17 Mar Daily Shipmate

Monday, March 17, 2025

1917 - The Navy received authorization to enlist women for temporary service in the yeoman rate, with the addition of an "F" for “female” distinguishing them from their male counterparts.

 

1952 - LCDR Herbert Baslee, Jr. '43, USN was killed in action when his F9F-2 Panther was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery while conducting a strafing run in North Korea. He was the commanding officer of Fighter Squadron (VF) 52 and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal for “extraordinary bravery and devotion to duty.” He was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and sister.

 

1957 - Vanguard, the U.S. Navy's first satellite, was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It weighed just three and one-half pounds.

1967 - The first woman Marine to report to Vietnam for duty, Master Sergeant Barbara J. Dulinsky, began her 18-hour flight to Bien Hoa, 30 miles north of Saigon. MSgt Dulinsky and the other officer and enlisted Women Marines that followed were assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) based in Saigon. Most worked with the Marine Corps Personnel Section providing administrative support to Marines assigned as far north as the DMZ, but two Lieutenant Colonels, Ruth Reinholz and Ruth O'Holleran, served as historians with the Military History Branch, Secretary Joint Staff, MACV.

Today we celebrate St. Patrick's Day by taking a brief look at the contributions of a few well-known Irish Americans Sailors. The list of sailors with Irish heritage who have served this nation with distinction is long. Many have been honored and decorated for their courage under fire. Here's a look at just a few from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan and the War on Terror.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

John Feinstein graciously appeared on the Sing Second podcast during Season 1 of the Sing Second Podcast in 2021. He talked about his love of Navy sports and the importance of the Army-Navy rivalry. RIP, John.

LISTEN ON

The Olmsted Foundation's Board of Directors held its Spring meeting last Wednesday in Washington, DC and selected the Olmsted Scholar Class of 2026. Among the Navy officers selected as Olmsted Scholars was one graduate of the Naval Academy. LCDR Daniel Becker '15 is a Submariner and will study in Gdansk, Poland. LCDR Becker is the 150th graduate of the Naval Academy to be selected as an Olmsted Scholar since the program began in 1960.  His selection is indicative of his tremendous potential for senior leadership in the Navy.  His tour as a Scholar will afford him the opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language, receive a master's degree at a foreign university, and gain invaluable perspectives that will shape him into an even more effective senior leader in the Navy and a strategic asset to the Joint Force.

 AA&F is excited to announce that we will have a private space and 20X20 tent near the Croquet Pitch for the Annapolis Cup Saturday, April 5th 2025. This fully catered event by Main and Market will feature a full bar and food. AA&F will have 75 tickets available for sale to alumni @ $125 per ticket. Tickets purchased for the Annapolis Cup through the St. John's site are $80 per ticket and do not include food, drink or a designated space under a tent. This is a great opportunity to participate in a great Annapolis tradition, engage with other alumni and spend some time with AA&F staff during a great spring day.

Suni Williams' '87 third trip to the International Space Station has lasted far longer than she expected when she launched. On June 5, 2024, astronaut Sunita Williams left Earth on an eight-day mission to the International Space Station. She's been there ever since. On March 12, 2025, NASA and SpaceX were scheduled to launch a replacement crew to relieve her. That was postponed for another two days. For nine months, Williams' return home was uncertain but her time was never lost.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Sailors who identify as transgender will have until March 28 to request voluntary separation from the service, according to Navy policies released Thursday. The Navy updated its guidance on transgender service members following the Department of Defense's policy change that no longer allows service members diagnosed with or showing symptoms of gender dysmorphia from being in the military. Sailors who do not identify with their sex assigned at birth must either voluntarily separate by March 28 or they will be involuntarily separated.

Under a new pilot program, sailors, Marines and their dependents in select locations who are new moms will be able to meet with registered nurses for help with unique maternal physical and mental health conditions that some face throughout pregnancy and after giving birth. Active duty mothers and military spouses are at a greater risk of facing mental health challenges during and after pregnancy because of the realities of military life. A combination of cultural stigmas and barriers to health care can exacerbate the problem, a federal watchdog found.

Later this year, the Navy plans to review results of a wide-ranging comparative test spanning two years and involving nearly 800 volunteers that may bring it — and perhaps the other services — closer to scientific consensus on the best way to measure body fat. The default method of ensuring troops are within height and weight standards is the tape test — a simple and inexpensive way of measuring body fat circumference at key points and calculating body fat through a ratio equation. But service members have long complained that the test can be inaccurate, as body builders and those with thinner necks tend to fare worse in these ratio-based calculations, and can sometimes improperly jeopardize military careers.

