Each mid becomes an important part of the team, beginning with the US Naval Academy and eventually, with the Navy and Marine Corps. Camaraderie, tradition and school spirit prevail as they share this chosen life. No one can make it on his own; every mid must rely on other mids.

Annapolis and the Academy are rich in traditions that become more meaningful to the mids each year. Many of the buildings, monuments, statues, and facilities have interesting stories and significance. Your mid will be required to learn much about them during plebe summer so ask him to share his knowledge of the Yard on subsequent visits.

Mids learn discipline and how to follow rules that have proven effective through generations. Even with all this discipline and regimen, your mid will still maintain her individual personality. Midshipmen are always eager to get away from the Yard on leave or liberty: however, they are usually ready to return and “get on with it” again.

It is important to remember that your son or daughter is now in the Navy and the mission of the Academy is: “to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to provide graduates who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.”  (This preceding mission statement must be memorized by all plebes during the first part of Plebe Summer)

HONOR CONCEPT

The US Naval Academy promotes a concept of honor which every mid lives by: “A Midshipman is a person of integrity; he does that which is right” (new in 1994). It is probably one of the most basic but important concepts a mid develops and lives by. The Brigade monitors and upholds the honor concept. Anyone who is found to have violated this concept is disciplined or separated from the Brigade.

STRUCTURE OF THE BRIGADE

The Brigade is composed of approximately 4,000 midshipmen, divided into two regiments. There are a total of 30 companies in 6 battalions of 5 companies each.

Brigade of Two Regiments

3 Battalions in each Regiment

Total 6 Battalions

5 Companies in each Battalion

Total 30 Companies

4 Platoons in each Company

135 mids in each Company

3 Squads in each Platoon 

11-12 mids in each Squad

During Plebe Summer only, there are 30 platoons – 2 platoons to a company: i.e., platoons 1 and 2 are in Alpha Company, platoons 3 and 4 are in Bravo company, etc. At the end of Plebe Summer, the plebes in each platoon are moved to the company with the same number.

The companies become their “fraternities” and they will reside in various rooms within the assigned company area in Bancroft Hall. At the end of Plebe Summer, mids are assigned their roommates for the academic year: these rooms accommodate 2-4 mids. These roommates keep each other going and they often become best friends for life.

The 1/C lead the company and report to a company officer. The company officer is usually a lieutenant in the Navy or captain in the Marine Corps and many are Academy grads. It is the responsibility of the 2/C midshipmen to make sure plebes are fully indoctrinated into Academy standards. The 3/C or “youngsters” help with plebe development. They help the plebes learn their rates; they are much more supportive than the second class. At the bottom of this totem pole are the plebes. Plebes are learning about the Navy, learning how to perform under pressure, and making the transition from high-schoolers into future military leaders.

Shuffling is the practice of moving all members of a certain class within a company en masse from one company to another. Both the plebe and youngster classes were shuffled at the end of the 2000 and 2001 academic year.

Shotgunning is the practice of taking plebes at the end of their plebe year and scattering them into different companies. Shotgunning was done to the Class of 2001.

ACADEMICS
Academics are the key to a mid’s success, especially since everything is based on merit. Studies are very demanding and after getting “A’s” in high school, a D or failing an exam can be quite a shock. Choosing a major that one has a passion for is very important. It should be one that helps the mid stay motivated while he studies for long hours daily and on weekends.

If a 4/C can validate a course during plebe summer, she will be able to move ahead or take more advanced courses. All mids are assigned academic counselors who will help them select the best course offerings. Toward the end of plebe year, each mid makes a selection from one of the eighteen majors with the help of his advisor.

Because the Naval Academy is such a concentrated four-year program, if someone falls behind academically, it is likely he or she will be forced to resign. A minimum course load is 15 hours per semester and a 2.0 CQPR is required to graduate. Moreover, the Academy does not waste its time with anyone who fails due to lack of effort.

