In this episode, Andrea Howard, former commander of the Naval Academy's Drum and Bugle Corps, joins us to recount her musical journey and leadership at this prestigious institution. Listen as we peel back the curtain on D&B.

Andrea takes us through the high notes of her tenure—performing at international spectacles and rousing sporting events, where the D&B's presence amplifies the spirit of competition. Her stories of Mardi Gras parades and the Navy-Notre Dame game in Ireland shine a light on the dedication and pride woven into every melody played by these academically minded musicians.

Leadership, often a symphony of challenges and triumphs, is a central theme as we chat with Andrea about her role as Corps Commander. From orchestrating logistics for performances to nurturing both the academic and physical aspirations of her fellow midshipmen, her insights give us a masterclass in leadership—Naval Academy style. Join us for a conversation that's as much about the beats of the drums as it is about beating the odds and leading with heart and harmony.

The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.

Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast and the USNA Property Network Podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.

He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a boutique residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community PCSing to California & Texas.

We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.

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