<p>What does SMT consist of ? I will be at CVW this weekend and am wondering what we will be doing for SMT. I don't know who my assigned plebe is yet. I've read the forum and am hearing it could be a run, swim, ???? Can anyone add to that ? Thanks K</p>
<p>It can be many different things depending on what your Plebe’s squad will be doing. It could be something physical, sailing, or even a squad outing. If it is the later, you will typically not be included, but would probably be handed off to a roommate whose squad would be doing something on the yard. No telling until you get there as it is squad dependent.</p>
<p>Some of the SMTs I’ve heard about from my Plebe:</p>
<p>3-6 mile runs
visit to Holocaust museum
PT including pushup and curlup “ladders” a la The USNA Candidate Book
briefings on professional topics
met with Distinguished Graduate Award winners for Q&A session
played “field ball”
endurance course and O-course runs
“Sea Trials practice”</p>
<p>Each semester, the “training staff” for each company changes, i.e., the Mids in charge of training the Plebes. The overall type of training can change substantially as a result. </p>
<p>During her CVW, the company she visited did pool PT. No, she was not required to participate, but she did. Many of the things done in pool PT do NOT require the ability to swim.</p>
<p>SMT’s are never time for squad outings. Furthermore, SMT’s are assigned by company, and sometimes by Battalion, not by Squads.</p>
<p>This week’s SMT will likely be something involving emergency procedures while underway. A member of the sailing team informed me we will be sitting in bleachers on the seawall watching them perform man overboard and other emergency drills. Sounds pretty boring, but this is likely not for the entire Brigade.</p>
<p>Some SMTs are cooler than this, such as the Holocaust Museum or Paintball. Some are not as fun, such as the one’s you’ll be experiencing in the very beginning of first semester.</p>
<p>^^^ Hum… You contradict yourself with not an outing and then give examples of outings…</p>
<p>I have gone skiing, Quantico Museum, sailing on the 44’s, lectures etc - I would pretty much call many of thoses a types of activities a squad outing - maybe not what you are thinking about in the way of a pizza party or the likes. When I went skiing it was just a couple of squads. </p>
<p>As a squad leader I do plan many of my squads activities with in the confines of the training SM’s directions and other Platoon, company personnel.</p>
<p>Skiing in Maryland? Wisp Resort? Top is 610 ft. Three hour drive at least. Not a Saturday morning SMT. Quantico Museum is pretty close and a great trip could spend a lot of hours there. 44’s for a Saturday morning sailing may not be SMT but who knows.</p>
<p>LOL - Pennsylvania for the day - left very early as a squad - hense SMT or if you will squad outing. Does it really matter what it is called? It was Saturday morning and involved my squad. Learning to sail 44’s - not something we were exposed to during Plebe Summer only the lasers and 26’s. Since some will do a sailing cruise on the 44 for one of their youngster cruises my squad leader thought it a good idea to get us out on a 44.</p>
<p>SMT can take many different forms - not just a morning run on the yard.</p>
<p>My Mid has done Saturday morning skiing in So. Pennsylvania. A small mountain just less than 2 hours from the Academy. Nothing like skiing in their Foul Weather Gear - kind of guess they stood out on the “hill” in bright gold and blue!</p>
<p>The first time we went to visit during his Plebe year we planned on a Saturday in October with no football. Expecting SMT to be over about noon, we sat out at the sailing center until close to 2pm for their SMT on the 44’s to come in. Did though get some great pictures of them.</p>
<p>I think that 1-2 squad cohesive activities per semester is just as effective as an SMT. Especially, if it places a 1/C and/or 2/C with the responsibility of planning and executing the outing. The outing should involve something physically challenging or cultural/professional development. This way more 1/C and 2/C have a chance to take charge of their squad. I think that mandated battalion SMTs should be limited.</p>
<p>What’s it like going to a Naval Academy?</p>
<p>That’s a pretty broad question, python. I suggest that you search the threads on this forumn, and look at the USNA web site. </p>
<p>[United</a> States Naval Academy - Home Page](<a href=“http://www.usna.edu%5DUnited”>http://www.usna.edu)</p>
<p>Our company doesn’t permit squad outings during SMT. Mine took place during liberty hours.</p>
<p>The SMT of the week, designed by the training staff, is mandatory for all 4/C, 3/C, and 2/C and 1/C in the duty section, unless a sport, MO, etc. interferes.</p>