The academic board meets every semester and reviews individual records of those who have done poorly during the previous semester. They look at all aspects of the midshipman’s record and decide whether to separate him from the Academy. Some courses may be available during summer school for make-up and/or enrichment, but for many, it is too little, too late. Extra instruction (E.I.) is available to all mids. It is said that everyone who receives an appointment should be able to conquer the academics if they really try and the professors and officers want to help everyone succeed. Many get the “gouge” from their roommates or upperclassmen. Small classes are a definite learning advantage, but if you go to class unprepared, your lack of preparedness will not go unnoticed.

All plebes will be taking a similar course load their first year. If a plebe is indecisive about which major to choose, it is recommended that he start out in a more demanding major because it is easier to drop back to a less challenging major than to try to get into a tougher one later on.

There are many special academic opportunities such as Trident Scholars, Honors Program, and Voluntary Graduate Education Program (VGEP) that offer an even greater challenge for those students who meet the criteria.

Exams are scheduled and the semester ends before Christmas leave, so the midshipmen begin the second semester in the new year. Mids may request that their grade reports be mailed to their parents and the Senator or Congressman who gave them their appointment, but they are not obligated to do that. Parents have no choice in the matter.

PE AND PHYSICAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Unless they validate, mids take PE courses every semester which include: boxing, wrestling, swimming, gymnastics, judo, hand to hand combat, tennis and other elective sports. Some courses are required and some are elective.

Prior to graduation, and usually in the 3/C year, each mid must jump from the ten-meter tower into the pool in Lejeune Hall. This necessary emergency training simulates an abandon-ship maneuver. If the mid cannot do this jump, he will not graduate and he will be separated from the Academy.

The Personal Readiness Test (PRT) must be completed within specified limits each semester. The PRT includes a 1 ½ mile run, pushups, sit-ups, and a flexibility test. A significant emphasis is directed at fitness both at the Academy and out in the Fleet.

SPORTS
Every midshipman must participate in either a varsity or an intramural sport. There are dozens of varsity sports (men’s, women’s, and coed) and at least 15 intramural sports. Academy teams’ successes are impressive when you realize that most of the schools with whom the Academy competes are much larger schools. Moreover, the other schools do not maintain the same high academic standards for their varsity athletes.

The intramural program is equally extensive and also quite competitive. It pits companies against companies and battalions against battalions. It is a great way to stay in shape, vent frustrations and relieve stress.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
There are over 75 extracurricular activities (ECA) available to the midshipmen. The activities range from scuba diving to photography, rock bands to chapel choirs. While many activities are geared to academic interests, others are more military related, some are religiously based, and others are just for fun. Activities include drama clubs, yearbook, drum and bugle corps, parachuting, karate, power lifting, high powered rifle, and many others. Midshipmen have their own radio station. The Academy has a chapter of NESA, the Boy Scout National Eagle Society. There is also a flying club with Academy owned planes and rock climbing on the Academy’s own rock climbing wall. Midshipmen can also get together and start a new club. ECA’s are a necessary break from the Academy routine. These activities help mids learn new talents, explore interests, and serve the community.

ACADEMY EXCHANGE PROGRAM 
During the first semester of 2/C year, fifteen competitively-selected mids participate in an exchange program with their counterparts at three other service academies. They continue their regular schooling in their new setting but maintain Navy loyalty, of course!

PARADES AND FORMATIONS
Formations are held twice each day before breakfast and lunch.. Noon formations take place outside when weather permits and conclude with everyone marching into the Hall. If you have attended one of the noon formations at Tecumseh Court, you may have assumed that the midshipmen you see represents the entire Brigade. Actually, it is only the first and fourth battalions – a fraction of the Brigade. The other battalions have their formation in the back on either side of Mitscher Hall.

During the fall and spring seasons, parades take place almost weekly on Worden Field. Also the Brigade marches to the stadium and onto the field before every home football game and at the Army-Navy game, wherever it is played. The Color Parade and Dedication Parade are held during Commissioning Week.

COLOR COMPANY
A Color Company is determined each year and all thirty companies participate in a point system competition which continues throughout the year until Commissioning. Points are accumulated for performance in academics, sports, parades, and military activities. The winner is the Color Company for the following year and is recognized during Commissioning Week. With this honor are added privileges for the Company as a whole as well as for the individuals in it.

