The Academy Insider Podcast - Your Guide to The Naval Academy Experience

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In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with Patty Lutton the founder of the USNA Mids Moms (and Dads)!! Facebook page.  Patty founded this page when there were really no other communication and sharing tools for service academy parents other than email list servers.

Her page now has over 7,500 followers and is busy all the time with questions, issues, news, and celebrations.  She has intentionally opened her page to grandparents, sponsor parents and anyone who wants to know more about supporting midshipmen.

Patty and Grant talk about the unique challenges of being a service academy parent, many of the questions and concerns that come up for academy parents and even their favorite ice cream in Annapolis.

Patty has a son who attended the naval academy, a daughter who graduated from the coast guard academy and another daughter who went to a "regular college".  Her husband is a USNA grad.

With almost ten years of working with parents through her page as well as her own experiences as a parent, Patty has so much information and perspective to share.

I recommend every current, former and future USNA parent listen to this episode to learn from Patty.

During this episode, Patty recommends for care packages Monkey Butt powder.

Check out Patty's page USNA Mids Moms (and Dads)!! at https://www.facebook.com/groups/USNAMIDPARENTS/.

You may contact Patty on her personal facebook page.

Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

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In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Navy officer Nicki DeGuzman'16 about signature sheets and his experience at the Naval Academy.

Nicki joins the podcast while serving in the information warfare community. He was in the 4th Company and a computer science and IT double major. He is from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

Nicki takes the time to talk about signature sheets. So if you don't know what a signature sheet is, it's a task that plebes get in the first weeks of the academic year.  This episode takes a deep dive into what signature sheets are about, how they work and everything you would ever need to know about a signature sheet.

But over the course of the interview, we share many hilarious stories but also share some really cool sentimental factors that are considered and thought about when it comes to signature sheets as well.

You will learn so much about the academy and after listening to this interview, it will give you many prompts to start a really interesting and funny conversation with a midshipman or an alum.

Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Links Mentioned in the Show

Nicki's Book Recommendations

Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven. 
A Message to Garcia by Elbert Hubbard.  
Misery by Stephen King 

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
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In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Naval Academy graduate Tilman Dunbar '16 about his experiences as a TAD ensign during plebe summer.

Tilman was selected to serve after his graduation to coach with the varsity basketball team and serve also in the PE department during plebe summer.

Grant and Tilman talk about Tilman's experiences as a student at the naval academy and later as an ensign helping out for activities like PEP, swimming, boxing, and the rock climbing wall.

You will definitely learn a lot about how the academy utilizes newly commissioned officers to play a key role during plebe summer. 

Tilman talks about why he selected an assignment as a Surface Warfare Officer.

Grant and Tilman are close friends, were teammates at the academy, on the All Navy team 2019, and are teammates again on the All USA Armed Forces Basketball Team headed to Wuhan, China in October 2019 for the military world games. 

Tilman shares his outstanding charitable work with the PUSO Foundation as it's Creative Director.

Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

PUSO Foundation

Tilman's Book Recommendations:
 
The Art of War 

Lessons From the Top 

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Naval Academy graduate Chrishad Broadway '16 about his experiences as a detailer for struggling plebes in Tango company.

Chris was hand selected to serve in this sensitive and important role by the officer in charge of this duty. 

Grant and Chris talk about what the little talked about Tango company is, their schedule, where they live in Bancroft Hall, where they eat in King Hall and all that goes into helping them discern if they want to stay or leave the Naval Academy.

You will definitely learn a lot about how the academy approaches this difficult situation, how they do everything they can to help plebes make an informed decision and maintain their privacy and dignity throughout the process.

Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with Julie Haller the moderator of the BLB 2023 USNA parents facebook page.  

Julie and her husband are both USAFA ‘88 grads. She left active duty after 5 years, but was a participating reservist for several years, leaving the reserves as an 0-4 (Major).  

Though Julie and her husband are USAFA grads, she jokes that all four of her children have gone to the "dark side" becoming USNA midshipmen. 

