The Academy Insider Your Guide to The United States Naval Academy

Drum and Bugle CorpsI'm joined by Andrea Howard who is a class of 15 graduate from the United States Naval Academy and currently serves as a submarine officer. Andrea was an Arabic and Political Science major at the academy. She is a Marshall Scholar and pursued graduate education directly after graduation.  She earned a MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy from Oxford and a MA in Science and Security from Kings College London.In her first episode on Academy insider, she talked all about the submarine selection process as well as life of a submarine JO in the Fleet. In this episode, we focus on her time at the academy, specifically her time within D&B, the Drum and Bugle Corps. So Andrea was a four year member of Drum & Bugle Corps. She was the Corps Commander for D&B. She gives us keen insight into everything related to D&B. The tryout process to the actual day to day life of D&B members, to their performances and events and everything that they do. I think everyone will get a tremendous amount of information about what D&B is, what they do, their time commitment for obligations and everything about the life of a D&B member at the Naval Academy.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.Links Mentioned in the ShowAndrea's Previous Book RecommendationAnthem by Ayn Rand - If you want to order a copy go to the Academy Insider Amazon store at https://www.amazon.com/shop/academyinsider.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Rear Adm. James McNeal '86, U.S. Navy, Retired and is an expert on the Herndon Climb.He joins Grant on the podcast and tells the story of the Herndon monument and most specifically the tradition of the climb which he considers the Naval Academy's greatest tradition.Rear Adm. McNeal is "the expert" on this topic. He is humble, funny and a great storyteller and you will love this episode.He has written the book The Herndon Climb: A History of the United States Naval Academy's Greatest Tradition.A native of Granada Hills, CA, Rear Adm. James R. McNeal graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor's degree in 1986 and holds a Master of Science in Organizational Management from Chadron State College. He graduated from the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education program at the Joint Forces Staff College and is Joint Qualified System (JQS) level II qualified.His personal decorations include Legion of Merit (two awards), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and other unit and campaign commendations. He is a qualified Surface Warfare Supply Corps officer and Navy Expeditionary Supply Corps officer.Rear Adm. McNeal served six years active duty and twenty five years in the reserves retiring in 2017.  He now is back in Annapolis and coaches on the Sprint football staff.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.Links Mentioned in the ShowRear Adm McNeal's Book - The Herndon Climb: A History of the United States Naval Academy's Greatest Tradition.

Margaret "Peg" DeLuca Klein '81, Rear Adm, U.S. Navy, Retired is the Dean of the College of Leadership and Ethics at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, RI.  A native of Weymouth, Massachusetts, Rear Adm. Margaret Klein was commissioned in May 1981 upon graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy.Klein completed a 35-year Navy career in March 2017. As Rear Admiral Klein, she served as the SecDef’s Advisor for Military Professionalism. Klein served as Chief of Staff for the newly-created United States Cyber Command. In 2008 she served as director of operations for the Navy’s Network Warfare Command. In 2011, she commanded an American military force of five ships, 30 aircraft, and over 3,300 Sailors and Marines in combat operations in the Mediterranean Sea. She served as the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen at the US Naval Academy, where she was responsible for 4,400 Navy and Marine Corps officer candidates. Klein flew in and commanded an aviation squadron and wing.Klein was the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy from December 2006 to June 2008 and was responsible for the military and professional development of the Brigade of Midshipmen. She was the first woman to ever hold this position.She joins Grant on the podcast and tells the story of what brought her to the Naval Academy in 1977 only one year after the academy began accepting women.  She shares stories from her time at the academy as a midshipman and her return to the Yard as the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen.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.Resource List for Academy Insider FollowersLinks Mentioned in the ShowRear Adm Klein's Book Recommendations:The Undoing Project by Michael LewisLeaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