SERVICE COMMITMENT
Midshipmen do not have a service commitment until they start their second class year. If a midshipman leaves for any reason during the first two years, he will not have either a monetary or service commitment. Just before they begin their 2/C academic year, however, they sign papers committing themselves to serving as officers for five years after graduation or five years after earning wings as a naval aviator. There is a class celebration at this point called “Two for Seven” representing the time spent and the time remaining.

Beginning with the Class of 1997, midshipmen are commissioned as reserve officers and will not be considered in active status for at least a year.

LEAVE PERIODS
Every leave period begins after completion of the mid’s last scheduled exam or military duty. A movement order gives authorization for a group of mids to leave the Academy for various types of events (i.e. sports, clubs, drills). There are specific criteria for every leave.

In the fall, everyone has Labor Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day liberty and at least two days off for Thanksgiving weekend.

Mids can go home for Christmas leave after their last exam or duty. Everyone has to be back the same day, usually right after New Year’s Day.

The return from Christmas brings The Dark Ages, a time at the Academy where things seem to close up for the winter and life becomes a toil. Everyone has Martin Luther King’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day off. The next leave is spring break in early March; it is usually nine days long, including weekends.

Note: Leave periods are not guaranteed. Academic problems and conduct or honor offenses are reasons that leave privileges may be revoked. Also participation in varsity sports or other Academy activities may affect the mid’s leave schedule.

SERVICE SELECTION
The first step of the four-step process is screening. This consists of medical screening and community-specific screening (academic, physical, and professional screening, e.g. the ASTB for aviation candidates and the SEAL PRT). Only those that are found fully qualified for a particular community will be able to list that community as one of their preferences.

The second step in the service assignment process is the interview. The interview is to provide objective information to the assignment boards regarding each midshipman’s qualifications. Midshipmen are interviewed by teams of three officers who provide their best assessment of each mid’s qualification for service by grading her appearance and poise, oral communication and expression of ideas, leadership potential, community motivation, and community understanding. The senior member of each team provides written comments which will prove useful to a board when they must decide whether to recommend one midshipman over another. Midshipmen who desire commissions as Submarine Warfare officers or as Surface Nuclear officers will also be interviewed by the Director, Naval Reactors.

The last two phases take place in January of the 1/C year. The “preference designation phase” is the process in which all 1/C mids will indicate in a computer database up to six choices, ranked in order of preference, each mid hoping to get their first choice.

The final phase is when the service assignment boards for each community select their best qualified midshipmen from among those applying, up to the ceiling provided. Boards consist of three to five officers. Midshipmen who are not selected for their first choice community will then be considered for their second choice community.

An executive Review Board reviews the recommendations of the service assignment boards and this board forwards the proposed assignments to the Superintendent for final approval.

This process culminates with Service Assignment Night, normally held at the very end of January. Two days prior to this event, the mids are informed of what community they will join. This gives them a couple of days to think about the school date, ship type, TAD assignment, etc. that they will pick on Service Assignment Night. On this night, each community will host receptions throughout the Yard for those midshipmen who have been assigned to that community.

HEALTH CARE
Only healthy civilians become midshipmen at the Naval Academy. Notwithstanding, Hospital Point is equipped with a medical center, and Bancroft with a dental center, that can handle most common health situations.  There is a sick call every morning in the Hall. If a mid is diagnosed as being too sick to participate in the activities at the Naval Academy (e.g. pneumonia, mononucleosis), he is confined to his room. The mid, however, is called down to sick call once a day to be seen by the medical staff. Even while the mids are ill, they are usually given permission to attend classes if they feel well enough to do so. The mid’s roommate is responsible for bringing meals to the sick mid. The medical staff determines when the mid is well enough to resume participation in all activities. More serious cases are sent to Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Medical and Dental Care while on Leave:

(quoted from COMDTNMIDNNOTE 1050 of March 2000)

All midshipmen who receive medical treatment must report to the Medical Records Department, USNA Medical Clinic within 48 hours after return to the Naval Academy to initiate the claims payment process.

a.  Non-emergencies – Call Tri-care at 1-888-999-5195 and obtain approval prior to receiving any treatment.

