22 Jan AA&F Morning Paper

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth  Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise. (Otterson Advisors)

1944 - A naval force under the command of Rear Admiral Frank K. Lowry landed British and American troops at Anzio on the Italian coast (Operation Shingle), suffering the sinking of a minesweeper and damage to a large infantry landing craft.

 

1966 - LCDR Erwin Templin, Jr. '63, USN was lost when the S-2D anti-submarine warfare aircraft he was aboard crashed shortly after takeoff from USS Hornet (CVS 12) off the coast of North Vietnam. The other three men aboard were also killed; they were members of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 35.

1969 - Operation Dewey Canyon, perhaps the most successful high-mobility regimental-size action of the Vietnam War, began in the A Shau/Da Krong Valleys when the 9th Marines, commanded by Colonel Robert H. Barrow, and supporting artillery were lifted from Quang Tri. By 18 March the enemy's base area had been cleared out, 1617 enemy dead had been counted, and more than 500 tons of weapons and ammunition unearthed.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Naval Academy alumni are truly among the most global of any college/university group. Our alumni are in every state and around the globe. And it would be nice if you knew when USNA was coming to your town so you could see if that old blue rim still fits and you can go out and support the Mids, right? Well, Rob Friedrich and the Navy Letterwinners Association has solved that for you. Rob has the latest alumni events, Conference Championship schedule and schedules of when the Mids are hitting major cities for away games for the rest of the winter and spring sports season on the Letterwinners site … now up and running. The Navy Letterwinners Association connects all past and present varsity and club athletes to the United States Naval Academy – and to each other – by honoring their accomplishments and providing meaningful engagement in support of Navy Athletics.

As part of our commitment to lifelong learning, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation offers unique group travel opportunities. These alumni travel programs combine educational forums and excursions to places of historical and cultural interest, with the opportunity to enjoy unplanned experiences and meet local people. With our experienced partners, fabulous itineraries, easy sign-ups, and plenty of pre-departure information, we make travel easy and fun. 

 

This week's featured trip: USNA Alumni Costa Rica Eco-Adventure Volcanoes, Rivers & Rainforests! From Wednesday, May 7, 2025 to Thursday, May 15, 2025. This is an active journey with 4-8 hours of daily physical activities, including hiking rugged paths and trail walks, requiring the ability to walk 3 miles unassisted, in a tropical climate. There is some down-time to relax. Accommodations are comfortable and upscale, with meals featuring local cuisine. The tour includes travel over rural streets and unpaved roads in a late-model Coaster or mini-bus for 4-6 hours between destinations.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday night that repeals a provision allowing transgender troops to serve in the military, part of a wide-ranging effort to end Biden-era policies his first day in office. Trump issued a ban during his first administration that prevented transgender troops from serving, which former President Joe Biden eliminated. While Trump did not institute a new ban, the repeal of the Biden-era executive order clears the way for one. The president, in a separate set of executive orders, declared the government would recognize only two sexes — male and female. He also rolled back diversity and inclusion programs across all federal agencies. The Department of Defense, in 2019, estimated that up to 8,000 transgender people served in the military, just before Trump's first ban took effect.

The U.S. military must produce a plan to “seal the borders” under an executive order signed Monday by the new president. But experts suggest that the order may set up a legal challenge that turns on the word “invasion.” “Unchecked unlawful mass migration and the unimpeded flow of opiates across our borders continue to endanger the safety and security of the American people and encourage further lawlessness,” says the order, entitled “Clarifying the Military's Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States.” Explaining the militarization of what the United States has long viewed as a border-patrol and law-enforcement mission, the order casts migrants and drug flows as threats to U.S. "sovereignty" and "territorial integrity."

The acting secretary of Homeland Security removed the Coast Guard commandant from her position, according to a message to the service reviewed by USNI News. Adm. Linda Fagan was the first female commandant of the Coast Guard. She assumed duties as commandant on June 1, 2022. Fox News first reported Fagan's termination, citing issues with recruitment, operations concerns and a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion as the reasons for her relief. An ALCOAST, which is a message to all members of the Coast Guard, announced the relief.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Pete Medhurst, the long-time voice of Navy Athletics and a cherished figure in local sports, passed away on January 20, 2025, following a courageous battle with a cancerous brain tumor. His passing leaves a profound void in the Navy and sports communities, where he was deeply respected for his talent, professionalism, and unwavering passion for his work. Medhurst, whose career spanned decades, became a prominent figure in Maryland sports as a play-by-play announcer and radio personality. Known for his meticulous preparation and enthusiastic delivery, Pete brought countless Navy games to life for fans, becoming an inseparable part of the team's identity.