Angela Bailey is the Protocol Advisor to the Commandant of Midshipmen and Brigade Social Director.Angela Bailey once attended Ring Dance, and was impressed by the etiquette and manners of the Midshipmen. Her date informed her that Etiquette and Protocol is a part of a Midshipman’s curriculum all four years, and that they had an instructor for it all. Angela, having received formal etiquette training herself, remarked that it would be an interesting job to have, and now, years later, she’s doing exactly that. Angela is now the Protocol Advisor to the Commandant of Midshipmen and Social Instructor to the Brigade of Midshipmen. So what exactly are etiquette and protocol? Why are they things that matter among life and death military training? Grant—your Academy Insider—and Angela discuss that and more in this latest edition of the Academy Insider podcast. Angela shares, when you are a Midshipman, you are an “ambassador of the United States, and of the United States Naval Academy, and the United States Navy once you’re in the fleet.”“At the end of the day, [etiquette] is about putting others ahead of yourself.”There are military protocols that Angela and similar advisors know, such as the proper order for dignitaries to be seated on stage at an event, or how flags must be situated. Plebes-to-be can look forward to one “very fancy, sit down dinner” during the first set of Plebe Summer training, which is the first opportunity that Angela will have to instruct the newest midshipmen. Later in the summer, Angela gets the plebes ready to meet their new sponsor families by teaching them sponsor etiquette.From then on, Angela meets with each class of midshipmen once a semester for the rest of their time at the Academy. There are many more key learnings and insight into this unique aspect of the Academy, that only Angela can share. 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.Resource List for Academy Insider FollowersLinks Mentioned in the ShowService Etiquette Book - If you want to order a copy go to the Academy Insider Amazon store at https://www.amazon.com/shop/academyinsider.OFFICER PROFESSIONALISM AND CIVILITY TRAINING PROGRAM As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

United States Marine Corps 101This podcast is the audio recording of a video interview with Major Lowell Krusinger.  Major Krusinger was the officer representative on the men's basketball team when I was at the academy.  He is a great mentor to me.He attended the University of Utah where he completed his bachelors degree in English literature with the German minor and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in December 2003.  Major Krusinger became an infantry officer and attended the infantry officer course. He reported to Camp Pendleton, California to serve as a rifle platoon commander during the battalion’s training and deployment in support of Operation Freedom in Iraq. He was accepted into the Marine Corps Foreign Area Officer program and attended the Naval Postgraduate School earning a masters degree in National Security Affairs with an emphasis in East Asian studies in 2009. He attended the follow on Chinese language training at the Defense Language Institute and then served for one year in the People’s Republic of China. His assignment at Naval Academy at Annapolis in 2014 was to serve on the Commandant of Midshipmen’s staff. In addition to his regular duties, he was the men’s varsity basketball officer representative.He takes us through the basics of the United States Marine Corps as an introduction to a series about the USMC and it's connection to the United States Naval Academy.Video of this episode on FacebookFollow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Caroline Johnson '09  She began her military career at the United States Naval Academy in 2005, bristling against the strict rules but loving the friends she met along the way. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 2009, she joined the elite Naval Aviation community and began flight school in Pensacola, FL. In 2011, she was awarded her wings of gold and designated a Naval Flight Officer, more specifically an F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer. Finishing at the top of her class she was awarded the Paul F. Lawrence award as the #1 strike fighter graduate and recognized as the overall Top Graduate.Caroline flew in F/A-18 Super Hornets as a member of VFA-213 the World Famous Fighting Blacklions and she embarked on the USS George H.W. Bush, deploying for 9 months in 2014. On her historic deployment, Caroline and the Blacklions flew in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve seeing action in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. Her squadron employed the first weapons on ISIS in Iraq, conducted the first ever US strikes into Syria, and Caroline was the first woman to neutralize ISIS from the backseat of an F/A-18. At the Blacklions, Caroline completed her SFWT level II, III, and IV qualifications, she earned her Combat Mission Commander designation, and she also graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Arts in Administrative Leadership.During her final tour on active duty, Caroline returned to the United States Naval Academy, where she taught leadership and recruited the next generation of aviators as the Aviation Operations Officer. Currently in the Navy Reserves, Caroline continues her service as an advisor and liaison officer. Transitioning to the private sector, Caroline co-authored Jet Girl with Hof Williams, and has become a professional speaker. She has spoken at international banks, Fortune 100 tech companies, Ivy League Universities, and her following is growing. Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.Links Mentioned in the ShowCaroline's WebsiteCaroline's Book Jet Girl

