midshipmen.
Plebe Summer culminates in a tradition that symbolizes both endurance and unity: The Regimental 10K Run. This challenging event, closed to the public, brings together every member of the 4/C Regiment in one final test of perseverance. It also marks the transition point between the Plebe Summer Regiment and the academic-year Brigade leadership.
By this time, the transformation is complete. The once wide-eyed newcomers who arrived on I-Day are now confident, disciplined, and ready to take their places in the Brigade of Midshipmen.
Related: A Summer Like No Other On and Off the Yard
Prepare for Plebe Summer
Navy Plebe Summer is a time-honored tradition that not only prepares the incoming class for service but also gives upperclassmen valuable leadership experience. It’s a cornerstone of what makes the Naval Academy so exceptional - a place where leadership is learned by doing.
In fact, the current plebes are continually training as future leaders of the Brigade. When you visit the Naval Academy, you can see midshipmen in training as you explore the historic grounds.
USNA tours and purchases made at the USNA Gift Shop, Navyonline.com, or any Yard restaurant directly benefit the Brigade, helping support extracurricular programs that enrich midshipman life.
So come see what discipline, teamwork, and tradition look like in action. Plebe Summer is where the Navy journey begins - and where the next generation of leaders starts to shine.
