I was fortunate enough to be selected for the 2019 Summer Seminar, and here is a recount of my experiences.
Day 1:
If you're flying in (which is what I did) you might see some people leaving from your airport to go to the same thing, I met someone on the the exact same flight from my home airport to Maryland, and he and I stayed in touch the entire week (anyone interested in the same thing as you can automatically be your friend). Once I was in the Baltimore airport, I looked around for a bit and met some people (You’ll be able to tell who’s going to summer seminar easily) (so my advice is to introduce yourself to them, as get to know them, remember everyone is just as excited and nervous as you!). At the airport alone I met someone from Alaska with 8 people at her high school (my graduating class is 1,660), a girl from Hawaii, Tennessee, 2 from Florida, and several other states.
Talk to as many people as possible cause everyone will be just as excited as you.
Seeing the first Midshipman walk up in summer whites and eventually the bus pull up was awesome and exciting for our group, and the drive to the campus was about an hour but everyone was excited the whole way there. The first recognizable landmark you will see is a giant Navy water tower on the right, right before you arrive on campus, and our bus cheered when it was pointed out.
Then we got off the bus and walked into this massive room, like an indoor basketball stadium but completely empty (I'm not sure of the official name of the hall if someone knows the proper name) and you will check in, get a lanyard with your info, and walk around the perimeter of the courtyard. Along the way you’re gonna get a giant usna laundry bag and you will get a (very comfortable) hoodie, sweatpants, 5 USNA shirts (based off the 5 routes of Naval careers from USNA: Aviation, SWO, Submarine, Marine Corps, and SEAL's), 2 athletic (PT, dri-fit) shirts, 3 shorts, a hat, water bottle and drawstring backpack.
Then you go to the dorms and find your room (mine was on the 9th floor which was obviously a blast to go up an down every day) and you'll be put into a unit called a "Squad" (which is a line of 5-6 people) and meet your squad leader (a MIDN 3/C who has just completed Plebe year, and they will lead you to all classes, formations, meals, and PT). Your squad is one of 5 in a "Platoon" (led by a MIDN 2/C whom you will meet) and finally part of a "Company" (4 platoons, led by MIDN 1/C whom you will also meet).
(Echo Company, 3rd Platoon, 4th Squad!)
The first night is just mostly getting settled in and I think we explored the building and campus a tiny bit. On the first night just take in the fact that you're on the campus, get to know your roommates because you will be seeing them every morning and night, and take the time to fold your clothes and store them neatly in your closet, and ensure your roommates do the same. (You will have your rooms inspected by squad leaders each night, and no one wants to be with the messy roommate)
Day 2,3:
On the USNA website I found this schedule, which basically outlines the days, so I'll work the explanation off of that.
- 0545-0630 Physical Training - Introduction to PEP
- 0700-0720 Breakfast
- 0730-1215 Morning Academic Workshops
- 1225-1300 Lunch
- 1345-1600 Afternoon Academic Workshops
- 1600-1800 Intramurals, Special Events
- 1830-1900 Evening Meal
- 2000-2245 Squad/Company Time, Special Events
- 2300 Taps- much needed rest
Morning Routine: You're going to start the day off with some nice PT (Physical Training) called "PEP" (Physical Education Program), in which you will have wake up at 0515, jog to Ingram Field, and begin PEP by 0545, where it will last until 0630, and after you will run as a group back to your room and shower and change into the shirt of the day. Remember to fill your water after PT and breakfast (it should always be full, even (somehow) immediately after you drink from it ha). Next remember to take your hat (which you will call "cover" in naval tradition) everywhere and put in on every single time you go outside, and take it off every time you go inside.
Breakfast: Next is breakfast in "King hall" and I must say it is one of the most impressive facilities I have ever seen. The entire thing is a fine-tuned machine. Any breakfast you can think of you will have access to, and other than the breakfast of the day there is always cereal, yogurt, fruit, and oatmeal.
Workshops: Remember the 9 (it might be 10 now) classes you selected on the summer seminar application? 6 of those will be the "Academic Workshops" you will be attending throughout. (2 on the second day, 2 on the third, 2 on the fourth, and the last day is cleanup)
The ones I can speak to with the most accuracy are:
Aeronautical Engineering
Character Development
Damage Control
Introduction to Martial Arts
Mechanical Engineering
Physics in Everyday Life
And I have heard great things especially from my room/squad/platoon mates:
Foundations of Leadership
Guided Missile Destroyer Simulation
Nuclear Engineering
Robotics, Computers and Naval Weapons Systems
Seamanship and Navigation: Intro to Yard Patrol Craft Cruise
Brief summary of my workshops:
Aeronautical Engineering: We met with the aeronautical engineering professor and discussed the principles of flight, the 4 forces of flight, and we were able to use their hydrodynamic flow board to study wind shapes, and their wind tunnel to test the wind resistance of shapes, and aircraft such as the F-18.
