Claim OwnershipThe Academy Insider Podcast - Your Guide to The Naval Academy Experience
Subscribed: 19Played: 480
Subscribe
© 2026 The Academy Insider Podcast - Your Guide to The Naval Academy Experience
Description
The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families. Through the perspective of a community of former graduates and Naval Academy insiders, this podcast will help you learn about life at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Through our shared experiences, Academy Insider guides families through the anxiety and frustration caused by lack of understanding, misinformation, and confusion. This platform is designed to better relationships between midshipmen and their loved ones. This podcast is not affiliated with the United States Naval Academy, the United States Navy or Department of Defense. The thoughts and opinions are exclusively those of your host and his guests.
121 Episodes
Reverse
Send us a text Ever wonder how midshipmen celebrate Super Bowl Sunday while living under the structured environment of the Naval Academy? In this quick episode, I share an inside look at one of the most anticipated events during the challenging Dark Ages period at Annapolis. As someone who experienced four Super Bowl Sundays as a midshipman, I'm excited to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how the Academy transforms Dahlgren Hall into the ultimate game-watching experience. We'll explo...
Send us a text Ever wondered what happens during that exciting night when Naval Academy midshipmen discover which ship they'll serve on after graduation? Ship selection night is one of the coolest traditions at the Academy, and understanding this process gives families incredible insight into their midshipman's future naval career. As someone who's witnessed the evolution of this incredible event, I'm excited to share the behind-the-scenes details of ship selection. From the energy-packed atm...
Send us a text When midshipmen reach graduation day but cannot commission due to medical reasons, they face what's called the "golden handshake" - but it's not as golden as the name may indicate. In this powerful episode, we explore the reality of Graduate Non-Commission (GNC) midshipmen and the support they desperately need. My friend Christian Blanchard shares his deeply personal story of finding out just two weeks before graduation that he wouldn't commission as a Marine Corps officer due ...
Send us a text Learn about Midshipmen Pay at the Naval Academy. As someone who admits to being completely clueless about pay and deductions during my own time as a midshipman, I'm excited to break down everything you need to know about the financial side of academy life. From base pay calculations to mysterious deductions, from retirement planning opportunities to scholarship possibilities, we're covering the complete financial picture that affects every midshipman family. This episode ...
Send us a text What if you could spend seven straight years living abroad while serving your country? In this episode, we explore the incredible world of Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) through the eyes of someone who has made it their entire naval career. Karl shares his remarkable experience of living and operating in Spain, Japan, and Italy—not as temporary deployments, but as permanent duty stations. From sailing in the Black Sea alongside Russian naval forces to conducting Taiwan St...
Send us a text Ever wondered how you could earn a master's degree while still at the Naval Academy? Meet the Voluntary Graduate Education Program (VGEP) - a hidden gem that most midshipmen never hear about unless someone specifically tells them it exists. In this episode, I sit down with Karl Marvil, a Surface Warfare Officer currently stationed in Naples, Italy, who completed the VGEP program at Georgetown University. Karl shares the inside scoop on this unique opportunity that allows academ...
Send us a text What Parents Need to Know About Naval Academy's Toughest Season Ever wondered what midshipmen mean when they talk about surviving the "Dark Ages" at the Naval Academy? This episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most challenging periods in a midshipman's year - the return to Annapolis after winter break. As someone who experienced those brutal Annapolis winters firsthand, I'm sharing the reality of what makes this time so tough for midshipmen and their families. We'll ex...
Send us a text What Happens When Midshipmen Stay Behind During Winter BreakAs we wrap up an incredible 2025 season, I'm reflecting on what an amazing year it's been for the Naval Academy community. From the football team's outstanding achievements to the daily dedication of midshipmen preparing for finals, there's so much to celebrate as we head into winter break. In this final episode of the season, I'm sharing some exciting updates about what's coming next for Academy Insider and how we're ...
Send us a text Why Army Week at the Naval Academy Becomes Pure Chaos Every December Army Week has arrived at the Naval Academy, and if you've ever wondered what all the chaos and excitement is about, this episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most legendary weeks in Annapolis. As someone who lived through the absolute mayhem of Army Week during my time as a midshipman, I'm sharing the inside story of what makes this week so special - and so completely wild. From the tactical pranks in...
