17 Feb Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 17 February 2026

1862 - The Confederate ironclad Virginia is commissioned under CAPT Franklin Buchanan, a former U.S. Navy officer and first superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. Virginia, constructed on the hull of the former U.S. Navy screw frigate Merrimack, was to encounter the Union ironclad Monitor during the Battle of Hampton Roads on 9 March 1862.

 

1864 - The Confederate submarine H. L. Hunley becomes the first underwater vessel in the history of naval warfare to sink an enemy ship when it rams a spar tipped with a torpedo into the side of the Union sloop-of-war Housatonic off Charleston. The ship quickly sinks. H. L. Hunley also sinks, taking Confederate army Lieutenant George E. Dixon and his entire crew with it to the bottom. Among those killed was USNA alum ENS Edward Hazeltine '63, USN . Born in 1841 in Concord, New Hampshire, Edward had three brothers. During his 2/c year, he and his classmates were ordered to active duty; Edward reported to the frigate Sabine. In 1862 he was aboard the sloop Hartford; in 1863 he served in the West Coast Blockading Squadron. Edward was survived by his parents and at least one brother. In 2000, the long-lost submarine was raised from the depths for conservation and eventual display.

 

1967 - The first full day of Operation DECKHOUSE VI, which lasted until 3 March, was conducted near Quang Ngai city. The Special Landing Force (BLT Y4 and HMM-363) accounted for 280 enemy killed.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Last week, 11 February, President's Circle donors had the opportunity to hear from USNA Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte '91, USMC at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami, Florida. This event was the Superintendent's first trip with the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, and an example of the regional events afforded to our President's Circle supporters. Borgschulte shared updates from his first six months in the role and connected with alumni parents from around the country. You can learn more about our President's Circle courtesies at the link below. A special thank you to Lynn Atkinson and David Drucker P'13 for hosting this memorable evening!

From the Podcast Fleet

February keeps marching on. The snow and ice are melting…a little…and Lacrosse is back! The pod marches on this week with a great live pod from the Fluegel Alumni Center, where on 13 February we welcomed dozens of Navy Women's Lacrosse friends, family and alums to help the ladies kickoff their home season. Bill Wagner joined John Schofield, head coach Cindy Timchal and Women's Lacrosse alum Cynthia Lisa '00. We chat about the coming season and how the Fluegel Alumni Center has become a great home base to connect with our athletes, alums and parents. We also chat about the Commissioning 101 event that took place at the FAC Saturday…another great investment in our Naval Academy and the parents as we deliver the gouge about Commissioning Week to hundreds of parents from the Class of 2026. In addition to the briefings, we had more than a dozen vendors in the building for an Expo. One of those vendors is Made Plus. Want to hear more about the amazing N* shoe? Listen to the interview and check out Made Plus. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army. Always.

Listen on

Government & Military News

The Trump administration released a new Maritime Action Plan outlining a “Make Shipbuilding Great Again” strategy to rebuild U.S. maritime power. The plan focuses on three pillars: expanding domestic shipbuilding capacity, growing the mariner workforce, and implementing regulations and incentives to increase use of U.S.-built and U.S.-flagged vessels. Proposals include investing in shipyards and infrastructure, modernizing maritime training, creating financial incentives, and placing fees on foreign-built ships entering U.S. ports. Officials say the effort aims to strengthen supply chains, national security, and economic competitiveness, though many initiatives will require congressional approval and could take years or decades to fully realize.

The Pentagon plans to deploy roughly 200 U.S. troops to Nigeria to support training and security cooperation with Nigerian forces as they confront extremist threats, including Boko Haram and ISIS-linked groups. The deployment reflects a continued U.S. commitment to stability in West Africa following recent regional security shifts and rising militant activity. For the Navy and Marine Corps, the move highlights the growing importance of maritime security and expeditionary support in the Gulf of Guinea, a region tied to global energy and trade routes. It also underscores how forward presence and partner-force training remain central to U.S. strategy against transnational threats.

The latest labor data shows veteran unemployment rising even as the broader U.S. job market added roughly 130,000 positions, highlighting a growing gap between civilian hiring trends and outcomes for former service members. Post-9/11 veterans saw jobless rates climb to about 5.8%, signaling continued challenges translating military skills into civilian careers and navigating hiring pipelines. The shift underscores ongoing concerns about transition support, workforce readiness programs, and economic stability for the veteran community. For the Navy and Marine Corps, the trend reinforces the importance of career preparation, credentialing initiatives, and partnerships with industry to ensure sailors and Marines leaving active duty can successfully compete in a tightening but evolving labor market.

Local, Education & other academy news

The Annapolis Cup presented by PNC Bank returns Saturday, 18 April 2026, marking the 42nd anniversary croquet match between St. John's College and the U.S. Naval Academy. The longtime Annapolis tradition draws thousands for a day of rivalry, school spirit, and bragging rights on the lawn. The annual matchup dates to 1983, after a bit of campus trash talk helped spark what has become one of Annapolis' most recognizable spring events. As the story goes, the rivalry began in 1982 when the commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy told a St. John's freshman the Midshipmen could beat the Johnnies in any sport. “What about croquet?” the student shot back. He later proposed the match to a group of Midshipmen as a way to build better relations between the schools.

USNA Alumni Travel fall escape: Athens, Peloponnese and Olympic adventure

Ride the Olympic excitement into your own adventure! Don't miss your chance for a fall escape to Athens Greece 2–11 October 2026 on an unforgettable eight-night journey through Athens and the stunning Peloponnese—crafted especially for USNA alumni, families and sponsor families. Walk the storied grounds of Mycenae and Messene, wander the Byzantine beauty of Mystras and visit Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympics. Savor harvest-season flavors, local wines and meaningful fellowship while enjoying crisp autumn days, seaside strolls and unforgettable moments together. History, culture and connection come alive in this once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Men's Golf vs Watersound Invitational – Panama City, Fla. – 10:00 a.m.

Baseball vs Delaware State – Annapolis, Md. – 1:00 p.m.

Men's Lacrosse vs VMI – Annapolis, Md. – 6:00 p.m.

Men's Golf vs Watersound Invitational – NTS

Navy leads 11-4-1 (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, Men's and Women's Indoor Track & Field, Rifle, Gymnastics. Tie - Women's Soccer)

 

 

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.

USNA and AA&F Events

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