(1)  You will be directed to the closest military facility, however, if a military treatment facility is not located near your vicinity, Tri-Care will direct you to seek treatment at a civilian medical facility. Upon completion of medical treatment, call Military Medicine at NMC, Annapolis at 1-410-293-1758 to report your status.

(2)  Reimbursement for care of an elective, non-emergency nature is not authorized.

b.  Emergencies – Proceed to the emergency room of the closest medical facility. Call Tri-Care at 1-888-999-5195 within 24 hours upon completion of treatment. If hospitalized, immediately notify the Command Duty Officer, 1-410-293-2701/2702. Provide your name, class, company, nature of injury/illness, and the name, address and phone number of the attending physician and/or hospital. If unable to do so personally, midshipmen shall request his/her family or hospital authorities to make notification. Report for an examination by a Staff Medical Officer immediately upon return to the Academy.

CARS
Plebes can only ride in cars with their parents or sponsors; 3/C can ride with others.  They cannot drive cars unless they are on leave.

2/C midshipmen can have cars but they cannot park them on the Yard. They either keep them at their sponsor’s house or rent a space outside the Academy grounds.

1/C can park their cars on the Yard. In the spring of 2/C year, financial corporations offer loans to midshipmen at excellent rates (in 2001, $23,000 could be borrowed at 1% interest). Traditionally these loans were used to purchase cars. Now many mids take the money and invest it. Mids do not have to start paying back these loans until after Commissioning.

RINGS
During plebe year, a Class Ring/Crest Committee is formed. Each class designs its own crest. Some elements of the design are required and other details are added by the designers. This tradition began sometime in the 1800’s and continues today. These crests can be seen on display in the Preble Hall Museum. The class votes on the proposed crest and a ring company is selected to produce it.

In February of the 3/C year, orders are taken for the individual rings. Each basic ring has the class crest on the one side and the Academy seal on the other. Mids personalize theirs by selecting the finish and ordering any stone they like, from gold plugs to diamonds. The rings are delivered in the spring of 2/C year. After a trial fitting period, the mids are not allowed to wear their rings until the Ring Dance. If a firstie or alum catches a 2/C wearing it early, the 2/C owes him a beer.

The Ring Dance is the most impressive and symbolic dance at the Academy. Weather permitting, it is held on the terrace between Michelson and Chauvenet Halls. A female date wears her midshipman’s ring tied around her neck on a ribbon; a male date may wear his midshipman’s ring on a ribbon pinned to his lapel or on his pinkie or he may carry it in his pocket. The date dips the ring in a binnacle filled with water that has been flown in from the seven seas specifically for the occasion. When the couple passes through a giant ring replica, the date places the ring on the mid’s finger and gives the mid a congratulatory kiss.

As a midshipman, the ring is worn with the seal inside, but after graduation the ring is turned with the crest inside and the seal outside, so everyone can read the United Sates Naval Academy. They justifiably become very proud “ring knockers.”

SOCIAL LIFE
The social life of a plebe can be defined by two words, slim and non-existent. A big Saturday for most plebes is getting a pizza with other plebes and going to see a movie or visiting with their sponsor family or their own family if they are in town. You will find that during plebe year, your plebe will want to spend as much time with you as you can spare. They have so few outlets in which to relax, so their parents become as important to them as we were when they were children (and it sure makes us parents feel great, even if it only lasts one year).

Inter-Brigade dating is not very common, and dating between plebes and upperclassmen is forbidden. A few mids are able to maintain relationships with their high school sweethearts (known as the 2% Club because that is about the percentage of those relationships that last). Maintaining a relationship is difficult and adds an extra unneeded burden to the life of a mid. Most hometown sweethearts cannot understand the life of a plebe and therefore expect attention that cannot be paid.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Plebes are not allowed to drink, even if they are the legal drinking age, which is twenty- one in Maryland. Consumption or possession of alcohol inside the Yard is prohibited except in the Officers Club. Alcohol consumption is permitted at tailgates that  are held in the stadium parking area at home football games. Underage drinking and conduct unbecoming a midshipman because of alcohol is considered a separation level offense.