page_title: Plebe Summer
section_title: Second Set
hierarchical_section_title: Plebe Summer / Second Set
caption_attribution_description: English: Plebes during Marine Corps Martial Arts instruction during Plebe Summer 2003 at the U.S. Naval Academy
context_page_description: Plebe Summer is the summer training program which is required of all incoming freshmen to the United States Naval Academy. The program lasts approximately 7 weeks and consists of rigorous physical and mental training. The stated purpose of Plebe Summer according to the Academy is to "turn civilians into midshipmen".
context_section_description: The second half of Plebe Summer (known as 2nd set) is focused on transforming the new plebes into members of the Brigade of Midshipmen. At this point in the summer, the plebes are assumed to be familiarized with military life and have a firm grasp on their "rates," so the detailers concentrate on further polishing the plebes' abilities for the upcoming year.
  Most of the plebes have memorized all of the information in Reef Points and can recite any of it when questioned by the detailers. Typically, this questioning on the plebes' rates occurs during meals and in between planned activities in order to test the plebes' ability to remember important information in stressful situations. For example, plebes may be asked to recite the ranks of officers or enlisted in any of the services. 
  When the second session begins there is a turnover of detailers, and each company receives an entirely new set. During the second session, the plebes begin attending lectures by several notable military speakers such as Jim Lovell, Jim Webb and Joseph Galloway. These lectures are called Forrestal Lectures named after former Secretary of Defense James Forrestal. The lectures are aimed at instilling a sense of honor in the plebes. Official parades are commonly held every week to provide the town of Annapolis with a glimpse of the new class and also to solidify the plebes' drill ability. 
  The end of Plebe Summer is marked by the beginning of plebe year, which is just as rigorous as Plebe Summer but with the added challenge of academic classes.
caption: Plebes are also given training in Marine Corps martial arts, boxing and wrestling[7]
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