12 Feb Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

1906 - During the farewell ball held for the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1906, Bandmaster Charles A. Zimmerman played a new class march titled “Anchors Aweigh.” A member of the Class of 1907 later provided the lyrics and the tune eventually became the official song of the sea service.

1975 - LTjg Richard Hormel '71, USN was lost when his A-7E Corsair crashed while on a routine flight training mission from the Naval Air Station at Lemoore, California.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Do you have to do “analysis” to call it a wargame? Actually, no. 

With enemy destroyers approaching from the southern end of the Philippine archipelago, the commander faced a critical decision: Should he launch a risky strike with his dwindling VLS weapon supply, or chart a course eastward to evade and regroup in the vast Pacific for a future battle? This scenario was the challenge for a Midshipman Fourth Class, serving as the commander of American forces in a recent wargame hosted by the Naval Academy Wargaming Society in collaboration with Bancroft Hall's training program.  *This article was published by two USNA professors. Captain Benjamin “BJ” Armstrong '99, PhD is an Associate Professor of War Studies and Naval History and the U.S. Naval Academy. Dr. Marcus Jones is an associate professor of history at the U.S. Naval Academy.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Congratulations to USS Annapolis (SSN 760) for earning the Battle "E" Award for Submarine Squadron 15! The Battle Efficiency ("E") Award recognizes a command's outstanding performance and overall readiness to execute its wartime tasks. This monumental achievement reflects the exceptional dedication, precision, and resilience of every crew member aboard USS Annapolis. Their unwavering commitment to excellence and mission success has solidified their reputation as one of the most capable submarines in the Pacific. This recognition truly embodies the spirit of USS Annapolis's motto: “Born Free, Hope to Die Free.” The crew's relentless drive for perfection and their determination to protect freedom and security shine in every challenge they face. Their accomplishments are a testament to their enduring legacy of excellence within the submarine community. The CO of USS Annapolis is 2006 USNA Alum Clinton Emrich.

The U.S. 6th Fleet staff embarked the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) in Gaeta, Italy, Feb. 10-12. During a simulated at-sea period, or fast cruise, the staff and Mount Whitney's military-civilian combined crew exercised normal underway conditions and the battle rhythm required to sustain fleet-wide distributed maritime operations. “We demonstrated we could run our Maritime Operations Center effectively from our flagship,” said Vice Adm. J.T. Anderson '91, commander of U.S. 6th Fleet. “Our staff's ability to deploy anytime while still commanding thousands of Sailors, ships, submarines and aircraft across two areas of operation is what makes our headquarters one of the most flexible, mobile, and active warfighting platforms in the U.S. military.”

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Here's who its members are. President Donald Trump said Monday he would dismiss the current boards charged with advising the U.S. military academies, including the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. In a social media post, Trump said the advisory boards of visitors for the Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard had been infiltrated by "Woke Leftist Ideologues" and new members needed to be appointed. Trump did not reveal who would be appointed or whether any current appointees would remain. Some of them are Republican members of Congress.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

The Navy women's lacrosse team is currently ranked in all three national polls. The Midshipmen enter the IWLCA Coaches Poll rankings this week at No. 16, while moving up to No. 14 in the Inside Lacrosse Media poll. Additionally, the Mids are ranked No. 15 according to USA Lacrosse. In its history, Navy has been ranked 94 total weeks, including a stretch of 46 weeks from the final poll of 2017 (May 30) to April 5, 2021.

Women's Basketball at Lehigh - Bethlehem, Pa. - 6 p.m.

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

The Star Series began 52 years ago (1972) and is a competition between the two academies' varsity sports programs that keeps track of how many times each academy has the most wins in an academic year against the other. Navy has won the Star Series 48 times in the last 52 years.

Army Leads 9-7. (Navy - M Rugby, M Cross Country, Football, Gymnastics, Rifle, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Women's indoor Track & Field; Army - Volleyball, Sprint Football, Golf, M Soccer, W Soccer, W Cross Country, W Rugby, Men's Swim and Dive, Women's Swim and Dive)

 

15-16 Mar - Baseball - Annapolis - TBA

5 Apr - Women's Outdoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

5 Apr - Men's Outdoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

5 Apr - Women's Tennis - West Point - 10  a.m.

12 Apr - Men's Tennis - West Point - 1 p.m.

12 Apr - W. Lacrosse - West Point - 12:30 p.m.

12 Apr - M. Lacrosse - Annapolis - TBA

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

FEBRUARY

15 Feb - Commissioning Week 101, Fluegel Alumni Center

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 Alumni Center, 5-9 p.m.

27 Feb - Astronaut Convocation - USNA

 

MARCH

7-16 Mar - USNA Spring Break

7 Mar - A&SP Policy Review Committee Meeting - Fluegel (Bastian Conference Room)

12-13 Mar - SACC Atlanta

21 Mar -  A&SP Executive Committee Meeting - Fluegel (Bastian Conference Room)

22 Mar - Annual Gathering for USNA Women - Fluegel

22 Mar - Club Fencing Alumni Meet - Dahlgren Hall

26 Mar - Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) Class of 2025 enrollment

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

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit - Fluegel

 

APRIL

5 Apr - Annapolis Cup - USNA-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 - Akerson Tower

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 BOD meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

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

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring BOT Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

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 Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony

 

17-18 Jun - Entrepreneur Summit - Fluegel

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

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029