Right now, the plebes are running, sweating and saluting their way through Naval Academy Plebe Summer, their introduction to the U.S. Naval Academy. Inducted on I-Day in late June, these incoming midshipmen are learning the ropes at the Academy, getting acquainted with the unique customs and terminology as well as adhering to the rigorous requirements of being a midshipman. Despite the punishing Annapolis heat, they perform hours of physical training (PT) as well as start their military leadership education. By the end of the summer, they will be transformed from civilian high school graduates to midshipmen, a change their parents and loved ones will get to witness when they visit for Plebe Parents’ Weekend.
Not many people know what happens on the Yard during Naval Academy Plebe Summer — unless you’re living it. Let’s take a rare look inside how Plebe Summer works.
The summer includes two separate phases to help organize the training the Plebes receive. How long is Plebe Summer? The first set runs from June 29th to July 23rd, and the second starts on July 24th and runs until the end of Plebe Summer. The plebes are currently in the “first set” of Plebe Summer. During each set, a different group of highly trained midshipmen detailers work with the incoming plebe class to fully indoctrinate them into the programs, requirements, training, professional aptitude and core values.The goal? All plebes will have the capacity to be inducted into the Brigade of Midshipmen when Plebe Summer wraps up upon reform on August 16th.
Plebes form the 4/C Regiment, which is broken into two battalions and sixteen companies. Each summer, a group devoted to the professional and personal development of the 4/C Regiment leads the plebes through their training. These 1/C and 2/C midshipmen are supervised by a select active duty cadre of officers and senior enlisted. It’s an honor to become a part of this select group. Lieutenant Jim Catina, Plebe Summer Operations Officer, explains, “Upperclass midshipmen undergo an intense 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 significant training, entailing over 100 hours of guided preparation, to ensure we have the most qualified midshipmen possible 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. “
Naval Academy Plebe Summer has evolved over the years to leverage best practices to prepare the incoming class for the rigors of the Academy. While the training concentration has not changed, the “training density,” or amount that USNA develops the plebes morally, mentally and physically has increased. Catina says, “Our goal is to provide the best-possible plebe to the Brigade at the end of Plebe Summer.” To that end, he explains, “The Plebe Summer staff is constantly looking to improve our training effectiveness for the 4/C Regiment each year. Namely, we have looked this year to improve our ability to use increased knowledge on injury prevention, Warrior Toughness techniques, and physical training to best develop the 4/C Regiment.”
Plebes train in naval leadership, honor, naval warfare and tactics, rank structure and the Chain of Command for both of the two sets, with the second set built 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 after Plebe Summer 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 continues the mission to develop the plebes into midshipmen trained in the basic elements of military and naval requirements ahead of joining the Brigade. The USNA Plebe Summer detailers turn over when it begins, but the mission executed during the second set is identical to that of the first. Once this is completed, Plebe Summer culminates in the Regimental 10K run, an event that is closed to the public. The training for this event is part of the Physical Education Program that occurs over the course of Plebe Summer and the 10K marks a turnover point between the Plebe Summer Regimental leadership and the fall semester Brigade leadership.
Related: Plebe Parents Shopping Guide: Welcome to USNA!
USNA Plebe Summer is a time honored tradition at the Naval Academy that successfully develops the incoming class while also giving upperclassmen valuable lessons in sound leadership. We are excited to welcome the Class of 2027 onto the Yard as they begin their U.S. Navy and Marine Corps careers. You can visit the Yard and watch them in action! You’ll also have the opportunity to help the midshipmen too. When you tour the Academy, purchase items from the USNA Gift Shop (or online at Navyonline.com) or dine in our restaurants, you are giving to the midshipmen. No other places give back to the Brigade in this way. Come visit the Yard and support the midshipmen that support our freedom every day, starting with Plebe Summer.