Katie Ann (Higgins) CookKatie who is a 2008 graduate of the Naval Academy, joins the podcast while serving as a United States Marine out of Houston, Texas.  She was in the 13th Company and a political science major with a minor in Spanish. She was a member of the women's swimming team. Katie has a deep connection to the Naval Academy as her father, uncle, brother and sister-in-law are all academy grads.  She was selected to the United States Marine Corps Aviation community out of the academy and ultimately ended up flying the C 130.After flying combat missions in Afghanistan, she tells us the story of her applying for the elite Blue Angels demonstration team and how she was selected.  She gives us a candid look behind the curtain of the difficulties of being a woman in a male dominated environment as well as the look at what an amazing experience being in the Blue Angels is.  She shares some hilarious stories. I have to ask her about how she ended up being a guest on the popular show "The Bachelor" which I love (she was not there as one of the women competing to date/marry the bachelor) and she gives us some behind the scenes perspective on "Pilot Pete" and that show.This is a great episode with an incredibly bright, funny and wise Marine Officer.  We learn so much about Marine Aviation, the Blue Angels, life and leadership.  She has an incredible message and I was inspired by her and her story.Katie's message is incredibly motivational and I encourage you to share this episode with others especially people feeling alone in a situation.Invite Katie into your event to discuss stories of her success in mostly male dominated professions and fields; the United States Marine Corps and Naval Aviation. Hear her stories and recommendations of how diversity and inclusion can help your organization or group excel in the 21st century.Links Mentioned in the ShowKatie's Book Recommendation - Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Katie's Website - http://katieanncook.com/Katie's Twitter - https://twitter.com/gearupflapsupKatie's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gearupflapsup/?hl=en

Brigade BoxingI'm joined by Stephanie Simon who is a class of 17 graduate from the United States Naval Academy and currently serves as a United States Marine Corps Officer. Stephanie was a general science major at the academy. Stephanie is the best if not one of the best boxers in Naval Academy history. She's a three time national champion, a two time brigade champion, and then, on top of all of that, she was also a member of the varsity track and field team and the glee club. This is one of the most impressive people that you will ever meet. As you listen to her, you'll also realize she's one of the wisest, most articulate, well thought out and well intentioned people that you will ever meet.Stephanie breaks down how the Brigade Championships work and her experience in the Brigade Championships and National Championships.I ask her about the inspiration she provides others and she tells us about how Sixty Minutes covered Navy Boxing and featured her.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.

My guest is author Ricky Conlin.  Ricky returns to the podcast as one of my most popular guests ever.  He is a proud member of the mighty class of 1999, was an economics major and a member of the sixth company. Ricky describes himself as a very mediocre midshipman. He graduated smack dab in the middle of the class militarily and was relatively quiet. He did stand 14 days of collective restrictions. He played varsity football at the Naval Academy. He describes his football career also as mediocre but is a really, really proud member of the Navy Football Brotherhood and has friends from there to this day that he keeps in touch with. He graduated, served as an officer and eventually became a novelist. Ricky has had the opportunity to write all about his Naval Academy experience in the first book of his trilogy The Black N.  In this episode, he shares with us his second book in the trilogy - Sex in The Hall.We share a lot of really entertaining and funny stories from the book that portrays real midshipman life, and he also gets the opportunity to talk about his motivation and driving purpose for writing this book, which I think you will really enjoy and is very noble.Ricky is thoughtful, funny and a proud graduate of the academy that lets readers with his fictional novels behind the scenes of the midshipmen life in a way I have not seen in other writing.His book The Black N is a must-read for those who love stories set at the naval academy with a little edge to the story.  This book, Sex in the Hall which I describe as a little spicy is not for G rated reading but is a "must read" for those who don't have that restriction.  A little synopsis from Amazon is:The U.S. Naval Academy was not an easy place to be a woman in the mid-nineties. Iterative progress two decades removed from female integration was hardly enough to transition a century-plus old fraternity into a modern era, co-ed leadership factory. Enter Mick McGee and Summer Harris, two junior midshipmen from the class of 99’ left struggling to find their relationship identity without losing their individual identities in the process. Ricky Conlin continues his Black N Trilogy with its second volume. Sex in the Hall is an unprecedented look into sex at the U.S. Naval Academy. Whether addressing the carnal act or focusing on the nuances of gender, Sex in the Hall canvases the topic of sex from many different angles. Passion and grit collide in this titillating tale of bravery and resilience. Please order a copy today on Amazon here.  I highly recommend it.You can follow Ricky on twitter at @RickyConlin.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.

