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080809-N-9056L-053

080809-N-9056L-053 CHICAGO (Aug. 9, 2008), Sailors from Navy Band Great Lakes march in the 79th annual Bud Billiken parade, kicking off the 2008 Chicago Navy Week events. Navy Weeks are designed to raise awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy presence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Sean Linvill/Released)

MC1 Sean Linvill

Sean O’Dowd, a graduate of Wilmot Union High School, was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2024 Wednesday and will begin six weeks of basic midshipman training as part of Plebe Summer.

Approximately 1,200 candidates are selected each year for the Academy’s “plebe” or freshman class, and each student is required to participate in Plebe Summer.

Last year the Naval Academy received over 16,000 applications for the Class of 2023.

During this time, plebes have no access to television, movies, the internet or music, and restricted access to cell phones. They are only permitted to make three calls during the six weeks of Plebe Summer.

The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy and the four years of challenge, which awaits them.

As the summer progresses, the new midshipmen rapidly assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling yard patrol craft. Plebes also learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.

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