Reform Week at USNA

If Plebe Summer is the opening chapter of a midshipman's Naval Academy journey, Reform Week is the moment the story takes a dramatic turn.

For weeks, incoming plebes have been learning how to march, train, study, lead, and work as a team. They memorized rates, endured early mornings, adapted to military life, and began transforming from civilians into members of the Brigade of Midshipmen.

Then, almost suddenly, everything changes.

As August arrives, the Yard fills once again with returning upper-class midshipmen, signaling the start of one of the most important periods of the Naval Academy year: Reform Week. This year it runs from August 13th through August 18th.

While it may not receive the same attention as Induction Day or Commissioning Week, Reform Week is a significant milestone in the development of every midshipman. It marks the official transition from Plebe Summer to the academic year and introduces new plebes to the full Brigade they will be joining.

For many, it's the moment they truly begin to understand what it means to be part of the United States Naval Academy.

What Is Reform Week?

Reform Week occurs each August as third-, second-, and first-class midshipmen return to Annapolis following summer training assignments around the world.

Some have spent the summer aboard ships. Others have participated in aviation training, U.S. Marine Corps programs, international exchanges, or leadership development experiences.

As they return to the Yard, the Brigade reforms for the upcoming academic year (hence the name "Reform Week"). For incoming plebes, this is a major transition. Up until now, most of their interactions have been with Detailers, the specially selected upper-class midshipmen who lead and train Plebe Summer.

During Reform Week, plebes meet the broader Brigade and begin integrating into the structure and culture of Academy life as a whole.

The Return of the Brigade

One of the most anticipated moments of Reform Week is often referred to as the "Return of the Brigade."

Suddenly, the Yard feels different. What had been a relatively quiet summer training environment becomes a bustling campus filled with thousands of returning midshipmen. Bancroft Hall comes alive with activity. Uniforms fill the walkways. Friends reconnect after summer assignments, and excitement builds for the start of classes.

For plebes, seeing the full Brigade together for the first time can be both inspiring and a little overwhelming. It's also an important reminder they are now part of something much larger than themselves.

Reform Week Traditions

Throughout the week, midshipmen participate in formations, briefings, inspections, leadership preparation, shifting dorm rooms, and unit activities designed to prepare everyone for the academic year ahead.

The atmosphere is noticeably different from Plebe Summer. While training remains serious and expectations remain high, Reform Week begins shifting the focus toward the responsibilities of the academic year. Plebes start learning how their company operates, how they fit into the Brigade structure, and what will be expected of them moving forward. The result is a bridge between the intense training of summer and the daily rhythm of Academy life.

Learning Naval Customs and Courtesies

One of the major goals of Plebe Summer is introducing future officers to naval customs and courtesies.

During Reform Week, those lessons become even more meaningful because plebes now begin practicing them within the full Brigade environment.

Simple actions that may seem routine to visitors carry significant importance at the Academy:

Saluting officers
Proper military greetings
Uniform standards
Chain-of-command procedures
Respect for traditions
Professional conduct

These customs help build discipline, professionalism, and mutual respect among midshipmen. For future officers, mastering naval customs and courtesies is an essential part of leadership development.

A Closer Look at Academy Traditions

Reform Week also reinforces many of the Navy customs and traditions that make the Naval Academy unique. From formations and inspections to company pride and ceremonial events, plebes begin seeing how centuries of naval heritage influence daily life on the Yard.

They also gain a deeper appreciation for the symbolism behind many Academy practices, including the wear and care of United States Naval Academy uniforms (which represent far more than appearance). During Reform Week, plebes begin understanding how these traditions connect them to the generations of officers who came before them.

The Beginning of the Academic Year

Perhaps the most important aspect of Reform Week is what comes next. Shortly after the Brigade reforms, classes begin.

For incoming plebes, this means adding:

College coursework
Study requirements
Athletics
Extracurricular activities
Leadership responsibilities

to an already demanding schedule.

It's a major adjustment, but Reform Week helps prepare them for that challenge by introducing the systems, people, and expectations that will support their success throughout the year.

Why Reform Week Matters

Reform Week marks the point where a plebe stops feeling like a summer trainee and starts becoming a full member of the Brigade of Midshipmen.

It's where friendships begin to deepen, traditions start to make sense, and the larger purpose of the Academy and the plebe path becomes clearer. For visitors touring the Yard in August, you may notice formations crossing Stribling Walk, companies gathering on Farragut Field, and midshipmen settling back into Academy life.

What you're witnessing is one of the most important transitions of the year. The next generation of Navy and Marine Corps officers is taking shape. Reform Week is where that transformation truly begins.

You can be a part of their journey when you visit the Yard. Every USNA tour, Yard dining experience, or Yard shopping excursion brings the Brigade closer together, since these all help fund the extracurricular activities that spur camaraderie and teamwork among the midshipmen. Be a part of the Brigade’s success as they return. We look forward to a great year ahead for all!

On The Yard