Our Mission
Our Mission
The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.
We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.
Through the shared experiences of a community of graduates and their families, 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.
Our insider information, guidance, and recommendations transform the USNA journey from “hanging on for survival” to one of leading and maximizing all the opportunities the Naval Academy provides.
This site is not affiliated with the United States Naval Academy. All thoughts and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of the United States Navy or the Department of Defense.
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What Other People Say
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"Great source of info! Lots of practical information and suggestions. Being new to the Navy World, I learned so much! I love Grant's personal stories and sense of humor. He made our plebe summer so much more bearable! I also liked that he admits when he's unsure or doesn't know something. I highly recommend!"
- Kellyann Franks Jeletic
Podcasts
The podcast provides a fun and informative insiders view to all things related to the United States Naval Academy through conversations with our host and founder Grant Vermeer '17 and his guests.
— Featured Episode —
#000 - What is the Academy Insider Podcast?
The academy insider podcast is for you to get an insider's view of all things related to the United States Naval Academy. Academy insider has grown to over 13,000 followers and this podcast has been downloaded over 100,000 times. I get questions from people all over the world about the Naval Academy, it's traditions, the unique terms, the language that we use, how to get in, what it's like and what the midshipman experience is like on a daily basis. Go to Apple Podcasts to follow so you don't miss an episode. Thank you for letting us be your guide to the United States Naval Academy!
View Episode Here
Episode #057Â Finding Identity and Purpose Through the Storm at the Naval Academy
#042 Generational Changing Opportunity - The United States Naval Academy
Episode #049 Inside Plebe Summer: Understanding Naval Academy Terminology Pt. 1
— Latest Episodes —
#076 Insights from Command Master Chief Anthony Amato on Forging Future Naval Leaders
#075 Behind the Scenes of the Service Assignment Process at the US Naval Academy
#074 Ask G 05 - What is the Back Shaft?? Learn more Bancroft Hall Terminology!
#073 Pro-Know!! Learn about the Professional Knowledge Program at the United States Naval Academy
#072 Inside the Naval Academy Varsity Sailing Team Experience
#071 EXAM WEEK!! Six and Twelve Week Exams at the U.S. Naval Academy
#070 Ask G 03: Standing Watch at the Naval Academy: Roles, Responsibilities, and Realities
#069 The Profession of Leadership: David Albritton's Journey of Leadership and Resilience at the Naval Academy
#068 Semper Deep: Insight into Life as a Navy Submarine Officer
#067 Top Gun Maverick Behind the Scenes: Inside Information from a Navy Jet Pilot
#066 From Naval Academy to City Hall: Mayor Phillip Jones's Journey of Leadership
#065 Commanding the Best Damn Ship in the Navy: Reflections on a Combat Deployment
#064 Varsity Athletics at the Naval Academy: An Insight into the Life and Schedule of Varsity Athletes
#063 Ask G 002: Bancroft Hall Terminology: Understanding the Midshipmen Living Area
#062 Spirit Spot Update: Direct from Rylan Tuohy
##061 The Classroom Experience at the Naval Academy: Insight into USNA Academics
#060 Ask G 001: Insight into Midshipmen Ranks at the US Naval Academy
#059 Creating Naval Academy Spirit: Rylan Tuohy's Journey to being King of the Spirit Spot
#058 Inside PLEBE YEAR: Learn about Plebe Signature Sheets with Nicki DeGuzman
Episode #057Â Finding Identity and Purpose Through the Storm at the Naval Academy
Episode #056Â Transforming Leaders: Inside the Naval Academy's Leadership and Ethics Development Program with Jim McNeal
Episode #055Â Navigating Leadership: Insights about the Naval Academy's Sailing Program with Andrew Shea
Episode #054Â Inside the Naval Academy: An Insight into Gray Space During Plebe Summer
Episode #053 From Marine Corps Drill Instructor to the Naval Academy: Learning About Drill with First Sergeant Beth Abbott
Episode #052 Inside Plebe Summer: Understanding Plebe Summer Terminology Pt 3
Episode #051 Blue and Gold
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Episode #050Â Inside Plebe Summer: Understanding Plebe Summer Terminology Pt 2
Episode #049 Inside Plebe Summer: Understanding Naval Academy Terminology Pt. 1
Episode #048Â Leadership and Resilience: Captain Gervy's Journey as a Surface Warfare Officer
Episode #047Â A Parent's Journey Through the Naval Academy w/ Karl Smith
Episode #046 I-day at the Naval Academy - Preparation and Advice for Parents with AN Shine
Episode #045 NAPS Preparation and Advice with PJ Roach '23
Episode #044 Inside the Naval Academy's Drum and Bugle Corps with Andrea Howard
Episode #043 Learning and Understanding the Plebe Summer Organization at the Naval Academy
Episode #042: Generational Changing Opportunity - The United States Naval Academy
Episode #041 The Herndon Climb: A History Lesson about the end of Plebe Year at the Naval Academy
Episode #040 Explaining the role of Senior Enlisted Leaders and the Enlisted Footprint at the United States Naval Academy with Jeff Kirby
Episode #039 The Purpose of Plebe Summer at the Naval Academy
Episode #038: Varsity N Star Sweaters and the Army Navy Star Series with John Carter '22
Our Community
"Anyone that is interested in attending the Naval Academy or knows someone that is there, this a great source of accurate information about things that happen at the Academy and many details associated with them."
- Lisa Routen
"Grant's live chats, written articles and one on one messaging, are the best! Great, timely information, shareed with such humor and realism! Thanks so much for all you do, Grant to keep us in the know!"
- Sherry Moore Maguire
