26 Jan Daily Shipmate

Monday, 26 January 2026

Welcome back, Classmail users!

Thank you for your patience during the recent Classmail outage. Our team has been working diligently with Daily Shipmate's distribution platform's customer service team and engineers to restore delivery as quickly as possible. We're excited to welcome you back. If you'd like to catch up on any issues you may have missed, visit MyUSNA.com, log in and view all Daily Shipmate emails sent during the outage. Thank you again for your understanding and continued engagement.

photos of the day

Sleet and snow didn't stop the Midshipmen Action Group (MAG) on Sunday from helping the nearby Annapolis community dig out from the cold and wintery mix. Check out these photos and more from USNA's Facebook page.

1862 - A Union squadron—the gunboats Ottawa and Seneca, and other vessels—carrying 2,400 Army troops under the command of General Horatio G. Wright conducts a strategic reconnaissance of Wassaw Sound, GA. The effort results in an engagement with Confederate gunboats attempting to resupply nearby Fort Pulaski, and perhaps more importantly strikes a blow against the morale of Confederates in the area. (26-29 January)

 

1911 - Airplane manufacturer Glenn Curtiss conducts the first successful hydroaeroplane flight at North Island, San Diego, CA.

 

1961 - LTJG Ronald Gibson '57, USN was lost when the C-118 transport aircraft he was copilot of disappeared between the Azores and Newfoundland. He was a member of Transport Squadron (VR) 22, based at Norfolk, Virginia. A native of Sutton, Massachusetts, “Ron became known to his classmates as a very agreeable and fun-loving guy.” He was a member of the Naval Academy's crew team. He married his wife, Constance, in late December 1958. He was survived by her and his parents.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced 20 January that the president has made the following nominations: Marine Corps LtGen James H. Adams III '91, USMC for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Defense Intelligence Agency, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Adams is currently serving as deputy commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Marine Corps LtGen Robert C. Fulford '92, USMC for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Fulford is currently serving as deputy commander, U.S. European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. See full list of Marine General Officer promotions at the link below.

Gordon, Lowndes '80 highlighted in Shipmate Magazine's 50 Years of Women coverage

Shipmate's coverage of 50 Years of Women at the Naval Academy features Beth Leadbetter Gordon '80 and CAPT Barbette Henry Lowndes '80, USN (Ret.), recounting the frantic race to complete their applications during a groundbreaking moment in history. Their stories highlight the determination and resilience required secure nominations and complete complex applications in an abbreviated timeframe. This story is featured in January-February's Shipmate Magazine which will arrive in mailboxes this week. But, if you cannot wait for the physical copy of the magazine, check out the story here online.

In this issue, you will find feature stories about Cheryl Dolyniuk Carlan '83, wrestling's Kaemen Smith '26, and men's basketball coach Jon Perry. Over the past few weeks, we saw Navy football cap off an 11-2 season by winning the Liberty Bowl over Cincinnati and finish the year ranked 23rd in the final polls. Navy Squash also made history by having the best start in program history. There are seven stars up for grabs in February, to include gymnastics, rifle, men's indoor track & field, women's indoor track & field, wrestling, men's basketball, and women's basketball. So, check out the full schedule listed in the newsletter. The Navy Letterwinners Association is committed to honor, engage, and connect all of our former varsity and club athletes, to include all letterwinners, managers, and team members. We will keep everyone informed of sport-specific alumni events and update you on our major athletic contests.

From the Podcast Fleet

A special Sing Second Podcast for your Annapolis snowday. Before the skies opened and the temps dropped, the Alumni Association & Foundation joined the USNA Women Shared Interest Group in celebrating a new display at Historic Annapolis in downtown celebrating the journey of USNA Women in words and photographs. Dozens of alumni joined AA&F President & CEO Jeff Webb '95 in hearing from USNA Women SIG leadership and Historic Annapolis museum curators about the important bond between the Naval Academy and the city of Annapolis over 50 years since women arrived for I-Day. Sing Second's John Schofield interviewed Linda Postenrieder '82, Allison Webster Giddings '84 and Historic Annapolis' Elizabeth Cox about the exhibit and the ceremony.

