10 Mar Daily Shipmate

Monday, March 10, 2025

2015 - CAPT Stanford Shaw, III '06, USMC was lost when the helicopter he was aboard crashed during a training mission in Florida. He was an infantry officer and a member of the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his actions in Iraq. He was survived by his fiancée Lindsay Pirek '09, and his parents.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

The Daily Shipmate calendar has been updated to reflect the fall 2025 football and reunion seasons and dates…as well as other events happening at USNA and the Alumni Association & Foundation until the end of 2025. See the calendar at the bottom of Daily Shipmate for events and details.

One of John O'Leary's '95 favorite parts of organizing the St. Patrick's fun in Annapolis: being 24 and 48 hours out as things come together. "I feel great. It's a lot of work, but it's a labor of love for sure," O'Leary told WMAR-2 News. O'Leary's hard work is coming to fruition this weekend, with several events scheduled throughout the weekend to celebrate the Emerald Isle. The 'Hooley,' a pre-parade party, is taking place the night of March 8 at the Fluegel Naval Academy Alumni Center. "Being able to support a member of our alumni who does such a great thing for the city is really special," said John Schofield, executive director of communications for the Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation. "There are special moments in Annapolis… the St Patricks Day parade is one of those special moments.”

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). Excited to deliver a bonus pod on the eve of the world famous Annapolis St. Patrick's Parade Hooly, which is being held at the Fluegel Alumni Center for the first time. We talk about the parade and the hooly with Parade Organizer and President of Naptown Events, John O'Leary '95. The prior-enlisted Marine gives us his perspective on USNA and what this parade means to Annapolis. Lastly, we talk about how this hooly helps to further establish the Fluegel Alumni Center as an events venue game-changer in Annapolis. Give a listen. Beat Army ... always.

 The Naval Academy and the Alumni Association and Foundation recently lost a member of the “family.” Mary passed away peacefully of natural causes in her home in Manhattan Beach, California, looking over the Pacific Ocean on Thursday February 27, 2025. Mary Macbeth Looker was born April 4, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan. There she met the love of her life, Robert Looker in 1939. Prior to graduation, Mary accepted the hand of marriage to Robert Looker, who was then a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. They wed on June 12, 1945 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, when she embarked her new life as a bride to a naval officer. In 2014, her call to duty was to help the United States Naval Academy raise awareness and support for the study of cyber security. Mary and her daughter Amy were instrumental in raising philanthropic funds for the program and watched it become accredited as a collegiate major from its conception that she helped to support. Mary and Robert were among a small group of plank owners of the President's Circle. Mary was proud to see the President Circle donors grow to more than 2,500 in the most recent year.  Mary was also a board member of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation. She will be missed.

President Donald Trump is nominating his close allies to serve on the board of visitors for the U.S. Naval Academy, a month after firing the previous board. On the list is Walt Nauta, a Navy veteran who has served as Trump's body man and was federally indicted alongside the now-president in the classified documents case. Trump also nominated his former press secretary Sean Spicer, former White House physician Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) known as “Doc Ronny,” and former Navy SEAL Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.).

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

The Defense Department's first phase of firing civilian workers began this week, Pentagon officials confirmed Thursday. The department announced Feb. 21 that it would soon lay off 5,400 probationary workers, with plans to eventually reduce its civilian workforce by up to 8%. Those layoffs began Monday, according to a memo released by the Pentagon that was dated the same day. The firings were planned to start last week. Multiple Pentagon officials were unable to provide a reason for the delay. Workers fired Monday were “the first step” in the Defense Department's effort to “appropriately align its personnel resources with its critical war-fighting functions,” read the March 3 memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Their employment, he said, was not in the public interest.

Navy restricts civilian employee travel for 30 days following White House order 

The Pentagon and the Navy paused civilian travel and limited use of government travel and purchasing cards to adhere to a recent White House executive order, USNI News has learned. As of Thursday night, Department of the Navy civilians cannot use their government purchase cards and cannot travel unless they receive an exemption to do so, according to a message Naval Sea Systems Command executive director Chris Miller sent to employees. “In the interim, DOD civilian employees must cancel all non-exempt future travel (i.e. travel that has not yet started),” Miller wrote in a March 6 email reviewed by USNI News.

Changes this year to Tricare, the military's health care program, have brought cascading disruptions to millions of service members, their families and network providers nationwide. About 16,000 health care providers on the East Coast alone have not been paid for months, forcing many to drop Tricare patients, reduce their hours or consider closing their clinics. On the West Coast, federal officials said, beneficiaries are struggling with a host of issues, including long wait times at call centers and stalled referrals and authorizations.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

From jerseys and shoulder pads to MARPAT and Kevlar, this rookie officer spent three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) before fulfilling his lifelong purpose to serve his nation and accepting his commission as a Marine. Raised in a military family in Clarksville, Tennessee, 2nd Lt. Malcolm Perry was surrounded by service and discipline. He excelled in football at Kenwood High School, passing and rushing for over 1,000 yards in his junior year to earn District 10 Most Valuable Player and All-State selections. He received offers from Middle Tennessee State University, Austin Peay State University, and all three service academies ultimately choosing the U.S. Naval Academy. There, he played quarterback and slotback where he emerged as a key offensive player. “As a child, my dream was always to serve in the military in some capacity,” said Perry. “Attending the Naval Academy was my goal from the start, with the clear intention of joining the military afterward.”

Cmdr. Randall Leslie, commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit (PCU) Idaho (SSN 799), turned command over to Cmdr. Chad Guillerault in a traditional change of command ceremony held Friday, March 7, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. The future Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Idaho is under construction at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton. Its crew is known as a pre-commissioning unit (PCU) until the submarine is commissioned as an operational ship. Leslie, a Highland, California native and 2004 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy praised his crew for “completing numerous milestones in the construction of a submarine."

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Five players scored in double figures and the fifth-seeded Navy men's basketball team (15-18) was 19-22 from the foul line in the closing minutes of the game to fend off top-seeded Bucknell (18-15) 83-77, Sunday afternoon in the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament at Sojka Pavilion in Lewisburg, Pa. Navy advances to the tournament final for the second time in four seasons.  The Mids will play at second-seeded American at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night in an attempt to win their first league title since 1998.

Weekend Results

Men's Tennis v Monmouth - L 5-2

Men's Tennis v Drexel - L 5-2

Baseball v UMass - L 8-5

Men's Lacrosse v Lehigh - L 13-8

 

Wrestling vs EIWA Championship - T3 of 12 Teams / 1 Champion (Koderhandt - 141)

Women's Tennis v Florida State - PPD

Women's Lacrosse at Jacksonville - L 10-9

Baseball v UMass - L 3-2

Men's Gymnastics at William & Mary - W 312.40 - 311.80

Baseball v UMass - W 7-6

 

Baseball v UMass - W 4-3

Men's Basketball at Bucknell - W 83-77

Army Leads 11-8. (Navy - Men's Basketball, Men's Rugby, Men's Cross Country, Football, Gymnastics, Rifle, Men's Indoor Track & Field, Women's Indoor Track & Field; Army - Women's Basketball, Wrestling, Volleyball, Sprint Football, Golf, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Women's Cross Country, W Rugby, Men's Swim and Dive, Women's Swim and Dive)

 

 

