Join us on the Academy Insider Podcast as we welcome back Rylan, the comedic genius behind "Big Decks." This episode promises a hearty laugh as Rylan recounts the hilarious journey of his latest video project. With clever use of nautical terminology and grounding humor, Rylan’s storytelling captures the unique spirit of the Army-Navy game in a way that's both entertaining and pride inducing. We share the thrill, challenges, and ultimate triumph of this year-and-a-half-long creative endeavor, where Rylan creates the most epic spirit spot of all time.

Ever wondered what it takes to film a high-tech military project on a historic aircraft carrier? Get an insider’s perspective as we explore the behind-the-scenes action of shooting a visually stunning video on the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. Initially planned for a studio with virtual reality backgrounds, his plans shifted, leading to an intense 48-hour shoot that weaves together military unity with a touch of humor. Thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign and the support of the Midway team, Rylan's production captures the essence of military worlds in a cinematic style, with a fun easter egg hidden for the eagle-eyed viewer. Be part of the celebration and share in the excitement as we gear up for the Army-Navy game, and don’t forget to send your questions for Ryland in future episodes!

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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