How Does Leadership Develop at the Naval Academy?

I'm thinking about applying to the Naval Academy, but I'm curious about how they train their students in leadership. What are the opportunities like for developing leadership skills during your time there? Any programs or courses worth mentioning?

The Naval Academy indeed focuses a lot on leadership development. This means that students go through extensive training in leadership and character development, which is integral to the four-year curriculum.

The Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Division manages a progressive, four-year, structured leadership development program focused on experiential learning. It begins with the Plebe Summer, which is an intense induction period focusing on followership and teamwork. From then on, every academic year is dedicated to different aspects of leadership like team leader in sophomore, organizational leaders in junior year, and strategic leadership in senior year.

Academically, there are two semesters of sequential classroom instruction titled "Leadership (NL310)" and "Leadership Practicum (NL410)" that everyone must take in their junior and senior years. NL310 is meant to be a comprehensive introduction to organizational leadership, while NL410 builds on the theory discussed in NL310 and shows students how to apply them in practical situations.

Apart from academics, midshipmen also get immersed in hands-on leadership roles within the Brigade of Midshipmen. The Brigade is completely led by the students under the supervision of navy officers. This structure provides a variety of leadership positions, and each year, the roles get more complex, allowing students to learn, make mistakes, and improve in a supportive, educational environment.

Lastly, through Naval Academy programs like PROTRAMID (Professional Training for Midshipmen), you will have the chance to observe the leadership models within different Navy and Marine Corps units, which can be enlightening.

So, in short, the Naval Academy not only prepares you for a career in the military, but also gives you a vast array of tools and experiences that will help you become effective leaders, regardless of your career path.