In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Naval Academy graduate Chrishad Broadway '16 about his experiences as a detailer for struggling plebes in Tango company.
Chris was hand selected to serve in this sensitive and important role by the officer in charge of this duty.
Grant and Chris talk about what the little talked about Tango company is, their schedule, where they live in Bancroft Hall, where they eat in King Hall and all that goes into helping them discern if they want to stay or leave the Naval Academy.
You will definitely learn a lot about how the academy approaches this difficult situation, how they do everything they can to help plebes make an informed decision and maintain their privacy and dignity throughout the process.
Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.
Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.
Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast and the USNA Property Network Podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.
He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a boutique residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community PCSing to California & Texas.
We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.
Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page
If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, have an idea, question or topic you would like to see covered, reach out: podcast@academyinsider.com.
In this episode, your host Grant Vermeer speaks with United States Naval Academy graduate Chrishad Broadway '16 about his experiences as a detailer for struggling plebes in Tango company.
Chris was hand selected to serve in this sensitive and important role by the officer in charge of this duty.
Grant and Chris talk about what the little talked about Tango company is, their schedule, where they live in Bancroft Hall, where they eat in King Hall and all that goes into helping them discern if they want to stay or leave the Naval Academy.
You will definitely learn a lot about how the academy approaches this difficult situation, how they do everything they can to help plebes make an informed decision and maintain their privacy and dignity throughout the process.
Be sure to review and subscribe to The Academy Insider with Grant Vermeer podcast on iTunes or where you listen to podcasts.
Follow the Academy Insider on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
The mission of Academy Insider is to guide, serve, and support Midshipmen, future Midshipmen, and their families.
Grant Vermeer your host is the person who started it all. He is the founder of Academy Insider and the host of The Academy Insider podcast and the USNA Property Network Podcast. He was a recruited athlete which brought him to Annapolis where he was a four year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a cyber operations major and commissioned into the Cryptologic Warfare Community. He was stationed at Fort Meade and supported the Subsurface Direct Support mission.
He separated from the Navy in 2023 and now owns The Vermeer Group, a boutique residential real estate company that specializes in serving the United States Naval Academy community PCSing to California & Texas.
We are here to be your guide through the USNA experience.
Connect with Grant on Linkedin
Academy Insider Website
Academy Insider Facebook Page
If you are interested in sponsoring the podcast, have an idea, question or topic you would like to see covered, reach out: podcast@academyinsider.com.
This is your host Grant Vermeer, Naval Academy class of 2017 and I'm your academy insider. It's my goal to be your guide through the Naval Academy experience by sharing my stories and providing you insight information into the life of a m idshipman.
Speaker 2:[inaudible]
Speaker 1:Academy insider is in no way officially affiliated with the United States Naval Academy. All of the content on academy insider is my own and does not reflect the views of the United States Naval Academy, the United States Navy, nor the Department of Defense. Welcome to the academy insider podcast. And today I'm extremely lucky to be joined by Chris Broadway, a naval academy graduate from the class of 2016 a 26 company. Rough rider. Yup. And a general science major. And in this episode we're going to explore the topic of Tango Company because Tango Company has not talked about a lot, mainly I think because it conjures up some negative connotations and overall it impacts a really small percentage of Midshipman and their families. Yet for the relative few who circumstances during plebe summer bring them to tango company. It serves a very important role of providing an intentional environment for a plebe who is declaring their intention to leave the naval academy. And the environment is to provide counseling. It's to provide time for discernment and just a place of care and wellbeing for the fourth class Mitt midshipman that's working through the separation process. And my guest today served as a squad leader in Tango Company when he was a plebe summer detail. And I think through the conversation you'll realize that he's just the type of person you would hope would be taken care of your midshipman if they were struggling with being at the academy. And he's the perfect person and a great detailer to be responsible in assisting them through that process. So today Chris and I are going to walk you through what Tango Company is, how plebes get there, how the detailers are selected for that role and how it all works. And then we're going to specifically hear from Chris about his experience and some of the reflections he has about working with Midshipman. And Tango Company. In addition to all of this, I always want to use academy insider and highlight the amazing things that graduates of the Naval Academy do and what they did. And so Chris is an amazing individual and extremely thoughtful person and a great leader and I think you will all really enjoy our conversation. So make sure to tune in on this unbelievably valuable episode. They get so much joy. All right, well, uh, thanks Chris for being on the podcast. Really appreciate it. Yeah, thanks grant. I appreciate you. Absolutely. Um, so before we get started, if you don't mind just telling the audience a little bit about yourself, like your company at the academy, your major, and then just a little bit of background about who you are. Yeah. Okay. So, uh, I'm from the 26 company. I graduated class of 2016. My Major was general science and I was on the spirit team for about four years. Okay, awesome. And did you have any military in your family or were you the first one to be in the military?
