Plebes

This multi-day, culminating leadership challenge will reinforce the moral, mental, and physical development plebes undergo during their first year at the Naval Academy.

We’re merely plebes because ESPN isn’t paying us.

Plebes learn some basic commands from Marine 2nd Lt. Kevin Thibodeaux before moving out to Bancroft Hall.

The Plebes will not be getting it any time soon.

The Herndon climb is considered the final rite of passage for 'plebes' at the Naval Academy.

Approximately 1,200 "plebes" (an abbreviation of the Ancient Roman word plebeian ) enter the Academy each summer for the rigorous Plebe Summer, but only about 1,000 midshipmen graduate.

By the mid-1920s the poem began appearing in the USNA's Reef Points, the official midshipman handbook and training manual issued to all freshman plebes during their induction to the school.

Colloquially, freshmen are plebes, sophomores are yearlings or yuks, juniors are cows, and seniors are firsties.

Every year as part of the year end festivities, Herndon is covered with lard and plebes attempt to climb the monument, remove a "dixie cup" (the headwear of a plebe) and put a "cover" (the standard midshipman hat) on top.

Most often done by plebes to impress upperclass, they scream "BEAT ARMY!" when they are done drinking the beverage, usually to applause.

Rank Structure A member of the entering class—the fourth class, the lowest rank of midshipmen—is also known as a "plebe" (plural plebes).

The rooms are commonly assigned to Plebes or short-straw drawing Youngsters, since they lack the view that many other rooms have.

They were also named National Intercollegiate Champions. citation In 1955, the tradition of greasing Herndon Monument for plebes to climb to exchange their plebe "dixie cup" covers (hats) for a midshipman's cover started.

Women comprise about 22 percent of entering plebes.