President Donald Trump has named an acting defense secretary because his choice to lead the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate. Robert Salesses, deputy director of the Pentagon's Washington Headquarters Service, will fill in as acting secretary of defense, and three other career Defense Department civilians will be filling in as acting heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force. To serve in the posts, the incoming Trump administration needed senior executives at the Pentagon who had already been confirmed by the Senate. Salesses is a retired Marine who served in the Gulf War and earned a Bronze Star. Terence Emmert '88, who has been the principal deputy chief technology officer for mission capabilities, will be the acting Navy secretary. He served in the Navy as an aviator and has broad experience in research and testing.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Today's Matchups

 

Women's Basketball at BU - Boston, Mass. - 11:30 a.m.

Men's Basketball v BU - Annapolis, Md. - 7 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

JANUARY

22 Jan - Pull for Navy Banquet (Rowing Alumni)

23 Jan - AA&F Women's Health Webinar - Zoom - 7 p.m. EST

 

FEBRUARY

6 Feb - USNA Ship Selection

15 Feb - Commissioning Week 101, Fluegel

21 Feb - 85th Brigade Boxing Finals

21 Feb - Louisville Chapter + NAPC of Kentucky Roadshow – Louisville, KY (**in support of Navy Men's Gymnastics competing at the Winter Cup Feb 21-23)

22 Feb - Indianapolis Chapter + NAPC of Indiana Roadshow – Fishers, IN)

23 Feb  Cincinnati Chapter + NAPC of Greater Cincinnati Roadshow – West Chester, OH

24 Feb  Columbus Chapter + NAPC of Central Ohio Roadshow – Dublin, OH

27 Feb - Naval Academy Entrepreneurs event, Fluegel, 5 - 9 p.m.

27 Feb - Astronaut Convocation, USNA

 

MARCH

7-16 Mar - USNA Spring Break

12-13 Mar - SACC Atlanta

21 Mar - Distinguished Graduate Award Ceremony and Dinner, USNA (T)

22 Mar - Distinguished Graduate Leadership Panel, Mahan, USNA

22 Mar - Annual Gathering for USNA Women - 1 p.m. @ Hopper Hall

22 Mar - Fencing (club) Alumni Meet - Dahlgren Hall

27-29 Mar - Naval Academy Minority Association, (NAMA) Leadership Forum

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit

 

APRIL

5 Apr - Annapolis Cup - USNA v St. John's Croquet Match

5 Apr - Women's Lacrosse Alumni Appreciation Day (Home Game vs. Holy Cross)

10-12 Apr - Class of 1955 - 70th Reunion

11 Apr - Athletic & Scholarship Programs Spring Meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

11-12 Apr - Men's Soccer Alumni Weekend

12 Apr - Navy Letterwinners Association Army/Navy Men's Lacrosse Tailgate

24 Apr - AA&F Vietnam Legacy of Valor Series Speaker Event - FAC

24-27 Apr - Class of 1970 - 55th Reunion

25 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

25 Apr - USNA Dedication Parade, Worden Field

30 Apr - USNA Capstone Day

30 Apr - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Welcome Reception

 

MAY

1 May - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Meeting, Fluegel

6-8 May - Class of 1957 - 70th Reunion

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring Board of Trustees Meeting, Fluegel

8-9 May - SACC Washington DC

14 May - Class of 2028 Herndon Climb

21 May - Blue Angels CFR Event - Hospital Point, USNA

22 May - Color Parade, Worden Field

22 May - USNA Prizes & Awards, Alumni Hall, 2 p.m.

23 May - Class of 2025 Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, NMCMS

 

25 Jun - Athletic & Scholarship Program Pre-I Day Reception, Fluegel

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029