13 Feb Daily Shipmate

Thursday, February 13, 2025

1929 - President Calvin Coolidge signs the so-called Cruiser Bill, which authorizes the construction of 15 cruisers. Though the legislation specifies light cruisers, it ultimately results in the commissioning of heavy cruisers as well, including the ill-fated Indianapolis (CA-35).

1980 - 1LT Stephen Scott '77, USMC was lost when the A-4 Skyhawk he was piloting crashed immediately after takeoff at Yuma, Arizona.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

The 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award ceremony has been rescheduled to a later date to be determined. The DGA ceremony was originally scheduled to be held March 21st at Alumni Hall. This schedule change was made so Suni Williams '87 can be present along with fellow 2025 DGAs after her return from space. A new date for the ceremony will be announced later this spring.

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 got a ship visit last week from USS Marinette (LCS 25). She tied up pierside at USNA, and the AA&F staff got an amazing tour. Mission packages...life as a SWO...gundecking battle lantern PMS spotchecks...the whole Swotivating experience. Marinette Commanding Officer CDR Janet Broome joined the pod to talk about life in command. And we have a great discussion with Class of '05 alum and Annapolis resident Chris Yenias. Chris was a helicopter pilot in the Navy. He was a Foundation Student. Cal Ripken fan. And now he has an amazing podcast - the Know Your Neighbor podcast. Check out our interview and our chat with him. Chris and John also talk about DEI, the Board of Visitors, Commissioning 101 and the hope for three stars vs Army this weekend. Give a listen. Beat Army...always.

LISTEN ON

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

A U.S. Navy jet crashed Wednesday morning off the coast of San Diego and the two crew members were rescued, authorities said. The two occupants of the EA-18G Growler were first picked up by a fishing vessel called Premiere, then transferred to a nearby Customs and Border Protection vessel, said Coast Guard spokesperson Petty Officer Christopher Sappey.

A recent report from the Defense Department Inspector General's Office found that Navy SEAL candidates often conducted water training exercises off Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, even when local beaches were closed due to high levels of “fecal indicator bacteria,” a telltale sign of fecal matter. “Navy SEAL candidate exposure to contaminated water occurred because [Naval Special Warfare Command] did not follow San Diego County's Beach and Bay Water Quality Program's beach closure postings,” DOD IG's Feb. 7 management advisory says. “As a result of Navy SEAL candidate exposure to contaminated water during training, candidates are presented with increased health risks and Naval Special Warfare Command's] training mission could be impacted.”

The V-22 Osprey has long legs, but the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force tiltrotor fleets have been on a short leash since a fatal 2023 crash led to operational restrictions. Naval Air Systems Command lifted a three-month grounding last March after eight airmen died when an Air Force MV-22B crashed off the coast of Japan. Now the Navy and Marine Corps can fly the Ospreys, but under limitations that cut into the usefulness of the aircraft. The Bell-Boeing Osprey is meant to operate with a range of 1,150 nautical miles – the distance from Washington, D.C. to Omaha, Neb. Now the military must make do with the 30-minute flight restriction that translates to about 200 nautical miles – a trip from D.C. to New York.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Starting from $5,890/pp, visit Ireland's gorgeous coastal scenery of towering cliffs and ruggedly beautiful islands on this magical journey to the Wild Atlantic Way and County Donegal, a less explored gem! Watch dogs herding sheep on a farm and hear tales from a traditional storyteller. You'll also head into Northern Ireland to admire the walled city of Derry-Londonderry, wander at impressive Giant's Causeway and savor artisanal foods on a pastoral estate. Embrace the Emerald Isle's natural splendor, vibrant culture and warm welcome on this fulfilling adventure! Learn more and book here.

Annapolis Restaurant Week, presented by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership, returns for its 17th year from February 22 to March 2, 2025. This highly anticipated event offers food lovers an opportunity to explore the diverse and talented dining scene in Annapolis through special prix-fixe menus, exclusive discounts, and new additions like brunch options.In addition to delicious meals, Annapolis Restaurant Week highlights the city's vibrant arts and entertainment scene.Dates: February 22 – March 2, 2025; Where: Participating restaurants in downtown Annapolis and surrounding communities.

The Air Force Academy is reviewing all of its cadet clubs for compliance with President Donald Trump's order to end diversity, equity and inclusion programming across the federal government. The academy said in a statement Tuesday the review will cover the bylaws and charters of clubs. Some of the school's clubs likely subject to scrutiny include Spectrum, for the LGBTQ+ community, and the Way of Life Committee, a club for Black students. Last year, the Way of Life Committee held the academy's first Black History Month Gala, according to a social media post. Previously, Spectrum hosted a color run, where participants are covered in bright powder. The Spectrum page on Instagram was down on Tuesday.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Women's Basketball at Lehigh - Bethlehem, Pa. - L 74-56

Men's Basketball v Lehigh - Annapolis, Md. - W 63-60

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