5 Apr - Women's Outdoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA 

5 Apr - Men's Outdoor Track & Field - Annapolis - TBA

5 Apr - Women's Tennis - West Point - 10 a.m.

12 Apr - Men's Tennis - West Point - 1 p.m.

12 Apr - W. Lacrosse - West Point - 12:30 p.m.

12 Apr - M. Lacrosse - Annapolis - 2:30 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

MARCH

7 Mar - A&SP Policy Review Committee Meeting - Fluegel (Bastian Conference Room)

7-16 Mar - USNA Spring Break

12-13 Mar - SACC Atlanta

13 Mar - Survivor Advocacy Network Trauma Webinar - “Boundaries & Dealing With Shame”

17 Mar - SW Washington/Oregon + NAPC of Oregon Roadshow - Portland, OR

18 Mar - Hanford Tri-Cities Chapter + NAPC of Washington Roadshow - Richland, WA

19 Mar - Northwest ID Chapter + NAPC of Idaho Roadshow - Coeur d'Alene, ID

20 Mar - Southern ID Chapter + NAPC of Idaho Roadshow - Boise, ID

21 Mar -  A&SP Executive Committee Meeting - Fluegel (Bastian Conference Room)

22 Mar - Annual Gathering for USNA Women - Fluegel Alumni Center

22 Mar - Fencing (club) Alumni Meet - Dahlgren Hall

26 Mar - Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) Class of 2025 enrollment

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit - Fluegel Alumni Center

 

APRIL

3 Apr - Pete Medhurst Remembrance Event - Fluegel Alumni Center - 5-8 p.m.

4 Apr - Annapolis Cup Social - Cannon Shot Documentary screening - Fluegel Alumni Center

5 Apr - Annapolis Cup - USNA-St. John's Croquet Match

5 Apr - Women's Lacrosse Alumni Appreciation Day (Home Game vs. Holy Cross)

10-12 Apr - Class of 1955 - 70th Reunion

11 Apr - Athletic & Scholarship Programs Spring Meeting - Akerson Tower

11-12 Apr - Men's Soccer Alumni Weekend

12 Apr - Navy Letterwinners Association Army/Navy Men's Lacrosse Tailgate

23 April - Bonds of Gold Ceremony

24 Apr - AA&F Vietnam Legacy of Valor Series Speaker Event - FAC

24-27 Apr - Class of 1970 - 55th Reunion

25 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

25 Apr - USNA Dedication Parade, Worden Field

30 Apr - USNA Capstone Day

30 Apr - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Welcome Reception

 

MAY

1 May - USNA Foundation Spring BOD meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

6-8 May - Class of 1957 - 70th Reunion

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring BOT Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

8-9 May - SACC Washington DC

14 May - Class of 2028 Herndon Climb

21 May -  Blue Angels CFR Event - Hospital Point, USNA

22 May - Color Parade, Worden Field

22 May - USNA Prizes & Awards, Alumni Hall, 2 p.m.

23 May - Class of 2025 Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, NMCMS

 

25 Jun - Athletic & Scholarship Program Pre-I Day Reception, Fluegel Alumni Center

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029

 

17-18 Jul - Entrepreneur Summit, Fluegel Alumni Center

 

22 Aug - FONS Starting Gun Reception - Severn Sailing Association - 6 p.m.

24 Aug - Annapolis 10 Miler - Run to Honor is a charity partner

23 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Supe brief, race and Sail Navy Banquet

28-31 Aug - Class of 1960 - 65th Reunion

30 Aug - Navy vs VMI, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

26 May - Run to Honor - Reading the names of the fallen alumni heroes in Memorial Hall

26 May - Run to Honor Nationwide Walk/Runs

 

 

6 Sep - Navy Football vs University of Alabama Birmingham, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

27 Sep - Navy Football vs Rice, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

 

2 Oct - Presidents Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - Presidents Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 – 35th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 – 30 Reunion

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

11 Oct - Navy Football @ Temple, Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

14 Oct - Athletic & Scholarship Fall Board Meeting, Fluegel - TBD

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 - 60th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 – 50th Reunion

25 Oct - Navy Football vs Florida Atlantic, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

25 Oct - United States Naval Academy Homecoming

25 Oct - Welcome Home Event, Fluegel Alumni Center

 

1 Nov - Navy Football @ University of North Texas, DATCU Stadium, Denton, TX

5-6 Nov - US Naval Academy Foundation Fall Board of Directors Reception/Meeting

8 Nov - Navy Football @ Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN

14 Nov - Fall A&SP Trustee Meeting - Annapolis

15 Nov - Navy Football vs University of South Florida, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents, (Fall COCP Meeting), Fluegel

18-19 Nov - US Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Fall Meeting, Fluegel

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

 

5/6 Dec - American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

13 Dec - Army-Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD