Parker Page

Purcell’s Parker Page has begun the six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training during Plebe Summer at Annapolis, Md.

According to the Navy, during this time period plebes have no access to television, movies, the internet or music and have restricted access to cell phones. They are allowed only two calls during the six weeks of plebe training.

The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy and the four years of challenge that awaits them.

As the summer progresses, the new midshipmen rapidly assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing and handling yard patrol craft. Plebes also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental, physical and professional development and team-building skills.

Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing and obstacles. Also included are endurance and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental and the team-building skills.

Forty hours are devoted to the instruction of infantry drill and five formal parades.

Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy today is a prestigious four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service.

More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body known as the Brigade of Midshipmen.

In 2022, U.S. News and World Reports rated the Naval  Academy as the No. 1 public school, No. 4 undergraduate engineering school and No. 6 national liberal arts college. Midshipmen learn from military and civilian instructors and participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities.

They also study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, naval engineering and weapons, in addition to military law.

Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 26 different subject majors and go on to serve at least five years of exciting and rewarding service as commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps.

Each year approximately 1,200 young men and women are admitted to the academy for the incoming class.