Two weeks down, one week to go!
As for rates that candidates need to memorize: You will be given a two-sided sheet of rates that we expect candidates to memorize verbatim by Wednesday during Indoc. This includes professional knowledge about the Chain of Command (CoC), core Navy/Marine Corps values and traditions, and core USNA values and traditions. Candidates are tested under a stress induced environment to see not only if they put the time and effort into memorizing these rates, but to also see how candidates react under pressure and non-ideal situations. Just like NavyHoops said, there isn't a single service selection in the military where you won't need to memorize information, and when push comes to shove, you will have to recall said information under stressful conditions where your sailors/Marine's lives are on the line.
Towards the end of this Indoc session, it is very common for detailers to start asking comical or lighthearted questions after it is clear the candidates have memorized the required rates to satisfaction. This is just to see how the candidate will respond (not expecting a correct answer by any means) and we're not evaluating this portion/questions by any means. We change the tone and types of questions at the end to make sure the candidates understand that even though during this period of time it may of looked like their detailers were mad, angry, or even furious with them at times, that it is just a "switch" that the detailers have to apply the necessary amount of pressure.
After observing for two weeks, I have been more than pleased with the work, effort, and commitment of our detailers this year, and all have operated well within our stated RoE and regulations of how to conduct the Indoc session. If there are any questions or concerns about how my detailers have been doing their duty, please message me directly and I would be more than happy to address concerns that way. As for this forum, please continue to ask any questions concerning NASS that anyone may have for the final week. Thanks everyone!