Speaker 3:Well, my grandfather, he was the first person I really knew was in the military, my family and for my uncles were as well. But I'm the first one navy,
Speaker 1:so I get a lot of always man, are they all army or,
Speaker 3:yeah, they are. So they just Kinda, I don't know. They make, you know what I mean?
Speaker 1:Yeah. Make big new classic navy jokes. Yeah, absolutely. It goes both ways. And how'd you end up deciding to go to the academy? Like what was the first thing that brought your attention to, to the academy and how'd you decide you wanted to go?
Speaker 3:So I'm in high school, we had this career day and different colleges and universities kinda chain to our gymnasium and put on like a little projection for us to see like displays of their college and whatnot. And the Naval Academy was there and so it was west point and they both sounded really good to me. Like they had everything I really wanted, which was to be in the military and to go to school and get a degree. But, uh, originally I chose to, um, apply to west point. And then like halfway through I realized or someone told me that north I went there, then they would take away my TV and my music.
Speaker 1:Whoa, I'm fine. It was police, naval academy, Zack, same exact same thing,
Speaker 3:you know. I'm glad I did.
Speaker 1:Okay. Yeah. So that, that was going to be my followup to that is one, when you realized that you actually didn't have TV or anything like that, does it lead to any second thoughts? Did you ever like kind of regret your decision and then what about now? Do you feel comfortable that you chose the right place?
Speaker 3:So I did miss me a little bit because I'm so used to hearing like a TV in the background even though I'm like I'd be watching it or something. So it kind of played with me a little bit and I really loved my music, you know, and I that the hurdle a little bit, but um, it didn't really change anything about how it felt being there. If anything it made me focus in or whatnot. Yeah,
Speaker 1:absolutely. And, uh, the, the question every wants to know though, were you glad he chose the Naval Academy? Where were you happy with that decision?
Speaker 3:Most? Yeah, definitely. Yeah. So glad I wouldn't choose any other way. Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. All right, well, uh, thanks for that. Thanks for a little bit of background info. So everyone kind of knows a little bit about who you are before we get going. But let's transition into the topic of Tango Company. So for everyone listening, I've gotten a lot of questions through the course of plebe summer about what is Tango Company, how does it work? So I guess my first question for you is what is Tango Company?
Speaker 3:So tango a company is a plebe summer company where please go when they're transitioning out or we call it checking out. They are still part of the plebe summer regiment of class regimen, but they do a little bit different things they're trying to out. Whereas other companies, their end goal is to push people in. Yup. Yeah.
Speaker 1:Okay, cool. So yeah, absolutely. And so incorporating that into kind of the purpose of tango company then is to really help assist these midshipman on their out processing of the academy. Do you mind, so for a lot of people do is the K or does tango company start on day one of plebe summer or kind of as one does tango company activate a, when it's tango company an option for bleeds and then kind of when does that end?
Speaker 3:Okay. Yeah, so single company pretty much starts the same day as a I day I believe. Once you use where you're oath of office, then Tango Company becomes a company like every other company and it technically continues throughout plebe summer up until reform. But if say for instance someone or um, that's the one, but the officer in charge or the fourth class where Jimmy commander said that he wanted to pipe down tango company because it just didn't look like it. Right. You're going to be more people than we kind of despite the down and didn't really worry about it. But if a plea se wanted to, God is hang on the last day of plebe summer, then technically they could still come into the tango company. I'm not sure how that would work out. Yeah,
Speaker 1:yeah. No, seriously, you're at that point, you might as well just wait for the academic year. Right. And then start that. Absolutely. But kind of explain to the parents and anyone who's listening that may have questions about tango. How do plebes even get into tango? Like what is the process? What would it be you have to do in order to get moved into Tango Company?
