2 Feb Daily Shipmate

Monday, 2 February 2026

Bridging the Indo-Pacific: Strengthening the people-to-people ties behind the U.S.-Malaysia security partnership, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Michelle Exner '07 (center) met with Malaysian USNA and USCGA alumni in Kuala Lumpur this past December. The group represented the deep impact of the military exchange program, ranging from the admiral overseeing Malaysia's Littoral Combat Ship project to officers instrumental in bi-national exercises like Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). The evening highlighted the strategic value and lifelong connections forged through U.S. service academy exchanges. Since 1993, there have been 41 Malaysians who earned their commissions at U.S. service academies; 10 of them joined A/S Exner, as did Defense Attache CAPT Pasit Somboonpakron '96, USN, and Deputy Naval Attache, CDR Kris Newberry '00, USN.

 

Photo caption (left to right): LCDR Lau Yew Pang '09, USN; Dr. Al-Shafiq bin Abdul Wahid '93; Ahmad Fahmi bin Jahaya '95; Abdullah Zahri bin Abdul Azizis '94; CAPT Suhaimi bin Sani '93, USN; CAPT Pasit Somboonpakron (USMILGP); FADM Ir. Franklin Jeyasekhar Joseph '93, USN; The Honorable Michele P. Exner '07; Serena Pfeiffer, chief of staff for Global Public Affairs; LT Dya Janushaa Bala Krishnan Muthiah '22, USN; Maj Ron J. Lienhardt, operations officer (USMILGP); Morgan O'Brien, public affairs officer, U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur; Hisham Selamat, sr. press specialist, U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur; LT Ir. Ts. Chan Jun Kwan '16, USN; Muzaffar bin Abdul Halim '17; LT Mohamad Fitri Bin Mohd Idris '19.

1938 - Participating in naval exercises, two PBY Catalina flying boats collide in the darkness. On board one of the planes, LT Carlton B. Hutchins '26, USN remains in the pilot's seat, maintaining control of the aircraft so that four members of his crew can parachute to safety. He is awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.

 

1951 - The minesweeper Partridge (AMS-31) strikes a mine while operating near Wonsan, North Korea, sinking with the loss of eight of its crew killed and six wounded. It is the last minesweeper lost during the Korean War.

1991 - Maj. Eugene McCarthy, Jr. '77, USMCR was lost when the AH-1 Cobra helicopter he was piloting crashed in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War. A native of Brooklyn, he served on active duty for 11 years as a helicopter pilot, though he also completed parachute training and Range School. In July of 1998 he joined the Drug Enforcement Administration and graduated first in his DEA class from the FBI Academy. Gene was survived by his parents, brother and sister.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The first hard copy of the Magazine for 2026! Just in time to get you through the dark ages. Emily Lucht, John Schofield and Jimmy DeButts bring you the best Alumni magazine in the business in audio form. The Jan/Feb issue hits mailboxes this week, but here is your sneak peak and your behind-the-scenes access to how the stories are written, the context behind the content and a little more explanation of how said content arrives in your mailbox every two months. In this issue we discuss an amazing gift from the Volgenau '55 family, Service Selection for the class of 2026 and even Tom Selleck! Our 50 years of women series continues with stories about the "admission rush" and other great vignettes. We have a great conversation with Michael Kelly and we hear from a CH-53E pilot. That and more as we bring you a preview of a great issue of Shipmate!

Cascade Partners (Cascade), a leading investment banking and turnaround and restructuring firm serving middle-market entrepreneurs, businesses and investors, announced a new leadership among their team. Eric Green '94 has been named Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. He will succeed Founder Rajesh Kothari, CFA, who will continue as Chair of the Board and a Managing Director. Green currently serves as Chief Operating Officer, a leadership role he assumed in January 2024. As CEO, Green will be responsible for leading the implementation of Cascade's strategic priorities, including expanding the firm's investment banking and restructuring capabilities, deepening industry specialization, strengthening talent development, and continuing to deliver differentiated outcomes for middle-market clients. **Eric Green is also a Trustee with the AA&F Athletic & Scholarships Programs.

Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy's Class of 2026 who selected Naval Aviation reached a major milestone last week as future Navy Pilots and Naval Flight Officers chose their flight school report dates to Pensacola, Florida. This step officially sets them on the path toward earning their wings. To mark the occasion, the midshipmen gathered with aviators from the Yard and the Fleet, celebrating the achievement while gaining insight, mentorship and perspective from those who have gone before them. The event reinforced the strong bonds and shared tradition within the Naval Aviation community as these future aviators prepare for takeoff.

