Preparing for and Navigating Life at the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS) with PJ Roach

This episode of the Academy Insider podcast features host Grant Vermeer and guest PJ Roach, a class of 2023 Naval Academy graduate and former battalion commander at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS). The discussion provides insight into the experiences at NAPS, including the indoctrination process for midshipman candidates, leadership lessons, and how NAPS prepares students for life at the Naval Academy. Roach shares his personal journey from being influenced by his sister and family's Navy background to attending NAPS, leading as a battalion commander while at the USNA, and his current pursuit of a master's in information security at Carnegie Mellon University. 

Key advice for future NAPSters includes maintaining an open mindset, the importance of balancing athletics with academics and military duties, and the value of seeking mentorship. The episode underscores the transformative impact of NAPS and the Naval Academy on fostering leadership and personal growth.

00:00 Welcome to Season Two: Uniting the Naval Academy Community

00:46 Sponsor Spotlight: The Vermeer Group's Support

01:15 Special Guest Introduction: PJ Roach's Naval Academy Journey

01:20 Deep Dive into NAPS: Insights and Experiences

02:48 PJ Roach's Personal Journey: From Midshipman to Graduate School

08:16 Leadership Lessons: Becoming the NAPS Battalion Commander

25:26 Advice for Future Midshipmen: Preparing for NAPS and Beyond

29:31 Gratitude and Reflections: Shoutouts and Closing Thoughts

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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