She has four children, Jeff (USNA ‘14), Lauren (USNA ‘16), Cassie (USNA ‘19), and Jack (USNA ‘23).

Julie is now obviously a proud and active Navy mom and has had a son or daughter at the Naval Academy for the past ten years.

Julie shares so much words of wisdom with us on NAPS, plebe summer, parenting mids and so much more.

Julie is amazing and gives so much service to parents through her facebook page and the advice and counsel she provides.  She reflects that she received so much help from Elaine Brye when she was a new USNA mom.  Julie recommends Elaine's book Be Safe, Love Mom.

If you want to learn more about the United States Naval Academy like Grant's facebook page and visit his website. 

Be sure to review and follow The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Marine Corps officer Jon Bangsal '15 about his experiences and struggles to get into the academy and his lessons learned in Annapolis.   

Jon while serving in the Marine Corps in Southern California founded the brand B3 EXCELLENT in which the concept comes from the United States Naval Academy and many of the lessons learned from the inspirational leaders he encountered there.  Jon explains it stands for yourself, others and community. The more that you can better yourself, the better you can take care of other people and your community.

One of the many leaders he learned from was Rear Admiral William Byrne, also known as "King Byrne". By at that time, Commandant Captain Bryne, Jon was challenged to "be excellent" by reflecting often and becoming a stronger leader to best serve future sailors and marines in the fleet upon graduation.

Grant and Jon each reflect on the tremendous example of leadership Admiral Byrne left with them at his time at the academy and beyond.

Jon incorporated his passion for fitness and service into the concept of challenging yourself to set the example for others in the community.  With his background in the United States Marine Corps and in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and track and field, he created an active lifestyle brand that embodies service to inspire and empower.

Grant and Jon offer advice for plebes thinking about how to approach plebe summer and tell some hilarious stories about their time at the academy. 

Follow and reach out to Jon at [email protected], on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jonbangsal/?hl=en or subscribe to his YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGXv9HfK-QUQE9yanTqKKhg/about.

Be sure to review and follow The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on Apple Podcasts or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Navy officer Sarita Condie '17 about her experience during plebe summer, being one of the best basketball players ever at the naval academy and her time as the honor and character liaison on the staff during plebe summer.

Sarita joins the podcast while serving in the surface warfare community in Japan.  She is kind enough to jump into a Taco Bell for a place to connect with Grant for this podcast.

Sarita talks about how as a female athlete gave her a little bit more of a platform to be a voice for the other females at the academy.

Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Links Mentioned in the Show

Sarita's Book Recommendations
 
The Giver by Lois Lowry 

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck 

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...

Send us Fan Mail

Plebe Summer Series: Being Your Best Every Day with Guest Troy Thompson '17 USN

Grant and Troy Thompson discuss plebe summer, leadership lessons learned at the United States Naval Academy and being your best every day.

I specifically wanted Troy to be my first guest on the plebe summer experience series of the academy insider podcast because there are few individuals that I have more respect for than Troy. Troy is an amazing person and an amazing leader and he excelled as a midshipman. He's incredibly smart, thoughtful, and I specifically remember remarking to my dad during my time at the academy that he was going to do big things one day.

Troy was a standout midshipman and there are not many more people I respect more in the world than Troy who is dedicated to excellence in everything he does.

Troy Thompson is a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy, currently located in Sasebo, Japan.

He was raised in Powder Springs, GA, and attended Hillgrove High School. After his matriculation through high school, Troy attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelors of Science in Cyber Operations. At the Academy, Troy was a 4-year member of the football team, President of the National Society of Black Engineers Chapter, member and organizer of the MBSC, Mids for Kids, MAG, and STEM community service programs, and a Platoon Commander. As a cyber operations major, Troy participated in various projects/showcases and was a guest panelist for the UMUC School of Cyber Security and a guest speaker for a variety of organizations.

