Most important physical quality for plebe summer

T

traveler118

US Naval Academy '28
Joined
Oct 7, 2023
Messages
11
Hello all!

I was wondering if there is any one thing I should prioritize being able to do to prepare myself for plebe summer. Whether that be 100 pushups or a sub-30-second 50m sprint in the pool. I passed the CFA with an OK score but have been working hard to improve, overall is there one thing more important than the others?

Thank you for the advice!
 
I have slowly been developing a love for trail running. I play indoor court sports (volleyball and badminton), so cardio has always been my worst enemy.
 
I have assumed cardio/running would be pretty important for Academy life, glad I decided to prioritize it recently! I was relieved to learn that we wouldn't be expected to ruck as I've heard that's pretty bad for joint health.
 
traveler118 said:
I have assumed cardio/running would be pretty important for Academy life, glad I decided to prioritize it recently! I was relieved to learn that we wouldn't be expected to ruck as I've heard that's pretty bad for joint health.
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I suppose you won't be choosing the Marine Corps in which to pay back your "free" education.
 
Running. That will help the most. You don’t need to spend months in the gym getting huge. Focus on cardio, core body exercises, calisthenics. There is tons of info out. Research USNA PRT scores. Work on cadence push up. The CFA is meaningless once you get to USNA, focus on PRT standards.

Rucking is not that bad. Any military training system teaches their members how to ruck properly and build strength to it. You don’t start at 15 miles with 75 lbs. it’s a gradual build that your body prepares for. With proper gear, proper packing, building up, rucking can be done just fine.
 
traveler118 said:
Hello all!

I was wondering if there is any one thing I should prioritize being able to do to prepare myself for plebe summer. Whether that be 100 pushups or a sub-30-second 50m sprint in the pool. I passed the CFA with an OK score but have been working hard to improve, overall is there one thing more important than the others?

Thank you for the advice!
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Run, run, run.
 
smokey% said:
Any advice for someone who’s run varsity XC and track all of high school? 😂

I’m not too worried about the running part of plebe summer.
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Never met you so not a personal note...but most xc runners are pretty thin. If that's you then obvious ones are push-ups and pull-ups. Putting on a little mass. For others who trend strength I'd say run. Really depends on individual weaknesses. If you're Superman ... Congrats!
 
Georgia Hokie said:
Never met you so not a personal note...but most xc runners are pretty thin. If that's you then obvious ones are push-ups and pull-ups. Putting on a little mass. For others who trend strength I'd say run. Really depends on individual weaknesses. If you're Superman ... Congrats!
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I am on the thin side, I'm alternating between going to the gym and doing Stew Smith calisthenics workouts to try and get stronger and put on some muscle. Hoping it works :)
 
I at one time was overloaded at work. I went into my boss with a list of top projects and asked - which is the priority? He paused for about 5 seconds, then said "yes". I got the message.

My point is that you should set improvement goals for each area on your self-dashboard of strength, sleep discipline, nutrition, stretching, academic focus, and to me most importantly imo it's grit/ resolve - that you will commit to push beyond what you thought your limits were - that you will not quit - even if exhausted, sore, overwhelmed and getting lots of "instruction" on areas where improvement is needed. (just a dad who has a strength of active listening and learning as I go on these trips around the sun, not from military experience). Which to prioritize - certainly I agree with running and core strength if you're looking at the physical prep/ cardio but overall... "yes".

What my DS shared (NROTC now USN) was that staying in shape meant the PRTs, extra activities were no pressure for him, even when not scheduled/ planned. Invest in yourself and I can't imagine you'll regret going in as strong as you can.

Good luck to you and thank you for your willingness to serve.
 
Did not attend Annapolis, but did spend 4 years at a military school before the Marines. IMO, most important physical quality will be endurance. If you are not from an high heat/high humidity area, this is especially important. East Coast July-September is brutal if you are not used to it. If you are not used to hydrating, start now.
 
Agree that, for most, it's running. And, as the above poster said, running in high heat and humidity. PEP is early morning, but it's still muggy.

If you already excel at running, do cross-training. It's really about being in good shape.
 
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