Official daily newsletter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
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Today in Navy, Marine Corps
and USNA Memorial Hall History
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1920 - The submarine H-1 (SS-28) runs aground on a rocky shoal off Santa Margarita Island, California. The skipper and three members of the boat's crew drown while attempting to swim ashore. The submarine sinks during an attempted salvage on 24 March.
1945 - CDR Gordon Schecter '35, USN was killed in action when his F6F-5 Hellcat was shot down over Okinawa. He was commanding officer of Air Group 45, USS San Jacinto (CVL 30). Schecter was stationed aboard USS Idaho (BB 42) following graduation, though by July 1936 he was a member of the ship's observation plane squadron. He remained there until he began flight training in July 1938. He and his wife were married on 1 June 1939, two weeks after he became a Naval Aviator. His first tour as a pilot was in the scouting squadron of USS Indianapolis (CA 35). In April 1944 he became Fighting Squadron (VF) 45's first commanding officer. On 16 February 1945 he became an ace, downing his fifth enemy aircraft; he was awarded the Silver Star for his “courageous and unfaltering leadership” in the surrounding action. His wartime experience prior to April 1944 is unknown. He was survived by his wife and son.
1997 - The Standoff Land Attack Missile—Expanded Response successfully completes its first flight after being fired from an F/A-18 Hornet over California.
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Academy & Graduate happenings
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The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast: What Navy Test Pilot School really teaches you — and why it's not what you think
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In this episode of The Naval Aviation Ready Room Podcast, host CAPT Ryan Keys '95, USN (Ret.) sits down with CDR Keith "Kiki" Kulow, '99, USN (Ret.), whose career bridges the high-stakes world of flight testing and front-line disaster response. From flying "variable stability" aircraft that can emulate any airframe to leading the "Dusty Dogs" of HSC-7 through a historic hurricane season, Kulow's story is one of technical mastery and extreme adaptability. He shares deep insights into the rigorous selection process for Test Pilot School (TPS), the surprising emphasis on written communication in flight testing and the leadership challenges of executing unscripted rescue missions in the wake of hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
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Anchors Aweigh Podcast: Coach Brian Newberry talks Navy football entering spring practice
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Coach Brian Newberry met with the media on Monday in advance of Navy football opening spring practice on Tuesday afternoon. The Midshipmen must replace several seniors that played prominent roles in the most successful two-year stretch in program history. Navy men's and women's basketball are appearing in the postseason. Head coaches Jon Perry and Tim Taylor talk about playing in the NIT and WBIT, respectively.
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Government & Military News
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The U.S. has several options to counter Iranian mines. These are some key assets
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The U.S. military possesses several capabilities that it could wield to combat naval mine warfare in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy views the maritime weapon as a key pillar of its military strategy, according to a 2017 Office of Naval Intelligence report, and reportedly began laying mines in the sea passage last week. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a Pentagon briefing Friday, however, that there was “no clear evidence” of mines in the strait. ADM Brad Cooper '90, head of U.S. Central Command, said Monday that U.S. forces destroyed storage bunkers for naval mines during a U.S. strike on military targets on Iran's oil export hub, Kharg Island, on Friday. U.S. forces also destroyed 16 Iranian minelayers last week, according to CENTCOM.
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Sailors aboard USS Gerald R. Ford reportedly lost their beds amid fire
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A fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford on 12 March 2026, in a main laundry area, taking more than 30 hours to extinguish. The blaze caused significant damage to nearby berthing spaces, leaving more than 600 sailors without beds and forcing some to sleep on floors or temporary surfaces. Several sailors were treated for minor injuries and smoke inhalation. Despite the disruption to crew living conditions and ship services like laundry, the carrier remains operational with no impact to propulsion or combat systems as it continues its extended deployment in the Red Sea.
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VA's review of disability claims for fraud won't include past filings, officials say
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is developing a new tool to detect potential fraud in disability claims, focusing on patterns in Disability Benefits Questionnaires. Officials emphasized the system is aimed at identifying suspicious activity from third-party companies that assist veterans with claims, often charging illegal or excessive fees. Importantly, the VA said the tool will not be used to investigate or penalize past claims, addressing concerns raised after a recent congressional hearing. Instead, it will help flag future issues and protect veterans from predatory “claim sharks.” The effort reflects broader attempts to improve oversight while avoiding retroactive reviews that could impact previously approved benefits.
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Local, Education & other academy news
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You've planned the perfect vacation this summer
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Use this checklist to ensure there are no mishaps along the way. And don't forget Travel insurance to provide financial protection in the off chance that something happens.
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Naval Academy Athletics News & Results
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- Offshore Sailing at J/70 Spring Finals - New London, Conn. - All Day
- Baseball vs Maine - Annapolis, Md. - 3:00 p.m.
- Men's Basketball at Wake Forest (NIT First Round) - Winston-Salem, N.C. - 7:00 p.m.
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- Women's Golf at Magnolia Collegiate - 9th & T-12th out of 14 teams
- Women's Lacrosse vs Arizona State - W 11 - 10
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MARCH
- 21 Mar – USNAAA Naval Engineers & STEM Advocates (NESA) SIG volunteers support the Sea Perch Regional competition for 80+ teams; USNA Rickover Hall; 10:30 AM -- 6:30 PM
- 27 Mar – U.S. Naval Academy Athletic & Scholarship Executive Committee Meeting, Bastian
APRIL
- 8 Apr - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten, 5-6pm - 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650, Online event: register here
- 8 Apr - Bonds of Gold Ceremony - Memorial Hall
- 10 Apr – Athletic & Scholarship Program, Spring Trustee Mtg, NMCMS
- 10 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Spring Formal Parade, Worden Field
- 10 April – USNA Glee Club and Pipes and Drums Salute to America's 250th with Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Dallas, TX – 7:30 p.m.
