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

GRANT VERMEER
Naval Academy
Annapolis
Plebe Summer
Leadership
Navy
The Naval Academy
Army Week
Service Academies
Civil Engineer Corps
Marine Corps
The Academy Families Travel Network
Midshipman Experience
Naval Academy Network
PROTRAMID
Super Bowl Sunday
VGEP
Graduate Non-Commission (GNC)
Stoicism
Summer Training
Base Pay

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes140Founded7 years ago
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Society & CultureEducation

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Latest Episodes

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Plebe Parents Weekend can feel like relief, but we see it as something stronger: proof that you and your plebe can do hard things and finish what you started. We reflect on why Plebe Summer matters even when the details blur, and wh... more

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Halfway through Plebe Summer, the faces change but the pressure doesn’t. We’re talking about detailer turnover at the United States Naval Academy, the moment when the first set of upperclass midshipmen hands the training mission to ... more

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That first “Plebe Summer” letter can feel like it rewrites everything you thought you knew. One day you’re celebrating an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, and the next you’re reading words like “I hate this place” and... more

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Navy Racing is not just about going fast, it’s about learning how to perform when everything is on the line. We sit down with Kevin Burnett to debrief a huge year for motorsports at the Naval Academy, from legitimate NASCAR exposure... more

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Recent Guests

Gabriel Iglesias
Recent Naval Academy graduate, Sun Rain Officer
United States Navy
Episode: #135 Learn About PROTRAMID - The Iconic Naval Academy Summer Training
Laurie Pugin
Director of Parent Programs at the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
Episode: #133 I-Day At The Naval Academy
Kayla Giddish
Staff member in Navy Athletics, specializes in athletic development and donor relations
Naval Academy Athletic Association
Episode: #133 I-Day At The Naval Academy
Karen Hicks
Staff member at the Naval Academy Foundation, fundraiser and program advocate
Naval Academy Foundation
Episode: #133 I-Day At The Naval Academy
Roland De Guzman
Naval Academy graduate, career Civil Engineer officer
Civil Engineer Corps (CEC)
Episode: #132 Learn About The Navy's Civil Engineer Corps
John Cordle
Author of Letters to Myself, naval officer with a 30+ year career
Author, Naval Officer
Episode: #125 BONUS Episode: An Interview with Dr. John Cordle (Letters To Myself)
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

Host

Grant Vermeer
Host of The Academy Insider Podcast

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 137 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 States10 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise practical, insider perspectives and actionable guidance for families and prospective midshipmen.
Content is valuable for families navigating complex military-education journeys and for listeners seeking leadership and career insights.
The host's approachable, mentor-like tone is repeatedly highlighted as a strength for engagement and learning.
Guests consistently offer candid, helpful insights that translate to real-world preparation and decision-making.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#100 The Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation
Q: Where are you from, how you ended up in the Navy, and how you landed in this role with the Alumni Association & Foundation?
The guest shares that he hails from Utah and Colorado, had a Naval career including a PAO role, and then transitioned into the Alumni Association as Executive Director of Communications, bringing a communications and public affairs background to the foundation's mission.
#102 Forge Your Future: Admissions Tips and Insight from The Founders of FYF
Q: What is the scope of help you're going to be providing if someone reaches out to Forge Your Future?
We offer free interview preparation, essay reviews, and deadline accountability to help students stay on track through the nomination and application cycles for Service Academies or ROTC, with tailored mentoring depending on the applicant's needs.
#094 Navy Formula SAE - Building Cars and Character
Q: First question, how do you determine who gets to drive the Formula SAE car?
Drive assignments depend on involvement, physical size, and driving ability; those who contribute more and fit the car's driving requirements are more likely to drive, with safety and skill being key considerations.
#093 - The Academy Families Travel Network
Q: How does someone actually use the network when they are traveling to Annapolis or other service academy hubs?
They email academyfamiliestravelnetwork@gmail.com with their affiliation and travel needs, then the organizers share a vetted list of hosts; travelers contact hosts directly and coordinate arrangements.
#132 Learn About The Navy's Civil Engineer Corps
Q: What makes the CEC a good fit for graduates who want to use analytical skills and lead troops?
CEC is ideal for those who want to leverage analytical, technical problem-solving skills and also lead people; the role blends engineering with leadership, and offers stability in assignments while still providing meaningful, hands-on leadership opportunities.

Audience Metrics

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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?

Listeners are drawn to a practical, insider view of life at the Naval Academy and the surrounding ecosystem, with recurrent episodes about Plebe Summer, I-Day, PROTRAMID, commissioning, and how families can support midshipmen. The show often features former grads and academy insiders who share actionable guidance, personal anecdotes, and practical logistics for families navigating military life, leadership development, and the conversion from midshipman to officer. A standout is the focus on community resources, parent programs, and philanthropy's role in supporting midshipmen, paired with candid, mentor-like advice. Potential listeners include families, prospective applicants, and professionals seeking leadership or Navy-related insights—o... 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. Jocko Podcast
2. Huberman Lab
3. The Daily
4. Next Up with Mark Halperin
5. The Shawn Ryan Show

How many episodes of The Academy Insider Podcast are there?

The Academy Insider Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 140 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Academy Insider Podcast?

Recent guests on The Academy Insider Podcast include:

1. Gabriel Iglesias
2. Laurie Pugin
3. Kayla Giddish
4. Karen Hicks
5. Roland De Guzman
6. John Cordle
7. Lori Coogan
8. Christian Blanchard

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