Speaker 3:Okay. So the plebe has to express in some kind of way, I'm not sure if it has to be verbal, but verbal or written statement to the chain of command that that the express a desire to leave the academy. And then once that happens, the plebe has to go through a series of counseling within their chain command. So they would first go to their squad leader and that person would, you know, try to make sure everything's okay coming in at like a evaluation to the plead to make sure they're not trying to harm themselves when you want to around them and everything is good. Okay. But after that, the pool swimming commander also does it. And then a company commander and a senior list deleter their company officer. And then after the company officer, they come to us and that's when we take them into tangled company, Kinda like chill them out a little bit and take them out of the chaotic environment. People want to center.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. And I'm going to just add onto that. So for everyone who's listening, they pretty much know my plebe summer story and then I wasn't very happy, but I, I legitimately made it to the, the company officer counseling. So I had basically expressed to my squad leader that I was miserable and I hated it and I didn't want to be there. And it made, I ended up having like that one on one meeting with my company officer, Lieutenant Burke. Um, that was his name. He was a surface warfare officer and he sat me down and we had like an hour long conversation, but he actually was kind of the first person to convince me and be like, he, he didn't, he didn't let me, he didn't give me the option of going to tango, which is pretty crazy. Um, but he was like, he was like, look, he's like, wait until that first phone call and then if it doesn't work out, like then we will have this discussion again. But I just want to reassure all the parents out there that like, hey, if your, if your son or daughter or grant's our grandson or daughter or whoever it is, whatever that relation is to you, if they are unhappy and they make that first expression, it's not like they automatically get pushed out of the academy. It's not like upon the first moment that you express a initial desire to maybe leave the academy that you just, you just leave. Right. So like those counselings, they're doing their best to actually make you articulate why you want to leave to determine whether or not you actually want to leave or you're just trying to get out of an uncomfortable situation and so, but sometimes people still make their way to tango. And this is kind of where I want to ask you, the next question is that once a plead actually gets to tango, do they automatically separate from the academy or do they have an opportunity to actually return to a, a company that is not tango company,
Speaker 3:so there's still part of plebe summer? Well not necessarily the activities of it all, but there's still part of the fourth class regimen. So if they wanted to say go back into plebe summer with everyone else, then they could still go back. I've a, if a plead though, goes through the entire tangle company process and then say they get their plane ticket and they're packed up and we're on the road and we get to the airport and right before I let them go, they're like, hey, I want to go back. We can still take them back to getting to the airport. Yeah. Yeah, it really is. I think there was a instance where I had one plea who kind of was like, hm, maybe I do. And so we kind of sat there for a minute and talked about it and then he like finally realized like, yeah, I just want to go home so let him go. But close call.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's crazy. It literally comes down to like those last moments where they absolutely have the ability to do that. And then if they were to decide to stay hypothetically, if that guy was like, you know what Mr Broadway sir, I actually want to go back. Would they return to the same company that they originally were in or do they go back to a different company in the regimen?
Speaker 3:So sometimes they can go back into the camp. The company they came from, we had one plead who, it wasn't like anything bad going on in the company that made her want to leave. It was more so like maybe she thought she was doing something she wasn't supposed to in like, and then after awhile she realized like, Oh, I actually do want to be at the academy. And so we decided that the best thing for her was to put her back into her company because she felt like everyone there was very uplifting and supportive of her from her, uh, her peers to her chain of command as well. Yeah. So is possible they can go back to that company, but sometimes if maybe there was some kind of a weird buy between them and the company or they might feel embarrassed, then we can definitely also send them to a different company.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. And I think the big piece of that, especially kind of when I got briefed on people in Tango Company when I was[inaudible] commanders is we're trying to set them up for success, right? We're trying to help them get to the end of like, the goal is not to kick him out. The goal is to help them get through plebe summer. And then the goal was to help them graduate, right? Like we're here to set them up for success. So I really appreciate you saying that as, hey, we take every single one of those people on a case by case basis and try and make the best decision where the best place to return them into the regimen is. And kind of moving on from there. You were saying that in that one instance that girl wasn't sure, maybe she felt like she was doing something wrong or whatever it was. But in your experience, what was kind of the most common reason people came to tango? Like what made people actually go through with going to tango company?
