From MAST to the Naval Academy
Tyler Smolensky
Tyler J. Smolensky, a 2023 graduate of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2027 June 29, marking the beginning of six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training during Plebe Summer.
Smolensky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smolensky of Middletown, is one of two MAST 2023 graduates who was inducted at the Naval Academy last week. The two MAST graduates were selected from among approximately 15,000 applicants submitted for the approximate 1,200 candidates selected.
Also inducted was Alexis Walker, who, like Smolensky was also a member of the National Honor Society at MAST. She is also a member of the Spanish Honor Society.
The six-week Plebe Summer is a requirement for each student at the Academy. During this period, plebes have no access to television, movies, the internet, or music and are restricted to access to cell phones, permitted only three calls during the six weeks of Plebe Summer.
The pressure and rigor of Plebe Summer is carefully designed to help plebes prepare for their first academic year at the Naval Academy and the four years of challenge that awaits them. The new midshipmen assimilate basic skills in seamanship, navigation, damage control, sailing, and handling yard patrol craft as well as learn infantry drill and how to shoot 9 mm pistols and M-16 rifles.
Other daily training sessions involve moral, mental, physical, and professional development and team-building skills. Activities include swimming, martial arts, basic rock climbing, and obstacle, endurance, and confidence courses designed to develop physical, mental, and team-building skills. Another forty hours are devoted to instruction in infantry drill and five formal parades.
first Plebe Summer PEP (physical education program).
Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy is a four-year service academy that prepares midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically as professional officers in the naval service. More than 4,400 men and women representing every state in the U.S. and several foreign countries make up the student body, known as the Brigade of Midshipmen.
In 2022, U.S. News and World Reports rated the Naval Academy as the #1 public school, #4 undergraduate engineering school, and #6 national liberal arts college. Midshipmen learn from military and civilian instructors and participate in intercollegiate varsity sports and extracurricular activities. They also study subjects such as leadership, ethics, small arms, drill, seamanship and navigation, tactics, naval engineering and weapons, and military law. Upon graduation, midshipmen earn a Bachelor of Science degree in a choice of 26 different subject majors and serve at least five years as commissioned officers in the Navy or Marine Corps.
For the Smolenskys, who were present for their son’s induction, it gave them “a spectacular feeling of patriotism but also a day marked by some trepidation.” The parents said they were helping their oldest son to report for processing and then seeing him take the Oath of Office to become a Midshipman. “Overall,” they said, “we are so proud of Tyler for his hard work, determination and selflessness to give of himself to a greater purpose of service in the Navy. We pray that his time at the Naval Academy and beyond are safe and successful.”
Tyler grew up in Middletown and attended River Plaza and Thompson Middle schools before attending high school at MAST. He completed for and was accepted into MAST with a strong interest in the STEM focused curriculum, as well as the campus at historic Fort Hancock on Gateway National Recreation Area and the small learning environment in the approximate 300 student 9-12 grade school.
Last month was not Tyler’s introduction to the Annapolis Academy. He visited the college when he was in 7th grade and developed an affinity for the school and an admiration for military training, ideas that were further enhanced when he attended MAST and was fully immersed in the NJROTC program required of all MAST students.
