Plebe yearU.S. Naval Academy · Fourth class

End of plebe year

At the Herndon Monument climb, plebes scale the 21-foot obelisk to swap the white plebe "dixie cup" hat on top for an upperclass cover. The Class of 2029 climbed on May 13, 2026¹.

When it starts

Induction Day ("I-Day"). The Class of 2029 was inducted on June 26, 2025². The Summer at USNA page says Plebe Summer starts "on Induction Day early in July"³, which doesn't match the 2025 date. Check your appointment materials for your class's I-Day.

Length

official sources differ. The Blue and Gold Book describes "the next seven weeks" after I-Day⁴. Navy photo captions from I-Day 2025 call it "a demanding six-week indoctrination period"⁵. Your class's schedule is the final word.

What happens

You're put in uniform and taught to salute by the first class midshipmen who run the program. Days start at dawn with an hour of hard exercise⁴. Training covers military indoctrination, physical education, basic seamanship and sailing, small arms, and first aid³.

Goals

USNA says Plebe Summer lays "the foundation of the Academy's four-year professional development curriculum." By the end, plebes should know the traditions of the naval service and basic military skills, and be "prepared to execute the rigorous academic year routine"⁶.

Academics

Most plebes take the same core courses: calculus (or pre-calculus), chemistry, rhetoric and literature (or practical writing), U.S. Government and Constitutional Development, American Naval Heritage, Introduction to Cyber Security, Preparing to Lead, and Introduction to Seamanship. Some students can validate courses after a test or interview at USNA⁷. You choose your major at the end of plebe year⁷.

Daily routine (published sample)

reveille at 6:30 a.m. and a special instruction period for plebes from 6:30 to 7:00 a.m. Six class periods, athletics from 3:45 to 6:00 p.m., and a study period from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.⁴.

Privileges (officially documented)

• Town liberty on Saturdays (noon to midnight) and yard liberty on Sundays⁸.
• One base overnight weekend per semester for fourth class⁹.
• Plebes may not drive except on authorized leave⁸.
• Plebes may not drink alcohol, regardless of age⁴¹⁰.

When it becomes binding: We didn't find this point stated on the official pages we reviewed. Ask the academy.

Midshipmen are generally granted leave for Thanksgiving, end of fall semester, spring mid-term, a short liberty period before Commissioning Week, and three weeks of summer vacation⁴⁸. Liberty depends on duty, performance, and seniority, and USNA notes schedules "are subject to change with little prior notice"⁸¹⁰. Optional summer school replaces summer leave³.