24 Jan AA&F Morning Paper

Friday, January 24, 2025

1967 - During a ground test at Cape Kennedy, Florida, a fire caused by a spark in the pure-oxygen environment of the Apollo I space capsule kills three astronauts.

 

1973 - Twenty-four days after the resumption of peace talks in Paris, France, United States and North Vietnamese negotiators sign an agreement declaring a cease-fire. The terms of the agreement also include the return of all Americans held as prisoners of war and the withdrawal of the remaining American forces in South Vietnam within 60 days.

2006 - LT Raul Jimenez '98, USN was lost when the T-34 training aircraft he was piloting crashed near Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The other officer aboard, a student aviator, was also killed.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We have an amazing in-depth interview with new DG, JoAnna Sohovich '93. JoAnna is the quintessential example of success from the "Fleet to the C-Suite." Chris and John chat with JoAnna about her memories as a mid, her life in the Fleet and the leadership lessons she still lives by today as she successfully navigates her way to corporate success. Note - Don't be a afraid of feedback...and praise in Public, criticize in private.  Those nuggets and much more wisdom and perspective from an alum who has always found ways to give back. Chris and John also remember Pete Medhurst, the legendary voice of Navy Sports, who tragically lost his battle with brain cancer earlier this week. We miss you, Pete. We also chat about online availability of Shipmate Magazine and some potential additions to our podcast empire. Beat Army...always.

Parades are a visual presentation of the military discipline, professionalism and teamwork necessary to succeed as a member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and have been a part of Naval Academy training since its establishment in 1845. The Brigade of Midshipmen marches from Bancroft Hall to the Naval Academy parade field, Worden Field, accompanied by the Naval Academy Band and the midshipmen Drum & Bugle Corps. The Naval Academy Brigade of Midshipmen will present formal dress parades on Worden Field this spring semester at the following dates and times:

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced Kevin Brink '97 as division vice president of Sales for Western United States, Western Canada and Latin America.  Brink joined Gulfstream in 2013 as regional vice president of Sales for Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he began his aviation career as a naval aviator flying the P-3C Orion and in 2008 transitioned to business aviation.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

As many as 1,500 troops along with other resources and assets began moving to the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday for a deployment that includes the use of military aircraft to conduct deportation flights and support for construction efforts to extend the wall that separates the two countries, the Defense Department announced. Acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses approved three actions Wednesday, following executive orders signed Monday by President Donald Trump. “The president directed me to take all appropriate action to support the activities of the secretary of Homeland Security in obtaining complete operational control of the southern border of the United States,” Salesses said in a statement. The deportation flights will include more than 5,000 migrants detained by Customs and Border Protection near San Diego and El Paso, Texas, he said.

China's navy has commissioned a new-generation frigate as competition rises with the US and other regional powers, saying the ship will “play a vital role in enhancing the overall combat effectiveness” of its forces. China already has the world's largest navy in terms of number of hulls, although its technology is sometimes seen as lagging. Its largest competitor, the US, has warned its Navy could be outnumbered and has called for a building program as well as reforms to put damaged ships into action sooner. China's People's Liberation Army Navy operates mainly in waters off the Chinese east coast and in the huge and strategically crucial South China Sea, which China claims almost in its entirety.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

LtCol Nathan Schmidt '02, USMCR (Ret.), co-founded Mountain Seed Foundation in 2021. The nonprofit is helping Ukrainians heal from the trauma caused by years of war using mountaineering and therapy. It is looking to spread its work to the Middle East and other regions.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Today's Results

Men's Squash at Haverford - W 9-0

Weekend Matchups

Men's Swimming & Diving v Columbia - Annapolis, Md. - 2 p.m.

Women's Swimming & Diving v Richmond - Annapolis, Md. - 2 p.m.

Men's Gymnastics at Simpson College - Indianola, Iowa - 7 p.m.

 

Men's Lacrosse v Marquette (Scrimmage) - Annapolis, Md. - 9 a.m.

Men's Lacrosse v Virginia (Scrimmage) - Annapolis, Md. - 2 p.m.

Men's Tennis v George Mason - Annapolis, Md. - 10 a.m.

Men's Tennis v Mount St. Mary's (Md.) - Annapolis, Md. - 2 p.m.

Women's Tennis at VCU - Richmond, Va. - 11 a.m.

 

Women's Basketball at Army - West Point, N.Y. - 1 p.m.

Women's Tennis at Richmond - Richmond, Va. - 1:30 p.m.

Men's Basketball at Army - West Point, N.Y. - 3:30 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

JANUARY

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

23 April - Bonds of Gold Ceremony

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

 

17-18 Jun - Entrepreneur Summit - Fluegel Alumni Center

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

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029