Details on Naval Academy Summer Duties

I want to get a better understanding of what summer duties at the Naval Academy entail. Are there specific responsibilities or tasks midshipmen have during the summer break? How does it affect your summer schedule?

The Naval Academy summer schedule is divided into three blocks, with different duties and training intended for each block. It's a blend of classroom learnings, practical hands-on experiences, and professional development opportunities.

For rising plebes (freshmen), they go through Plebe Summer, a demanding 6-week introductory training program designed to transition them from civilian life to living at a service academy. This program includes physical training, seamanship, navigation, and several other basic midshipman skills.

Second-class midshipmen (juniors) usually attend PROTRAMID, which stands for Professional Training for Midshipmen. It's a 4-week program designed to give midshipmen exposure to various Navy and Marine Corps activities: Surface Warfare, Submarine Warfare, Naval Aviation, and Marine Corps field.

First-class midshipmen (seniors) often serve as leaders in Plebe Summer or other training programs, and they may also participate in internships, foreign exchange programs, or other experiential learning opportunities.

Remember, summers are part of the USNA's training program, so you won't typically have a conventional "summer break." Despite this rigorous schedule, many midshipmen indeed find these summer experiences incredibly beneficial, as they get an early start on their future roles and responsibilities.