Troy and 12 other young men of the class of 2017 started the organization YBE (Your Best Everyday).  Their important cause and movement are growing and influencing people every day.  He has started a company and hopes to build a non-profit based on YBE.

It all came from the community that he and his friends built, that tight-knit group of 13 from the academy.  The number 13 has unique relevance due to the golden 13 who were the first officers of color in the navy. They take their legacy very seriously. They continue to do more things including t-shirts activities in the community, clothes drives, mentoring, tutoring, etc.

In this episode, Troy provides so much tremendous wisdom for midshipmen, student-athletes and for everyone. 

After listening to Troy on this podcast, it will be clear why Troy is such an influential leader and tremendous person that I hold in the highest esteem and respect so much.

Check out Troy's organization YOUR BEST EVERYDAY.

Follow and reach out to Troy at [email protected] or on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yourbesteveryday/

Support YBE by grabbing one of their great t-shirts at https://your-best-everyday.myshopify.com/

Troy's Book Recommendations
 
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People 
The Five Levels of Attachment 

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer introduces for the audience how plebe summer is organized.

He and his close friend and 26th company shipmate Christian Blanchard explain the various roles for midshipmen detailers during plebe summer.  

Grant served as the regimental commander during plebe summer for the class of 2020 and Christian chose to be a platoon leader.  During the academic year that followed Grant served as the Sixth battalion commander and Christian was his executive officer (XO).  

They provide some sage advice for plebes thinking about how to approach plebe summer and tell some hilarious stories including Grant being summoned to the Commandant of Midshipmen's office due to a plebe picking flowers.

00:00 Welcome to Academy Insider: Navigating the Naval Academy Experience

00:40 Diving Into Plebe Summer Organization: An Insider's Guide

01:17 Special Guest Christian Blanchard: Insights and Stories from a Former Platoon Commander

01:57 Christian's Journey to the Naval Academy: A Personal Story

04:13 The Structure and Organization of Plebe Summer Explained

13:35 The Regimental Staff: Roles, Responsibilities, and Personal Experiences

21:53 Company Commanders and Plebe Summer Traditions

28:43 Navigating Plebe Summer: Tips and Tricks

28:50 The Art of Sending Packages: A Guide for Loved Ones

29:57 Blue and Gold: The Heart of Naval Academy Spirit

33:15 Leadership and Drill: The Core of Plebe Summer

47:42 The Perks and Challenges of Naval Academy Leadership

55:30 Final Reflections: Lessons from Plebe Summer

Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on Apple Podcasts or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.




 

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...

Send us Fan Mail

Commander Mike Murnane is Grant Vermeer, the Academy Insider's guest on this podcast. 

Commander Murnane was the commissioned officer in charge of plebe summer for the USNA class of 2020 while Grant was the regimental commander. 

Commander Murnane, a graduate of USNA class of 1995 became a naval flight officer upon graduation and his highly successful career brought him back to the naval academy as a senior officer.  He was the officer in charge of plebe summer and the leader for the sixth battalion during the academic year.

Commander Murnane is a leader Grant holds in the highest esteem and considers him a mentor.  Their conversation and stories about the behind the scenes of running plebe summer give a great insight into plebe summer and the naval academy.

If you want to learn more about how to prepare for plebe summer, Grant recommends many tremendous resources about plebe summer and the United States Naval Academy on his website. 

Be sure to review and follow the The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on Apple Podcasts or where you listen to podcasts.

Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Links Mentioned in the Show

Blog article on Purpose of Plebe Summer

Commander Murnane's Book Recommendations
 
Gates of Fire 
Siddhartha 
Resilience -
The Obstacle is the Way 

For any real estate questions, please text me at 650-282-1964

To stay most up to date with Grant, Naval Academy updates, and real estate insights, follow him on LinkedIn

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

This podcast is independently produced and reflects the views and opinions of its creators. It is not officially affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of the United States Naval Academy or its affiliates.

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 matches service academy families with trusted real estate teams all across the country.  Text (650) 282-1964 with any real estate questions.

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

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you ar...