Speaker 3:So when I was there, we really didn't have a lot of bleeps in tango company, but of the ones we did, all of them had a very unique different case. There was one person whose parents were basically forcing them to go to the academy because it was free and they didn't want to put their kid through college with their money. You know, you're going to go here, you're going to do this. And the kid was just like, no, I can't and I'm just going to go against my parents wishes. There was another person who sadly had a discovery of a mental, not a not so, but a serious medical condition. And so, um, he just couldn't even stay at the academy because of that even though he really wanted to. Yeah. And then just other people were kind of having self doubt on themselves. Like, I don't think I could do this or maybe I'm doing the wrong choice pretty much, you know, all the move very different.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. And so they're like, you're saying there are a bunch of different reasons. Did you see like a cross section of like plebes and different activities I. E. Like where there you basically see both men and women, Midshipman DC, varsity athletes and arps, like any directs verse prior enlisted verse naps. Where there any observation on kind of the, uh, the majority of like the tango population and kind of what their background?
Speaker 3:I want to say there was about one of each. So there was one Napster, it was a one athlete. There was, uh, I think one prior that ended up going back. And then, um, they only had one female who went to tango, but then she decided to go back. So the class of 2019 really had no females drop out on a piece on there. Wow. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1:Cool. Well thank you for that. Appreciate that. And all right, now I want to take a slight pivot. So that was tango at large. I'm not wanting to talk a little bit about like the actual experience of plead in Tango Company. So how was the plebes schedule different or life different from that of a plebe in any other company while they're in tango?
Speaker 3:Okay. So the pleads, they still kind of go through the same regiments as far as what time to wake up and what time to go to sleep. Um, and then there are other things like pep or morning meal or noon meal, an email that they also get to do at the same time, like of the other people, I guess a little bit tricky because we don't want them interacting with the rest of the blue, the regiment. So we have to kind of separate them during child time. Okay.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So where do they eat then? So you're saying they separate them during chow time so they eat and like a different spot or can kind of explain that a little bit? Yeah,
Speaker 3:so we kinda like section off a part of a king hall, the cafeteria and we set up some borders so that you really can't see in or out. And then there's like a little walkway that you can kind of get into it where it's Kinda like a little sweater around so no one can look in and look and look out. Yeah. It's just so you know, they don't feel like the pressure on from the rest of the fourth class regimen or feel embarrassed with they might x see their classmates or something. Yeah, we did try to keep all of that outside.
Speaker 1:Okay. So that's great insight because that was kind of going to be my follow up question is why are plebes separated during that? But I think that's a great point is you don't want to put any additional[inaudible] or unnecessary stress or pressure on them. Making them feel like they're being judged or something like you want to make sure that they're in the right state of mind as they're really processing whether or not they want to stay at the academy and you know, you really want to minimize the amount of external factors that go into that decision. So that's where I shaped that. Okay, cool. So kind of the next piece is that, what is the role of the chaplain play in tango? Like do they, do they have to meet with the chaplain? Do they get to pick kind of which chaplain they meet with? How does the chaplain factor into all the plebes and tango?
Speaker 3:So where I can't really remember from it, the chaplain is one of the first steps that they kind of have to do before they also can be tango company or it might be right when they get in death to go in and see a chaplain and talk to them. I don't think we required them to talk to the chaplain every day, but if they want to talk to a chaplain, they were always welcome to do so. They want to schedule appointments with the chaplain every day. While they were, we could do that for them. We kind of made sure they had direct access to the as possible because in this scenario and being a single company, the best counselor in this situation as a chaplain and they play a vital role in a lot of these kids lies whether, you know they want to stay at the academy or leave the academy and do something else. That's great. The chaplain is very great in this situation.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. And so like you're saying, the Chaplin is a, is a fantastic counselor in this situation at all. And then in the one instance that you're talking about where their parents forced them to come, probably not the people that they wanted to talk to, but if people did want to talk to their family and they get the opportunity to call their family when they're in tango company.
