From USNA to the MLB: Serving America While Chasing Big League Dreams
Aug 27, 2025
How Dreams, Duty, and a Future of Leadership Come Together
As a parent of a United States Naval Academy Midshipman, you’re on a journey too—one filled with pride, questions, and moments of deep reflection. You’ve watched your child work hard to earn a place at the Academy, and now you’re learning what that truly means.
One of the most important—and often emotional—aspects of the Naval Academy experience is the career commitment. This decision, usually made in their junior year, is more than a requirement. It’s a promise. A defining moment. And it shapes everything that comes next.
Let’s walk through what this commitment means, why it matters, and how you—as a parent—can offer support through it all.
Signing the "2-for-7": A Moment of Weight and Meaning
At the start of their junior year, every Midshipman is presented with a powerful decision: to sign the "2-for-7" agreement. This formal commitment binds them to five years of active duty service following graduation.
🖊️ “There’s a ton of weight associated with that exact moment... now you are fully aware of everything you’re signing for.”
— Mitch Harris
This isn’t something they do casually. By the time they sign, your Midshipman has been immersed in the Academy culture, experienced its challenges, and begun to understand the true meaning of service. When they commit, they do so with full awareness—and full courage.
Mitch Harris: A Story of Dreams, Delays, and Determination
To understand the heart behind the career commitment, consider the story of Mitch Harris.
Before he ever wore a Major League Baseball uniform, Mitch was a standout Midshipman at the Naval Academy—one with a fastball strong enough to attract the attention of professional scouts. After being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals, most would expect his baseball dreams to come first.
But for Mitch, duty came first.
He honored his Naval service commitment, setting aside his MLB aspirations while serving on active duty. That choice wasn’t easy. It meant watching peers rise through the minor leagues while he was deployed overseas, commanding ships and leading sailors.
Yet, when Mitch finally made his MLB debut years later, he carried something no other pitcher on the field had: a career forged in service, leadership, and sacrifice.
⚾ “Life’s hard and you’re going to face some things that you didn’t plan... It really determines who you are by how you handle those things.”
— Mitch Harris
Mitch’s story isn’t just about baseball. It’s about all the young men and women who choose service before self. Whether your Midshipman dreams of medicine, business, aviation, engineering—or yes, even professional sports—the path they’ve chosen starts with commitment, and builds a foundation of discipline, integrity, and strength that will serve them in any career.
The Hidden Value of the Academy and Military Service
Yes, the career commitment is real. But so are the rewards.
Your Midshipman will step into the world with:
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Unshakable leadership skills
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A global mindset gained through deployment and travel
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Resilience and grit built through real-world responsibility
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A network of leaders that opens doors far beyond the Navy or Marine Corps
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Experiences that most people will never have, from commanding a ship to leading in crisis
🌍 “I truly enjoyed driving ships... I think I went to 30 countries before I was 26. It was a blast.” — Mitch Harris
These aren’t abstract benefits. They’re real, lifelong advantages—qualities that set Academy graduates apart in every field they pursue, whether in the military or beyond.
How Parents Can Be a Steady Anchor
This journey can feel overwhelming at times—for your Midshipman and for you. But you play a vital role. Here’s how to help:
Encourage honest, two-way conversation
Let them share their hopes and fears without judgment. Listen more than you speak.
Learn about service communities
Surface Warfare, Aviation, Submarines, Marines, Medical—knowing the options will help you support informed choices.
Acknowledge the emotional weight
Yes, it’s exciting. But it can also be scary. That’s okay. You can be their steady voice in the storm.
Celebrate the wins
From signing the 2-for-7 to getting their service assignment, mark the milestones. They matter more than you know.
Embrace the Bigger Picture
The Naval Academy career commitment isn’t just about contracts and time served. It’s about growth. Maturity. Sacrifice. And most importantly, becoming the kind of leader the world needs more of.
It’s okay to feel conflicted as a parent. But take heart: your Midshipman is not walking this path alone. They’re part of a proud tradition—and so are you.
You’re not just raising a graduate. You’re raising a leader.
Part 1 - listen to the audio podcast here!
Part 2 - listen to the audio podcast 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.
Connect with Grant Vermeer, The Academy Insider here:
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