In this episode, I'm joined by Captain L. David Marquet who is a class of 1981 graduate from the United States Naval Academy.  Captain Marquet was a Physics major at the academy and a member of the Fencing Team and 27th Company.In this episode, we discuss leadership through the lens of his time at the academy, his time in the fleet and his subsequent career as a New York Times best selling author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant.He has just released his new book Leadership is Language which is currently #1 in its category on Amazon. Marquet outlines a set of principles and tools that help leaders inspire their people to take responsibility and address challenges without waiting to be told what to do, highlighting how small changes in language can lead to dramatic changes in a team's success and happiness.I read Captain Marquet's first book Turn The Ship Around and became a big fan.  I feel so very privileged to sit down and talk with an author I admire so much.He is highly intelligent, provocative and entertaining.  He shares great stories from his time at the academy and the fleet to illustrate the lessons he shares with us.In 1981, David graduated top of his class from the U.S. Naval Academy—an institute renowned for developing “leaders to serve the nation.” Thereafter, he joined the submarine force.Captain Marquet began treating his crew as leaders, not followers, and giving control, not taking control. It wasn’t long before operations took a dramatic turn. Santa Fe went from “worst to first,” achieving the highest retention and operational standings in the Navy.When Stephen R. Covey spent time aboard the Santa Fe, he referred to it as the most empowering organization he’d ever seen. He wrote about Captain Marquet’s leadership practices in his book, The 8th Habit.After Captain Marquet’s departure from the USS Santa Fe, it continued to win awards and promote more officers and enlisted men to positions of increased responsibility than any other submarine—including ten subsequent submarine captains. Captain Marquet retired from the Navy in 2009. I encourage everyone to order and read his book Leadership is Language and his first bestseller Turn The Ship Around.Captain Marquet recommends Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.To learn more about Captain Marquet please find him at his website or on his Facebook page.Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

I'm joined by Jarred Reid-Dixon who is a class of 17 graduate from the United States Naval Academy and currently serves as a Supply Officer in the United States Navy. Jarred is from a big military family with both his parents in the US Air Force.  His brother is a United States Marine and his sister is an Officer in the Navy and also a USNA grad.  JRD was an economics major at the academy, 19th company, the captain of the cheer team and was the "anchorman" of the class.In 2017, the leadership of the academy asked JRD to modernize the ship selection night event and he did.  He brought in DJs, walk down songs, hashtags and more to make it a real celebration for SWO selectees.In this episode, Jarred takes us through the what the night is like for Mids and much of the behind the scenes stuff that parents never see.It's an informative and casual episode. It provides a sneak-peek into this evolving tradition at the academy.Links mentioned on the show:  AN Shine's Book - A USNA Mom's Journal 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.

I'm joined again by my guest in episode #023 Rob Roy who is a class of 2011 graduate from the United States Naval Academy.   He is a Navy pilot and currently serves as on the Commandant's staff at the Academy as the conduct officer. Rob was in the 9th Company.  Rob and my conversation on this episode has nothing to do with conduct and all about ADVENTURE.  Rob loves the outdoors and shares his passion and the why behind it.  He is a fellow podcaster and he has a GREAT podcast called The Adventure Bound Podcast with Rob Roy.We talk about his podcast and how Midshipmen have so many opportunities to take advantage of some amazing outdoor adventures. This episode will answer your questions about what are some of the things available to Mids who love the outdoors and have the adventure-bound spirit like Rob. Rob provides some great tips and ideas and will inspire you to plan that trip now to get away and take in the fresh air, nature, and the wilderness.This is a great episode to understand some of the less traditional leadership opportunities for Midshipmen.  You will get to know Rob even better in this episode and you will have another person you feel you know on the yard.Listen and subscribe to Rob's Podcast now. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-bound/id1464306524Listen to Grant and Rob discuss the USNA Conduct System on Episode #023 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/023-the-naval-academy-conduct-system-with-rob-roy-11/id1463594323?i=1000461427251Be 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.Links Mentioned in the Show:Rob's Podcast - Adventure Bound - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-bound/id1464306524Rob's Adventure Bound Facebook Page - LRECsCyber LRECBaltimore-Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School NOLS - https://www.nols.edu/en/custom-education/clients/us-service-academy-officer-candidate-leadership-expeditions/ Philmont Scout Camp - http://usnatrident.blogspot.com/2014/09/midshipmen-mentor-boy-scouts-in-new.htmlSouthern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards - https://www.nationalforests.org/get-involved/nff-rei-partnership-2019/saws-naval-academy-2019

I'm joined by Rob Roy who is a class of 2011 graduate from the United States Naval Academy.   He is a Navy pilot and currently serves as on the Commandant's staff at the Academy as the conduct officer. Rob was in the 9th Company.  One of the unique aspects about life at the Naval Academy is we do have a conduct system, and it's not just for big things. We talk midshipmen regulations, which could be things as simple as having a haircut that's out of regulations or not shaving that day. We talk about why the conduct system is the way it is, why it's important, and I think at the end of the day, once you do get a little perspective, we talk about the really positive aspects of why we have a conduct system. This episode will answer your questions about what the conduct system is and different unique aspects of the conduct system. We explain terms like getting "fried" and what an adjudication is. We'll talk about tours and demerits and all the things that you may have questions about regarding the conduct system at the Naval Academy.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.Links Mentioned in the Show:Rob's Podcast - Adventure Bound - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-bound/id1464306524Rob's Adventure Bound Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/adventureboundpodRob's Book Recommendation:  Set for Life by Scott Trench 

