Do Naval Academy students get a summer break?

I'm curious about how breaks work for students at the Naval Academy. Do they get time off during the summer like other college students, or is it filled with naval-related activities? Trying to figure out how their schedule compares to a typical college experience.

While the United States Naval Academy (USNA) does operate on a different schedule than typical colleges, students, known as midshipmen, indeed have a summer break. However, it's important to note that their summer break is somewhat different from that of many traditional college students.

Split into three parts, the midshipmen summer calendar typically kicks off with a summer school term or a Professional Training for Midshipmen (PROTRAMID) for plebes (freshmen). PROTRAMID is a four-week program that introduces midshipmen to the Navy and Marine Corps. The second part of the summer often involves leadership training exercises, such as flight training, submarine training, Marine Corps training, or Surface Navy training.

Additionally, some midshipmen may travel to Navy bases around the world for their "Cruise," a training period where they gain first-hand experience with the tasks and responsibilities of enlisted Sailors and Marines, as well as junior officers. This helps them better understand the roles they will eventually occupy as Naval and Marine Corps officers.

Finally, the third block of the summer, typically lasting three weeks in August, is often free time or leave time for midshipmen to spend as they wish.

In summary, while midshipmen at the USNA do get a break during the summer, it's significantly structured and often dedicated to practical training and leadership development experiences, making it quite different from a traditional college summer break.