What's a typical schedule like for a Naval Academy midshipman?

I want to get a sense of the daily life at the Naval Academy. What does a typical schedule for a midshipman look like? How do they balance academics, military training, and personal time?

A typical day for a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) is indeed quite structured, allowing them to balance rigorous academics, military training, and a variety of extracurricular activities.

The day usually starts early, around 5:30 or 6:00 am, with time for personal hygiene and possibly a bit of studying before Morning Quarters (formation) at 7:00 am. This is followed by breakfast.

Classes run from around 7:55 am until about 3:20 pm, with a break for noon meal formation and lunch. Midshipmen typically carry 15-18 credit hours per semester. The academic curriculum is challenging and diverse, with a focus on leadership, ethics, small unit leadership, navigation and naval engineering.

After classes, midshipmen participate in mandatory sports, which can include varsity, club, or intramural. This time also includes some free time for midshipmen to unwind, workout, or engage in personal interests.

Evening study hours, known as Evening Study Period (ESP), run from approximately 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. During this time, midshipmen are in their rooms studying unless given permission to be elsewhere. This is a crucial time as the Naval Academy is academically competitive.

The day ends with Taps, a lights-out call which normally occurs at 11:00 pm. Weekends typically involve more flexibility with schedules, but there are still duties, formations, and possibly sports commitments.

It's important to point out that this is a general example of a standard day. Midshipmen’s schedules will vary depending on their year (different training responsibilities come with seniority), their major, and whether they are in season for a sport, among other factors.

It's also worth noting that personal time is limited, although it becomes more available as you progress through the years at the academy. Despite this, many midshipmen view the experience as rewarding due to the leadership development, camaraderie, and opportunities that the Naval Academy provides.