Plebe summer
Encyclopedia
Plebe Summer is the summer training program which is required of all incoming freshmen to the United States Naval Academy
. The program lasts approximately 6 weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The stated purpose of Plebe Summer according to the Academy is to "turn civilians into midshipmen".
Plebe Summer begins at the end of June or the beginning of July, and is called Induction Day or "I-Day". On I-Day, all the candidates say goodbye to their parents. Upon entering Alumni Hall
they are greeted by the upper-class trainers, known as Detailers, who immediately begin the military indoctrination process by requiring the Plebes to address them with Sir or Ma'am 'sandwiches.' (i.e. Sir, yes, sir) Each Plebe is assigned an "Alpha Number" which is their identifying serial number that they will use for the rest of their Academy career.
The Plebes line up throughout Alumni Hall to receive standard issue gear which includes several uniforms, combat boots, running sneakers and a copy of Reef Points
(the book which they must become familiar with over the course of the summer). All the male Plebes have their hair shaved off by Navy
barbers and the females have their hair cut to a length which is considered up to military specifications.
Plebes are next put through a series of medical examinations and vaccinations until they arrive at the back door of Alumni Hall where they are taught the proper technique for saluting. During this time, the parents of the Plebes are given a glimpse of the summer that their son or daughters will be going through in the form of a presentation by an administrator of the Academy. After the Plebes are done at Alumni Hall they are put onto buses and brought to Bancroft Hall
, which will be their home for the next four years.
They are divided into 15 different companies, Alpha through Papa (there is no Juliet or "J" company in the U.S. Military). The companies are not changed for the entire summer and compete against each other for performance points. Each Company is divided into two platoons of approximately 40 plebes each. Each platoon is divided into 4 squads of approximately 10 plebes. The final public portion of Induction Day is the "Oath of Office
" Ceremony which occurs at 1800 hours (6 pm). During this ceremony the entire class of Plebes is sworn into the Navy, as active duty midshipmen, by the Commandant of Midshipmen. After this ceremony the Plebes are introduced to their trainers for the summer, referred to as Cadre, and their summer begins with a night of being yelled at and running around the decks of Bancroft Hall.
.The Plebes are also required to begin memorizing much of the information in their copies of Reef Points. This required knowledge is known at the Academy as the "Rates". The Plebe's Rates consist of knowledge of the enlisted and officer ranks of all branches in the military, proficiency in the NATO phonetic alphabet
, information on all current Navy and Marine Corps
ships and aircraft, and certain quotes which promote esprit de corps.
An example of one of the quotes that the Plebes are required to memorize verbatim to promote esprit de corps is the following quote,
The Plebes learn to live based on the "Plan of the Day", a planned list of activities (all mandatory) which the Plebes will experience each day. The Plebes' days begin at 5:30 in the morning (referred to as 0530 Military time) as they are loudly awoken by the cadre and escorted to a field where they participate in PEP (Physical Education Program) . PEP consists of various calisthenics
and a run (either as a regiment or in groups based on an initial strength test) of increasing distance.
After PEP, the Plebes go to morning meal formation and then morning meal itself (referred to as morning chow) where they are quizzed on their "rates" as they eat their food. The Plebes have formations before every meal during which accountability (attendance) is taken and uniform inspections given. The formations are held in front of Bancroft Hall
for the tourists to see. Some tourists assume they are visiting on a special day because of the ceremony involved in noon meal formations which includes marching
and music from the Drum & Bugle Corps. The rest of the average daily schedule is composed of various physical activities in addition to numerous classes on Naval oriented study. On most days the Plebes practice marching in formation with their issued rifles in what is called "Close Order Drill". Every night of Plebe summer ends the same way: 30 min of free time to write letters followed by the singing of the Navy Blue and Gold
before mandatory lights out at 2145 .
The second half of Plebe Summer (known as 2nd set) is focused on transforming the new Plebes into valuable members of the Brigade of Midshipmen. At this point in the summer, the Plebes are assumed to be familiarized with military life and have a firm grasp on their "rates," so the detailers concentrate on further polishing the Plebes' abilities for the upcoming year.
