Inside the Naval Academy: An Insight into Gray Space During Plebe Summer

Ever wondered what "gray space" is and how it fits into the life of a midshipman at the Naval Academy? Join Christian Blanchard, Jeremiah Harding, and me as we peel back the layers of our Navy journey, bringing you an inside look at the unscheduled yet pivotal moments of Plebe Summer. From the hilariously chaotic to the profoundly impactful, our stories will give you a fresh perspective on how these less structured times shape a midshipman's path.
We share the why behind seemingly trivial tasks like "rack races" and the exacting standards for making beds, all designed to instill discipline and readiness. Our tales extend to the physically and mentally grueling aspects of training, like standing on the bulkhead and mastering drill practices, which foster unity and precision among plebes.
Our journey also revisits the tough lessons of handling rifles, the dreaded rifle punishments, and the importance of maintaining rifle serial numbers. We reflect on the scripted yet soul-stirring experiences of Plebe Summer, from the camaraderie built during ITEs to the solemn moments in Memorial Hall, honoring the sacrifice of past graduates. This episode is a mix of humor, heartfelt reflections, and keen insights that offers a comprehensive view of life at the Naval Academy.
The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.
Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast and the USNA Property Network Podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.
He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a boutique residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community PCSing to California & Texas.
We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.
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[@sarasita7779]

Really enjoyed listening to you guys, your friendship chemistry was palpable through the screen. I'm watching this, after hearing my daughter's plebe summer stories, and this helps to paint a better picture of her experience. I was wondering if you have a video of what a 4C or Plebe year is like? I know it is super busy and perhaps stressful, but I'd love to hear it from AI's perspective. Thank you!! Keep up the great content!🎉

[@academyinsider]

Thank you so much for the comment!! I will absolutely make a video on that!!

[@josephpadula2283]

Was at the academy in 1970’s , I have no idea what Grey space is .
Not sure when it got added but we had no Excel spread sheets and I did not my first Apple II till 1979. We did have empty space of course on the paper schedule .
Carrier landings in the passageway
We’re the most fun .
Foam was able to put out the fires when there was a crash ( shaving crème ) ….
If you don’t know what that is something great has been lost ….
Now Dark Ages I know all too well !

[@academyinsider]

I did multiple carrier landings in my time LOL. That definitely still has lived on. And Grey Space may just be the term, but really it just means the time of Plebe Summer where you are in Bancroft Hall being rated, PT'd, and not doing a specific planned evolution!

[@LindaShea-Alley]

Please add current stuff that 2028 is doing.

[@academyinsider]

Absolutely - working on it!