Listen on

They call it a golden handshake, but there's nothing golden about it. Each year, some Naval Academy graduates leave without commissioning due to medical issues. Known as GNCs (Graduate Non-Commission), their next chapter arrives far sooner than expected. Over the past year, listening to their experiences helped shape an initiative with Academy Insider to provide real support and guidance during this transition. With generous help from USNA alumni, we've assembled services for the Class of 2026 GNCs—professional headshots, resume coaching, career planning for SACC, mentorship, and pro-bono support for VA and DoD disability claims. The goal is simple: help these Mids land softly and move forward with confidence.

Government & Military News

The following is the 2026 U.S. National Defense Strategy. The document was released on 23 January 2026. From the report: President Trump in his first term and since reentering office in January 2025 has rebuilt the American military to be the world's absolute best—its most formidable fighting force. But it is essential to emphasize how much of an achievement this has been.

The U.S. Navy announced that it is prohibiting the consumption of an organic opioid, along with several other substances, in a recent service-wide message. The Navy announced in a 14 January memo that service members were barred from using kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. “Protecting service member welfare and readiness is paramount to maintaining an effective fighting force,” the message reads. “Additionally, substance misuse by members of the armed forces is incompatible with military standards of good order, discipline, performance, and operational readiness.”

Local, Education & other academy news

Due to the inclement weather, the Fluegel Alumni Center building will be closed today, Monday, 26 January 2026. Staff can be reached via email for questions or concerns. We will be monitoring the weather and updating our hours of operations as necessary. Continue to follow U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation on social media for updates.

Jeffrey M. Dumas '68 of Boulder, CO, led his Boulder Road Runners "Men's 80+ Team" to two first-place finishes in USA Track and Field (USATF) cross country national championships held in December and January. During the USATF National Club Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee 11 January, Jeff (the team captain) was the first finishing runner on his Boulder team and for all registered Men's 80+ teams, with a time of 44:37. For the 8K's equivalent distance of 5 miles, he averaged an 8:55 mile pace!

Weather and travel conditions following the winter storm are prompting widespread closures and service changes across Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis on Monday, 26 January. Anne Arundel County Public Schools announced that all AACPS buildings will be closed on Monday, 26 January, due to adverse weather and travel conditions. Residents are strongly advised to avoid travel, especially until the National Weather Service winter storm warning expires at 4:00 a.m. Monday, 26 January. County officials said the County Executive's declaration of a civil emergency is intended to ensure the county has the resources needed to respond throughout the duration of the storm.

The City of Annapolis will mark Black History Month 2026 with a 4-part public history and cultural series titled “Rooted in Revolution: 250 Years of Black History in Annapolis,” Mayor Jared Littmann announced January 22, 2026. The free series will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm each Tuesday in February—February 3, February 10, February 17, and February 24—at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library, 1410 West Street. “Black history is central to the story of Annapolis and the nation,” said Mayor Littmann. “As we prepare for the country's 250th anniversary, this series ensures our shared history is told with the voices of the community at its center.”

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Navy senior Maren Louridas was named the Captain of Captains, and the Cyber Operations major had a busy summer of training and traveling. Learn more about Louridas in the video above.

The Navy Midshipmen football team was named the winner of the Lambert Trophy by the Lambert Trophy Championship Association, honoring them as the top FBS college football team in the Eastern U.S. for the 2025 season — their first Lambert Trophy since 2015 and only the second since 1963. The Lambert Trophy is an annual award presented to the best Eastern team in Division I FBS, voted on by a panel of New York sportswriters. The 2025 Navy team tied the school record with an 11-2 season, won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, claimed a share of the American Conference title, and capped the year with a Liberty Bowl victory.

None

Navy leads 7-4-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men's Soccer, Women's Rugby, Women's Cross Country. Navy - Men's Golf, Men's Cross Country, Sprint Football, Men's Rugby, Men's and Women's Swimming, Football. Tie - Women's Soccer)

 

Reminder - The Star Series schedule will return to the Daily Shipmate schedule February 2nd as there are no Star matchups in January. Beat Army!

 

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 - 11:00 a.m.

21 Feb - M. Basketball - West Point - 1:30 p.m.

27-29 Mar - Baseball - West Point - TBA

4 Apr - W. Tennis - Annapolis - 11:00 a.m.

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

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

11 Apr - M. Lacrosse - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis - 12:00 p.m.

18 Apr - M. Tennis - Annapolis - 1:00 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events