Naval Academy Graduate Told Me to Stay for Drinks

I attended my first Basic Division Officer Course (BDOC), and it was probably the worst training class I've ever been part of. I won't say what year it was because I want to remain as anonymous as possible.

The majority of the students were Naval Academy graduates, and many of them seemed to believe that life revolved entirely around the Navy. At first, I thought the class was going well, but things changed when everyone started organizing bar outings after class.

One evening, the group planned to meet at a bar, but I chose not to go. The next thing I knew, another student called me out in the group chat for not showing up. Then a prior-enlisted officer student publicly asked, "Where were you?" It felt like there was an expectation that everyone had to participate in the drinking culture, and the pressure became frustrating.

The moment that really stood out happened on a Friday. An Academy graduate asked what my plans were for that night, and I told her I was going to visit my family. She responded, "Go see your family? Why don't you just hang out with us tonight and see them tomorrow morning instead?"

My immediate thought was, don't tell me how to prioritize my family.

Whenever I did go out with the group, the conversations almost always revolved around work and class. We'd be sitting at Yard House or another bar, yet people still wanted to talk about the Navy instead of simply relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

Looking back, I don't think the environment helped me succeed academically. Too much attention was placed on socializing and drinking rather than studying. At one point, I even asked for help with the coursework, but I was pointed in the wrong direction instead. The same student who misled me laughed at my mistake and later offered to help, but by then I declined because I no longer trusted that the assistance would be useful.

When I attended BDOC a second time with a different class, the experience was completely different. The class leader actively encouraged studying, helping classmates, and preparing for the material. The atmosphere was far more professional and supportive, and it showed me that leadership and class culture can make a tremendous difference in a learning environment.

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Sauer Doe Other June 18, 2026 at 2:43 am 0 0