#091 - Welcome Aboard for the Class of 2029

As a Naval Academy graduate, I've experienced firsthand the transformative power of this institution. In this episode, I share insights on what makes the Naval Academy truly exceptional, especially in light of current world events that may be causing anxiety for incoming plebes and their families.

Drawing from my personal journey - from nearly leaving during Plebe summer to embracing the unique opportunities the Academy offers - I explore three key factors that set the Naval Academy apart:

The Power of Being a Midshipman

Learn how the challenging Midshipman experience shapes character and builds resilience. Discover the importance of:

• Pushing your limits and overcoming adversity
• Building strong bonds with classmates
• Accessing mentorship from experienced Navy and Marine Corps leaders

The Adventure of Being a Junior Officer

Explore the profound responsibility and impact of junior officers, including:

• Leading sailors and Marines in high-stakes situations
• Managing emotions and supporting others during challenging times
• Making a meaningful difference in people's lives at a young age

The Influence of the Naval Academy Network

Understand the long-term benefits of joining this prestigious alumni network:

• Lifelong connections with like-minded individuals
• Opportunities for success across various fields post-service
• Access to a supportive community throughout your career

This episode offers a candid look at the Naval Academy experience, emphasizing the growth, challenges, and rewards that come with choosing this path. Whether you're an incoming plebe, a current Midshipman, or a family member, you'll gain valuable insights into the unique journey that lies ahead.

Are you ready to embrace the power, responsibility, and influence that comes with being part of the Naval Academy? Listen now to discover how this decision can shape your future and impact the lives of others.

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. 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.

We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.

Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page

If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, have an idea, question or topic you would like to see covered, reach out: [e-mail].

Episode Transcript

Grant Vermeer (00:00):
Hey everyone and welcome back to the Academy
Insider Podcast.
I apologize for some of thedelays in putting out new videos
.
I had a lot of really excitingstuff going on in my life
recently and continuing to workon projects to support the
military community, which I lovedearly, but one of the things
that I've been most excitedabout is the opportunity to
speak and talk to a lot ofincoming plebes and their
families at the North TexasParents Club Welcome On Board

(00:21):
event and also the SouthernCalifornia Parents Club Welcome
and Abort event.
And you know, the talk that Igave North Texas two and a half
weeks ago is very different thanthe talk I gave at the Southern
California Parents Club lastweekend, and I wanted to kind of
give the talk as well and justtalk through some of the things
again that I think make theNaval Academy really special,
especially at a time like this,with some of the world events

(00:43):
going on that may be making somefamilies feel a little nervous,
and so I wanted thisopportunity just to share it
with as many people as I could.
At the end of the day, I'm justa dude, so take it all with a
grain of salt, but I wanted theopportunity to talk about what
makes the Naval Academy so darnspecial, and so I hope you enjoy
it.
If there's anything I can do tobe of service to you and your
family, please let me know.

(01:03):
Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you so much.
For those of you who don't knowmy story, I was moments away
from leaving the Naval Academyduring Plebe Summer.
If it wasn't for the kindnessand curiosity of Lieutenant
Burke, my Plebe Summer Companyofficer, I wouldn't be here
today, proud of myaccomplishments and really
excited for yours.
This proud of myaccomplishments and really

(01:29):
excited for yours this is why Iam passionate about the
midshipman experience, becauseover time, I fell in love with
the Naval Academy and theonce-in-a-lifetime opportunities
it provided me.
So let me share with you todayquickly about what makes it so
darn special.
There are three main factorsthat separate the Naval Academy
from other life choices youcould have made the power of
being a midshipman, theadventure of being a junior
officer.
There are three main factorsthat separate the Naval Academy
from other life choices youcould have made the power of
being a midshipman, theadventure of being a junior

(01:50):
officer and the influence of theNaval Academy network.
You will soon discover thebenefits of the midshipman
experience.
It will teach you life lessonsthat will elevate you amongst
your peers.
While your friends are at theirfreshman orientations, partying
, having fun, you will betraining, pushing the boundaries

(02:13):
of your limits.
While your friends are thrivingwith their new classmates, you
will be struggling with yours.
While your friends are rushingtheir sororities and
fraternities, you'll be fightingthrough trials and tribulations
with yours.
The midshipman experience ishard, at times grueling and