Speaker 3:Yeah, they get the phone calls every day. It's about 30 minutes as the other pleads get on. It's just that they can do it every day because in some situations, maybe your parent is, you know, a great counselor or someone that you look up to in guide you. So we allow that as well because we want what's best for the pleat at the end of the day.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Fantastic. And so we talked about a little bit how the plebes are separated, whether it's during chow time or kind of their schedules are a little bit different, but do they also live in separate areas? Like are there different tango company rooms in Tango Company spaces?
Speaker 3:Yes. Well first of all, taking a company is separated from the rest of the fourth class regiment. Um, it's just a tick amount of that chaotic environment where everything's kind of just really loud and really fast paced. And we kind of slowed things down for them a little bit because you need time to think. And then we also give them their own rooms, so they're not in rooms with one another, but rather each one of them. Right. We let them each have their own room. So they kind of have a little bit of privacy, you know, we just want to make them feel human. Cause that's the last thing. You want to not feel in a situation where you're quitting something, you know? Absolutely. Um, so yeah, we, we do separate them just for their convenience.
Speaker 1:Okay. Interesting. Thanks for that insight. So, so funny that I actually didn't even realize that they had individual rooms. So thank you for educating me. I appreciate it. All right, cool. So they're separated, they eat differently, they have their own spaces, they're get their own room, they have that stuff going for them. Now we talk a little bit about the role of the chaplain as well, but during that counseling period and during that outprocessing period, what other people or organizations within the Naval Academy are involved with helping the plebe during that process? Like who or what other organizations do they have to meet with? Kind of on their way out? Like what, what is that process like?
Speaker 3:Okay. I'm going to say about 13 different checks that they have to get where they go to different places. So of course you have to go into what we call admit purse, where they kind of start their process and the get[inaudible] to or maybe is reimbursing that pays for the plane ticket and tries to make a timeline of, okay, it's going to take you this long to do everything. Here's a checklist of what you need. Yeah. And I accept the police gets that. They know that you go ahead and start doing the real checklist, which is, you know, go to dental or medical retiring, you're your issued year at the mid store and uniform stuff. And you also have to go to Kennedy guidance where they kind of also give them a little bit of counseling as well and just make sure they're mentally okay. Other ones where I think post office and uh, uh, Naval Federal Credit Union definitely go there as well because they're getting paid. Yeah. And a few of the other counselings that they have to do, I with a deputy commandant and the commandant before the actually get out. So they have to do that right before they leave and then they go see a sexual assault prevention response officer and uh, we will have to see a Jag. Okay. And once they get all of that done, well those are the organizations that help out the police
Speaker 1:how bad are played. Yeah, absolutely. Okay. Yeah. So I mean there, there are a ton of check points and different stops that you kind of have to go through and do there. But now I want to talk a little bit about how did you end up becoming a detailer and Tango Company and if you chose it, why did you want to be a detailer and tango company?
Speaker 3:I've always been the type of person who wants to help others whenever I know that I can and I felt like that might be the best way. I'm also had my company officer who kind of recommended me for it. He was also going to be the company officer for Tango Company. Okay. And he used specifically wanting me there because he knew how much I really like to help people and he figured that we work great together. And we really did. Um, we only had during my tenure there and only had two plebes or actually one who, uh, tangled it out. And so I think we did a pretty good job.
Speaker 1:Oh, absolutely. That, that's awesome. And I think, I mean that's kind of the, the special part about the academy is that at the end of the day, and especially you and all the people who choose to be a part of Tanium company is, is we're really try, it's not like it used to be. The academy is constantly evolving. It's constantly changing and people are selected to go to the academy because the academy sees the potential for these individuals to graduate and be great leaders in the Navy Marine Corps. So we're not trying, we're not trying to get people out any more that like times have changed. We are trying to help everyone make it to the end and we are trying to teach everyone what we can and not have them make permanent decisions based on temporary and emotions of what they're going through. Right. So I just want to give a big thank you for to you for kind of making the point to try and help people out and do that. Because if it weren't for, because if it weren't for people who were trying to help us and kind of help us realize the decision we were about to make, I wouldn't be where I'm sitting right now. I probably wouldn't have made it through. So yeah, man. Yeah. What you got for me. So like
Speaker 3:you know that feel when you're that close to going and tango company did for you, like, oh, like how close do you really think that you could have left the academy?
