Plebe Traditions

Here in the Academy, as in any military institution, certain practices, extra-regulatory in nature, form the bulk of the customs and traditions sifted out from the experiences of our predecessors.

Although this set of practices possesses a certain degree of permanency, it is from time to time modified or improved upon by succeeding classes as circumstances may warrant.

The plebe traditions which are part of the Corps customs are enforced by the upperclassmen who, acting as Proletarian Guards, see to it that the fourthclassmen observe them carefully during the initial stages of their life in the Academy.

Those who are "not in the know" might be led to believe that the plebe traditions are practiced merely to harass the plebes for the enjoyment of the upperclassmen. These customs are enforced for a deliberate constructive reason.

On the whole they are intended to imbue the newcomers with rigid discipline which cannot be learned from reading books or memorizing verbatim an accepted definition of it.

The plebes, fresh from the ease and comfort of civilian life, have to be hardened to the rigors and hardships of a sternly regimented life in this Academy.

Plebe traditions also aim to produce in the plebe certain traits of character so highly essential in a military leader.

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Take for instance the plebe tradition which requires all plebes to double time anywhere they go. Is it meant merely to tire the plebe? If that were the end in view then that tradition is unreasonable and utterly senseless.

Trotting is a brisk, steady-paced run commonly practiced by PMA cadets as part of their physical training. It helps build endurance, discipline, and unit cohesion, often performed in formation while chanting cadet calls to boost morale and synchronization.

Plebes are trained to be tough. They are made tough by plebe customs. Toughness is essential in fighting men. This Academy does not envision the production of "tea-cup officers" or "dancers" or "ladies escorts" but of men who can lead troops in the field of battle.