In Annapolis, Maryland, the U.S. Naval Academy welcomed its Class of 2029 for the Naval Academy Plebe Summer, a seven-week training program that transforms incoming midshipmen. Among them was Sophie Ochoa, whose father, Heralder Ochoa, a U.S. Navy veteran and defense logistics specialist at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, penned a heartfelt farewell letter.
For years, Sophie tucked notes into her father’s suitcase before his deployments. This June, Heralder reversed roles, hiding a letter in Sophie’s luggage as she prepared for Induction Day. “I’ve always been on the other end, deploying and leaving,” Heralder said. “Yesterday, I had to write a letter for her.”
The Naval Academy Plebe Summer starts with Induction Day, a carefully orchestrated introduction to military life. Approximately 1,100 plebe candidates undergo haircuts, medical screenings, and uniform fittings. They learn to salute, stand at attention, and respond with a sharp “Yes, sir!” during their first formation run, as superiors issue commands. The day concludes with the Oath of Office ceremony, where plebes pledge to serve in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. For families, it’s a moment of pride and poignant separation.
Located in Annapolis, the Naval Academy sits along the Severn River, approximately 60 miles from St. Mary’s County, not directly adjacent as previously suggested. The academy draws many Southern Maryland families due to its proximity and prestige. Col. Paul S. Porter, an emergency physician at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, watched his son continue a seven-generation military legacy. “We go back to the Revolution,” Porter said. Kyle Rodriguez, whose brother is a plebe, noted the challenge of limited contact, relying on handwritten letters during the Naval Academy Plebe Summer.
The Naval Academy Plebe Summer introduces recruits to a rigorous hierarchy, with early mornings, intense physical training, and no civilian luxuries like streaming shows or sleeping in. For Southern Maryland residents, the academy’s traditions resonate deeply, fostering local pride. Navy Federal Credit Union, with a branch on academy grounds near the Midshipmen Store and an ATM in Dahlgren Hall, supports plebes and families. “It’s about being accessible,” said Michael Bohle, a member service representative.
Cynthia Tuckerman, a 30-year Navy Federal member, traveled from Oregon to support her granddaughter, encouraging her to join the credit union. Lisa and Darryl Tabor, from Frankfort, Illinois, joined when their eldest son, Chase, entered the academy. Now, with their younger son, Hunter, in the Class of 2029, they use Navy Federal’s investment services to teach financial planning. “They’ll be so well prepared when they graduate,” Lisa said.