Most of the Plebes have memorized Reef Points
from cover to cover and have the ability to recite any of that information when questioned by the detailers. Typically, this questioning on the Plebes' rates occurs during meals and in between planned activities in order to test the Plebes' ability to remember important information in stressful situations. Questions can vary but an example would be reciting the ranks of officers or enlisted in any of the services. When the second session begins there is a turnover of detailers, and each company receives an entirely new set. During the second session, the Plebes begin attending lectures by several notable military speakers such as Jim Lovell
, Jim Webb
and Joseph Galloway
. These lectures are called Forrestal Lectures named after former Secretary of Defense James Forrestal
. The lectures are aimed at instilling a sense of honor in the Plebes. Official parades are commonly held every week to provide the town of Annapolis with a glimpse of the new class and also to solidify the Plebes' drill ability.
The end of Plebe Summer is marked by the beginning of Plebe year, which is just as rigorous as Plebe Summer but with the added challenge of academic classes.
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
. The program lasts approximately 6 weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The stated purpose of Plebe Summer according to the Academy is to "turn civilians into midshipmen".
Induction Day
Alumni Hall (Navy)
Alumni Hall is an indoor stadium at the United States Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Maryland. Completed in 1991, it seats 5,710 and serves as the primary assembly hall for the Brigade of Midshipmen. It is used for athletic contests — including basketball and wrestling — and is home for the Naval...
they are greeted by the upper-class trainers, known as Detailers, who immediately begin the military indoctrination process by requiring the Plebes to address them with Sir or Ma'am 'sandwiches.' (i.e. Sir, yes, sir) Each Plebe is assigned an "Alpha Number" which is their identifying serial number that they will use for the rest of their Academy career.
The Plebes line up throughout Alumni Hall to receive standard issue gear which includes several uniforms, combat boots, running sneakers and a copy of Reef Points
Reef points
Reef Points is the Naval Academy's official handbook. All Plebes are issued it on I-day. All midshipmen are responsible for the information it contains, only certain parts are required to be recited from memory.-External links:*...
(the book which they must become familiar with over the course of the summer). All the male Plebes have their hair shaved off by Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
barbers and the females have their hair cut to a length which is considered up to military specifications.
Plebes are next put through a series of medical examinations and vaccinations until they arrive at the back door of Alumni Hall where they are taught the proper technique for saluting. During this time, the parents of the Plebes are given a glimpse of the summer that their son or daughters will be going through in the form of a presentation by an administrator of the Academy. After the Plebes are done at Alumni Hall they are put onto buses and brought to Bancroft Hall
Bancroft Hall
Bancroft Hall at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is the largest single dormitory in the world. Bancroft Hall, named after former Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, is home for the entire brigade of 4,000 midshipmen, and contains some 1,700 rooms, of corridors, and of...
, which will be their home for the next four years.
They are divided into 15 different companies, Alpha through Papa (there is no Juliet or "J" company in the U.S. Military). The companies are not changed for the entire summer and compete against each other for performance points. Each Company is divided into two platoons of approximately 40 plebes each. Each platoon is divided into 4 squads of approximately 10 plebes. The final public portion of Induction Day is the "Oath of Office
Oath of office
An oath of office is an oath or affirmation a person takes before undertaking the duties of an office, usually a position in government or within a religious body, although such oaths are sometimes required of officers of other organizations...
" Ceremony which occurs at 1800 hours (6 pm). During this ceremony the entire class of Plebes is sworn into the Navy, as active duty midshipmen, by the Commandant of Midshipmen. After this ceremony the Plebes are introduced to their trainers for the summer, referred to as Cadre, and their summer begins with a night of being yelled at and running around the decks of Bancroft Hall.
First Set
The first half of Plebe Summer is known to the Plebes as "First Set". The first session is dedicated to the basics of familiarizing the incoming Plebes with military life. The Plebes take classes on Naval Leadership, Honor, Naval Warfare and Tactics, Rank Structure and the Unified Chain of CommandUnified Combatant Command
A Unified Combatant Command is a United States Department of Defense command that is composed of forces from at least two Military Departments and has a broad and continuing mission. These commands are established to provide effective command and control of U.S. military forces, regardless of...
.The Plebes are also required to begin memorizing much of the information in their copies of Reef Points. This required knowledge is known at the Academy as the "Rates". The Plebe's Rates consist of knowledge of the enlisted and officer ranks of all branches in the military, proficiency in the NATO phonetic alphabet
NATO phonetic alphabet
The NATO phonetic alphabet, more accurately known as the NATO spelling alphabet and also called the ICAO phonetic or spelling alphabet, the ITU phonetic alphabet, and the international radiotelephony spelling alphabet, is the most widely used spelling alphabet...
