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The Academy Insider Podcast - Your Guide to The Naval Academy Experience

GRANT VERMEER
Naval Academy
Annapolis
Army Week
The Naval Academy
Stoicism
Liberty
Leave
VGEP
Base Pay
Graduate Non-Commission (GNC)
Super Bowl Sunday
Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF)
Morality
Overnight Liberty
The Comma Club
The Academy Insider Podcast
Georgetown University
ACE Loan
Chad's Barbecue
Commissioning Week

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 caus... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes124Founded7 years ago
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Latest Episodes

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The Naval Academy doesn’t just produce Navy officers, it produces Marine Corps officers too, and that fact quietly shapes almost everything about life in Annapolis. We’re digging into the Marine Corps influence at the United States ... more

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Your kid’s “summer break” at the United States Naval Academy might be the most important part of their year, and it’s definitely not a break. I walk through how Naval Academy summer training actually works from May through August, w... more

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Planning for Commissioning Week 2026 can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to navigate this milestone alone. In this comprehensive episode, I sit down with Lori Coogan, Director of Parent Programs at the Naval Academy Alumni Ass... more

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The major selection window is now open for plebes, and this decision can feel overwhelming when you're trying to balance future career goals with academic interests. As someone who once sent a 2:30 AM Snapchat saying "should have be... more

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Recent Guests

Lori Coogan
Director of Parent Programs at the Naval Academy Alumni Association
Alumni Association
Episode: #122 Naval Academy Commissioning Week 2026: Schedules, Tickets, Parking, And More
Christian Blanchard
Class of 2017, aerospace engineering, Marine Corps/aviation trajectory
Naval Academy graduate
Episode: #118 The "Golden" Handshake: A Deep Dive Into the Graduate Non-Commission Experience
Cedric Williams
Co-creator of Blue Magnet, Naval Academy ally
Blue Magnet
Episode: #118 The "Golden" Handshake: A Deep Dive Into the Graduate Non-Commission Experience
Andrew Shea
Naval Academy graduate, Microsoft veteran, Operation MOS founder
Microsoft; Operation MOS
Episode: #118 The "Golden" Handshake: A Deep Dive Into the Graduate Non-Commission Experience
Laura Hatcher
Veteran photographer, headshots and portraits for veterans
Laura Hatcher Photography
Episode: #118 The "Golden" Handshake: A Deep Dive Into the Graduate Non-Commission Experience
Chris Cervello
Attorney focused on VA disability claims
Homefront Group
Episode: #118 The "Golden" Handshake: A Deep Dive Into the Graduate Non-Commission Experience
Karl Marvil
Former Naval Academy graduate, VGEP participant, and FDNF officer
Georgetown University (VGEP) / Naval Academy alumni
Episode: #115 VGEP explained: Start Your Masters while at the Naval Academy
Stefan Simkovic
Naval Academy graduate, founder of The Comma Club LLC
The Comma Club LLC
Episode: #110 The Comma Club: Insight Into Struggling Academically at the Naval Academy. Will You be Okay?
William Spears
Naval Academy graduate, submarine commander, Stoicism enthusiast
U.S. Navy, author of Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy
Episode: #108 Stoicism As a Warrior Philosophy - Interview with William Spears

Host

Grant Vermeer
Host of Academy Insider Podcast

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 123 ratings
  • The BEST Resource for Parents of Wannabe, soon-to-be and New USNA Midshipmen

    We discovered Grant’s podcast in 2019 when our son was just starting the sprint towards applications and MOC interviews. I secretly think Grant’s podcast helped my son earn the “Best Overall Candidate” out of 600+ high school juniors in Naval Academy summer seminar. After binge-listening and listening again, had a deeper grasp of what USNA was about and what they want in a midshipman. Just wanting USNA is not enough, especially for a white male non-recruited – athlete. Ryan had to articulate... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Therese7778
    United States5 months ago
  • Highly Recommend!

    Grant’s podcast is outstanding. I look forward to podcast each week and always learn something new. I’ve always been interested in the Naval Academy and Grant and his guests are able to share the details that civilians aren’t familiar with. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RatPuke
    United States6 months ago
  • Best Source for Naval Academy Information!

