18 Mar Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

1863 - LCDR Andrew Cummings, Class of 1853, USN died of wounds received four days earlier when his ship, the steam sloop Richmond, attempted to pass the batteries at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Two ships, Destroyer No. 44 and DD 365 were named USS Cummings in his honor.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

NASA will provide live coverage of the agency's SpaceX Crew-9 return to Earth from the International Space Station, beginning with Dragon spacecraft hatch closure preparations at 10:45 p.m. EDT Monday, March 17. NASA and SpaceX met on Sunday to assess weather and splashdown conditions off Florida's coast for the return of the agency's Crew-9 mission from the International Space Station. Mission managers are targeting an earlier Crew-9 return opportunity based on favorable conditions forecasted for the evening of Tuesday, March 18. The updated return target continues to allow the space station crew members time to complete handover duties while providing operational flexibility ahead of less favorable weather conditions expected for later in the week. NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, are completing a long-duration science expedition aboard the orbiting laboratory and will return time-sensitive research to Earth.

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).  The Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation hosted SACC Atlanta March 12-13th at the Hyatt Regency.  More than 340 candidates from all the service academies and approximately 60 companies were in attendance for this premier job fair event. President and CEO Jeff Webb '95 joined SACC Executive Director Mike Lowe '98 and AA&F SACC Director Tonya McGinnis in networking with USNA alums and hearing from companies and recruiters about the job market and the demand signal for Academy alums in the various industries represented. We interview a West Point alum who was attending his first SACC. We interview one of the company recruiters - also a West Point alum. Boo. And we chat with Reggie Baker '92 about his company and why SACC is the premiere job fair for Academy alums.  And we finish off the pod by talking about the disappointing end of the Navy Basketball season, legendary sports columnist John Feinstein and a big star win for Navy Baseball!. That and more on the best Alumni Association and Foundation podcast there is. Give a listen. Beat Army...always.

LISTEN ON

On March 17th, the AA&F hosted the first of two engagements with the Class of 2025 as they prepare for commissioning and life in the Fleet and Marine Corps. Many Midshipmen don't know or remember that they became alumni of USNA and joined the AA&F when they took the oath on I Day four years ago.  At “Beyond Commissioning,” Mids discover more about available resources from the AA&F to connect, communicate and support them throughout their military and civilian careers. The Mids meet with AA&F leadership and once again connect with their Another Link in the Chain (ALITC) shipmates from 1975. Watch this amazing video as '75 wishes the Class of 2025 best of luck as they near graduation.

Arthur Brooks is speaking to the Brigade on the morning of 5 April at 0800 in Alumni Hall. The Academy has agreed to open up this lecture to parents, alums and guests since many alumni are likely returning to town for the Annapolis Cup later that day. The Brigade are all receiving a copy of Build the Life You Want thanks to an outside donor who supports Arthur's work.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

The Houthis attempted an attack on aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and its escorts in response to a series of Saturday U.S. attacks on targets in Yemen, according to the group. In a post on X, Houthi spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Sare'e claimed the Iran-backed group used 18 ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as one drone, to attack the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in the northern Red Sea.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled independent deployment March 15th. The ship's departure comes after months of training, maintenance, and certification events, which ultimately prepared the ship for a multitude of operations. Ultimately enhancing the Navy's ability to detect and counter threats when directed. "Being ready to fight and win isn't just a goal, it's a way of life for Truxtun Sailors. This crew is unmatched in their perseverance and dedication to the ship's warfighting readiness and tactical proficiency," said Cmdr. James Koffi '07, Truxtun's commanding officer.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Cmdr. James Koffi, a native of Memphis, TN graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2007 via the Naval Academy Preparatory School with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. He holds a Master's degree in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Daniel Serfass, one of two finalists to become the next superintendent of the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union, would bring a range of experiences to the position. Serfass visited local schools Thursday and participated in an online candidate forum during the afternoon, answering questions submitted by members of the community. Since 2021, Serfass has been superintendent in the kindergarten through 12th grade Camp Hill School District, in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Serfass previously was assistant superintendent of the Elizabethtown Area School District in Pennsylvania, and has served principalships in schools in Pennsylvania and in military base schools in Germany, Spain and Italy, and has taught and coached in Pennsylvania schools. Serfass graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy's now well-publicized sexual assault scandal and the cover-up known as Operation Fouled Anchor is back in the spotlight with news that seven additional complaints have been filed. The law firm representing all the complainants, Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight reports it has filed a total of 29 complaints as the victims rush to file before a pending deadline. In the seven new complaints, the individuals who were either cadets or prospective cadets of the Coast Guard Academy allege they were sexually assaulted either while in the dorm rooms, other USCG locations, or in one case an instructor's home.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Baseball v Dartmouth - Annapolis, Md. - 3 p.m.

Men's Lacrosse v Le Moyne - Annapolis, Md. - 6 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

MARCH

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