Come see what it means to be a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Summer in Annapolis might bring tourists, sailboats, and sunshine, but inside the gates of the U.S. Naval Academy, it signals something much more profound—transformation. Each summer, midshipmen undergo rigorous Naval Academy training designed to sharpen their skills and mold them into future leaders of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
For anyone curious about how to become a commissioned officer in the Navy or Marine Corps, the answer is rooted in tradition, discipline, and determination—and it starts with summer training at the USNA. From the moment midshipmen complete their plebe (freshman) year, USNA midshipmen begin a series of summer milestones that are critical to their journey toward becoming either an ensign in the Navy or a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps.
Summer training at the USNA is no ordinary break from academics. It’s an intense, hands-on extension of the education midshipmen receive during the academic year. Each summer brings a new phase of experience that helps prepare them for the Navy or Marine Corps.
The first summer is Plebe Summer—an unforgettable introduction to military life, focusing on the physical mission of the Academy. It’s between six and seven weeks of early mornings, rigorous physical training (PT), formation drills, weapons familiarization, seamanship and sailing, leadership instruction, and more. Plebes also learn the customs, terms, and correct military procedures, committing vast amounts of information to memory. Plebe Summer is the period plebes cease being civilians and start becoming midshipmen. While this is technically before their first academic year, it sets the tone for everything that follows.
Following their first academic year, midshipmen head into a new phase of Naval Academy summer training, leveling up from the previous Plebe Summer and taking on Third Class Summer. With more responsibility, they begin to experience more of what the Fleet offers. They’ll head out to sea for three weeks in Yard Patrol vessels (YPs), visiting a number of New England ports and learning the ropes alongside Fleet personnel. Then they’ll spend an additional three weeks either in a 44-foot Naval Academy sailing sloop or participate in naval tactical training, a rigorous program simulating SEAL and Marine Corps operations as “an indoctrination to the joint military arena.” Then it’s back to the Academy to begin their year as third class midshipmen.
Now halfway through their time at the Naval Academy, the summer training opportunities become more specialized since the midshipmen are focused on selecting what they’d like to do after graduation. Second Class Summer gives them an introduction to every major branch of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps so they can start to make their decision. It’s an exciting time, with chances to fly Navy aircraft in Pensacola, dive in a nuclear-powered submarine off the coast of Florida, and patrol, infiltrate, and attack proxy enemy positions in the forests of Virginia with the Marine Corps. They’ll also get to set out to sea on Navy ships and submarines for a four-week Second Class Cruise in various parts of the world, assimilating into the crew and performing drills, gunnery exercises, and standing watches. This hands-on learning prepares them for their coming commissioning and beyond. They return with a renewed commitment to their chosen path and excitement for the future.
Related: USNA Summer Training: 2/C Gray Hull Cruise and Other Adventures
This last summer before commissioning is critical to helping launch military careers. For four to eight weeks, midshipmen are integrated into a Navy or Marine Corps operational unit and given junior officer responsibilities. Based on their qualifications and career plans, they receive their Navy path: surface warship, submarine, aircraft carrier, or aviation squadron. Those selected for the Marine Corps will go to Quantico, Virginia, for an intense four-week officer candidate course, followed by a four-week tour attached to a Fleet Marine Force unit. There are multiple career paths as well, and midshipmen pursuing these can apply for a four-week internship in their chosen field.
Related: Life After the Naval Academy: What Happens Next?
Every summer builds not just skill, but confidence. These experiences are essential stepping stones toward earning a commission and beginning their service.
Want to see what it's all about? Take a tour of the Yard and get a glimpse into the journey these young leaders are undertaking. Walk the same paths they run during morning PT, dine in the spaces they frequent, and visit the USNA Gift Shop. When you tour, dine, or shop on the Yard or at Navyonline.com, you're doing more than sightseeing—you're supporting the midshipmen who dedicate their lives to supporting our freedom.
Revenue from these activities helps fund programs that enrich midshipman life, easing the burden of their intense training schedules and offering resources that enhance their development. These resources include extracurricular activities such as the arts, music, theater, club sports, and more.
Whether you're curious about Navy training, fascinated by the tradition of the Naval Academy, or simply want to experience something uniquely American, the Yard welcomes you. Summer training at the Naval Academy is a cornerstone of what it means to become a military leader—and every visitor plays a role in that mission.
So this summer, come be part of something bigger. Tour the Yard. Learn about Naval Academy summer programs. And see firsthand what it takes to become a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.
It’s a summer like no other—because it’s the beginning of a lifetime of service.