Life as a Midshipman

Living at the Academy is a unique and rigorous experience. Your day starts with reveille and ends with lights out. In between, you'll stand watches, march to meals, and wear uniforms for most activities. You and your roommates must keep your room inspection-ready at all times and ensure your uniforms are always in regulation condition. Demerits are given for any deficiencies.

From day one, plebes begin learning a new vocabulary of nautical and Naval Academy terms. Soon, the floor becomes the deck, the wall becomes the bulkhead, and the restroom is the head. Midshipmen seniority is also distinct from traditional college terms.

All students at the Naval Academy, both men and women, are called Midshipmen. This rank falls between Chief Warrant Officer and Ensign in the Navy. A senior is known as a Midshipman first class, or "firstie." Juniors are second class Midshipmen, sophomores are third class Midshipmen or "youngsters," and freshmen are called plebes, holding the rank of Midshipmen fourth class. The student body is collectively known as the Brigade of Midshipmen, and the naval service is often referred to as the fleet.

All Midshipmen live in Bancroft Hall, a vast dormitory complex. You will share a room with one or more classmates of the same gender, living close to about 120 other Midshipmen in your company. Each company includes male and female Midshipmen from all four classes and has a common area, called the wardroom, for meetings and recreation.

The company is the most crucial unit within the over 4,000-member Brigade of Midshipmen. Your most rewarding experiences at the Naval Academy will be those shared with your company. You will eat, sleep, study, drill, play, and compete as teams with your company mates. You'll learn to trust and rely on each other, pulling together to get through tough times. This company experience mirrors the Navy and Marine Corps, where small-unit cohesion, teamwork, and morale are vital in both peacetime and combat operations.

The Brigade is divided into two Regiments, each with three Battalions. Five Companies form each Battalion, making a total of 30 Companies:

• 1st Regiment
  
• • First Battalion: Companies 1 through 6
  • Second Battalion: Companies 7 through 12
  • Third Battalion: Companies 13 through 18
• 2nd Regiment
  • Fourth Battalion: Companies 19 through 24
  • Fifth Battalion: Companies 25 through 30
  • Sixth Battalion: Companies 21 through 36

Each company is further divided into four platoons, with three squads per platoon. Each squad consists of approximately 12 Midshipmen. The Midshipmen command structure is led by a first-class Midshipman chosen for exceptional leadership performance. The Brigade Commander is responsible for much of the brigade's daily activities and the professional training of Midshipmen.

Fourth Class Regiment: During Plebe Summer, plebes are organized into the Fourth Class Regiment, consisting of two Battalions: the Port and Starboard Battalions. The Starboard Battalion has eight companies, and the Port Battalion has seven. Each company has two numbered platoons, totaling 30 platoons. Each platoon has three squads with about 10-12 plebes per squad, making 120 squads during Plebe Summer.

The year-long "color competition" among the 30 companies builds company spirit. Companies earn points for academic, professional, and intramural excellence. The company with the most points is recognized at the Color Parade during Commissioning Week. The winning company enjoys special privileges for the next year, including representing the Naval Academy at official functions like presidential inaugurations.

Overseeing all brigade activities is the Commandant of Midshipmen, an active-duty Navy officer of Captain's rank or above, or a Marine officer of Colonel's rank or above. Experienced Navy and Marine Corps officers serve as company and battalion officers under the Commandant.Continue to Commissioning Week | Return to Plebe Life