Character Development: I had no idea what to expect for this, but it was one of my absolute favorites. Led my a MIDN 1/C and a Female LCDR who was a Naval aviator, we discussed the importance of ethics as a Midshipman and Officer, and were presented with various scenarios you could be put in as a leader and discussed as a table how we would go about handing the problems (It was WAY more interesting than it sounds, so much so, that many of us stayed and discussed topics and almost missed lunch).
Damage Control: Yes, yes, yes. Working with a USN Chief Petty Officer to put on firefighting gear, learning how to control a hose, and even using it to hit targets in a competition was a blast. You're going to get soaked, be screaming with your classmates, and having a blast the whole time.
Introduction to Martial Arts: If you've ever seen a martial arts movie that takes place in a formal school where hundreds of students lined up in a massive block with perfect rows... This is exactly that. Our class was led by 2 black belts in Tae-Quon-Do and they taught us the basic kicks, punches, and stances of martial arts. (I had fun, and I've done 6 years of Tae-Quon-Do, and 2 years of Jiu-Jitsu)
Mechanical Engineering: We took apart our own individual lawnmowers. Every single piece of the engine and assembly was taken apart. As we took it apart and put them back together, the professors explained every single piece of the engine, and explained/demonstrated how they work individually and in a system. (I am not super mechanically talented, and this class explained engines to me incredibly well)
Physics in Everyday Life: Fun, fun, fun. 2 USN career aviators (FA-18 Pilots) taught us the basics of physics. If you've taken physics in high school this is a lot like that, just with less math, and more elaborate demonstrations. The professors were the coolest people in the world (as pilots usually are) (My goal is to commission as a USMC Aviator, so I am partially biased), and you can tell how much they lived to teach the subject. They had many volunteers from the crowd (My advice: just volunteer, you'll only be on campus and have the opportunity once!), every experiment was fun, and the hour flew by in what felt like 10 minutes.
As far as the other classes the experience will be even briefer:
Foundations of Leadership: Similar to Character Development, everyone I spoke to loved it.
Guided Missile Destroyer Simulation: Exactly what it sounds like, incredible simulations which seem like actual naval vessels.
Nuclear Engineering: I have a friend who enlisted as a "Nuke", and based off his experiences this class seemed like a perfect introduction into the field.
Robotics, Computers and Naval Weapons Systems: I have another friend who participated in "BEST Robotics" and "First Robotics Competition" and their team did incredibly well at the regional level, and they enjoyed the class.
Seamanship and Navigation: Intro to Yard Patrol Craft Cruise: You will be the envy of the entire Battalion (all the Companies). As other candidates are going to Character Development or Intro to Physics (such as myself), you will have the chance to sail by on the MASSIVE yard patrol crafts. It is the largest landmark in sight and the candidates went on and on about how cool the experience was (I definitely wish I chose this one).
Lunch: If you haven't seen a "Noon Meal Formation" I encourage you to go on Youtube and check it out ASAP. This is based exactly off the USNA Noon Meal Formation, and you will march into King Hall exactly how the Midshipmen do to enjoy a lunch. The meal schedule will be released online in advance and you can check in advance your meals (all of them are absolutely incredible).
Special events: On the second day you will receive a presentation from the Superintendent, Brigade Commander, and other staff who will introduce you to the academy by detailing the: sports available, curriculum throughout the 4 years, daily schedule, summer trainings available, admissions requirements (physical (CFA), medical (DoDMETS/DoDMERB), academic, nominations, the candidate admissions cycle, 4 major careers in the Navy (Aviation, Surface Warfare, Submarines, and Marine Corps), along with candidate advice and info on the Prep School as well as the Foundation Scholarship.
Intramural: Typically candidates will go out to Hospital Point (a massive field) and play whatever sport you could possibly want (football, soccer, volleyball, spikeball (with basketball, tennis, racquetball, and dodgeball available indoors) or simply wander and talk to people outside and enjoy the, hopefully good, weather).
Dinner: It's great, there's more food than you could possibly want (even for athletes/people with large appetites/high metabolisms).
Squad Time: Very fun, it's time to sit down with your squad leader and get to know them as people. Many people (including myself) develop a mental image of what a Midshipman is like (especially after completing the admissions cycle!) but with this time you can ask what they did for fun in high school, what they enjoy to do now, what activities and teams they participate in for fun, and just about Midshipman/Plebe life in general. Some squad leaders played guitar or piano, as much as you like to ask questions, they'll love to answer them and tell you all about their school and all its great (and in their opinion not so great) aspects, so you can fully understand the school you are interested in.
Company Time: Sitting with our Company Commander and Executive Officer, and being able to ask them about more of their experiences, especially as leaders, and in leadership positions. You get a perspective of an upperclassman who has a lot more experiences than just Plebe year like your squad leaders will say. They are just one year out from commissioning as officers and they can tell you how it feels to be close to that, and how they have prepared for that as Midshipmen. It's an nice experience to be able to talk to these future junior officers and "pick their brain" of as much information as you could need.
The last part of the day you will have time to clean up, sit in your room, talk to your roommates, be on your phone and prepare for bed. My recommendation: bring playing cards! It's a lot of fun to sit in the hall and play cards with random people and an excellent chance to meet people outside your platoon, or hang out more with your closest friends, whether they be roommates, or squad mates, the free time is a great chance to just sit around and have fun.
And that is basically the day to day schedule. A couple other notable remarks would be:
On Sunday there are Church services, all religions and most denominations are available, yet it is all optional. For those who elect to go to a service Sunday morning you will have a chance to visit the beautiful chapel, and sit in the service of your choice (all of varying lengths) and if you elect not to go (which is fine as many candidates do) you will most likely have the options of watching a movie, or open questions with upperclassmen. (On Sunday be prepared to be blinded by the white uniforms, marble buildings, and marble floors every time you exit any building! The smart Mids always wear sunglasses to be safe)
The CFA: The CFA is typically ran Sunday afternoon, and is Administered as follows:
Event: Start time: Time it will take to complete: Rest period after: Total Time:
| Basketball Throw | 0:00 | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 5:00 |
| Pull-Ups | 5:00 | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 10:00 |
| Shuttle Run | 10:00 | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 15:00 |
| Crunches | 15:00 | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 20:00 |
| Push-Ups | 20:00 | 2 minutes | 3 minutes | 25:00 |
| 1-Mile Run | 30:00 | 10 minutes | 5 minutes* | 40:00 |
These are the maximum scores:
| B-Ball Throw | Pull-Ups | Shuttle Run (30 ft) | Crunches | Pushups | 1 Mile Run |
|---|
| Male | 102 | 18 | 7.8 | 95 | 75 | 5:20 | | Female | 66 | 7 | 8.6 | 95 | 50 | 6:00 |
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These are the goals to aim for! Push yourself to your limits because if you do well here you'll never have to run it again!
Don't stress too much because it can always be redone for a passing score or a higher score (your squad leaders will have the scores on whether you pass or fail).
A bit of advice for the Pull-Ups, Push-Ups, Crunches: Get your closest friend and have them be next to you for all of these, tell them to yell at you can encourage you to keep trying even when you want to stop!
For the Mile: Once you start running, find someone slightly faster than you and push yourself to keep up with them! Keep in mind a slightly challenging 5,6,7,8,9, or 10 minutes will get you a higher score than a 6,7,8,9,10, or 11 minute time.
For the Basketball throw: This you should try to go to a park and practice, If I hadn't practiced the week leading up to the seminar, I wouldn't have gotten a score remotely close to what I scored on the CFA, so practice, practice, practice as much as you can for this one especially.
Mock I-Day: On the last night you will experience a mock Induction Day, where you will stand at attention "on line" (at attention against the wall in the hallways (bulkhead for those who know the term), and the squad and company staff will quiz you on basic Navy knowledge which you will receive at the beginning of the week. This sheet will have the Chain of Command (USN/USMC) such as the Chief Master Petty officer of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense, Vice President, and President. Also Navy/Marine Ranks, Officer and Enlisted what the insignia (collar device) looks like, and the pay grade of the rank (E-1 through O-10), and commonly asked questions of plebes such as "What are the 5 basic responses?", "How long have you been in the Navy?" or even "How's the cow?" (you'll see). You are told to study throughout the week and although you will not be graded, the more questions you can answer the easier the process will be.
Disclaimer: Yes you will get yelled at, yes you will have to stand at attention, looking straight ahead and have questions yelled at you. It is nothing to be afraid of, and rather easy to get through, just remember it is part of all military entrance programs, enlisted or officer, everyone who has ever served has made it though this, and you will too. It will only last for 10ish minutes, and if you need to get water or if you would like to leave, you will always have the option of both, so there is nothing to worry about. (Coming from JROTC I thought it was fun, we've had Parris Island Marine Drill Instructors do the same thing to us during a uniform inspection, so to be in pt gear, and only a small (relatively) question bank, it was not difficult, but a great window into the military for those with no prior experience).
Final note:
Terms to remember (things to be excited for): Shove Off's, Peanut Butter Jar (just trust me), your "special" pep day, "How's the Cow?" and a plethora of other things.
Everyone will have different experiences, but all will enjoy and remember them, if you've been selected then be proud of that! You have a lot to look forward too, it will be one of the greatest experiences ever. Enjoy!
- Hopeful Class of 2024 Candidate
