Things I Actually Miss About The Naval Academy: From Someone Who Left | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Things I Actually Miss About The Naval Academy: From Someone Who Left

Ex-MIDN Kayla Chappell tells all

957
Things I Actually Miss About The Naval Academy: From Someone Who Left
Gabby Lucchese

Throughout my 2 years here, I have had a number of friends and acquaintances leave the Naval Academy due to various reasons. One of the hardest goodbyes I have ever had to say was my very first friend and roommate: Kayla Chappell. Luckily I see her every once in awhile and we are able to catch up on each other's lives like no time has passed at all. In one of our recent conversations, she wanted to tell people about what she actually misses about leaving the place that challenged her beyond her imaginable limits. And so, in the words of one of my best friends, here are the things I miss about the Naval Academy, by Kayla Chappell.


1. SPORTS!!!

I miss being part of a team. It’s true that everything is a little less fun when its mandatory, but having a reason to compete and better yourself at something is never a bad thing. Let’s face it sports are fun. Additionally, everyone at Navy is, at the least, above mediocre athletic, so you don’t get strange looks when you offer up spots for a group run or a pick-up game of some kind.

2. Never Having To Eat Alone

I didn’t always crave what was on the King Hall menu. But if you’ve ever had to sit in a McDonald's booth with only your McNuggets to keep you company, you’ll understand.

3. Being Able To Say “I’m From the Academy”

I know some people are going to read this and think “well if this is the only reason she was here then it’s a good thing she left”. Well to those people, this is a dang good reason to miss any place! It’s impressive. No Midshipman is stranger to the looks of approval or handshakes received when they introduce themselves to someone who knows about that school in Annapolis. Use this to your advantage, but stay humble my friends.

4. Patriotism

Unbridled patriotism. After all, everyone there is in the military. So, no it’s not weird to chant USA like those are your child’s initials and he just threw the winning touchdown pass in the national championship.

5. Everybody Knows Everybody

I never went anywhere on the Yard without seeing someone I knew, had seen before, or had heard something about. If I didn’t know them personally, I was close to someone who did. I go to school with 20,000 people and maybe know 100 of them. In my plebe year alone I had multiple meaningful conversations or personal interactions with at least 400 people. The fallout to this is that everyone knows your business.. but there’s really no such thing as a nobody at the Naval Academy.

6. DRINK TO THE FOAM

I am currently a member of one of those basic sororities at the most notorious party school in the SEC, and I’m telling you nobody parties quite like people who aren’t really supposed to. LOL Roll Goats.

7. Guaranteed Future

I don’t think I have to say more. Supposedly this is why we all apply.

8. Always, Always Having Someone There

I used to roll over in my rack at 3 am and tell my roommate whatever random, and I mean random, thought had popped into my head. My mini breakdowns happened infront of an audience. Inturn, I witnessed many a mental breakdown. A friend was never more than a door away. There was always someone to cry to, to reminiss with, to tell your stupid joke to.

9. The Caliber of People

Shocker, I know. I bet you knew that was going to be listed given that it’s basically drilled into everyone’s head, and here I am to confirm. Take 4,000 of the smartest, most athletic, most dedicated, and most driven individuals and put them all together then tell them they need to rely on each other for the next four years. You can’t ask for a better formula to make friends. Don’t get me wrong. Not every midshipman is the most amazing, praise worthy human. A high ranking marine officer told me over my plebe summer “I have classmates that I wouldn’t piss in their direction..”. That might sound intense, but there are bad seeds in every organization. The point is “the bad seeds” at the Naval Academy are still motivated to do something with their lives and for someone elses. That’s a rare quality for people in their early 20’s and it’s even rarer to find a large body of people who share those values.


Disclaimer:

While listed above are strong reasons I miss the Academy, there are a lot of things I don’t miss, ie practice parades and sleeping on top of my sheets. People ask me all the time if I regret my decision. My immediate answer is always no, but those closest to me know that sometimes this isn’t the case. It’s just like a break up. When you’re in a toxic relationship you can’t wait to leave, but once it’s over and you’ve moved on all you can remember are the good times you had. Ultimately, I know I made the right decison for me. Just because my life went in a different direction doesn’t mean that the United States Naval Academy isn’t anything less than the happiest place on Earth ;)

V/R-

Ex MIDN


"The views expressed, [in this article] reflect personal opinions of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Naval Academy, the United States Navy, any federal agency, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.”

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196504
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18614
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460687
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28209
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments