naval academy was established in maryland. each year, more than 1,200 students, called "plebes," arrive to start life at the academy. what they experience during "plebe summer" is something they'll never forget. >> [ laughs ] plebe summer occurs the summer before you enter the naval academy. it's about two months of training that everyone has to go through. it's intensive. it's to break you into a military environment, especially for those who've never been involved in the military in any aspect before. >> so, you're gonna get a crash course in physical fitness. you're gonna get a crash course in military indoctrination. you're gonna get a crash course in just overall discipline, time management, and bearing. you're gonna do push-ups you're gonna do sit-ups, you're gonna learn who your friends are, you're gonna become one with the brigade of midshipmen. >> teamwork is definitely a watchword here. in fact, it's tradition to end plebe year by placing a midshipman's cover -- a hat -- on top of herndon monument. talk about teamwor