23 September Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Ask Tim Ogden '95 about Blue Ivy Partners, the company he founded in 2016, and the story begins with naming the company, starting with Navy’s namesake color. After the Academy and five years as a Marine, Tim led technical teams at two world-class technology companies for 15 years. In 2016, he started Blue Ivy Partners to serve Defense and National Security customers through new technology procurement with speed and precision.

Each May, Blue Ivy hosts an appreciation event for their team and technology partners in Annapolis to enjoy the flight show of the Blue Angels, whose culture of excellence, performance and communication have been inspirations. And every week on Fridays, each Blue Ivy teammate ties his or her work back to four core values: partnership, service, integrity, and innovation.

 

Technology has never mattered more to the mission performance. If that's where your career landed after serving, Blue Ivy Partners wants to know you. Go to bip.navy to learn more.

today in u.s. navy and marine corps history

1779 - The frigate Bonhomme Richard engages the British frigate Serapis at Flamborough Head, England, in an epic battle lasting three and a half hours. At one point, the British captain hails the American skipper and asks, “Have you struck? Do you ask for quarter?” The Bonhomme Richard commander, Captain John Paul Jones, replies with the immortal words, “I have not yet begun to fight.” Serapis strikes its colors later that night.

 

1944 - Task Group 33.19 lands Army soldiers on Ulithi in the Caroline Islands, an undefended atoll that becomes the forward base for the Pacific Fleet during the final campaigns of the war. Also on this day, the battleship West Virginia (BB-48) rejoins the Pacific Fleet, the last veteran of the 7 December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack to return to active service.

 

Content in “Today in Navy, Marine Corps and USNA Memorial Hall History” is generously provided by our partners and fellow alumni at the Naval History and Heritage Command and the Run to Honor SIG, which supplies the USNA Memorial Hall content. We are grateful for their partnership in preserving and sharing this history, and the Daily Shipmate is proud to serve as a distribution platform. You can learn more or provide feedback through their respective websites hyperlinked above.

In Memoriam from usna memorial hall

1983 - 2ndLt Jeffrey Ohl ’82, USMC

The Alumni Association has lost contact with the family. If you know how to contact them please email [email protected].

Other alumni lost on this day are listed at Virtual Memorial Hall.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The U.S. Naval Academy continues to earn national recognition as one of the nation's premier undergraduate institutions, ranking No. 1 among Top Public Schools and No. 3 among National Liberal Arts Colleges in the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings. Among the federal service academies, USNA led the public school rankings, followed by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point at No. 2 and the U.S. Air Force Academy at No. 3.

 

The liberal arts classification reflects institutions focused primarily on undergraduate education across a broad range of disciplines rather than large graduate research programs. At USNA, that includes engineering, cyber science, mathematics, physical sciences, history, political science and leadership development. Engineering remains the Academy's largest field of study, accounting for 38% of graduates. USNA also ranked No. 4 in undergraduate engineering programs and placed among the nation's leaders in aerospace, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering disciplines.

Commanders Salute event brings USNA alumni together at U.S. Navy Memorial

Washington Commanders Salute hosted a watch party for the Commanders vs. Cowboys game at the United States Navy Memorial on Sunday. The event was shared exclusively with members of the Washington Commanders’ military appreciation program and fan club, along with members of the Navy Memorial’s Constellation and President’s Circle.

 

Among those in attendance were a few U.S. Naval Academy alumni. Pictured above from left: VADM John B. Nowell Jr. ’84, USN (Ret.); West Point grad Evan Foggo ’11; LT Jaimie Kim ’20, USN, a member of the Washington Commanders Command Force; ADM Jamie Foggo, ’81, USN (Ret.) and CDR John Stamos ’84, USN (Ret.).

Steggerda ’87 takes Oath as U.S. Ambassador in Geneva

Congratulations to Ambassador Todd Steggerda ’87 (3rd Company, Aerospace Engineer, Naval Aviator, distinguished lawyer) who was sworn in 24 August 2026, as the new U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva.

Government & Military News

U.S. Central Command has become a real-world testing ground for unmanned systems as drones and autonomous vessels move from experimentation into active combat operations. Recent missions included an unmanned Navy vessel helping rescue service members after a helicopter crash near the Strait of Hormuz and autonomous surface vessels participating in strikes against Iranian naval facilities. CENTCOM and the Navy are expanding efforts through specialized drone task forces and new operational concepts that pair manned and unmanned platforms. Military leaders see the conflict as a valuable opportunity to refine how robotic systems are deployed and sustained. However, questions remain about cost, survivability and risk, particularly as adversaries seek to capture or disrupt unmanned assets operating in contested environments.

The Pentagon will introduce a new Joint Warfighter Evaluation (JWE) for officers seeking promotion to one-star rank, adding a combat-focused assessment to the traditional review of performance reports, assignments and operational experience. The evaluation will measure decision-making, operational planning and leadership in simulated combat scenarios, with formats varying by service. Navy captains eligible for promotion will travel to the Naval War College for a written assessment and wargame. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the initiative is designed to identify leaders who can “fight, adapt and win” in complex environments. The Pentagon emphasized that promotion records will remain the primary factor, with the JWE serving as an additional measure. Initial assessments are scheduled for 2027 ahead of O-7 promotion boards.

As the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) prepares for retirement, sailors past and present reflected on the boat’s more than 40 years of service and the impact it had on their lives. Originally commissioned in 1984 as a ballistic missile submarine, Georgia was converted in 2004 to carry Tomahawk cruise missiles and support special operations forces. The submarine returned to Kings Bay, Georgia, for the final time in July before beginning decommissioning. Former crew members credited the boat with teaching resilience, teamwork and leadership while contributing to national security. Sailors recalled the camaraderie forged during long deployments and emphasized a commitment to leaving the Navy better than they found it. Georgia will be the first Ohio-class guided-missile submarine retired from the fleet.

Local, Education & other academy news

Recovering warriors, midshipmen sail together in CRAB Regatta

The Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) Recovering Warrior Sailing Regatta brought together recovering warriors, U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen and volunteers for a day of competition and camaraderie on the Chesapeake Bay on Sept. 19. Each sailing team paired a recovering warrior with two USNA plebes, a CRAB skipper and a crew member, with warriors taking the helm during three races aboard CRAB sailboats. The event highlighted teamwork, resilience and leadership while strengthening connections between midshipmen and wounded service members. The regatta, held since 2012, reflects CRAB’s mission of making sailing accessible while supporting recovering warriors.

The Navy League, Annapolis Council invites USNA alumni and friends to attend its October dinner featuring Dr. Vince Patton, Ph.D., retired Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, as guest speaker. Attendees will enjoy an evening of fellowship, dinner and conversation with leaders from across the sea services community. Special guests are expected to include Commander Luisa Winkler, German assistant naval attaché; Sgt. Maj. Al McMichael, USMC (Ret.); and Joe Coleman, former lead singer of The Platters.

Event details:

Advance registration is required.

Naval Academy Athletics News and results

None

Men's Soccer at UMBC - No contest

Army-Navy Star Series matchups:

USNA and AA&F Events

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