(02:34):
overwhelming.
You will run into storms thatseem never ending Shoot.
You may even want to send homea letter, just like I did, a
letter that says I hate thisplace.
I just want to be happy.
Please save me, mom.
Look, it probably won't be thatbad for you.
I've always had a little flairfor the dramatic In classic

(02:56):
Academy sarcasm.
Whenever asked how I was as amidshipman, I'd always respond
with you know, I'm living thedream.
Whenever I sat at, my roommateJeremiah would look at me and
say dude, nightmares are dreamstoo.
I think that really capturesthe plebe experience.
But the beauty is that you willnever face these nightmares

(03:16):
alone.
The power of being a midshipmanembodies itself in the form of
incredible Navy and Marine Corpsleaders who are there to teach,
coach and mentor you.
No matter your personality type, there will always be someone
who can speak to you and connectwith you in your own unique
language that you understand.

(03:38):
Whether it's the analytic brainof the submariner, the chill
attitude of the helicopter pilot, the no-nonsense directness of
a surface warfare officer, thestoic mindset of the Navy SEAL
or the polished and motivatedpersona of a Marine, there will
be someone there ready to investinto your life and help you

(03:59):
navigate the leadershipchallenges in your path.
The Naval Academy is specialbecause of the density of wisdom
and leadership experience oncampus and the instructors.
They have one primary missionto share their knowledge, to
guide you through your ownpersonal and professional
development.
Take advantage of theseopportunities, be proactive, be

(04:24):
observant, find someone whosepersonality and leadership style
is intriguing to you and thenreach out, because, at the end
of the day, you need to createthese relationships.
You need to pour into theexperience, not shy away from it
.
You are never alone at theNaval Academy.
There is always someone thereto help you when you choose to

(04:47):
invest in the people surroundingyou in Annapolis.
The pressure will not destroyyou.
It will mold you.
Look, I almost made anemotional decision that would
have cost me everything.
When it gets hard, really hard,and you want to quit, remember
this Never make a permanentdecision based on temporary

(05:10):
emotion.
The storm, no matter how brutal, always passes.
When you come out the otherside, you will be stronger,
wiser and tougher, handling thehard aspects of life.
It's a skill, it's a musclethat needs to be trained, and

(05:30):
Plebe Summer will train thatmuscle a lot.
You may want things to geteasier, and many people wait
their whole lives for things toget easier.
Think in your life if you'vewaited for something to get
easier, ah, I just got to getthrough junior year, and then
classes will get easier.
I just need to get through thespring of my senior year, then

(05:53):
it'll be easy.
I just got to get through plebesummer, and then the rest of
the experience will be easy.
It's what we do.
We wait for stuff to get easier, but the Naval Academy and life
it never gets easier.
What happens is you learn tohandle the hard moments of life

(06:14):
better.
The power of being a midshipmanis becoming that someone who
handles hard moments better.
Lieutenant Burke advised me tostay for just one more day.
He knew by staying for just onemore day, my storm would settle
and I'd get one more rep atovercoming adversity.

(06:36):
He did not allow me to make apermanent decision based on
temporary emotion.
Choosing the Naval Academy wasthe best decision of my life.
Had I left, I would have neverexperienced the next piece of
what makes it so special theadventures of being a junior
officer.

(06:56):
I like talking about theadventures of being a junior
officer.
It's fun, it's lighthearted.
I usually share a story andpicture of my good friend Troy
with a Japanese blacksmith afterbeing gifted a custom-made
samurai sword.
It's literally the coolestthing I've ever seen.
I love getting to talk aboutworld travels and great memories
, but this past weekend, at theSouthern California Parents Club

(07:19):
, I went a little bit off scriptand I'm going to again right
now.
The focus of today's talk isabout the responsibility of
being a junior officer and theimportance of embracing the
ethos of being a man or a womanfor others, because in the
previous week, israel launchedpreemptive strikes into Iran.

(07:41):
Iran retaliated multiple timeswith strikes that impacted in
Tel Aviv.
Negotiated meetings havecontinued to get canceled and,
quite literally, as I'mrecording this, about 20 minutes
ago, it was just announced thatthe US launched strikes onto
three nuclear facilities in Iran.
At the end of the day, we'reabout to go to war.

