Third-class summer

Once your Plebe has climbed Herndon, he'll be a Midshipman 4/C, a rank he or she will have for just a few days. When the graduating class is Commissioned at the end of the week, 4/C become 3/C, or Youngsters; 3/C become 2/C; and 2/C become 1/C, or Firsties. The summer between Plebe year and Youngster year is generally divided into four three-week cruise blocks. All 3/C must sign up for two blocks, one of which must be spent on a Yard Patrol (YP) boat, which sails up the eastern seaboard, making stops in New York and Boston, and practices maneuvers, including "man overboard" drills in Massachusetts Bay. Some traditions say that 3/C Mids don't officially become Youngsters until they see the chapel dome from the deck of the YP as it sails back to the Academy. For their second cruise, Midshipmen 3/C may choose between three weeks on a 44-foot Naval Academy sailing sloop or participating in Naval Tactical Training, which includes simulations of SEAL and Marine Corps operations. Economically speaking, it's best for Plebes to request 1st and 2nd blocks, 3rd and 4th blocks, or 1st and 4th blocks. Any of these choices gives Mids six consecutive weeks of leave and involves only one round-trip airfare.