Speaker 1:Man Real close. Really, really close. I mean like I, I was so convinced. I specifically remember there are memories that are ingrained in my mind where I sat down with Midshipman Ensign, West Cox in the latter, what like in the youngster laterals and I just had like a one on one conversation with him where I was like, sir, like I hate this place. Like I do not want to be here in any way, shape or form. Like, I want to, this is not for me. I didn't realize what I was getting myself into. Like I thought it'd be okay, but like I am, I am miserable. And when I met with Lieutenant Burke, it was a, it was a thing where I, I just wanted people to like just help me out of there. But he was the first person that was like, why? Like why do you actually want to leave? And you know, and I was like, well, I think like I had justified in my mind where I was like, I don't want to be an officer in the Navy or Marine Corps. I don't want to do it. Like I don't actually want to be in the military. But my mind had just justified that excuse because I just wanted to get out of an uncomfortable situation. I love being an officer in the navy. Like I love it. This job has been great. All of the experiences of the academy were fantastic. I love my job and I love the people I work with, but I didn't want to actually believe that. Like it's very easy in your mind, really easy, easily justifies taking the easy way out and we'll create these like excuses for you to actually do that and get out of that uncomfortable situation. And Lieutenant Burke was the first person that made me actually reflect inwards and be like, were you saying that before you came here or you only saying that now because you're uncomfortable and you don't like it? And so that was kind of the crazy thing. But I mean even through the remainder of plebe summer, I still like, man, I was not happy and I thought I wanted to leave. So I was really close. But it took active, active participation in active leadership from people in positions of authority that kept me there. And that was one of the biggest lessons that I learned during my time. Plebe summer is leadership matters, right? And I think great leaderships are great leaders realize how important leadership is and how important one interaction, literally one one hour conversation was the difference between me leaving or staying at the Naval Academy. Right. And it could have been so easy for Lieutenant Burke to have just been like, yeah, all right, let's sign these papers and let's get you out processed. But he chose to invest my life. He chose to actually ask the hard question. He chose to do those things. And it has been the greatest realization as I reflect back on my time at the academy about how important leadership is and how important it is to truly invest in someone's life and ask the hard questions to truth for grout what is best for them. So I mean like when I say thank you, I, I legitimately mean it because like people like you who have chosen to give back and try and be that voice of reason and try and help them realize what they truly want. Man, it's special. So thank you. Yeah, absolutely. But now I kind of want to get into a little bit of detail in regards to any kind of special or specific training or even if there was any, like did you go through any specific training or separate briefs about being a detainer and Tango Company? Was there anything separate from being a detailer at any other company?
Speaker 3:Honestly, it was about the same amount of training that I got along with the other detailers. Yeah. We all went to the same briefs and whatnot. But then there were the leadership trainings that we had. We had to do three hour long leadership trainings and they separated the company staff versus outside of the company staff. So the people who were squad leaders, so commanders, company commanders, they all had to attend a little bit more hands on approach training. Whereas we were kind of train a little bit more so for our specific jobs that we would want to be coding. Yeah. So yeah, there was a little bit more training and I guess they kind of tried to show us the signs of like, maybe this is someone who isn't mentally here right now or someone who, who's kind of having like a little showing signs of needing help, you know. So they kind of gave us the sensitivity training as well.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. Okay, cool. And kind of as we, you know, continue this conversation and talk a little bit about it. And some of the, the great things about being a tango detailer. What was your favorite thing about being a tango company detailer? What was your favorite thing about playing that role?
Speaker 3:I think my favorite thing about it was just meeting the plebes because the way I kind of looked at it was, you know, these are my little brothers and sisters and because that's just kind of, you know, how you will use the one that you really want to help who's like a little bit younger than you and you know, are really careful them. And they all really show high potential in life. And I'm just so proud of them for going what they did, even if they chose to leave. I was very proud of them for, you know, making that choice in life. And we had one kid who actually applied to colleges while he was there, you know, not to waste time. So he did that and he got accepted while he was still in the same company. Wow. We know that as I got to experience that with them and it's a really, really good feeling, you know? Yeah,
Speaker 1:yeah, absolutely. I mean, nope, continue. Sorry.
