28 Jan Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 28 January 2026

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.

1914 - Operating as part of a multinational force consisting of British, French, and German troops, Marines from the battleship South Carolina (Battleship No. 26) go ashore to maintain order in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, during a revolution in that nation. (28 January–9 February)

 

1986 - CAPT Michael Smith '67, USN was pilot of the Space Shuttle Challenger when it was destroyed by an explosion forty years ago today. A career aviator, he had completed a combat tour in Vietnam among many other aviation assignments; he had nearly 4,900 hours in 28 different types of civilian and military aircraft. Smith was selected to be an astronaut in 1980. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Flying Cross and promoted to Captain. Smith was survived by his wife, son and two daughters.

Academy & Graduate happenings

USNA: USNA / NSAA will be operating on a two hour delay on Wednesday, 28 January 2026

AA&F: The Flugel Alumni Center will remain closed on Wednesday 28 January 2026. At this time, ice and freezing temperatures are causing hazardous conditions, making it unsafe for staff to come into the building. Staff will continue to take questions and concerns via email. We thank you for your patience as we ensure safety for everyone who joins us in the Fleugel Alumni Center.

Academy Securities, the nation's first Post-9/11 veteran owned and operated investment bank, announced the addition of VADM Sara Joyner '89, USN (Ret.) to its Geopolitical Intelligence Group 27 January. The Academy GIG consists of 38 US and UK Admirals & Generals, former NASA Astronauts and former CIA/FBI Leadership. Joyner comes to Academy after serving more than 36 years in the United States Navy. Most recently, she served as Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment on the Joint Staff. “Admiral Joyner is a remarkable addition to our Advisory Board,” said Academy's Chairman and CEO Chance Mims '97. “Her expertise in resource planning, operations and legislative engagement adds meaningful depth to the board's expertise.”

Tracey Benzing recently joined USNA AA&F after graduating from Roanoke College with a degree in Sport Marketing, where she was also a member of the Women's Lacrosse Team. As the daughter of a USNA Class of 1980 graduate, she grew up immersed in Navy culture, which fostered a strong appreciation for the Naval Academy's mission and traditions and makes her current role especially meaningful. As the Administrative Coordinator for Regional Development, Benzing supports the regional development team through scheduling, travel coordination, document preparation and maintaining donor and alumni records. She also assists with events and helps ensure smooth operations and collaboration. She is particularly excited to experience Commissioning Week and I-Day for the first time, is inspired by the book Grit by Angela Duckworth and hopes to one day attend the Masters Tournament in Augusta.

The Development team is starting the search to fill the position of Manager, Leadership Annual Giving. This is a full-time, exempt position. The position is part of a passionate and energetic team, all of whom are driven to advance our mission as well as their own professional and personal growth. The team works closely together to think strategically, address opportunities and challenges, as well as search for ways to improve both team and individual performance. This position reports to the Associate VP, Development and works closely with the Regional Development and the Annual Giving teams to promote growth in philanthropic support for the Naval Academy and AA&F. Below is the link to our jobs board.

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of 26 January 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Snow fell steadily as a military Humvee eased through Washington's streets with tires crunching over packed ice and traffic lights reflected off slush-covered pavement. Inside the vehicle, Army Col. Larry Doane, commander of Joint Task Force District of Columbia, scanned a digital map, tracking patrols spread across the city as a winter storm tightened its grip. "Slow and steady," Doane said, watching a civilian vehicle struggle for traction nearby. "Interesting driving choices out there today." The storm transformed the mission almost instantly. What began as routine presence patrols in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission shifted toward life-safety priorities — mobility, visibility and helping people navigate a city slowed by snow and ice.

The Navy League of the United States has officially opened registration for Sea-Air-Space 2026, the largest global maritime expo in North America. The event once again takes place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, from 19-22 April 2026, with the annual STEM Expo kicking off on 19 April. Sea-Air-Space, hosted by the Navy League of the United States, remains the foremost gathering for maritime and defense professionals in the United States, addressing the latest advancements in defense technology and real-time strategic updates. More than 400 businesses who play vital roles in the maritime domain from around the world, ranging from trending startups to global Fortune 500 companies, are set to exhibit.

