Approximately 1,190 young men and women will arrive at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Alumni Hall, Thursday, June 28 for Induction Day and will begin their new lives as “plebes” (freshmen). Over 20,500 young men and women applied to be members of the Naval Academy Class of 2016 – a record for USNA.
“I-Day” begins when the incoming plebes are issued uniforms, given medical examinations, complete registration, receive hair-cuts and learn to salute. After taking the Oath of Office that evening, the plebes will say goodbye to their family and friends and commence Plebe Summer training, which will prepare these carefully selected civilians and prior enlisted military service members for the challenges of midshipman life at the academy.
“I-Day” culminates when the members of the Class of 2016 take the Oath of Office at a ceremony at 6 p.m. in Tecumseh Court, the historic courtyard of Bancroft Hall. Plebe Summer officially begins at the completion of the Oath of Office ceremony.
Plebe Summer is a rigorous, six-week program designed to turn civilians into midshipmen. Plebes start each day at dawn with demanding physical training. There is no television or music and minimal leisure time for plebes. Through the course of often frantic-paced days, they learn basic military skills, the Honor Concept of the Brigade of Midshipmen, character development, time management skills, seamanship, navigation, and boat handling.
Through this exhausting but valuable experience, plebes learn important lessons such as discipline, honor, character, self-reliance and organization, which will help give them the foundation to become midshipmen and successful military leaders.
For more information about Induction Day and Plebe Summer, please visit www.usna.edu/plebesummer.
Eye On Annapolis will be there. Please check back tomorrow evening for photos and video!
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