Speaker 3:Yeah. Oh, I was just saying my favorite part is just seeing those bleeds make really hard decisions because you know, there are some people who go their entire time or they can see it and it's not how you deal with life.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. And I'm glad you said that because I talk about some of the hard times that our dad had during plebe summer, but like my second class, my first year, like I grew to love the academy. Like I grew to become so appreciative of that experience and like actually enjoy it. Like you don't want to be a person who's just who, who's miserable the whole time. Like that's no fun like that. That is not right. That is not the intent of it. Right? Like it's supposed to be extremely difficult. It's supposed to be extremely difficult. But if you choose, like if you just choose to be miserable through the whole time, I'm saying it's draining. It's difficult. Like there still are a lot of people that make it to the end and, and legitimately dislike it the entire time. Right. But, but a lot of it is a conscious choice, right. To like choose to kind of, you know, yeah. Choose to dislike it the whole time was trying to find some of the great things because some of the best times I've ever had were with my company mates my junior and senior year. The amount of, the amount of just like fellowship and family that we had between each other and friends. Like you don't get any anywhere else. Like it's just, it is such a special bond. So I appreciate you saying that.
Speaker 4:[inaudible]
Speaker 1:cool. All right, well let's kind of wrap this up a little bit and kind of get to a point where for all the people in the audience who may be parents or loved ones of a plebe who is struggling and maybe even considering a separating or entangle company, what advice or thoughts would you share with them? What kind of advice would you share with the family members who may have a plebe having a difficult time?
Speaker 4:Oh, okay.
Speaker 3:Well I would first I'll say, just listen to your plea. You know, here at the mountain what they're saying. And then after that showed them support and their decision, you know, you can have your own thoughts of what they should do and you can tell them how you think that they, this would be better, would, that would be better, but support them on whatever decision it is that they make. Because after all this is their life and they're all adults in the situation. I would also say, uh, make sure your pleading no, that they're not really quitting anything. They're just moving on to something better. Yup. If that's what they want, you know, just remember that because they didn't just come to the academy as a normal person. They're very exceptional. They are very special in terms of academics and leadership and community service, you know? And these are some great Americans. Yup. Make sure that they know that although they might be leaving, they could be going on to something better to, yeah,
Speaker 1:just make sure that anyone they work. Absolutely. And I would agree, like say that as we talk about this and everything, sometimes the academy just isn't the right place for everyone. Right. And like, sometimes people think it's not the right place, but it is the right place. Like it wasn't my case. And we're there to try and help them realize that or figure that out, but sometimes it really just isn't the right place for that person, for them to best excel with who they are and who they're going to become. So, um, I, I just want to reemphasize and echo everything that you just said, um, about realizing that hey, you're just moving on to the next thing that is best for you in your journey, becoming who you're going to be as an adult and as an American. So love that. All right. Well, Chris, thank you so much for all your insight and commentary about Tango Company, but we're going to finish this off with a lightning round of questions. So every guest I had on here, I ask a lot of some of this, a lot of somewhat similar questions, um, just to, just to kind of have a little fun here at the end. So the first question I have for you is what is your favorite spot on the yard?
Speaker 4:Okay.
Speaker 1:Mitchell Hall. Yeah, I like it. Yeah. Yeah. I can play piano. So I would go in there sometimes after class, no one's in there. And I just kinda play the piano for an hour and then go back to class and is just like my therapy Mitchell hall. That's awesome. Do you still play the piano? Like do you have fun doing that? Yeah. Love it. Every time I see a pair on probably want to play it. Yeah. I didn't say your request. You know you want to play a certain song. I got you. Oh Man, I love that. I didn't even know that about you. That's awesome. White. Cool. Um, all right, cool. Second, second question. What's your favorite meal? Uh, and King Hall.
