What do weekends look like for cadets at the Naval Academy? Are they jam-packed with activities or do cadets get some free time to relax or leave the campus? Any examples would be great!
Cadets at the Naval Academy, referred to as Midshipmen, certainly have a structured regimen, but they do get a portion of their weekends to relax, recharge, and enjoy activities as per their interests.
Though each Midshipman's schedule varies, a typical weekday might be filled with classes, mandatory formation, extracurricular duties, and time for workouts, often leaving weekends as the best time for relaxation or personal choices.
On Saturdays, you'll usually see Midshipmen participating in various athletic activities, such as intercollegiate, club, or intramural sports. There are also always academic, military, and cultural activities available for those interested.
Sundays tend to be quieter. Midshipmen often use Sundays to catch up on sleep, study, work on assignments, and recharge for the upcoming week. There’s usually a requirement of a few hours of studying or "ac pro" (academic proficiency) time on Sunday, which encourages Midshipmen to spice up the day with some productive work.
As for leaving the campus, the liberty policies fluctuate depending on the class year and particular time during the academic year. For instance, Plebes (freshmen) start out with more restrictions, mainly staying on campus, but these lessen as they progress to upperclassmen standing. Weekends are usually the time when Midshipmen can go out and explore, eat at restaurants, visit with family, or enjoy other local attractions, as per the current liberty policies.
Hope this gives you a clearer picture of a Naval Academy cadet's weekend!
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