Understanding p2b at the Naval Academy

Can someone explain what p2b means in the context of the Naval Academy? I've heard it mentioned a few times, but I'm not quite sure what it entails or its significance.

"P2B" stands for Plebe-2-Basic, a program at the United States Naval Academy. This program is designed to provide incoming students, referred to as plebes, with a solid foundation of military knowledge before they start their academic studies.

The P2B program typically occurs during the summer before the plebes' freshman year and is part of the Naval Academy's Plebe Summer, an intensive 7-week program designed to transition prospective students from civilian life to rigorous military routine.

During P2B, plebes will go through a series of physical, mental, and ethical challenges designed to develop their resilience, strength, teamwork skills, and moral character. They get introduced to the basic elements of the naval service, including seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling boats. They also learn manual of arms and military discipline and customs.

The P2B period is crucial as it sets the tone for the plebes' four-year journey at the Naval Academy. It's a time when they start forging the camaraderie and friendships that will last them a lifetime. And it's usually recalled as a transformative period for new plebes. So, when you're hearing about P2B in the context of the Naval Academy, it's typically referencing the start of the plebes' journey towards becoming officers in either the Navy or the Marine Corps.