Speaker 4:[inaudible]
Speaker 1:yeah. And this is a trick question. Most people will say like buck chicks, chicks. That's a very common answer. Yeah. But I can say that is breakfast for dinner. That, that is a good one. I almost forgot about that. Yeah. There's nothing better than showing up at King Hall after a long day and there being a bunch of pancakes and you just Zinsser up and you have some bacon and potatoes and be like, Dad, this is what I've eaten today. This is what I need it today. Yeah. I love that. That's like a once in six weeks. Surprise. That's always a, that one will really, really make your day. All right. Cool. All right, so you talked a little bit about your company officer recommending you to do Tango Company, um, but at large during your, your whole time at the academy, who is your biggest, uh, either officer or senior enlisted leader, uh, who is a mentor for you during your four years? That's a really good question. Yeah, it can be multiple if you want to give a couple of shout outs. Okay. Well, off the top of my head, definitely Captain Torres, one of my
Speaker 3:first company officers, she just really cared about me as an individual and she saw that I had a lot of struggles because I really struggled academically at the academy. She just, I was pushing, told me like, hey, you're here for a reason. You know, they didn't just pick the dominance as other dumb. You're definitely a smart person and yeah, she just kindly helped me have that self confidence in myself. Yeah. Um, and she was also a great leader in my opinion. Yup. Um, and another one, captain brinner. Okay. Yeah, he was one of my favorite teachers. He always had me excited about geology and he was, he has some good stories. Good man. Absolutely. Um, but I'm gonna, I'm gonna piggyback off your a Camp Pres. Uh, United States Marine Corps. I loved, I loved her. Uh, she was phenomenal like you were saying. Um, cause even, even during my plebe year, I was still having a very rough plebe year. Um, but she would, she would constantly like stopped me in the hallway and just legitimately asked me like, hey, like how are you doing today? Like are you okay? And I actually mean it and actually care about it. Um, and she was one of those people that just had a, a really positive impact on my experience of the academy. And like was just a little, just the, you know, like the, the, the straw on the camel's back of positivity that was able to be going right. And so I just have so much appreciation for her and everything she did while she was a 26 company officer. So she was amazed. She was absolutely. Um, all right, moving on. What is your greatest memory from your four years at the Naval Academy? Uh, I think my greatest memory would probably be,
Speaker 5:um,
Speaker 3:as I'm a, I don't want to say that, uh, I don't know if I'm allowed to. What about bill? About bail at Duke? There's a statute of limitations. You're good now. Okay. Okay. So my favorite memory was, um, at the academy I was the mascot and, and I had opportunity to go into the skybox during the football games with the superintendent at the time. And um, I go up there and he has family friends around, they're all eating and I see the superintendent seeing myself and I just go into a room and I just put my hand around them and we're just watching the football game[inaudible] score. And everyone in the box office and just going him and going crazy and chin. I was like right there next to the seat to that moment. Just felt great. That's a really cool moment. Yeah. Just chilling with the soup, watching some football as you're sitting in
Speaker 1:a, in a mascot costume. That's awesome. That is a, that is a great, really unique memory. All. Alright. And now the final question for you. So the majority of our audience is his loved ones, a midshipman trying to learn a little bit more. Um, but I also hope that there are some, you know, high school students or parents of high school students that are thinking about applying or trying to attend the Naval Academy. Um, so my question is, what advice or thoughts would you give to anyone considering attending to naval academy? Like what should they think about? Uh, when trying to decide whether or not the naval academy is for them.
Speaker 3:Okay. Well, I would first say only do this if you really want it. Um, don't go into it half thinking that maybe I like this. And so you show up on it, like you have to want this wholeheartedly. Why don't you present, um, if you can, you know, just kind of study about it before you make that decision as well, because you could end up like me coming there and finding out they're gonna take my TV away musical way and try to cook with that for a whole year. But just really study up on if, you know, people ask them a lot of questions about their experiences. Um, and then if you do go there, just remember why you came. Just always remember why you came to the and that you're never alone. You always have your roommates, your accompany mates, your peers, a sports team. Um, you had people there with you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. All right, cool. Well, Chris, thank you so much, um, for this episode. I really appreciate you coming on the academy insider pocket is
Speaker 3:thanks for having me, man. I really appreciate this.
Speaker 1:Yeah, absolutely. All right, well, uh, to everyone out there, I hope you all learned a little bit about Tango Company through Chris's story. Um, thank you so much for tuning in. I hope you all have a great day and take care. Thanks. Thank you all for listening to the podcast. Please leave me a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to the academy insider podcast with grant. From here, if you want to learn more about plebe summer or the Naval Academy in general, make sure to check out my other podcast episodes or go to www.academyandcenter.com where I have a ton of other content, including blog posts and different videos about all different information regarding to the Naval Academy. Um, grant for me or your academy insider. And thank you so much for letting me be your guide to the Naval Academy.