Life as a USNA Midshipman

Semper Gumby:

One of the first things any midshipman and parent of a midshipman will learn is that nothing is ever static at USNA. Rules and traditions change from year to year, from Commandant to Commandant, and from Company to Company. The best way to survive is to adapt early to USNA's un-official motto: "Semper Gumby" ( = "Always Flexible").

Re-Form: Return of the Brigade at the end of summer

  • Class Crests:

     

     

    Life as a Plebe

    • 4/C // Plebe
    • Companies and Platoon Numbers: Following Re-form of the Brigade at the end of Plebe Summer your Mid's platoon number will become his/her Company number. For example if your Mid is in B Company 4th Platoon during Plebe Summer, he/she will usually end up in 4th Company for the Academic Year. Occasionally, however, Companies may get shotgunned (the practice of moving individual Plebes at the end of their Plebe year, scattering them all into different Companies) or shuffled (the practice of moving all members of a certain Class within a Company enmass from one Company to another). There is currently a rumor that the Brigade will go back to 36 Companies in the near future. 
    • Sea Trials
    • Herndon

     

     


    Life as a Youngster

    • 3/C // Youngster: USNA tradition states that the 3rd class midshipmen are not officially youngsters until they have sighted the Naval Academy chapel dome upon completion of their summer cruise
    • What's new now: Youngsters are allowed to use the benches and curved walkways on the Yard, and don't have to perform the tedious tasks usually associated with Plebes (chopping, chow calls, proquizzes, ...)



    Life as a Second Class

    • What's new now: 2/Cs may own a car, but are not allowed to park it on the Yard. They can exit and enter the Yard in civilian clothing when on liberty.
    • 2 for 7 Signing:
      2/C Loan




    Life as a Firstie

    • What's new now: a Firstie may wear civvies and park his or her car on the yard.