- 11 April – USNA Glee Club and Pipes and Drums Salute to America's 250th with Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Dallas, TX – 7:30 p.m.
- 12 April – USNA Glee Club and Pipes and Drums Salute to America's 250th with Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Dallas, TX – 2 p.m.
- 16–19 Apr – 50 Years of Women at USNA Celebration Conference and Gala, Fluegel Alumni Center
- 17 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Spring Formal Parade, Worden Field
- 18 Apr – Annapolis Cup Navy Croquet vs St Johns, St Johns College
- 19-22 Apr - Sea Air and Space Expo - Washington, DC
- 22-Apr Intermountain Chapter + NAPC of Utah Roadshow
- 23-Apr New Mexico Chapter Roadshow
- 24-Apr Southern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona Roadshow
- 24 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Dedication Parade, Worden Field
- 24 Apr – Council of Annual Giving Spring Meeting
- 24–26 Apr – Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show
- 25-Apr Northern Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona Roadshow and Arizona Chapter + NAPC of Arizona Roadshow (yes, two roadshows in one day)
- 26 Apr – Navy SEAL Foundation Annapolis Frogman Swim – Severn River – 8:30 a.m.
- 28 Apr – Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting
- 29 Apr – 2025 TAL Awardee Recognition
- 29 Apr – AA & FDN Board of Directors & Trustees Joint Session
- 29 Apr – AA & FDN Board of Directors & Trustee Welcome Reception
- 29 Apr – USNA Capstone Senior Project Day, Various Locations
- 30 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Spring Board of Directors Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center
- 30 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Committee Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center
- 30 Apr – U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Welcome Dinner
MAY
- 1 May – U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustees Spring Meeting
- 4-8 May - Naval Academy Great Class Challenge
- 7–8 May – Service Academy Career Conference, Washington, DC
- 11–12 May – Class of 2029 Sea Trials
- 11 May - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Golf Tournament - 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT, Chesapeake Hills golf course, 11352 H G Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD 20657, Contact [email protected] or 301-481-0604 to register or at this Link
- 13 May - GSMC Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM EDT, 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Online event: register here.
- 13 May – Class of 2029 Herndon Climb
- 15 May – Class of 2026 1/C Out-Processing, Alumni Hall
- 16 May – Class of 2027 Ring Dance, Dahlgren
- 17–22 May – U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2026 Commissioning Week
- 19 May – USMC Select Ceremony & Awards
- 19 May – Glee Club Concert, Main Chapel
- 20 May – Blue Angels Flight Show, Hospital Point
- 21 May – Class of 2026 Color Parade, Worden Field
- 21 May – Prizes & Awards Ceremony, Alumni Hall
- 21 May – President Circle Sip Sip Soiree, Fluegel
- 22 May – Class of 2026 Graduation & Commissioning, NMCMS
- 25 May - Run to Honor Reading of the names (Link) and multiple Memorial Day Run to Honor Events across the country (Link)
JUNE
- 17–18 Jun – USNA Entrepreneurs Summit 2026, Fluegel Alumni Center
- 24–25 Jun – Class of 2030 I-Day Processing, TBD
- 25 Jun – Class of 2030 I-Day Picnic, TBD
AUGUST
- 6 – 7 Aug - Service Academy Career Conference, San Diego, CA
SEPTEMBER
- 3 – 6 Sep - Class of 1981 45th Reunion
- 3 – 6 Sep - Class of 1996 30th Reunion
- 3 – 6 Sep - Class of 2016 10th Reunion
- 5 Sep - Navy vs Towson, NMCMS
- 12 Sep - Navy @ Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
- 17 – 20 Sep - Class of 1986 40th Reunion
- 25 Sep - Navy @ University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
OCTOBER
- 1 – 4 Oct - Class of 1966 60th Reunion
- 3 Oct - Navy @ Air Force, Colorado Springs, CO
- 8 – 10 Oct - President's Circle Weekend
- 8 - 11 Oct - Class of 1971 55th Reunion
- 10 Oct - Navy vs Tulsa University, NMCMS
- 17 Oct - Navy @ University of Texas San Antonio, San Antonio TX
- 22 – 23 Oct - Service Academy Career Conference, Denton, TX
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 1956 70th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 1976 50th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 1991 35th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 2001 25th Reunion
- 23 – 25 Oct - Class of 2006 20th Reunion
- 23 Oct - Anchors Away Golf Tournament
- 24 Oct - U.S. Naval Academy Homecoming
- 24 Oct - Navy vs North Texas University, NMCMS
- 24 Oct - Welcome Home Social, Fluegel
- 31 Oct - Navy vs Notre Dame, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
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USNA AA&F resources & Links
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The Daily Shipmate is a news product intended to share news about the Naval Academy, the Naval Services and our members. We are apolitical as an organization and will strive to bring forward relevant news on a wide variety of issues. Just because we include an article does not mean we endorse its content, author, or news organization.
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