Visiting the Naval Academy Aug 15-18

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Hello! My names Katie, and I'm going into seventh grade! It's my dream to go to the Naval Academy. We are going for the Junior Leadership Program. Is there anything that I must see and do at USNA or Annapolis? What restaurant is better: Drydock or steerage? Any things accepted!

Thanks,
Katie S.
Hopeful USNA grad 2024
 
Chart your course now! Drydock sells pizza and burgers and the like steerage isn't open to most visitors. The Naval Academy Club is great but for members only. Your best, closest eating option is downtown just a couple of blocks from the visitors center. Chick and Ruth's Delly is a longtime fave but there are great seafood places too.

Take the walking tour and check the admissions website for admissions briefs (super interesting for aspiring mids). That weekend is the Reform of the Brigade so lots of great opportunities for seeing mids in the Yard.

Good luck.
 
The concept of a "member's only" club (the Naval Academy Club) on federal grounds is interesting.

I understand the concept of Chief's Clubs or Officer Club's but O-Clubs are just dining areas for officers.... not something requiring paid membership to use.
 
The concept of a "member's only" club (the Naval Academy Club) on federal grounds is interesting.

I understand the concept of Chief's Clubs or Officer Club's but O-Clubs are just dining areas for officers.... not something requiring paid membership to use.

I was curious about this too, having definitely gone there for some fancy-schmancy event having paid no dues.

Quick google search revealed that lunch is open to the public and dinner/events are "members only" (eligible members being any grad, commissioned officer/NCO stationed at USNA, staff, etc.). Apparently (and this is news to me), there are dues-paying O-Clubs all around the US for most of the services.

To the OP:

Check out the museum and the chapel. More importantly, stick your head into Bancroft to visit Memorial Hall. Last time I was there the "sample MIDN room" was pretty outdated, but it'll give you an idea of what an average room looks like.
If you must eat on the Yard (which I don't advise since you'll possibly have to eat there for four years) go to Drydock since I don't think Steerage is open to the public. Get a Hellfire or a Tomahawk.

Or the better idea is to go out in town. Most of my memories of which actual restaurants are good are based on their beverage offerings, which shouldn't matter to you. Stuff by the water is a little expensive. Chick and Ruth's is a little overrated IMO for what you get. For ice cream, disregard Kilwin's and walk up to the street to Annapolis Ice Cream. It's the place with all the penguins and spoons on the wall.
If you are willing to drop ~$10 for a damn fine though very overpriced sandwich, stop by The Big Cheese and grab an Annapolitan (ask for "the good bread," even though it launches the food into "even more overpriced"). The proprieters can be weirdly pushy sometimes, but they make a great sandwich. Eat on the water or bring it onto the Yard.

Also, c/o 2024? I feel old.
 
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West Point’s O-Club is open to dues paying members only during certain hours as well. This is absolutely nothing new for the military. In fact, it is very old school military.

That said, eat crabs at Cantler’s.
 
West Point’s O-Club is open to dues paying members only during certain hours as well. This is absolutely nothing new for the military. In fact, it is very old school military.

That said, eat crabs at Cantler’s.

Ah! I see. I knew of no dues-paying member o Clubs! I was a member of the Army and Navy Club in D.C. Obviously that's different. The O Club at CGA is not a dues-paying member organization. Interesting stuff. I'd love to know their "status"... I guess as a non-profit?
 
If I remember correctly the O Club at USNA is open to everyone properly dressed with a reservation. Have eaten there on a number of occasions. There are certain restrictions for dues members for specials during the week. NCO Clubs and Bars are better.:shake:
 
Chart your course now!

Congratulations for thinking ahead ... you actually have a couple years (i.e. high school), but there are alot of things you can do to set yourself up for success, including a strong academic background, athletics and setting yourself up for leadership positions.

As for visiting USNA -- all good advice above -- go into Bancroft Hall, visit the sample room, watch the midshipman, etc. Above all, visit Memorial Hall . Memorial Hall will give you a sense of the Naval Academy's mission and purpose.

Walk the streets of Annapolis. I didn't enjoy it enough as a Mid (too long ago). So many places to eat. For me, sitting outside for lunch at Middleton Tavern at least once each vist is mandatory, but there are alot of other choices. (Chick & Ruths is great for breakfast, but too many other great places for good food). Finally, don't know about the other Ice Cream places mentioned above, but Storm Brothers is the closest to the Gate, and IMHO is the only place in town !

Good Luck to you...
 
They have a great gift shop there too.... make sure you stop in and buy some cool sweatshirts!
 
Hello! My names Katie, and I'm going into seventh grade! It's my dream to go to the Naval Academy. We are going for the Junior Leadership Program. Is there anything that I must see and do at USNA or Annapolis? What restaurant is better: Drydock or steerage? Any things accepted!

