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YOUNGSTER YEAR (Sophomore - Member of the Third Class) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer Training - After the First Class Mids graduate (when the covers "go in the air") Plebes put on their Third Class shoulder boards (one diagonal strip). They are not yet Youngsters. This occurs when a Third Classman first views the Chapel dome after returning from Summer Cruise.
Third Class Summer consists of 30 days leave, or Summer School if on has failed a required class, or requires specialized elective training. A second block will be a four-week cruise aboard a Yard Patrol (YP) boat - a small (about 100 feet long) gray hulled craft used for training. This is the "enlisted" cruise. The Mids perform tasks that the enlisted crews normally do. They learn seamanship, navigation, etc.while sailing from Annapolis to Nova Scotia and/or ports in between. The third block is Midshipman Leadership Training (MLT) at Quantico, Virginia. For three weeks, Mids learn the basics of Marine Corps leadership. Then they go to the "field" to learn land navigation, weapons indoctrination, small unit tactics, and (of course) physical training. Mids may be assigned to these blocks in any order. They all dread Quantico in August (hot and muggy) although June and July aren't great either. |
Decisions, Decisions - Major decisions are made by Midshipmen during this Youngster Year. Some are deciding whether they are going to continue as Midshipmen at the Naval Academy or leave and continue their education elsewhere. Decisions made regarding their major course of study now occur in Plebel Year.
Academics - During the Younster Year most of the basic educaton requirements are completed and they begin courses in their major field of study. With Rank Comes Privilege - Third Class Midshipmen are allowed to stay up later, although they will be the first to admit that they would rather sleep. Their "town liberty" is increased, but curfews must still be observed. Class Rings - During February of the Youngster Year, the Class Rings, which were designed during the Plebe Year, are ordered. Rings can cost anywhere from $800-$1500 or more. Most Midshipmen pay for them through the Academy payroll deduction plan. Rumor has it parents are allowed to contribute $$. The ring is not worn until the Ring Dance, which is held during Commissioning Week of their Second Class Year. Midshipmen do not always choose traditional stones for their rings. Family heirloom stones cut or set to size, a "pebble from the Yard" or a "chip of Bancorft granite" are often incorporated into this distinctive and unique piece of jewelry. |
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