Military Drill during Plebe Summer

Jul 08, 2025

The Foundation of Military Discipline

Drill instruction serves as a cornerstone of military training, instilling discipline, precision, and teamwork in our future naval officers. It's not just about marching in formation or handling a rifle; drill is about developing the mindset and skills necessary for effective leadership in high-pressure situations.

I am, by NOOOO means, a drill expert. In fact I was really bad. So bad that I brought Beth Abbott, the former Brigade Drill Master and a former Marine Corps Drill Instructor, onto the podcast to talk about military drill.

This conversation warmed my heart because it reminded me of the times screaming at trees in preparation for being the Regimental Commander of Plebe Summer. And yes, Beth was the person who made me do that.

But let's recap the conversation and jump into learning a little bit about drill.

The Five Purposes of Drill

a) Moving as a unit: Drill teaches Midshipmen to move from point A to point B in a disciplined manner.
b) Combat readiness: It provides simple formations from which combat formations can be readily assumed.
c) Discipline and obedience: Drill instills habits of precision and automatic response to orders.
d) Leadership development: It increases confidence in junior officers through the exercise of command.
e) Weapon familiarity: Drill gives troops an opportunity to handle individual weapons and build confidence.

Drill During Plebe Summer

During Plebe Summer, your midshipman will participate in daily drill periods, typically held in the evening after dinner. These sessions are designed to teach and reinforce the basics of military drill, preparing Plebes for formal parades and developing their discipline and teamwork skills.

What to Expect

Daily practice: Plebes will spend about 90 minutes each evening on drill instruction.
Gradual progression: They'll start with basic movements and gradually build up to more complex formations and rifle manuals.
Challenging but rewarding: While drill can be physically and mentally demanding, especially after a long day, it's an essential part of the Plebe Summer experience.

The Drill Competition: A Test of Skills and Leadership

Towards the end of Plebe Summer, each platoon participates in a drill competition. This event serves multiple purposes:

It allows Plebes to showcase their newly acquired skills.
It provides an opportunity for detailers (upperclassmen leading the Plebes) to demonstrate their leadership abilities.
It fosters a sense of pride and healthy competition among the platoons.

The drill competition is evaluated based on precision, discipline, uniform appearance, and overall command presence. It's a chance for Plebes and their leaders to shine after weeks of hard work and practice.

A Parent's Perspective

As a parent, it's natural to feel a mix of pride and concern as your child embarks on this challenging journey. Remember that drill, like many aspects of Academy life, is designed to push Midshipmen out of their comfort zones and help them grow into capable leaders.

When you attend events like Parents' Weekend or Commissioning Week, you'll have the opportunity to see the results of this training firsthand. The precision and discipline displayed during parades and ceremonies are a testament to the hard work and dedication of your Midshipman and their classmates.

Embracing the Challenge

Drill is just one piece of the transformative experience your child will undergo at the Naval Academy. While it may seem daunting at first, many Midshipmen come to appreciate the skills and mindset they develop through this training.

As Beth, who was one of my mentors at the Academy, often said, "Drill is life, and life is good." This philosophy encapsulates the idea that the challenges we face, when approached with the right mindset, can lead to tremendous personal growth and satisfaction.

So, as your future Midshipman prepares for the rigors of Plebe Summer and beyond, encourage them to embrace all aspects of their training, including drill. The discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills they develop will serve them well throughout their naval careers and in life.

Watch the interview on YouTube here

Listen to the Podcast on Apple Podcasts here

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Founder of Academy Insider and Podcast Host Grant Vermeer

Grant Vermeer is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider 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 residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community with nationwide consulting and connection.