Plebe yearU.S. Merchant Marine Academy · Fourth class

These milestones are described, with sources, in the sections on this page.

When and how long

The Class of 2029 started "an intensive 18-day regimen of academic, military, and physical training known as Indoctrination" on July 3, 2025. Candidates are issued uniforms, get their first regulation haircut, and muster on Barney Square, training under upperclass midshipmen¹. Length varies by year: an older release describes a 17-day Indoc², and another describes 20 days³. Go by your class's reporting instructions.

What it covers

"military discipline, teamwork, physical fitness, basic seamanship, and an introduction to college-level academics." Training also includes weapons familiarization, waterfront safety, and Honor training. Indoc ends with the Honor Oath².

Acceptance and swearing-in

In 2025, the plebe class was sworn into the U.S. Navy Reserve at a ceremony and parade during Parents Weekend on September 5⁴.

Sea Year split

During fourth class year, midshipmen are assigned a Sea Year "split" based on campus involvement, such as athletics, waterfront, or band⁵.

Academics

core courses and an orientation program. Major work begins "in the second trimester of the fourth class year"⁶.

Privileges (officially documented)

At Parents Weekend 2025, the Class of 2029 got "their first night of liberty since entering the Academy." Liberty ended earlier for junior classes: plebes at 1800, third class at 1900, second class at 2000, and first class at 2100⁴. That's one weekend's schedule. USMMA's public pages don't publish year-round liberty or car rules by class.

When it becomes binding: Midshipmen who have started second class year or later and fail to complete the program may be ordered to up to 3 years of Navy active duty⁷.