Blue and Gold: Learn about the Plebe Summer Nightly Meeting

Jul 08, 2025

One tradition that holds a special place in the hearts of many Midshipmen is the Plebe Summer nightly ritual known as "Blue and Gold." Today, I want to share some insights and provide a little context to help you understand.

What is Blue and Gold?

Blue and Gold is the last official event of each day during Plebe Summer. It's a time when Plebes gather with their detailers to wrap up the day's activities, receive important information, and prepare for the next day. But it's more than just an administrative meeting.

Key Components of Blue and Gold

1. Mail Call: One of the most anticipated parts of Blue and Gold is the distribution of mail. Letters and packages from home are a lifeline for many Plebes, offering encouragement and a connection to the outside world.
2. Health Check: Detailers use this time to check on the physical well-being of the Plebes, including inspecting for blisters and other foot issues.
3. Thought of the Day: Plebes submit a brief written reflection each evening, which can range from simple observations to deeper personal insights.
4. Company Address: The Company Commander or Executive Officer typically gives a speech, offering feedback on the day's performance and motivation for the next day.
5. Singing 'Blue and Gold': To conclude the meeting, plebes will sing the Navy Blue and Gold, the Naval Academy Alma Mater. So every evening will end with a resounding double thump of the chest and a loud "BEAT ARMY!"

The Impact of Blue and Gold

While it might seem like a simple end-of-day routine, Blue and Gold plays a crucial role in shaping the Plebe Summer experience:

1. Building Resilience

The nightly ritual provides a sense of structure and consistency in an otherwise chaotic and challenging environment. It's a fixed point in the day that Plebes can look forward to, helping them build resilience.

2. Fostering Communication

Blue and Gold offers a structured opportunity for Plebes to communicate with their detailers. The "Thought of the Day" in particular allows Plebes to express concerns or share experiences that they might not feel comfortable voicing aloud.

3. Reinforcing Team Spirit

As a shared experience among all Plebes in a company, Blue and Gold helps foster a sense of camaraderie and team spirit. It's a time when the entire company comes together, reinforcing the idea that they're all in this challenge together.

4. Providing Motivation

The speeches given during Blue and Gold often serve as a source of motivation and encouragement. After a long, challenging day, these words can be crucial in helping Plebes maintain their determination and focus.

Tips for Families

If you have a loved one going through Plebe Summer, here are a few ways you can support them through the Blue and Gold tradition:

1. Write regularly: Knowing they'll have mail to look forward to during Blue and Gold can be a huge morale booster for Plebes.
2. Ask about their experiences: When you do have the chance to communicate, ask about their Blue and Gold experiences. Have they heard any great speeches? Have they been motivational? Have they been tough? What is their detailers approach to the end of the day? It's a great way to show you're engaged with their journey. Plus, some of my favorite stories I have from Plebe Summer are from the nightly Blue and Gold, so I know there will be a few for you as well!

A Direct Application to the Fleet

Blue and Gold is more than just a nightly meeting - it's a tradition that helps shape the Naval Academy experience. It teaches valuable lessons about communication, resilience, and teamwork that will serve these future officers well throughout their careers.

This approach mirrors the "hot wash" debriefs used in the fleet, preparing Midshipmen for a career of continuous improvement and reflection.

So, the next time you hear about Blue and Gold, remember - it's not just a simple end-of-day routine. It's a powerful tradition that plays a crucial role in transforming civilians into future naval officers, one day at a time.

To get even more detail about Blue and Gold, you need to check out this podcast episode with Jake Lunn where we do a deep dive.

Link to the episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/051-blue-and-gold/id1463594323?i=1000661754084

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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.