NAPS Midshipmen Candidates recently marked an important milestone by participating in their first Dining-In, a time-honored Naval tradition emphasizing professionalism, discipline and camaraderie. The evening underscored the Naval Academy's commitment to high standards and the development of future officers. The presence and support of the U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent highlighted the importance of this tradition in shaping character, reinforcing service values and building a strong foundation for those preparing to enter the Brigade on I-Day this coming June. The event connected candidates to Naval heritage while preparing them for the expectations and responsibilities of service in the Navy and Marine Corps.

From the Podcast Fleet

Ship selection night is one of the Naval Academy's most exciting traditions, marking when midshipmen learn their first fleet assignments. This summary explores the high-energy atmosphere in Alumni Hall and the careful strategy behind each choice. It highlights the Blue Chip Program, which allows top performers to secure guaranteed ships from summer training, and coveted Forward Deployed Naval Forces billets in Japan and Spain, celebrated with ceremonial swords. Midshipmen weigh factors like homeport, deployment cycles, ship culture, and classified briefings. For families, the episode offers insight into priorities, outcomes, and the thoughtful planning shaping a midshipman's future naval career.

Government & Military News

A partial U.S. government shutdown became likely at the end of January 2026 as lawmakers failed to agree on funding before the Jan. 30 deadline, largely due to disputes over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and immigration enforcement policy. Senate Republicans and Democrats clashed over DHS funding after protests over fatal shootings by federal agents. Congress had already passed funding for several agencies, but without a deal, parts of the government — including Defense, Transportation, and other departments — faced lapses. Some programs like SNAP and Social Security are already funded and would continue, while federal workers risk furloughs and service disruptions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is preparing its largest reorganization of the Veterans Health Administration since the 1990s to improve care at VA facilities and expand access through civilian providers. Officials told Congress the plan will streamline administration, realign staff and invest in medical centers. The RISE initiative will cut the number of Veterans Integrated Service Networks from 18 to 5 and create health service areas focused on care delivery. New community care contracts—with flexibility and competition—are expected, potentially worth up to $1 trillion over ten years. Some lawmakers and advocates fear workforce reductions could weaken VA health care.

Japan and South Korea agreed on 30 January to resume a joint naval search-and-rescue exercise that had been suspended since 2017, marking the first such drill in nearly a decade. The agreement came during talks between Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and South Korean Defence Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Yokosuka, Japan, as both nations seek to strengthen military ties and cooperation. Resuming these exercises is part of broader efforts to rebuild defense collaboration, which had been strained by past disputes. The move reflects warming relations and shared interests in regional security and stability amid evolving threats.

Local, Education & other academy news

Michelle Lian is our Data Processing Specialist who supports USNA AA&F by organizing, cleaning and reconciling data to ensure accuracy and reliability. Lian is a senior at the University of Maryland majoring in Information Systems and discovered the internship through HireSmith, seeing it as a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience with data while learning how a nonprofit operates . They are eager to grow both professionally and personally. Lain recently watched The Housemaid and found it very interesting and one item on their bucket list is to go outdoor skydiving.

Join David Heilman, a Marine veteran and trauma counselor with 10 years of experience supporting male veterans at the Worcester, Massachusetts, Vet Center, as he explores from a clinician's perspective how sexual assault impacts the body, mind and spirit. This is a 1.5-hour webinar designed specifically for male survivors. Participants will learn how trauma can manifest and gain practical tools to help combat its effects.

 

Date: Tuesday, 17 February

Time: 7–8:30 p.m. ET

 

Sponsored by the Survivor Advocacy Network (SAN), the session is open to male survivors from military service academies or commissioning programs, including current midshipmen and cadets. Questions? Contact Isaac at mailto:isaacphillips189@gmail.com or (301) 787-5288

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Rifle at West Virginia – L 4719 - 4745

Rifle vs Army – W 4719 - 4683

Men's Tennis vs Hofstra – W 7 - 0

Women's Swimming & Diving vs Navy Invitational - No Team Score

Men's Swimming & Diving vs Navy Invitational - No Team Score

Women's Tennis at Notre Dame – L 0 - 7

Men's Tennis vs George Mason – L 3 - 4

Men's Squash vs Western – W 7 - 2

Men's Basketball vs Loyola, Maryland – W 87 - 71

Women's Basketball at Loyola (Md.) – W 68 - 62

 

Women's Tennis vs Ball State – L 1-0

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.

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