Coffee Table Book

Wording for First Page

Plebe Summer 2009

Below please find the copy that will appear on the first page of your Coffee Table Book when you choose the Custom Foreword Option. If you wish to personalize this page, you may do so. The title line " Plebe Summer 2009" will take only 30 spaces. The longer section, beginning with "Plebe Summer is ..." will accomodate 1000 spaces. If you decide to write your own copy, be sure every word is spelled correctly. We do not check for spelling, grammar, etc.

Plebe Summer is a six week summer training program for the new class of midshipman at the Naval Academy. Its purpose is to "turn civilians into midshipmen." The summer begins with Induction Day. The Plebes received standard issue gear and are given medical tests. After this, they are bused to Bancroft Hall to wait the evening's official "Oath of Office Ceremony." The summer familiarize the Plebes with military life. The plebes take classes on Naval topics and are required to memorize Naval information in Reef Points, known as their "Bible." During the day, they participate in many activities, or "Evolutions", to train them to become midshipmen. They begin at 5:30 am with rigorous morning exercise and usualy ends the day with "Close Order Drill -- or practice marching in formation with their issued rifle. Every evening ends the same way: 30 minutes of free time to write letters followed by the singing of the "Navy, Blue and Gold" before mandatory lights out at 2145.