48 episodes
The Academy Insider Podcast - Your Guide to The Naval Academy Experience GRANT VERMEER
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- Society & Culture
The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families. Through the perspective of a community of former graduates and Naval Academy insiders, this podcast will help you learn about life at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Through our shared experiences, Academy Insider guides families through the anxiety and frustration caused by lack of understanding, misinformation, and confusion. This platform is designed to better relationships between midshipmen and their loved ones. This podcast is not affiliated with the United States Naval Academy, the United States Navy or Department of Defense. The thoughts and opinions are exclusively those of your host and his guests.
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#047: A Parent's Journey Through the Naval Academy w/ Karl Smith
How do you navigate the emotional roller coaster of parenting a midshipman? Karl Smith, a two-time Service Academy parent, shares his heartfelt journey with us. From his son Noah's intense Plebe Summer at the Naval Academy to his current role as a Lieutenant JG on the USS Florida, Carl provides a reflective and invaluable perspective. We also draw comparisons with his daughter Katie's experiences at the Air Force Academy. Tune in as Carl opens up about the evolving dynamics between pare...
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#046: I-day at the Naval Academy - Preparation and Advice for Parents with AN Shine
This episode of the Academy Insider Podcast promises to offer invaluable insights and heartfelt advice from Annie Shyne, a mother of two Naval Academy graduates. With her unique perspective, Annie guides us through the emotional rollercoaster of I-Day, Plebe Summer, and beyond, sharing personal anecdotes and practical strategies that every Naval Academy parent can benefit from.Throughout our conversation, Annie, the author of "A USNA Mom's Journal," illustrates the importance of letting go an...
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#045 NAPS Preparation and Advice with PJ Roach '23
Preparing for and Navigating Life at the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS) with PJ RoachThis episode of the Academy Insider podcast features host Grant Vermeer and guest PJ Roach, a class of 2023 Naval Academy graduate and former battalion commander at the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS). The discussion provides insight into the experiences at NAPS, including the indoctrination process for midshipman candidates, leadership lessons, and how NAPS prepares students for life at the Naval A...
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#044 Inside the Naval Academy's Drum and Bugle Corps with Andrea Howard
In this episode, Andrea Howard, former commander of the Naval Academy's Drum and Bugle Corps, joins us to recount her musical journey and leadership at this prestigious institution. Listen as we peel back the curtain on D&B.Andrea takes us through the high notes of her tenure—performing at international spectacles and rousing sporting events, where the D&B's presence amplifies the spirit of competition. Her stories of Mardi Gras parades and the Navy-Notre Dame game in Ireland shine a ...
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#043 Learning and Understanding the Plebe Summer Organization at the Naval Academy
Sail with us down memory lane as my dear friend Christian Blanchard, a fellow Naval Academy alumnus, and I recount the transformative experience of Plebe Summer. Our conversation charts the course of the program's evolution, the impact of more intimate company sizes, and the intimate bonds that last a lifetime. Whether you're a proud parent of a midshipman or simply fascinated by the culture of the Naval Academy, this episode offers a rare glimpse into a world where civilians morph into leade...
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#042 Generational Changing Opportunity - The United States Naval Academy
Generational Changing Opportunity - The United States Naval AcademyIn this special episode of the Academy Insider Podcast, host Grant Vermeer is joined by Troy Thompson, a class of '17 graduate, for a deep dive into the transformative impact of the United States Naval Academy on its midshipmen and graduates. They share their personal experiences, touching on the challenges and rewards of life at the academy, the power of the Naval Academy network, and the generational opportunities it provide...