New Here, Question about the Academy Life

InYourHead

5-Year Member
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Dec 11, 2012
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So I am new to the forum and was not sure where to post this. If there is a better place for it, please let me know.

This past weekend, I had the honor of walking the grounds at the USNA. Ever since, I have been wondering what type of "college experience" these brave men and women receive. Can anyone here speak to the day-to-day life of a student at any of the academies?

Also, I'm sure this has been asked before, so please point me to the appropriate thread, but I'd be very interested in reading how life at (and after) each academy varies.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to learning from everyone! And as always, thank you not only to the members of our military, but to their families as well.
 
Links above cover it pretty well. Pretty much classes all day with plebe training mixed in here and there. Sports in the afternoon. Studying at night. Sleep at 11PM.

Saturdays are Saturday Morning Training days; what's done for SMT depends on the company and week. Sundays are church days.

Be more specific with your questions, and we can go into detail.
 
^Thanks navygirl, I wrote "here's a great video" and completely forgot the link!
 
A Dad's Opinion

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to learning from everyone! And as always, thank you not only to the members of our military, but to their families as well.

As parents, my wife and I still get a sense of amazement and blessings every time we visit the yard. We believe USNA is a special place that provides many things we are very thankful our son is able to experience. From our first visit, we saw that the campus and it's location are second to none. The infrastructure and facilities are world class. As the academic year began and we got to visit USNA more, we were able to see other aspects of USNA. We got to meet our son's roommates and friends. All I can say is what a nice bunch of outstanding, young people. Subsequent visits allowed us to meet their parents and siblings. When we had the chance to venture into town, we could witness how local Annapolis folks appreciate the midshipman and what they are embarking on. My wife and I feel that our son could not be in better place to gain an education and leadership skills so someday, he may serve as a Naval or Marine Corp officer. The icing on the cake is seeing how happy and excited our son is to be there with other like minded midshipmen. You can't miss the fact they all enjoy being there with each other, taking in all USNA has to offer and forming lifelong bonds. Cheers and good luck to you.
 
2016Dad: Annapolis does love their Mids (most of the time). Go Marines.

:thumb:
 
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Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I don't even know where to begin, but I'm just wondering things like:

- Are mids able to just take time at night and watch a sporting event on TV?
- How does attendance at USNA sporting events work?
- How much freedom to mids actually have on a day-to-day basis?
- Are they allowed to leave campus on the weekends and go do things around Annapolis?
- I know that all mids are required to be involved in sports, but what are the actual physical demands that are required in order to keep up?

These are just a few random questions that come to mind. I'm just so curious as to what the daily life is like. Thanks in advance, and I'm sure more questions will come to mind soon.
 
Thanks for the replies, everyone!

I don't even know where to begin, but I'm just wondering things like:

- Are mids able to just take time at night and watch a sporting event on TV?
- How does attendance at USNA sporting events work?
- How much freedom to mids actually have on a day-to-day basis?
- Are they allowed to leave campus on the weekends and go do things around Annapolis?
- I know that all mids are required to be involved in sports, but what are the actual physical demands that are required in order to keep up?

These are just a few random questions that come to mind. I'm just so curious as to what the daily life is like. Thanks in advance, and I'm sure more questions will come to mind soon.

-Not as a freshman. As a plebe, you're not allowed media unless expressly authorized for a class. After that you can watch whatever you want.

-You have to go to some, in particular all home football games. Others are optional.

-As a plebe? Not a whole lot. Your free time theoretically increases every class year but realistically will take a nosedive come 2/C and 1/C year. There were days where I would have absolutely no free time from when I woke up at 0530 through 2300+.
Whenever you're not in class, doing something related to a sport, ECA, or the company (particularly plebe training), your time is your own to work out, do homework, or waste. You will have a several hour long study period in the evening you're supposed to dedicate to homework and can't go work out, etc.

-Yes. Every year your ability to get off the Yard will increase slightly. 4/C year is just 12 hours on Saturday, 3/C get Sunday as well, 2/C get Friday nights and civilian clothes, 1/C get extended Friday liberty and can earn other benefits. My 1/C year the only days I couldn't leave the Yard were Monday and Wednesday.

-You'll be required to pass height/weight every semester and pass the PRT (1.5 mile run in 10:30 for males, 12:40 for females, max pushups and max situps). Plebe year expect to be doing many workouts in preparation for Sea Trials, as well as generally as a source of pressure and keep you engaged physically.
 
Edit: Never mind, Hurricane12 answered, and like i said in my unedited post, they can answer the questions better. So never mind!:rolleyes:
 
Just watched that video, The Making of an Officer. Awesome footage. Thanks for sharing.

Makes me wonder if I could cut it in the academy!

Also, what is the purpose behind making plebes stand with multiple chins, or whatever that was?

And what is the activity where they climb on each other around the monument? Is that a part of a bigger activity?
 
Also, what is the purpose behind making plebes stand with multiple chins, or whatever that was?

So we can learn the meaning of "Honor...Courage...Commitment."

More seriously, mostly punishment for breaking bearing. Hypothetically, it is impossible to move any part of your face whilst it is shoved onto your throat.

Plebe Summer has a lot of little oddities like that. It's a fun time, trust me.
 
can I ask some of you to clarify Sunday worship time for a plebe? Hurricane's post makes me wonder if they are not allowed to attend worship services away from campus at a church in Annapolis? please explain how this works...
 
can I ask some of you to clarify Sunday worship time for a plebe? Hurricane's post makes me wonder if they are not allowed to attend worship services away from campus at a church in Annapolis? please explain how this works...

You may have to route a chit up the chain of command (not sure since I never did it) but if you do, it will get approved.
There are multiple services on the Yard on Sunday, but if what you practice isn't available on campus they'll hook you up for getting you where you need to go.
 
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