Why you should be excited about the return of Grant Vermeer and Academy Insider

One of the ways many of us get through the Naval Academy parent experience is the support of other USNA parents, past and present. However, one of the best sources of support has been absent for the past few years.

Thankfully, it is returning.

As you may have seen on various social media platforms, Grant Vermeer is bringing Academy Insider out of the mothballs. I can almost hear the parents of the last few classes asking “Grant who?” as they look at their screen.

During my first year as an academy parent, Grant’s Academy Insider blog posts were sources of invaluable information and guidance. The Class of 2017 graduate offered a perspective few of us Plebe parents could fathom – from inside the walls of Bancroft Hall. During Plebe Summer, I can recall reading something he wrote about July 4 and the Plebes watching fireworks on Hospital Point, including much detail that I couldn’t find elsewhere.

I am so excited that he’ll be bringing that energy and knowledge back to the USNA community; it fills a void that’s been presence since 2020.

I’ve written about Grant before – read all about it – to catch up with him.

Then I had the pleasure to participate in his podcast – check it out here.

But for those who still don’t know him, Grant is a 2017 cyber operations graduate who overcame a strong desire to leave the Academy to excel as a basketball player and ascend to the top of Brigade leadership. Along the way, his blog posts cast a light on my things we parents found mysterious. When he launched the Academy Insider podcast, it went to a whole new level, going beyond the walls of The Yard and taking us all to places we didn’t know. The second half of his time with the Navy made it impossible to keep AI going at any sustainable level, so he put it on the shelf. Well, now he’s out of the Navy and working in real estate, allowing him the time to bring it back to our community.

I had the opportunity to speak with Grant recently and I am here to tell you, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.

Here’s the video announcing the return:

Grant tells me he plans to hit the ground running with a podcast about Plebe Summer preparation, advice for incoming Plebes and all about the Star Series and that coveted varsity N* sweater. There will be more Plebe Summer content coming in the summer, which is great news for the Class of 2028.

We’re so lucky to have a former Mid who is not just willing to share deep insights but also willing to put in the work necessary to produce a top-notch podcast. This is such a great resource and I’m hoping all USNA families will make full use of it.

By the way, when I say Grant seriously thought about leaving the Academy, consider this note he sent home to his mother during Plebe Summer: