Nov 19 Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 19 November 2025

Coming back to visit Annapolis? Fair Winds offers alumni a luxury home port in the heart of historic DTA. One block from USNA, Main Street, and the downtown Market. Ideal for reunions, weddings, and Navy football. Owned and operated by two USNA grads—learn more at fairwindsdta.com.

1917 - In the early morning darkness 110 miles west of Gibraltar, the British merchant ship Rose accidentally rams and sinks the destroyer Chauncey (DD-3). Lost are 21 members of its crew, including its skipper, Lieutenant Commander Walter E. Reno.

 

1943 - The submarine Sculpin (SS-191) is heavily damaged by the Japanese destroyer Yamagumo north of Truk in the Caroline Islands. Though he has time to escape the boat before it sinks, Captain John P. Cromwell, the commander of the submarine squadron of which Sculpin is a part, chooses to go down with the boat rather than face interrogation that might force him to reveal his knowledge of plans to seize the Gilbert Islands. For his selfless sacrifice, he receives a posthumous Medal of Honor.

 

1998 - LT Aaron Barbosa '94, USN was lost when his CH-46 SeaKnight helicopter crashed into the Mediterranean Sea while conducting vertical replenishment with USS Stump (DD 978) and USNS Sirius (T-AFS 8). “A.J.” was born in Detroit, Michigan, but grew up “under the watchful eyes of three sisters” in Tempe, Arizona. He attended Arizona State University for two years before entering the Naval Academy. Immediately following graduation, he was one of the first Ensigns to be sent to the Naval Postgraduate School; he completed his Masters of Science in Applied Physics in just 18 months. He was designated a Naval Aviator in December 1997. He reported to Combat Support Squadron (HC) 8 on October 2, 1998; he deployed with a detachment on 19 October. A.J. was survived by his daughter, parents, and three sisters. From his classmates: “A Naval Aviator and proud warrior, A.J. remains at sea in service of his country.”

AA&F, Academy & Graduate happenings

Navy Athletics and Under Armour unveiled the 2025 Army-Navy game uniform yesterday that will honor the 250th Anniversary of the United States Navy on 13 December at the 126th playing of the Army-Navy Game presented by USAA at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m. ET and the game will be televised nationally by CBS. The goal of this year's uniform was to tell a compelling story that seamlessly combines the history of the U.S. Navy, the six frigates and the United States Naval Academy. The color, fonts, branding and detailing were all historically inspired.

The Trustees of the Athletic & Scholarship Programs (A&SP) gathered in Annapolis 13-14 November for their biannual meeting, receiving updates from A&SP committees, Naval Academy Athletic Association (NAAA) leadership and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Superintendent. The A&SP is a division of the USNA Foundation made up of 250+ Trustees that encourages and supports the physical mission at the Naval Academy. The program is responsible for awards that recognize superiority in athletics and a comprehensive scholarship program to ensure that the Naval Academy has the best scholar-athletes in the nation. The A&SP Trustees partner with the NAAA to provide support to meet supplemental needs of Navy Athletics, including financial support to all 36 varsity teams, 15 club sports, intramurals and the Naval Academy Prep School (NAPS).

Naomi Storey brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to service in her new role as USNA AA&F's new Alumni Reunion Manager. A proud veteran, Storey served 16 years in the Royal Navy as a Hydrographic Surveyor, including deployments in the Middle East during Operation Enduring Freedom and multiple missions to Antarctica in support of the Antarctic Treaty. She retired in 2012 as Commanding Officer of HMS BRISTOL.

 

Storey and her family first moved to Annapolis in 2012 when her husband took an exchange posting at the Naval Academy. After several years back in the United Kingdom, they returned to Annapolis in 2020 and became U.S. citizens earlier this year. Passionate supporters of the Academy, Storey and her husband have sponsored multiple midshipmen through graduation and are active in Navy athletics as season ticket holders.

 

In her role, Storey will provide strategic leadership and expert guidance to alumni classes as they plan and execute reunions, ensuring each event is meaningful, memorable and well-organized. She was drawn to the Association for its mission-driven focus and sense of community, and she looks forward to delivering exceptional service to alumni and USNA AA&F.

You have seen the Navy uniforms now, don't miss your chance to register for the Beat Army Tailgate at Checkerspot Brewing Co., 1421 Ridgely Street in Baltimore! Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Join fellow Navy fans for a pregame fueled by great food, cold drinks and unbeatable Navy blue and gold spirit. Your ticket includes food and an open bar for beer and wine, with a cash bar available for mixed drinks. So rally your crew, don on all your Navy gear and get ready to watch the Black Knights and the Midshipmen face off on the gridiron for the 2025 game in Baltimore, Maryland. For questions, please reach out to [email protected].

 

Please note: usna.com login required for registration.

Gear up for Game Day for our third annual exclusive Beat Army Watch Party – the perfect way to kickoff the most anticipated game of the Navy football season with fellow Navy fans. Enjoy delicious food, drinks, door prizes, a football pool, swag, photo ops and plenty of spirited camaraderie. Whether you missed out on tickets to catch the game in Baltimore or just want a comfortable place to cheer on the navy blue and gold, our doors open one hour before kickoff. Tickets include all festivities, with food and drink packages available. Private viewing areas are also an option. Register today (myUSNA.com login required).

From the Podcast Fleet

Wow…what a win over South Florida! And we got Star wins from Sprint Football and Men's Rugby. We'd call that a successful weekend. Beyond that, the AA&F dedicated the Taylor Family Event Wing at the FAC, celebrated the families of our fallen alums with our annual Honor our Fallen Heroes (HOFH) event and we welcomed in the trustees of the Athletic & Scholarship Programs (A&SP) for their Fall Meeting. The Army Navy uniforms dropped. We love the historical 250 theme! We chat with USNA Museum Director CAPT BJ Armstrong '99, USN, about his unique role in the making of the uniform. And we talk with ADM Tim Keating '71, USN (Ret.). “Timbo” was a 3-time Combatant Commander…and he's an A&SP Trustee. Keating chats with Chris and John about retired life, being a USNA grandad and the importance of supporting USNA. That and more on the very best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army...always.

Listen on

Government & Military News

The U.S. military's “superpower muscles” may be aging, but they're not obsolete. Legacy platforms like B‑2 bombers, F‑35s, and upgraded fourth‑generation jets proved their worth in recent operations, using AI, new sensors, and advanced weapons. Though next‑gen systems like the B‑21 Raider and SSN(X) are coming, current forces—with smart upgrades—still provide a strong bridge to tomorrow's threats.

The Navy is creating a new unmanned acquisition office that could oversee up to 66 programs and consolidate six separate Program Executive Offices (PEOs) into a unified structure.The move is meant to streamline robotic and autonomous systems development and boost efficiency. By bringing together disparate efforts under one roof the Navy hopes to accelerate innovation and deliver advanced unmanned capabilities faster.

The U.S. Navy is building the Columbia‑class submarine — a marvel of engineering and stealth. It is the largest and most advanced missile submarine ever designed, featuring a life‑of‑ship nuclear reactor, electric drive, and X‑shaped control surfaces. While the program has faced delays and cost challenges, its cutting‑edge technology promises unmatched deterrence and long-term value, helping to secure America's strategic undersea strength for decades.

For all the power of modern therapy and medicine, sometimes there's no better tool for healing than the companionship of a dog.

Local, Education & other academy news

We know many in our community look to Shipmate to stay connected and honor fellow alumni. Obituary notices are also available online year round, offering a timely way to share remembrance and support for the families of those who have passed.

The 113th annual Annapolis Christmas Tree Lighting will return to Market Space on Sunday, 30 November officially kicking off the 2025 holiday season in downtown Annapolis. The free Grand Illumination event is hosted by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership and will feature family-friendly entertainment, holiday music, and an appearance by Santa. This year's tree is a live 20-plus-foot Fraser fir from North Carolina, selected by Diehl's Produce and decorated by Garden Girls Landscaping. It will be installed near Zachary's Jewelers and the Annapolis Market House. Festivities run from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., with the tree lighting set for 5:15 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Elfie will arrive by fire truck to lead the countdown.

 

Each fall, congressional offices across the nation convene selection boards to interview students aspiring to earn nominations to the U.S. Service Academies. Recently, I served on Congressman Mike Collins's board in Georgia's 10th District, where we met young men and women hoping to attend Annapolis, West Point, the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy.

 

Their poise and sincerity impressed every member of our panel. These students spoke about leadership, integrity, and teamwork not as résumé lines, but as personal commitments. They reminded me that the call to serve still resonates strongly among America's youth.

 

For graduates of any academy, joining a nomination board is a rewarding way to give back. It's not just about assessing grades or test scores, it's about recognizing character, humility and potential for command. Alumni understand what it means to uphold standards of honor and to prepare young leaders for the challenges ahead.

 

The students we interviewed showed that the watch is in good hands. For those of us who have stood our own watches, at sea, in the air, or in the field, helping guide the next generation toward that same path of service is one of the most meaningful ways we can continue the mission.

 

The Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Foundation builds Smart Homes for Critically Wounded Active Duty, Veterans, and First Responders, pays off the mortgages for Gold Star Families with young children and builds Veterans Villages to take homeless veterans off the streets. The T2T 5K Run/Walk in NYC is held each year on the last Sunday of September. What began with 1,500 participants in 2002 is now considered one of the top 5K runs in the U.S. The Tunnel to Towers NYC Run & Walk is more than just a 5K. It includes a weekend of events for Corporate Sponsors, Donors, Tunnel to Towers Program Recipients, and Volunteers. These events pay homage to the 343 FDNY Firefighters and Law Enforcement Officers, Dozens of Active-Duty Military, and Thousands of Civilians who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. This past September, fifty Midshipmen (some pictured above) made their way to NYC to participate in the 24th Annual NYC 5k, along with 40,000 other runners representing every state in the U.S.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Women's Volleyball at Bucknell (PLT-1st Rd.) - W 3-2

Men's Basketball at North Carolina - L 73-61

Men's Squash vs Dickinson - Annapolis, Md. - 5:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball vs Rider - Annapolis, Md. - 7:00 p.m.

 

Army - Navy Star Series: Tied 4-4-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's outdoor. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country, Sprint Football, Men's Rugby. Tie - Women's Soccer)

 

6 Dec - M. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon

6 Dec - W. Swim & Dive - Annapolis - Noon

13 Dec - Football - Baltimore, Md. - 3:00 p.m.

7 Feb - Rifle - West Point - 9:00 a.m.

7 Feb - Gymnastics - Annapolis - 2:00 p.m.

7 Feb - M. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

7 Feb - W. Indoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

20 Feb - Wrestling - Annapolis - 7:30 p.m. - Alumni Hall

21 Feb - W. Basketball - West Point - TBA

21 Feb - M. Basketball - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - M. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

TBA - Baseball - Annapolis

TBA - M. Lacrosse - West Point

TBA - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis

TBA - M. Tennis - Annapolis

TBA - W. Tennis - Annapolis

USNA and AA&F Events

18-19 Nov - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Fall Meeting, FAC

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

20 Nov - Naval Academy Service Assignment Notification

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

5/6 Dec - American Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

10 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. - 5-6 p.m. - Brudergarten, 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Online event: https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

12 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter - 8:30-10 a.m. - Taphouse, 1637 23418 Three Notch Rd, California, MD 20619, USA

13 Dec - Army-Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD

 

4 Jan - USNA Semester Leave ends

6 Jan - USNA Classes Begin, Spring Semester

10 Jan - Pensacola Chapter Congressional Academy Day - 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. - National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Fl.

24 Jan - Thriving as Leaders Award Recognition, Fluegel (TBD)

 

14 Feb - Commissioning 101, Fluegel

19 Feb - USNA Entrepreneurs event, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Fluegel