7 May Daily Shipmate

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate, is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise.

1915 - Some 14 miles off Old Head of Kinsale on the Irish coast, the British liner Lusitania was attacked without warning by the German submarine U-20.

 

1942 - The Battle of the Coral Sea began on 7 May, when surface ships under the command of Royal Navy Rear Admiral John G. Crace attempted to intercept a Japanese invasion force bound for Port Moresby, New Guinea.

2007 - LT Richard Andersen, Jr. '02, USN was lost when the SH-60F helicopter he was co-piloting crashed in Nevada during an exercise. Four others aboard were also killed. A native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, he was survived by his parents and two sisters.

Academy & Graduate happenings

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). In this episode, we talk to Greg Sigler from Skywarrior and Carrier Landing Housing, the new title sponsor of the Pod. Greg talks about the Navy Introductory Flight Evaluation (NIFE) and the most unique of living experiences in Pensacola. For Ensigns and Second Lieutenants attending Primary Flight School, this experience is incredible. It's the Melrose Place for Flight School students. And the conversation many Naval Academy alumni have been waiting for — the future of the USNA columbarium. We sat down with our own Wes Huey '87 and Mr. Jeffery Beard, Class of 1972, to talk candidly about this pressing issue that's top of mind for many Naval Academy graduates. With the current columbarium expected to reach capacity this summer, Huey and Beard walk through the urgency, challenges and plans for expansion. All that and we chat about the amazing upset pulled off by Navy Women's Lacrosse. Check it out. Beat Army ... always.

Listen on

On 24 April 2025, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation hosted a roundtable discussion on the emergence of SEALs during the Vietnam War. ADM Robert Natter '67, USN (Ret.) moderated the event at the Fluegel Alumni Center. Nearly 100 attendees, including about 20 Naval Special Warfare selectees from the Class of 2025, heard stories from Vietnam veterans and former SEALs CAPT Tom Murphy '66, USN (Ret.), CAPT Dick Couch '67, USN (Ret.), and CAPT Sandy Prouty '67, USNR (Ret.) The panelists took questions form the audience and offered a glimpse into the rigorous training prospective SEALs will experience after commissioning.

The Trident Scholar Program provides an opportunity for a select group of exceptionally capable midshipmen to engage in independent study and research during their senior year.  Naval Academy faculty and other area specialists mentor the Trident Scholars helping them expand their knowledge and contribute to their fields of study. This year, 16 midshipmen in the Class of 2025 received the award.

Government & Military News

On any given day, thousands of unmarried Marines and sailors with Fleet Marine Force units spend days and nights out in the field, or weeks training shipboard or on bases far from home. “We wake them up before dawn. We send them into the hills running and hiking every day, and they come back to the rooms. And then we send them [to training bases] for weeks on end, and we bring them back to these rooms,” said Col. Brian Mulvihill, who commands 5th Marine Regiment and its four infantry battalions headquartered at Camp San Mateo, in the northern reaches of Camp Pendleton.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman to remain in the Middle East for a second time, keeping it there another week so the U.S. can maintain two carrier strike groups in the region to battle Yemen-based Houthi rebels, according to a U.S. official. In late March, Hegseth extended the deployment of the Truman and the warships in its group for a month as part of a campaign to increase strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis. The official said Hegseth signed the latest order Thursday and it is expected the Truman and its strike group warships will head home to Norfolk, Virginia, after the week is up.

Local, Education & other academy news

Class of 2006 President Adrienne Maeser '06 joins the podcast to reminisce about Captain Brandon "Bull" Barrett, USMC, on the 15th anniversary of his KIA date. Join Josh Angichiodo '06 and recently retired Adam Hudson '06 as they remember their classmate and also call the class to action for the Great Class Challenge.

Chloe Bush, a 17-year-old senior at Millington Central Middle High School, was officially welcomed as a future midshipman by Capt. Shaina Hogan, chief of staff, Navy Recruiting Command, May 2. Bush earned an appointment to the Naval Academy Preparatory School, the first step toward the U.S. Naval Academy and with it, a scholarship valued at more than $500,000. At a special presentation hosted by NRC, Hogan – a 2005 graduate of the Naval Academy – celebrated Bush's achievement while presenting her with a ceremonial scholarship check. “To start off, we would like to present a check to Ms. Bush, which, let me clarify, is not for half a million dollars but rather for a scholarship to support her journey,” Hogan said. “Congratulations, Chloe! This is a tremendous achievement, and we are so very proud of you.”

Governor Wes Moore today announced that Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Secretary Tony Woods will transition from his cabinet position on May 11 to return to the private sector in a role with a technology startup. Deputy Secretary Ross Cohen will serve as acting secretary to ensure continuity of service and support for Maryland's veterans and military families while a search to fill the secretary's post is underway. “Secretary Tony Woods has made Maryland a national leader in how we care for those who serve. He has reshaped the department with heart, vision, and an unwavering commitment to veterans, military families, caregivers, and survivors across our state,” said Gov. Moore.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Yesterday's Result

Women's Golf at NCAA Gold Canyon Regional - 11th out of 12 teams

Today's Matchup

Women's Golf at NCAA Gold Canyon Regional - Gold Canyon, Ariz. - TBA

USNA and AA&F Events

MAY

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