, information on all current Navy and Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
ships and aircraft, and certain quotes which promote esprit de corps.
The Plebes learn to live based on the "Plan of the Day", a planned list of activities (all mandatory) which the Plebes will experience each day. The Plebes' days begin at 5:30 in the morning (referred to as 0530 Military time) as they are loudly awoken by the cadre and escorted to a field where they participate in PEP (Physical Education Program) . PEP consists of various calisthenics
Calisthenics
Calisthenics are a form of aerobic exercise consisting of a variety of simple, often rhythmical, movements, generally using multiple equipment or apparatus. They are intended to increase body strength and flexibility with movements such as bending, jumping, swinging, twisting or kicking, using...
and a run (either as a regiment or in groups based on an initial strength test) of increasing distance.
Bancroft Hall
Bancroft Hall at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is the largest single dormitory in the world. Bancroft Hall, named after former Secretary of the Navy George Bancroft, is home for the entire brigade of 4,000 midshipmen, and contains some 1,700 rooms, of corridors, and of...
for the tourists to see. Some tourists assume they are visiting on a special day because of the ceremony involved in noon meal formations which includes marching
Marching
See also: Loaded marchMarching refers to the organized, uniformed, steady and rhythmic walking forward, usually associated with military troops.Marching is often performed to march music, and often associated with military parades....
and music from the Drum & Bugle Corps. The rest of the average daily schedule is composed of various physical activities in addition to numerous classes on Naval oriented study. On most days the Plebes practice marching in formation with their issued rifles in what is called "Close Order Drill". Every night of Plebe summer ends the same way: 30 min of free time to write letters followed by the singing of the Navy Blue and Gold
Navy Blue and Gold
Navy Blue and Gold is the alma mater of the United States Naval Academy.-History:*Written in 1923 by CDR Roy DeS. Horn, USN and music composed by J.W. Crosley....
before mandatory lights out at 2145 .
Second Set
Reef points
Reef Points is the Naval Academy's official handbook. All Plebes are issued it on I-day. All midshipmen are responsible for the information it contains, only certain parts are required to be recited from memory.-External links:*...
from cover to cover and have the ability to recite any of that information when questioned by the detailers. Typically, this questioning on the Plebes' rates occurs during meals and in between planned activities in order to test the Plebes' ability to remember important information in stressful situations. Questions can vary but an example would be reciting the ranks of officers or enlisted in any of the services. When the second session begins there is a turnover of detailers, and each company receives an entirely new set. During the second session, the Plebes begin attending lectures by several notable military speakers such as Jim Lovell
Jim Lovell
James "Jim" Arthur Lovell, Jr., is a former NASA astronaut and a retired captain in the United States Navy, most famous as the commander of the Apollo 13 mission, which suffered a critical failure en route to the Moon but was brought back safely to Earth by the efforts of the crew and mission...
, Jim Webb
Jim Webb
James Henry "Jim" Webb, Jr. is the senior United States Senator from Virginia. He is also an author and a former Secretary of the Navy. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
and Joseph Galloway
Joseph L. Galloway
Joseph Lee "Joe" Galloway , is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. He is the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and is presently a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers...
. These lectures are called Forrestal Lectures named after former Secretary of Defense James Forrestal
James Forrestal
James Vincent Forrestal was the last Cabinet-level United States Secretary of the Navy and the first United States Secretary of Defense....
. The lectures are aimed at instilling a sense of honor in the Plebes. Official parades are commonly held every week to provide the town of Annapolis with a glimpse of the new class and also to solidify the Plebes' drill ability.
Brigade Reform
A few days after Parents Weekend, the Brigade of Midshipmen returns to full strength. All upper-class must be back on the yard and at their company areas for "Reform Formation". Unfortunately for the Plebes this means that the ratio of Upper-class to Plebes jumps up to 3:1. Reform presents the Plebes with a glimpse of what they will be enduring throughout the school year as it is the given mission of the upper-class to assist in "training" the Plebes. For the rest of the year, the Plebes will be viewed upon as second class citizens by the rest of the Brigade of Midshipmen, who make it a point to "snipe" a Plebe who is not doing his or her job correctly (verbally castigate in order to improve the performance of the Plebe)External links
- Plebe Summer — Photo Essay by White House photographer Pete Souza