House and Senate appropriators backed the White House's shipbuilding goals with an additional $6.5 billion in funding for fiscal year 2026—including adjustments to fix accounting errors resulting from last year's budget reconciliation. The compromise bill, released last week, allots a total $27.2 billion for shipbuilding, with increases across several efforts. That $27.2 billion topline covers 17 ships, including “one Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, two Virginia-class fast attack submarines, three Medium Landing Ships, and one T-AGOS [Surveillance Towed-Array Sensor System] ship for anti-submarine warfare,” House appropriators wrote in their bill summary.

NASA has announced the schedule for the briefing on the upcoming SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the ISS, set for 30 January. According to Nasa, SpaceX Crew-12 will carry four astronauts to the orbiting laboratory on a Crew Dragon spacecraft as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. This mission, the 12th crew rotation under the Commercial Crew Program, is currently slated to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, no earlier than 15 February 2026. The four-member crew includes NASA astronauts Jessica Meir (Commander) and Jack Hathaway '04 (Pilot), ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev. The crew will conduct research and maintain station operations during their months-long expedition.

Local, Education & other academy news

Jack Hathaway '04 was selected by NASA to join the 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class. He reported for duty in January 2022. The Connecticut native earned bachelors' degrees in physics and history from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, and completed graduate studies at Cranfield University, England, and the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. A distinguished naval aviator, Hathaway flew and deployed with VFA-14 aboard the USS Nimitz and VFA-136 aboard the USS Truman, graduated from Empire Test Pilots' School, supported the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and was most recently assigned as the prospective executive officer for Strike Fighter Squadron 81. He has over 2,500 flight hours in 30 types of aircraft, more than 500 carrier arrested landings, and flew 39 combat missions. Hathaway will serve as pilot for NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission, set to launch no earlier than 15 February 2026, to the International Space Station for a long-duration science expedition.

NASA Day of Remembrance: Marking Challenger's 40th anniversary and honoring all lost missions

NASA's Day of Remembrance, observed at the end of January, honors those lost in the pursuit of space exploration. This includes the crew of Space Shuttle Challenger, which was lost shortly after liftoff 40 years ago today. Among the seven astronauts was one of our own, CAPT Michael J. Smith '67, USN, the shuttle's pilot and a Naval Academy graduate. A career naval aviator, Smith embodied professionalism, courage and technical excellence. The Challenger tragedy remains a defining moment in NASA history, highlighting the risks of discovery and the responsibility to learn from failure. The legacy of Smith, his crewmates and those we lost on Apollo 1 and Columbia endures in the ongoing pursuit of space exploration, safety and service.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Capital Gazette (Full story below - PW-protected)

By Bill Wagner

27 January 2026 at 6:00 AM ET

 

The Touchdown Club of Annapolis has presented the Silver Helmet Award to the Most Outstanding Player on the Navy football team since 1957.

 

Many times, the decision was quite difficult as there were multiple candidates with tremendous credentials. As agonizing as it was, the Touchdown Club Board of Governors eventually came to a consensus and made the tough choice.

 

The Silver Helmet Award has been presented 67 times and there has always been only one winner — until now.

 

After much debate and discussion, the Touchdown Club Board of Governors voted to select senior co-captains Blake Horvath '26 and Landon Robinson '26 as co-winners of the Tony Rubino Memorial Silver Helmet Award for the 2025 season.

 

Horvath and Robinson were the catalysts of the most successful two-year stretch in Navy football history. Due largely to their leadership, the Midshipmen amassed 21 wins, captured consecutive Commander-in-Chief's Trophy championships and earned back-to-back bowl wins against Power Four opponents.

 

Horvath was the starting quarterback and orchestrator of a Navy offense that posted impressive statistics across the board and set all sorts of records. Robinson spearheaded the defense and was a disruptive force from his nose guard position.