In this episode, I'm joined by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff who is a class of 1982 graduate from the United States Naval Academy.  Captain Abrashoff was a Political Science major at the academy and a member of the 29th Company.In this episode, we discuss leadership through the lens of his time at the academy, his time in the fleet and his subsequent career as a New York Times best selling author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant. Mike Abrashoff is at the center of one of the most remarkable modern-day stories of organizational transformation.  At 36, he was selected to be Commander of USS Benfold and was the most junior commanding officer in the Pacific fleet.   The challenges of this underachieving destroyer were staggering, with low morale and the highest turnover rate in the Navy.  Few thought the ship could improve. Yet 12 months later it was ranked #1 in performance -- using the same crew.  How did Mike do it?  By replacing command and control leadership with commitment and cohesion. The lesson was clear:  Leadership matters and culture is everything. Since leaving the Navy, Captain Abrashoff has worked with over 1200 organizations instilling leadership initiatives at every level – achieving phenomenal change in unexpected places.  Leaders especially identify with Mike being accountable for results in an environment where he couldn’t make the rules.  He focused on the one thing he could influence: his crew’s attitude, because culture is the ultimate competitive weapon for any organization.  That’s why Wall Street Journal, Fast Company and others have cited his story.  It’s also why he is so popular with such a wide range of audiences. I read Captain Abrashoff's book It's Your Ship while I was at the academy before being a summer detailer and it transformed my view on leadership.  I feel so very privileged to sit down and talk with one of the leaders and authors I admire so much.He is bright, insightful and entertaining.  He shares great stories from his time at the academy and the fleet to illustrate the lessons he shares with us.I encourage everyone to order and read his book It's Your Ship and his ebook What I Learned at the Naval Academy.Captain Abrashoff recommends John Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership:  Follow Them and People Will Follow You.To learn more about Captain Abrashoff please find him at the Ageis Performance Group at https://www.apgleadership.com/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.

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Navy Officer Rebecca Richmond '16 about what it is like as a midshipman in the 13th Company tradition of running the game ball to the stadium.Rebecca who is a 2016 graduate of the Naval Academy, joins the podcast while serving as a Navy pilot out of Virginia Beach flying the E2-C. She was in the 13th Company and a systems engineering major with an focus in robotics. She was a member of the women's varsity basketball team and is from Boulder, Colorado.Rebecca takes us through all that goes into 13th Company planning and executing this important mission.You get the "insider" information about the ball run from Rebecca who participated in the run as a member of the 13th Company. Go Navy!!  Beat Army!!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.

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Navy Captain Eddie Pilcher '96 and Grant's sponsor dad about what it is like as a midshipman in King Hall, Bancroft Hall and on the Yard during their years at the academy during Army Week.Captain Pilcher joins the podcast while serving as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Facility, Washington - Joint Base Andrews. He was in the 31st Company and an ocean engineering major. He is from Tigard, Oregon.This episode is a recording of a 2017 conversation on a facebook live on Grant's facebook page Academy Insider.Over the course of the interview, they give some great information about some of the things that may change during this week for midshipmen.  They also share many hilarious stories and pranks.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 about what are some of their best memories of Army Week.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.

