What rank do you hold while attending the Naval Academy?

I'm a bit confused about the hierarchy during the time at the Naval Academy. What rank do midshipmen hold, and how does that affect their roles or duties at the academy?

While attending the U.S. Naval Academy, students are referred to as midshipmen, which is a rank on its own within the Academy. Upon acceptance, all Naval Academy students, regardless of their previous rank if they were enlisted, become midshipmen for their duration of study at the Academy.

The midshipman rank, however, has its internal hierarchy which structures the student body and affects their duties and responsibilities. There are four classes, from midshipman fourth class (or "plebes") to midshipman first class (or "firsties"). The rank can be equated to your year of study -- for instance, plebes are freshmen, and firsties are seniors.

As a midshipman advances in their academic years at the academy, they also advance in rank. While all midshipmen hold a certain level of responsibility, the types of duties and levels of leadership vary based on their class. Plebes mostly focuses on adjusting to life at the Academy and learning the basic tenets of being a midshipman. As they progress, midshipmen are given more leadership opportunities such as leading plebes, administrating the brigade, or even organizing events.

Upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps. Their roles and responsibilities then greatly expand as they become officers in the United States military.