Navy Formula SAE - Building Cars and Character

Jul 19, 2025

Accelerating Growth: The Navy Formula SAE Team

As a parent of a United States Naval Academy Midshipman, you might be wondering about the diverse opportunities available to your child beyond the traditional academic and military training. One such opportunity that combines engineering prowess, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving is the Navy Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) team. This unique program offers Midshipmen a chance to apply their classroom knowledge to a challenging, hands-on project that mirrors the complexities they'll face in their future naval careers.

What is the Navy Formula SAE Team?

The Navy Formula SAE team is a group of approximately 20 Midshipmen, primarily engineering majors, who work together to design, build, and race a small formula-style racing car. This project serves as their capstone, allowing them to apply the engineering principles they've learned in a practical, competitive environment.

The Challenge of Balancing Academics and the Formula Team

Unlike traditional sports teams at the Academy, the Formula SAE team doesn't benefit from dedicated practice periods. Instead, these dedicated Midshipmen must find time outside their already packed schedules to work on the project. This additional commitment teaches valuable lessons in time management and prioritization - skills that will serve them well in their future naval careers.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Participation in the Formula SAE team offers Midshipmen unique learning opportunities that extend far beyond traditional engineering coursework:

1. Practical Application of Engineering Principles

Team members get to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, bridging the gap between classroom learning and practical engineering.

2. Project Management

The team must adhere to strict deadlines and manage resources effectively, mirroring the challenges they'll face as future naval officers.

3. Teamwork and Leadership

Working on a complex project with peers develops crucial leadership and collaboration skills. As Kevin Burnett, an instructor and team advisor, notes, "Nowhere else do I think you get the chance to try to see how good your peer leadership is."

4. Problem-Solving Under Pressure

The team faces numerous challenges throughout the project, from design issues to last-minute malfunctions. These experiences cultivate resilience and adaptability.

The Competition: More Than Just Racing

The culmination of the team's efforts is the annual competition at Michigan International Speedway. Here, they compete against 120 other universities in various events that test not just the car's performance, but also the team's engineering knowledge, project management, and presentation skills.

Preparing for Naval Service

While building a race car might seem far removed from naval duties, the skills developed through this project are directly applicable to future naval service:

Attention to Detail: The stringent rulebook for the competition mirrors the importance of following naval procedures and regulations.
Adaptability: Unexpected challenges during the project prepare Midshipmen for the unpredictable nature of naval operations.
Technical Proficiency: The hands-on nature of the project enhances technical skills that will be valuable in maintaining and operating naval equipment.
Communication: Team members must effectively communicate complex ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences, a crucial skill for naval officers.

The Value of Adversity

Kevin Burnett emphasizes the importance of facing and overcoming challenges: "Adversity is actually okay. You know, it means you're trying to do something that's challenging, and you could even do everything right, and unexpected adversity could hit you."

This mindset of resilience and growth through adversity is a cornerstone of the Naval Academy experience, preparing Midshipmen for the challenges they'll face in their naval careers and beyond.

Supporting Your Midshipman's Journey

The Navy Formula SAE team is just one example of the unique opportunities available at the Naval Academy that help shape well-rounded, capable naval officers. By embracing these challenges, your Midshipman is not just building a race car - they're building the foundation for a successful naval career and a lifetime of leadership.

If you want to learn more about the program, watch the pull interview here!

Or listen to the audio podcast here!

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.