    Grant Vermeer is not only a graduate of the Naval Academy and therefore a “goat,” but he’s THE GOAT! He’s incredibly insightful, fun to listen to, and genuinely wants to help those learn more about the Academy. I listen to all of his episodes. Can’t recommend enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dom.a1
    United States6 months ago
  • Insightful and Entertaining

    My son just started his plebe (freshman) year at the USNA, and I highly recommend this podcast to any family curious about this adventure. Search through the episodes, and you’ll find everything from induction day to interviews with grads from years ago who now do amazing things as senior officers or have become successful business people ( like Delta airline’s CEO). Grant has a gift for asking the right questions, which makes the discussions informative and engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Healthy economist
    United States8 months ago
  • Best podcast ever

    Grant has done a phenomenal job with Academy Insider. As a parent of a plebe, this has been a lifeline. I have sent episodes to friends, who have nothing to do with USNA but still are inspired by it and following it. They are getting insights into our new world by listening. I am grateful for the invaluable content, the compelling guests, and most of all Grant’s easy going and delightful personality that brings the show to life. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zombicool
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The host's approachable style and clear, actionable takeaways make episodes easy to implement.
Community-focused episodes and guest diversity are seen as strong positives for sponsorship alignment.
Guests are relatable and provide real-world insights into transitions and career paths.
Listeners value the insider perspective and practical guidance for families navigating academy life.
Audience feedback highlights helpfulness for prospective applicants and current midshipmen families.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#108 Stoicism As a Warrior Philosophy - Interview with William Spears
Q: Can war be justified, and how do Stoics view orders within a hierarchy?
Stoics can view just war as justifiable under certain conditions; individuals retain moral autonomy and must disobey illegal or immoral orders, balancing duty with personal virtue.
#108 Stoicism As a Warrior Philosophy - Interview with William Spears
Q: How did Stockdale influence Spears' view on leadership and virtue?
Stockdale embodied Stoic principles in leadership, showing how a leader's moral identity can sustain a group under extreme pressure and how humility and resilience translate into action.
#108 Stoicism As a Warrior Philosophy - Interview with William Spears
Q: What is Stoicism and why is it relevant to a modern military leader?
Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes virtue as the highest good and teaches controlling what you can, accepting what you cannot, which helps leaders stay calm, ethical, and effective under stress.
#118 The "Golden" Handshake: A Deep Dive Into the Graduate Non-Commission Experience
Q: What advice would you give to current midshipmen going through GNC or similar transitions?
Seek counseling early, separate identity from the uniform, build a support network, and pursue a pathway that aligns with your values and long-term goals rather than letting one moment define you.
#118 The "Golden" Handshake: A Deep Dive Into the Graduate Non-Commission Experience
Q: How did you cope with the day of graduation and the idea of not being a Marine?
I faced a highly emotional day, wore Navy dress whites, and leaned on mentors; a moment with Gunny Abbott and the fact the commission remained in the folder helped stabilize me, though the day was still painful.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Academy Insider Podcast

What is The Academy Insider Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The podcast serves as a practical resource for families and individuals connected to the Naval Academy, offering insider perspectives on life at the institution, the transition to naval or civilian careers, and the many logistical, academic, and personal development topics surrounding midshipmen and graduates. Episodes regularly cover commissioning Week logistics, major selection, career pathways, and support resources for Graduate Non-Commission experiences, veterans' transitions, and mentoring networks. Notable strengths include first-hand stories from graduates, a focus on under-explained aspects of academy life (liberty policies, ship selection, VA benefits, and financial planning), and a willingness to showcase community-driven program... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Academy Insider Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Academy Insider Podcast:

1. USNA MidMoms and More Podcast
2. Sing Second Alumni
3. Timothy Keller Sermons Podcast by Gospel in Life
4. Call Me Back - with Dan Senor
5. The Proceedings Podcast

How many episodes of The Academy Insider Podcast are there?

The Academy Insider Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 124 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Academy Insider Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Academy Insider Podcast?

Recent guests on The Academy Insider Podcast include:

1. Lori Coogan
2. Christian Blanchard
3. Cedric Williams
4. Andrew Shea
5. Laura Hatcher
6. Chris Cervello
7. Karl Marvil
8. Stefan Simkovic

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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