Plebe Summer Terminology Part 2

Jul 08, 2025

Ever wonder what the heck your son or daughter is talking about in their letters home or during phone calls as a Plebe at the Naval Academy?

Join Troy, Ricky, and me as we break down the unique terminology and traditions that define this intense initiation period, Plebe Summer.

Troy Thompson, Class of 2017, an active-duty Surface Warfare Officer and former quarterback for the Naval Academy football team.

Ricky Conlin, Class of 1999, is the writer and creator of the Black N Trilogy. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy’s class of 1999 and a proud member of the Navy Football Brotherhood. He served as an officer in the Navy for six years before beginning his executive and writing careers.

Bracing Up: The Art of the Triple Chin

One term you might hear is "bracing up." This peculiar practice involves plebes assuming a position where they stick out their chin, then pull it back to create a triple chin effect. It's a form of remediation used when plebes lose their bearing or constantly look around.

Why is it done? The purpose is to force plebes to maintain a forward gaze, effectively limiting their ability to turn their heads and look around. It's an uncomfortable position that serves as a reminder to maintain proper bearing.

The Infamous "Ditty"

A "ditty" is a short, memorable phrase or cadence associated with a specific action or movement. These vocal commands are used to help plebes coordinate their actions, especially during drill exercises.

For example, there might be a specific ditty for "bracing up" or other remedial actions. These phrases help create muscle memory and uniformity in movements.

Sticking Out a Paw: The Silent Request

In the world of Plebe Summer, you don't simply speak whenever you want. If a plebe needs to say something, they must "stick out a paw." This means extending their hand to signal that they need to speak.

The most common reason for sticking out a paw? Requesting permission to use the restroom, or as it's known in Naval Academy parlance, "making a head call."

Head Calls and Battle Buddies

Speaking of head calls, plebes don't simply go to the restroom alone. They must always have a "battle buddy" with them. This buddy system ensures accountability and stems from the military principle of never leaving a shipmate alone.

A typical request might sound like this: "Sir, Midshipman Fourth Class [Name] respectfully requests to make a head call."

Sounding Off and Locking It Up

Two phrases you'll often hear in opposition are "sound off" and "lock it up."

"Sound off" is a command for plebes to speak louder or to respond with enthusiasm. It's used to teach voice projection, a valuable skill in military settings.

"Lock it up," on the other hand, means to be quiet and regain proper bearing. If plebes are talking when they shouldn't be, they'll quickly hear "lock it up!"

Chow Calls: The Mealtime Ritual

Chow calls are announcements made by plebes at specific intervals before meals. These calls include important information such as:

Time until the meal formation
Location of the formation
Uniform requirements
Menu for the meal
Special events of the day
Name of the Midshipman Officer of the Watch

Chow calls serve as both a reminder for plebes and an alarm clock for upperclassmen. They're often delivered at high volume and rapid speed, making them a challenging but essential part of the Plebe Summer experience.

The Plebe Hack: An Unwelcome Guest

Finally, we have the "plebe hack." This isn't a clever trick, but rather a common illness that spreads among plebes due to close quarters, stress, and lack of sleep. It's typically a respiratory infection accompanied by a persistent cough.

While plebes are expected to maintain their bearing even when sick, the plebe hack can make this particularly challenging.

Understanding these terms will help you better comprehend your Midshipman's experiences during Plebe Summer. Remember, while this period is challenging, it's designed to build resilience, teamwork, and discipline - qualities that will serve your son or daughter well throughout their Naval career and beyond.

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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.