The Army-Navy Football Game - Insider Information In this episode, Grant is joined by Dishan Romine '17, Calvin Cass Jr. '17 and Alex Barta '17 all who are graduates from the United States Naval Academy.  The Army-Navy game is the most celebrated rivalry in college football. It is frequently attended by sitting U.S. presidents and it is well known to be a "bucket list" item for sports fans.Each of my guests were players in those games during their time at the academy.  They are tremendous football players, amazing officers and great men of integrity.On this episode, they give us an "insiders" view of the game: the preparation, the feelings associated with preparing and playing in this game.  This conversation between four good friends spans their recruitment to the academy to what goes on leading up to and stories from the games.  This interview goes way beyond the cliches of all the players are willing to die for everyone watching the game to learn about what these games mean, the intensity leading up to the game, the trash-talking on the field and certainly gives a glimpse into what makes being a football player at Navy so special.Grant's guests are proud Navy officers, members of the "Brotherhood" of Navy Football and an organization we have shared on the podcast previously YBE - Your Best EveryDay.  You can hear more about that in episode #003 with Troy Thompson.If you're a fan of Navy Football and are not familiar with Academy Insider, Academy insider is designed to provide information to loved ones of midshipman as well as prospective midshipmen to provide them insight into what life at the Naval Academy's actually like. So if you want to learn more about the United States Naval Academy, what the midshipman experience is all about and what life after the Naval Academy is like, make sure to check out our webpage at https://www.academyinsider.com/.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.Links Mentioned in the ShowNavy FootballYOUR BEST EVERYDAYARMY NAVY FOOTBALL GAMEAs an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with Karl Smith the creator of the blog My Kid the Mid and the author of the book Anchored in Tradition.Karl is a USNA parent (Noah '20) and has a daughter exploring attending service academies.  (She chose to attend the Air Force Academy)He has been of great service to the USNA parent community through his book, blog, and parent facebook pages.We talk about his journey as a naval academy parent and his book. He started his career as a writer, so it only seemed fitting to him that he eventually write a book. When his son entered the United States Naval Academy and he began to become familiar with all the history, legend and lore surrounding the place, that seemed like the perfect topic to tackle. The result is “Anchored In Tradition: An unofficial collection of fun, facts, and figures about life at the United States Naval Academy.”The book is written in a breezy style and constructed so that a reader can practically open to any page and jump right in. I encourage you to get a copy! You may order a copy easily on amazon via this link https://amzn.to/2sflWyR.Karl is a great conversationalist, storyteller, and dedicated parent.  He is honest, authentic and funny and shares so much tremendous wisdom and insight for everyone around navigating the academy journey.Karl recommends the book Chester Midshipmouse by Susan Weisberg.  You can purchase it at https://amzn.to/2ONZMLX.I know you will enjoy this episode, so please download and listen.If you want to learn more about the United States Naval Academy, please "like" Grant's facebook page and visit his website.  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.

Jessie Iwuji '10 - USNA Grad, Navy Football Player, Navy Officer,  & NASCAR DriverSo today we're joined by Jesse who is a class of 2010 graduate from the United States Naval Academy and was a member of the football team in 2007 when Navy beat Notre Dame in South bend for the first time in 43 years in triple overtime. So we talk, we talk about that story, but we also talk about a ton of other things. We talk about Jessie's time at the Naval Academy, some of the struggles that he had with swimming. We jump into his career as a surface warfare officer. His transition to the reserves, his transition into professional NASCAR driving as well, his entrepreneurial ventures, including a drag racing event company and a trucking and transportation company. Jesse is an extremely impressive individual. This opportunity to talk with him was a ton of fun. We share insight on a broad variety of topics about the Naval Academy and life after the Naval Academy. If you're a fan of Jesse and you're not familiar with Academy Insider, Academy insider is designed to provide information to loved ones of midshipman as well as prospective midshipmen to provide them insight into what life at the Naval Academy's actually like. So if you want to learn more about the United States Naval Academy, what the midshipman experience is all about and what life after the Naval Academy is like, make sure to check out our webpage at https://www.academyinsider.com/.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.Links Mentioned in the ShowThe Offical Website of Jesse IwujiJesse's Racing Facebook PageJesse's InstagramJesse's Book RecommendationA Message to Garcia 

Service Academy Exchange Opportunities at the USNAI'm joined by Matt Meltzer who is a class of 17 graduate from the United States Naval Academy and currently serves as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. Matt is from New York City and was a political science major at the academy and in currently stationed in Hawaii.Matt was a guest on one of our most popular episodes regarding The Daily Life of a Plebe.In this episode, Matt takes us through the opportunities for USNA Midshipmen to spend a semester at the other service academies.  He shares how one applies, the interview process and once selected the logistics involved in spending a semester at another academy.Matt spent the first semester of his 2/c year at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.  He shares experiences of how Midshipmen are familiarized with a new academy environment, classes, athletics and compares and contrasts some of the cultural differences between the two institutions.He even shares a great story of the pranks that you can fall victim to as a Midshipman at another service academy.It's an informative and casual episode. It provides a sneak-peek into the Coast Guard Academy and the opportunity a Midshipman has to study at another military academy.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.Links Mentioned in the Episode:MIDS SystemService Academy Exchange Program at USNALife of a Plebe Podcast Episode with Matt Meltzer - Academy Insider