Send us a text What Every Naval Academy Parent Should Know About BMU and Medical Care Worried about what happens if your midshipman gets sick or injured while at the Naval Academy? Concerned about medical care during leave periods? This episode provides essential insights into the comprehensive healthcare system supporting midshipmen throughout their Academy experience. As someone who navigated this system firsthand, I'm excited to share practical knowledge about medical and dental care at t...
Send us a text Why Struggling at Annapolis Doesn't Define Your Future Success Struggling academically at the Naval Academy? You're not alone, and this episode proves that your worth isn't defined by your class rank. Stefan Simkovic, Class of 2009, graduated in the "Comma Club" – the very bottom of his class – yet went on to build a thriving international business that's now working with billion-dollar companies. As we approach the 12-week exam period when academic stress peaks, this conversa...
Send us a text Why Naval Academy Midshipmen Can't Simply Take Time Off Like Everyone Else Ever wondered why upperclass midshipmen sprint back to campus at 11:55 PM on Friday nights? In this episode, we break down the crucial distinctions between leave and liberty at the Naval Academy—two terms that sound similar but carry vastly different meanings for midshipmen and their families. As a Naval Academy graduate, I'm excited to share the insider knowledge about how these policies actually work ...
Send us a text Why Good Humans Make the Best Warriors According to Naval Commander Will Spears What happens when ancient philosophy meets modern military leadership? In this fascinating episode, we explore how stoicism serves as a cornerstone of warrior development and ethical leadership at the Naval Academy. I'm joined by Commander William Spears, a Naval Academy graduate, submarine commander, and author of the upcoming book "Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy." As a prior enlisted sailor who...
Send us a text From Chopping to Chow Calls: Decoding the Secret Language of Plebes Ever wondered what it's really like to be a plebe at the United States Naval Academy? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the unique aspects of plebe life that go beyond academics and physical training. As a Naval Academy graduate, I'm excited to share insights into the daily rituals, responsibilities, and challenges that shape the plebe experience. We'll explore: Key Elements of Plebe LifeThe conce...
Send us a text Ever wonder what it's like to be at the helm of one of the largest athletic departments in the country? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on Navy Athletics with an exclusive interview featuring the new Naval Academy Athletic Director, Michael Kelly. As a Naval Academy graduate myself, I'm thrilled to share an insider's look at how Navy Athletics is evolving to meet the challenges of modern collegiate sports while staying true to its core mission. We explore: Key Insight...
Send us a text Ever wondered about the intricacies of Naval Academy uniforms? As a former midshipman, I'm excited to pull back the curtain on this iconic aspect of life at Annapolis. From working blues to summer whites, we're diving deep into the world of midshipman attire. The Uniform Breakdown Working blues: The most common uniform and why they're called "blues" when they're actually blackNWUs (Navy Working Uniforms): When and how they're wornSummer whites: The iconic "Top Gun" uniform and ...
Send us a text Exploring ROTC and Academy Experiences Are you considering a career as a naval officer but unsure whether to pursue the Naval Academy or ROTC path? In this episode, we explore the key differences between these two commissioning routes with Lisa Hillhouse, an Air Force ROTC graduate and former Air Force Academy admissions staff member. Navigating the ROTC vs. Naval Academy Decision We discuss: • The structure and components of NROTC programs• Scholarship opportunities and appli...
Send us a text From Dawn to Dusk The Midshipmans Daily Journey UnveiledAs the academic year kicks off at the United States Naval Academy, I'm excited to share insights into the daily life of midshipmen, especially for our new plebes. In this episode, we'll explore the significant changes from plebe summer to the academic year, providing context and perspective for parents and supporters. What You'll Discover in This Episode • The daily schedule and battle rhythm in Bancroft Hall• New developm...
Send us a text Forge Your Future Are you passionate about serving your country and seeking a top-tier education? In this episode, I sit down with two remarkable Naval Academy graduates who are on a mission to help aspiring service academy and ROTC candidates achieve their dreams. Meet Hersh and Mateo, founders of Forge Your Future, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free application assistance to high school students interested in attending U.S. Service Academies or pursuing RO...
Send us a text Navy Football Saturdays in Annapolis Get ready for an insider's look at Navy football game day! As a Naval Academy graduate, I'm excited to share the unique experience of Midshipmen on these special Saturdays in Annapolis. Behind the Scenes of Navy Game Day The week-long build-up, including march-on practiceSaturday morning routines and formationsThe march through downtown AnnapolisMidshipmen during the gamePost-game traditions and potential libertyTailgating Traditions a...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States