The White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options to increase the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Donald Trump's goal of “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the planning. In his joint address to Congress last week, Trump said that "to further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal.” Since then, administration officials have not said what "reclaiming" means. U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to the less likely option of U.S. troops' seizing the Panama Canal by force, the officials said.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

If there is a parade in Annapolis, Mayor Gavin Buckley is out front. There he was Sunday, one of the first marching down West Street for St. Patrick's Day. It's what he's done for eight years, leading the 380-year-old capital of Maryland with political showmanship that somehow manages to divide and unite. Now, the end of that parade is in sight. Term-limited, Buckley leaves office in December. Baltimore Banner columnist Rick Hutzell  sat down recently with the mayor at Market House, the city-owned waterfront food hall.

 The American Athletic Conference will require each member except Army and Navy to provide athletes with at least $10 million in additional benefits over the next three years, making it the only league so far to set a minimum standard with revenue sharing expected to begin in Division I sports in July. AAC presidents approved the plan last week after they reviewed a college sports consulting firm's study of the conference's financial wherewithal. The three-year plan will go into effect once a federal judge approves the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, which is expected next month. Commissioner Tim Pernetti said Wednesday that 13 of the 15 AAC schools would opt in to the House settlement, which, among other things, provides for payments to athletes of up to $20.5 million per school the first year. Army and Navy are excluded because they do not offer athletic scholarships and their athletes cannot accept name, image and likeness money.

Eric is from League City, TX and was honored to be selected for Naval Aviation. One of his proudest achievements at the Naval Academy was serving as the XO of the 27th Company, where he had the privilege of leading an incredible team. Some of his favorite memories include climbing Herndon, competing in bonspiels with the curling team, and participating in the 2025 Army-Navy march-on. The AA&F Athletic and Scholarship Program (A&SP) played a significant role in his growth as both a peer and a leader, providing invaluable experiences that helped him earn leadership billets and a spot in Naval Aviation. He is especially grateful for the lifelong friends and mentors gained through the program. To incoming Plebes, his advice is to embrace every challenge and take full advantage of the Academy's resources. This is the time to take charge of one's development and become the kind of leader others would willingly follow to sea.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

The 11th-ranked Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse team (6-2, 0-0 Big Ten) used a 4-0 run between the third and fourth quarters en route to capturing a 12-9 victory over Navy (4-3, 1-1 Patriot League) Saturday evening at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. While Navy held the lead the entire first half, the third quarter featured three ties before the Blue Jays made their run to break the 7-7 tie and take the lead for the good.

Jennifer S. Baker '98 was appointed the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Johns Hopkins on August 6, 2019.  Johns Hopkins' run of success under Baker's guidance has been nothing short of remarkable.  In five full years - two of which were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic - Johns Hopkins teams have won five national championships and 53 conference titles, including a school-record 15 in 2023-24, and claimed the program's first Learfield Directors' Cup title in 2022-23.  Johns Hopkins followed its initial Directors' Cup crown with a repeat in 2023-24. Baker graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in aerospace engineering and was a member of the Academy's women's lacrosse club team.  After the Naval Academy, Baker spent seven years in the Navy, including three years as a pilot and four as a construction manager and facilities engineer.  She later earned an MBA and a master's in mechanical engineering from Cornell.

Weekend Results

Rifle vs NCAA Championship - No Team Score

Men's Gymnastics vs Greenville University - W 312.50-311.90

Men's Tennis at Point Loma - Canx'd

Men's Tennis at LMU - Canx'd

 

Men's Rugby at Mount St. Mary's - W 27-8

Women's Lacrosse vs Colgate - W 19-9

Baseball vs Army - W 4-3

Baseball vs Army - L 5-4

Women's Golf at Red Rocks Invitational - Suspended

Men's Lacrosse vs Johns Hopkins - L 12-9

 

Women's Golf at Red Rocks Invitational - 14th place of 19 teams

Army Leads 11-9. (Navy - Baseball, 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

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 Alumni Center

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)

6 Apr - Boston Chapter + NAPC of New England Roadshow - Cambridge, MA

7 Apr - Connecticut Chapter + NAPC of Connecticut Roadshow - Norwalk, CT

8 Apr - Rhode Island Chapter + NAPC of New England Roadshow - Providence, RI

9 Apr - Maine Chapter + NAPC of New England Roadshow - Portland, ME

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 - Fluegel Alumni Center

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

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

26 May - Run to Honor Nationwide Walk/Runs

 

17-18 Jun - Entrepreneur Summit, Fluegel Alumni Center

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

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029

 

22 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Starting Gun Reception: Severn Sailing Association - 6 p.m.

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

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

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

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

 

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