(08:01):
Prior to getting on that stagein Southern California, I was
supposed to be flying from LAXto Vietnam that night to visit
my wife, another Naval Academygrad, in her port visit.
But guess what?
That port visit was canceledand she was moving all ahead,
flank, towards the Middle East,towards potential war.

(08:24):
And she's still moving in thatdirection today.
I know that she's nervous, Iknow for darn sure that I'm
nervous and without a doubt myin-laws are nervous.
But you know who else isnervous Her sailors.

(08:45):
And you know who else is afraidthe moms and dads of those
sailors.
And it'll be yourresponsibility as a junior
officer to love them, to takecare of them and to lead them in
combat.
It'll be your responsibility asa junior officer to process and

(09:09):
manage your own emotions, to beable to shoulder the burden of
theirs.
That's what it means to be aman for others or a woman for
others.
That's what it means to be ofservice.
And that's why being amidshipman at the Naval Academy
is so darn special Because itsucks, because it's super hard,

(09:35):
because it will prepare you forthat exact moment.
It's not about one specifictraining or tactic.
The Naval Academy experiencewill prepare you to handle the
hard moments of life better, soyou can carry someone else's
fear in addition to your own.
The experience is designed foryou to be prepared to be of

(09:59):
service to your sailors andmarines.
There is nowhere else in theworld where, at 22 years old,
right after graduation, you willhave the ability to make such a
direct, positive impact in thelives of real human beings.
So lean into the power of beinga midshipman and be ready to
bear the responsibility of beinga junior officer.

(10:23):
Being a junior officer isimportant.
You will get teased for knowingnothing, but your leadership
will matter.
Never underestimate the impactyou can make in your sailors or
Marines lives with simpleactions and that impact will be
meaningful.
I can assure you that yourservices are needed and your

(10:48):
opportunities to lead areunlimited.
To achieve a life of purposeand success.
You are in the right place.
Forged by these commonexperiences, by the storms you
will sail through, by themission and purpose that you
will have in your life, you willbe bonded to other grads for

(11:09):
the rest of time.
The Naval Academy alumni is thegreatest network in the world.
The day will come where youwear the uniform for the last
time, yet the support it'llcontinue.
Your tenacity, resilience,strength and desire to serve
will keep you connected to thosewho share the same values.

(11:30):
In finance, law, medicine, realestate, entrepreneurship, naval
Academy graduates win.
They excel and they take careof each other.
You may not realize it yet, butthe Naval Academy is not just a
four-year decision.

(11:50):
It is a 40-plus year decision,40-plus years of camaraderie,
mission purpose, fulfillment andsuccess.
If you pour into the alumninetwork and invest in the
relationships with other grads,you will have the power to do

(12:13):
anything.
Capitalize on the influence ofthe Naval Academy Network.
Congratulations on acceptingyour appointment to the Naval
Academy.
You have chosen the hard path.
You decided to prioritizelong-term fulfillment over
short-term comfort and fun.
As a result, you are embarkingon a journey that will be filled

(12:35):
with personal and professionaldevelopment, adventure and
success.
In Annapolis you'll face realadversity that will make you
question your choice, but thatadversity will be the catalyst
in your transformation into aNavy or Marine Corps officer.
All of the storms, they will beworth it.

(12:56):
Lean into the power of being amidshipman, embrace the
responsibility of being a juniorofficer and capitalize on the
influence of the Naval AcademyNetwork.
Invest in this process and youwill live a fulfilled and
meaningful life.

(13:18):
To my parents listeningcongratulations, I know after
paying for my sibling Stanfordand Yale tuition, my parents
really enjoyed the price tagassociated with my choice, but I
think you will be happiest,proudest of the life your son or

(13:38):
daughter will lead A life ofservice, a life that has purpose
, and a life that has purposeand a life filled with success.
I wish each and every one ofyou the best in your Naval
Academy journey, fair winds infollowing seas and, as always,

(13:58):
beat Army.
Thank you so much for listeningto this episode of the Academy
Insider Podcast.
I really hope you liked it,enjoyed it and learned something
during this time.
If you did, please feel free tolike and subscribe or leave a
comment about the episode.
We really appreciate to hearyour feedback about everything
and continue to make AcademyInsider an amazing service that

(14:20):
guides, serves and supportsmidshipmen, future midshipmen
and their families.
Thank you.