 

“We hate to break with nearly seven decades of tradition, but the Board of Governors strongly believes that Blake Horvath and Landon Robinson are equally deserving of this prestigious award,” Touchdown Club of Annapolis president Mike Kelly Jr. said. “Those two players have been the face of Navy football for the past two seasons and each has compiled tremendous individual accomplishments. If ever there was a year when co-winners of the Silver Helmet were warranted, this is it.”

 

Navy coach Brian Newberry was grateful the Touchdown Club chose to honor both Horvath and Robinson, saying it was really the only way to go considering the circumstances.

 

“To be honest, I would have been disappointed if both Blake and Landon were not recognized for this award. It's an impossible choice between the two. They have both been equally greatly responsible for our success the past two seasons,” Newberry said. “I definitely think Blake and Landon are going to go down as two of the greatest players in the history of this program. They are incredible representatives of the Naval Academy and Navy football on and off the field.”

 

Navy prides itself on being a developmental program with Horvath and Robinson serving as shining examples of what that term means. Both were under-recruited coming out of high school and committed to Navy late in the process. Defensive coordinator P.J. Volker was responsible for recruiting the two Ohio natives and it was based largely on his recommendation that the coaching staff agreed to offer Horvath and Robinson.

 

“P.J. had a great feeling about the character and intangibles of those two guys. He loved both of them and fought hard for them,” Newberry said.

 

Horvath emerged as Navy's starting quarterback as a junior during August training camp and proved well suited to operating the hybrid Wing-T attack implemented by new offensive coordinator Drew Cronic. Horvath's versatility and ability to operate under center or out of shotgun formation enabled the Midshipmen to execute a diverse offense.

 

“I think the combination of Blake stepping up and seizing the starting job and Coach Cronic coming in could not have been more perfect in terms of timing,” Newberry said. “Blake turned out to be an ideal fit for this offense and we've been able to do some things that we might not have been without him.”

 

Horvath amassed 5,379 yards of total offense the past two seasons. He became the first Navy quarterback to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and passing in consecutive seasons.

 

Horvath ranks second and third all-time at Navy for total offensive yards in a season, compiling 2,780 in 2025 and 2,599 in 2024. He has accounted for 58 touchdowns (33 rushing, 25 passing) the past two seasons.

 

Horvath carries a 3.69 grade point average as an operations research major and ranks highly in overall order of merit within the Class of 2026. He became just the 11th National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athletic in Naval Academy history and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which has been dubbed the academic Heisman.

 

“Blake is super generous with his time and attention to everyone. He's very well respected on campus among his peers and professors. I think that part of his legacy is just as special as the playing piece of things,” Newberry said.

 

Robinson was switched from inside linebacker to defensive line after adding considerable weight at the Naval Academy Prep School. He has grown from 220 pounds as a senior at Copley High into a powerful 285-pound nose guard without losing any speed or athleticism.

 

Robinson did not see any varsity action as a plebe and played sparingly as a sophomore. He has posted career numbers of 153 tackles, 18 8 1/2 tackles for loss and 14 1/2 sacks.

 

Robinson was named American Conference Defensive Player of the Year after leading Navy in tackles for loss (8 1/2), sacks (6 1/2) and quarterback hurries (7). He was the team's fifth-leading tackler (64) and ranked second in the American Conference in sacks per game, which is rare for an interior defensive lineman.

 

“Landon is a perfect example of all the things we want on the defensive side of the football — fast, physical, smart, unselfish and he personifies playing with elite effort, attitude and toughness,” Newberry said.

 

Robinson became the first Navy football player to be named a first team All-American by the Associated Press since tailback Napoleon McCallum in 1985. He was the first Navy defensive player to earn that distinction since safety Chet Moeller in 1975.

 

Robinson was also named a first-team All-American by Sports Illustrated and USA Today, and a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation.

 

“Landon is the hardest worker in our program, and that has translated to him being an absolute force on the field. He is the heart and soul of our defense,” Volker said. “I'm incredibly proud of the way Landon goes about his business — the way he works, the leader he is, the human being he is. He's a great representative of our program on and off the field.”

NSTR

Men's Basketball at Boston University. - Boston, MA - 7:00 p.m.

Women's Basketball vs Boston University - Annapolis, MD - 7:00 p.m.

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