Tallahassee native enters class of 2024 Plebe Summer at Naval Academy

Special to the Democrat
Tallahassee native Hudson Williams was inducted into Naval Academy Class of 2024 on June 25.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Hudson Williams, son of Janet and Pete Williams and a 2020 graduate of Maclay School in Tallahassee, was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2024 Thursday, June 25, and began six challenging 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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