Thanks,
Katie S.
Hopeful USNA grad 2024

Be sure to see the Visitor's Center, which gives you an idea of what my fellow grads (certainly not me) have done after leaving the Yard. Then visit Memorial Hall, and see how many paid with their lives. It's a sobering exercise, especially when you know people whose names are listed in MH...

Take a peek into King Hall, especially if the Brigade is there. Stand by to be....... Well, you'll see. :thumb:

Walk the yard. See the Chapel. Take the tour.

You can eat in Drydock, but if you can swing a mid into inviting you to King Hall, then by all means do it. Just don't ask one with the funny white hat with the stripe on it. He won't be able to help you. :biggrin:

If you can get a Mid to walk you through the Lab Decks, your jaw will drop. I graduated from the flippin' place, and every time I go down there I long to be a Mid again...

So you know, I first heard of USNA at your age. I never looked back. Go for it, but remember: it's a horrible place to be AT, but an AWESOME place to be FROM!

BEAT ARMY! :biggrin:



ETA: Here's another bit of advice from what to you is an old man, but really isn't....

Starting today, RIGHT NOW, never again be "good enough". No. From now on, EXCELLENCE IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD. Nothing less is acceptable.

Don't try to just pass. Try to max it out. Don't shoot for a passing score, shoot for a perfect score. Never slow down. Never lose focus. Be the ABSOLUTE BEST YOU CAN BE at EVERYTHING. Let no opportunity pass you by because you're busy dreaming about the future or of a boy/girlfriend or hanging out with friends. No compromises, no retreat, no surrender. You must start NOW.

Why do I tell you this? Because I didn't listen when I was your age. Sure, I did OK. Heck, I've even graduated, served, and made a decent living after life in uniform, but it look back and I'm almost brought to tears at the number of times I could have been better, which would have made my life easier. It also would have meant that I would have gotten to do what I REALLY wanted to do after graduation instead of having to do what was left.

I've been out of the Navy longer than you've been alive, and I still carry those regrets deep in my soul. Don't be me.

Go get 'em. :smile:
 
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Be sure to see the Visitor's Center, which gives you an idea of what my fellow grads (certainly not me) have done after leaving the Yard. Then visit Memorial Hall, and see how many paid with their lives. It's a sobering exercise, especially when you know people whose names are listed in MH...

Take a peek into King Hall, especially if the Brigade is there. Stand by to be....... Well, you'll see. :thumb:

Walk the yard. See the Chapel. Take the tour.

You can eat in Drydock, but if you can swing a mid into inviting you to King Hall, then by all means do it. Just don't ask one with the funny white hat with the stripe on it. He won't be able to help you. :biggrin:

If you can get a Mid to walk you through the Lab Decks, your jaw will drop. I graduated from the flippin' place, and every time I go down there I long to be a Mid again...

So you know, I first heard of USNA at your age. I never looked back. Go for it, but remember: it's a horrible place to be AT, but an AWESOME place to be FROM!

BEAT ARMY! :biggrin:



ETA: Here's another bit of advice from what to you is an old man, but really isn't....

Starting today, RIGHT NOW, never again be "good enough". No. From now on, EXCELLENCE IS THE MINIMUM STANDARD. Nothing less is acceptable.

Don't try to just pass. Try to max it out. Don't shoot for a passing score, shoot for a perfect score. Never slow down. Never lose focus. Be the ABSOLUTE BEST YOU CAN BE at EVERYTHING. Let no opportunity pass you by because you're busy dreaming about the future or of a boy/girlfriend or hanging out with friends. No compromises, no retreat, no surrender. You must start NOW.

Why do I tell you this? Because I didn't listen when I was your age. Sure, I did OK. Heck, I've even graduated, served, and made a decent living after life in uniform, but it look back and I'm almost brought to tears at the number of times I could have been better, which would have made my life easier. It also would have meant that I would have gotten to do what I REALLY wanted to do after graduation instead of having to do what was left.

I've been out of the Navy longer than you've been alive, and I still carry those regrets deep in my soul. Don't be me.

Go get 'em. :smile:

Thank you!!

How might I swing a Mid into getting me into king hall?
 
Simple.

Ask. :thumb:

Actually, probably not that simple anymore. Meal tickets have to be bought ahead of time for outside guests and King Hall is not open to the public.
The best you could do is pop your head in the Mitscher entrance and watch formation/meal (all the good companies do the Mitscher terrace formation anyways) unless you know a mid well enough to prearrange something. Same deal with all the lab decks and academic spaces. They're only open to the public for certain circumstances and then only with mid/staff escorts.
 
Actually, probably not that simple anymore. Meal tickets have to be bought ahead of time for outside guests and King Hall is not open to the public.
The best you could do is pop your head in the Mitscher entrance and watch formation/meal (all the good companies do the Mitscher terrace formation anyways) unless you know a mid well enough to prearrange something. Same deal with all the lab decks and academic spaces. They're only open to the public for certain circumstances and then only with mid/staff escorts.

Bah! You see? Nothing is sacred anymore!

Sheesh! :mad:
 
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