5 May Daily Shipmate

Monday, May 5, 2025

1961 - Lieutenant Commander Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Class of 1945, becomes the first American in space when his Mercury space capsule, Freedom 7, reaches an altitude of 116.5 miles after being launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

 

1983 - In Beirut, Lebanon, a UH-1N helicopter carrying the commander of the American peace-keeping force, Colonel James Mead, was hit by machine gun fire. The six Marines aboard escaped injury. Colonel Mead and his crew had taken off in the helicopter to investigate artillery and rocket duels between rival Syrian-backed Druze Moslem militiamen and Christian Phalangists that endangered French members of the multinational force.

2010 - CAPT Brandon Barrett '06, USMC was killed in action in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, and was on his second deployment to Afghanistan. Brandon was survived by his parents, two sisters, and a brother.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

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Cmdr. Barry F. Carmody Jr. '05 took command of the "Bloodhounds" of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 30 during a May 1 ceremony at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California, one week ahead of the squadron's 30th anniversary. Under overcast skies and light rain, family, friends, and former Bloodhounds gathered as Carmody relieved Cmdr. Devin Holmes '05, ending their third tour together since graduating from the Naval Academy in 2005. Established in 1995, VX-30 is a developmental test squadron that flies and supports manned and unmanned missions to evaluate aircraft, systems and weapons.

Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 held a Change of Command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, on May 03, 2025, during which Cmdr. Derrick “DB” Bruce '08 relieved Cmdr. AJ “Dumpster” Dierks '07. Dierks joined the “Fighting Tigers” of VP-8 in May of 2023 as the executive officer following the commands deployment to 7th fleet area of responsibility (AOR). Dierks assumed command of VP-8 in May of 2024 as the 76th commanding officer in Jacksonville, FL. Bruce is VP-8's 77th commanding officer.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

The U.S. Navy's highest-ranking officer detailed the service's priorities in light of projected adversarial timelines at a Washington defense conference Thursday. Adm. James W. Kilby '86 delivered a state of the Navy address at Modern Day Marine, where he spoke of fortifying the naval service through recruiting efforts and investments in emerging technology, among other goals, in an effort to prepare for China's alleged military readiness goal over the next two years. “Our focus is 2027, and I want everyone's focus to be on 2027,” Kilby said. “We are responding to a call from our adversary China who said, 'We want to be ready in 2027.' Therefore, the United States Navy, and I would argue our military, must be ready in 2027 across all our platforms.”

Amphibious ship readiness remains far below the Marine Corps' requirement and even further away from the combatant commanders' demand — and the US Navy knows it. “I'll be frank with you. We owe you a three-ship ARG [Amphibious Ready Group]. I owe you a three-ship ARG that's ready to embark Marines and conduct the training cycle and deploy on schedule. I do not meet that requirement,” Acting Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby told a crowd at the Modern Day Marine Exposition in Washington, DC, on Thursday. It was a blunt admission by the Navy's interim senior officer on a subject that, despite some intra-service tensions in recent years, the Navy and Marine Corps' top brass have been making public and private efforts to get back in sync on.

Marines who want to stay at their current duty stations should be able to do so instead of being forced to make a permanent change of station, or PCS move every few years, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith said on Thursday. “We have to let Marines pick their own duty station,” Smith said during the annual Modern Day Marine exhibition in Washington, D.C. “If you let a Marine write his own tasking statement, he'll get it right 100% of the time.” Smith was not announcing any new policy change, rather, he was speaking about the Marine Corps' ongoing efforts to refine its talent management process, a Marine Corps official told Task & Purpose.

The Army on Friday confirmed there will be a military parade on President Donald Trump's birthday in June, as part of the celebrations around the service's 250th birthday. Plans for the parade, as first detailed by The Associated Press on Thursday, call for about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters to follow a route from Arlington, Virginia, to the National Mall. Until recently, the Army's birthday festival plans did not include a massive parade, which officials say will cost tens of millions of dollars.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Wednesday, May 21st and Thursday, May 22nd – grab a crab cake sandwich and an ice cold drink to relax and soak in the day! This event will be taking place on the lawn outside of the Naval Academy Club and is served outside only. For the full Alley Lunch Menu, join us inside the Club.

"In Kristen's eyes, life was a series of adventures to be experienced with her family and her friends, alongside her teammates and her classmates, and even among strangers. She touched everyone with whom she crossed paths, because she took no one and nothing for granted. Kristen didn't just love life, she loved living, and she lived with a perpetual smile radiating across her face. During a year meant to break her down and to mold her into a Naval officer, her spirits soared, and her only fracture was to her leg following a collision with a newly waxed floor that left her hobbled for a short while, nicknamed “Grandpa” by her teammates, and quacked at by her company. To every teammate with whom she played, and to every mid with whom she proudly served, Kristen modeled commitment, determination, and respect. Kristen loved her family and friends, her company, her team, and the Academy, and she gave selflessly of her time and energy, quite unaware of her impact on those around her. As her classmates climbed Herndon just weeks after her death, her cover was used to top Herndon.

On April 30, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN) '95, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) re-introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. Other cosponsors in the Senate include Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA). There are currently 80 U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce while China has 5,500. The SHIPS for America Act aims to close this gap and boost the U.S. Merchant Marine by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S. maritime policy.

Date: Feb 18-28, 2026  Starting Price: $5,195  Trip Length: 10 nights  Trip: Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City  Cruise line: Emerald Cruises | Emerald Harmony. SPECIAL AIR PROMOTION AVAILABLE: Starting at $1000 per person. From ancient temples to modern marvels, embark on a journey beyond the ordinary through the lush Mekong Delta. Begin with an included 3-night Go Beyond Pre-Cruise Program stay in Siem Reap. Delve into the rich history of Cambodia as you explore the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat and more. After your time in Siem Reap, transfer to Koh Khsach Krao, where you'll board Emerald Cruises' Emerald Harmony for a 7-night cruise.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Sophomore Mikayla Williams scored the golden goal with 16 seconds remaining in the first half of overtime to lift No. 21 Navy (15-5) to a 14-13 victory over top-seeded and 15th-ranked Loyola (13-6) in the Patriot League Tournament Championship game on Saturday afternoon at the Ridley Athletic Complex. It was the seventh Patriot League Championship in program history and the first since 2018. The Midshipmen earned the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. It will be the eighth time in program history the Mids will advance to the NCAA Tournament and the first time since 2019. The win snapped Loyola's 61-game winning streak against Patriot League opponents including both regular season and postseason. The Midshipmen remain the only Patriot League school to defeat the Greyhounds.

Weekend Results

Women's Rugby v Lindenwood - L 31-0

Women's Rugby v Sacred Heart - L 39-10

Women's Rugby v Army - L 22-0

 

Women's Lacrosse at Loyola - Patriot League Championship - W 14-13 OT

Women's Track & Field at Patriot League Championship - 3rd Place

Men's Track & Field at Patriot League Championship - 1st Place

Baseball v Binghamton - W 9-7

Women's Rugby v Davenport - L 22-0

Women's Rugby v Penn State - L 17-12
 

Baseball v Binghamton - W3-2

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

MAY

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 - 4:45 p.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

10 Jun -  Trauma Survivor Webinar: Living & Leading as a Survivor with RADM Dana Thomas - 7-9 p.m.

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 Sep - Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Medal Ceremony - Alumni Hall, 4:30 p.m.

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

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

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

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

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

26 Sep - Council of Annual Giving meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

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 1995 30th 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 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