Ever wondered what "gray space" is and how it fits into the life of a midshipman at the Naval Academy? Join Christian Blanchard, Jeremiah Harding, and me as we peel back the layers of our Navy journey, bringing you an inside look at the unscheduled yet pivotal moments of Plebe Summer. From the hilariously chaotic to the profoundly impactful, our stories will give you a fresh perspective on how these less structured times shape a midshipman's path.

We share the why behind seemingly trivial tasks like "rack races" and the exacting standards for making beds, all designed to instill discipline and readiness. Our tales extend to the physically and mentally grueling aspects of training, like standing on the bulkhead and mastering drill practices, which foster unity and precision among plebes.

Our journey also revisits the tough lessons of handling rifles, the dreaded rifle punishments, and the importance of maintaining rifle serial numbers. We reflect on the scripted yet soul-stirring experiences of Plebe Summer, from the camaraderie built during ITEs to the solemn moments in Memorial Hall, honoring the sacrifice of past graduates. This episode is a mix of humor, heartfelt reflections, and keen insights that offers a comprehensive view of life at the Naval Academy.

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. 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 residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community with nationwide consulting and connection.

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

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