22 Apr Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

1930 - Further efforts to reduce the size of the world's major navies occur at the London Naval Conference in England, at which the United States, Great Britain, and Japan agree to a 10:10:7 ratio in cruiser tonnage, and limits are placed on destroyers and submarines.

 

1958 - LT William Thompson '53, USN was lost when he was swept overboard from USS Cutlass (SS 478) in the North Atlantic Ocean. He was survived by his wife, parents, and three sisters.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The USNA Alumni Association engagement team has had an eventful few months, traveling to 17 cities between January and April as part of a four-year initiative to connect with every chapter and parent club across the country. Since December 2023, they've engaged with 54 chapters and 39 parent clubs, fostering connections and exploring ways to strengthen alumni and parent networks. Key insights from these visits include a strong desire for more local engagement, strategies to reach alumni and parents who are not yet involved, and approaches to revitalize less active chapters and parent clubs. In response, the Alumni Association is collaborating with these groups to expand their reach, encouraging the use of myUSNA as a vital communication tool, developing events like business and career networking to attract recent graduates, and empowering volunteers to organize informal social gatherings that build momentum and interest. As the journey continues, the Alumni Association remains dedicated to enhancing engagement and strengthening the bonds within the USNA community. Watch for updates on summer plans to visit chapters and parent clubs in central and southern Virginia this summer.

Moderator and USNA alum ADM Robert Natter '67, USN (Ret.), will be joined by an esteemed panel who will explore the emergence of the SEALs community in Vietnam and their unique ability to operate in a guerilla warfare environment. Do NOT miss this special event. Register now! Thursday, 24 April | 3:30 p.m. | Fluegel Alumni Center.  USNA Alumni: $10 Non-Alumni: $15.

Conveniently located minutes from Historic Downtown Annapolis and the United States Naval Academy, the Fluegel Alumni Center is the premier event space within Annapolis City limits. With flexible event spaces, modern décor, ample parking, state of the art audio visual systems and sweeping waterfront views of College Creek, the Annapolis skyline, and USNA; the Fluegel Alumni Center is the perfect place to host your next event or occasion. As the physical home of the USNA Alumni Association & Foundation, the mission of the Fluegel Alumni Center is to support, promote and advance the mission of the Naval Academy by working in conjunction with Academy leadership to identify strategic and institutional priorities and by raising, managing, and disbursing private gift funds that provide a margin of excellence in support of the nation's premier leadership institution.

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of April 21, 2025, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flagship of Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG 11), embarked Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW 17), and destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) departed Guam after a scheduled port visit, April 21. Search and rescue efforts continue for a Sailor assigned to the USS Nimitz who was reported missing on April 19. All available agencies are actively engaged in efforts to locate the missing Sailor. Anyone with information that may assist in the search is urged to contact the Guam Police Department at (671) 649-6330. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group's (NIMCSG) port visit to Guam highlights the Navy's ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong, forward presence in the Western Pacific. Positioned in a region of increasing strategic importance, the strike group plays a critical role in deterring aggression and upholding regional stability.

Local, Education & other academy news

As part of our commitment to lifelong learning, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation offers unique group travel opportunities. These alumni travel programs combine educational forums and excursions to places of historical and cultural interest, with the opportunity to enjoy unplanned experiences and meet local people. With our experienced partners, fabulous itineraries, easy sign-ups, and plenty of pre-departure information, we make travel easy and fun, and who is more fun to travel with than other Naval Academy grads? Of course, anyone is welcome on our tours. Check out our 2026 Travel Calendar featuring trips to Antarctica to Spain and everywhere in between.

This week, we extend a heartfelt thank you to our Chapter leaders and volunteers. Your time, passion and commitment strengthen the bonds of our USNA family—both regionally and around the country.

Pete Dawkins has lived a full life as an athlete, combat veteran and business executive, but at age 11 in 1949, things looked grim for him when he contracted polio.   However, Dawkins was a fighter. He successfully underwent vigorous physical therapy and became a polio survivor. He continued this exercise throughout his life. Although accepted to Yale University, he chose instead to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, playing halfback with the football team from 1956 to 1958. During his senior year, Army had an undefeated season, and Dawkins carried the ball for 428 yards, returned 10 punts for 162 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Becoming only the second back-to-back champion in Patriot League history and seeing a Midshipman earn the individual medal for the second consecutive year, the Navy women's golf team closed out its second-straight league title with a 38-stroke victory at the 2025 Patriot League Women's Golf Championship on Sunday afternoon at Saucon Valley Country Club's Grace Course. Ending the tournament with a 13-over par 301 on Sunday, the Midshipmen wrapped up a weekend score of 21-over par 885 (292-292-301) to take home its third Patriot League in a five-year span and finish 38 strokes ahead of second-place Boston University.

Today's Matchup

Baseball v William & Mary - Annapolis, Md. - 5 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

APRIL

23 Apr - '77 Class Mtg - 8:30-11:30 a.m. - Fluegel Alumni Center

23 Apr - Bonds of Gold Ceremony Class of 1977 and Class of 2027 - Mahan Hall

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

27 Apr - Frogman Swim to benefit the SEAL Foundation - Severn River

29 Apr - Erik Kristensen Memorial Lecture - St. John's College

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

12-18 May - Richmond, VA Navy Week

14 May - Class of 2028 Herndon Climb

14 May - U.S. Naval Institute “Correcting Course: Revitalizing the Shipbuilding Industry to Meet Strategic Demands” Speaker Panel - Jack C. Taylor Conference Center, USNA - 4:45p.m.

16-18 May - USA Warriors Sled Hockey Event

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

28 May - Debut of the new usna.com

 

JUNE

16-22 Jun - Anchorage, Alaska Navy Week

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

30 Jun-6 Jul - Duluth, Minnesota Navy Week

 

AUGUST

4-10 Aug - Sioux Falls, South Dakota Navy Week

7 Aug - Class of 2029 Plebe Parent Mixer, Fluegel

18 Aug - USNA Classes begin

18-24 Aug - Columbus, Ohio Navy Week

21-22 Aug - SACC San Diego

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

25-31 Aug - Springfield, Missouri Navy Week

28 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Kickoff Dinner w/ Football Coaching Staff

28-31 Aug - Class of 2010 15th Reunion

28-31 Aug - Class of 1960 65th Reunion

29 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Fallen Brothers Golf Classic & Evening Social

30 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Tailgater, NMCMS

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

 

SEPTEMBER

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

4 Sep - Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Medal Ceremony - 4:30pm - Alumni Hall

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

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, Tulsa, OK.

14 Sep - Annapolis Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

15-21 Sep - Wichita Falls, Texas Navy Week

18-21 Sep - Class of 1985 - 40th Reunion

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

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

 

OCTOBER

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th Reunion

2 5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

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

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day

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

13 Oct - U.S. Navy Birthday

13 Oct - Surface Navy Museum Grand Opening - Battleship Iowa - Los Angeles

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 2005 20th 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

25-31 - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

 

NOVEMBER

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

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

6-9 Nov - Class of 1980 45th Reunion

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

10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday

10-16  Nov - Santa Fe, New Mexico Navy Week.

14 Nov - US Naval Academy Athletic & Scholarship Program Fall Meeting, NMCMS

15 Nov - Navy vs University of South Florida, NMCMS

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes - Location TBD

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents Fall meeting, Fluegel

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

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

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

 

DECEMBER

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