20 May Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

1803 - Commodore Edward Preble assumed command of the frigate Constitution in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

1943 - Tenth Fleet was established with its headquarters in Washington, DC, to direct the antisubmarine warfare effort in the Atlantic.

 

1965 - Seventh Fleet destroyers began bombardment of enemy positions along the coast of South Vietnam in the first naval gunfire support missions of the Vietnam War.

 

1987 - 1LT Michael Mueller '84, USMC was lost when his F/A-18B Hornet crashed in the mountains in California. He was a qualified naval aviator who was training in the Hornet with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125. The instructor pilot was also killed; the crash site wasn't found for over a year. Michael had graduated second in his class at The Basic School.

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). We welcomed Chet and Kathy Gladchuk to the Fluegel Alumni Center May 16th to say farewell to a transformational leader and a great Naval Academy family. Bill Wagner of the Capital Gazette joins the team to interview Chet about his accomplishments. Jeff Webb '95 joins the interview to offer his perspective on Chet's impact and friendship. Check it out. Beat Army ... always.

LISTEN ON

The AA&F Comms team pulled together with our incredible IT team to dedicate the last 18 months to pulling apart the old site, tearing it down and rebuilding it to an effective landing site that helps us perform the critical parts of our mission - to connect, support and communicate with the Alumni of the Naval Academy. Stay tuned in the coming days as we release some videos to help you better navigate the new site and provide some tidbits about the better navigational experience that awaits you.

The U.S. Naval Academy Columbarium - a popular and honored final resting place for USNA graduates and their spouses since its opening in 1987 – is now out of available niches.USNA AA&F, in close partnership with the Naval Academy, is actively working on plans to expand the Columbarium. The expansion project aims to ensure that alumni who wish to be inurned at the Academy will have the opportunity to do so. The immediate plan, thanks to lead philanthropic support from the Class of 1975, involves the construction of a new 650 niche wall at the top of the hill, overlooking College Creek. The design for this expansion is complete; however, the project requires $1.8 million in additional philanthropic support to move forward. USNA AA&F is seeking other supporters to follow '75's lead and consider contributing to this vital project.

So are the Midshipmen of USNA. Five Yard Patrol (YP) craft will be arriving in NYC May 21st in the morning and will be in the city through Friday. If you see a Midshipman about town, say hello!

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 May 19, 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.

Congress will head into its Memorial Day recess at the end of this week with a host of unanswered questions about the annual budget process, including a detailed plan of what the White House hopes to fund — and cut — in fiscal 2026. Last week, both Republicans and Democrats on the House Appropriations Committee expressed frustration that the administration still has not released in-depth budget plans for federal departments and agencies, despite the current fiscal year being halfway complete. White House officials on May 2 released a “skinny” budget plan with broad funding goals for the year, but said a detailed plan will come later this summer. Appropriators said that limits much of their work, which typically takes six to nine months after the president's budget outline.

To commemorate the 250th anniversaries of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, the U.S. Postal Service released a set of three new commemorative stamps that recognize each service's long-standing dedication to defending the nation. The three stamps, each featuring the name of the military service, the service seal and the inscriptions "250 Years of Service," "Since 1775," and "Forever/USA," were revealed during a ceremony today at Freedom Plaza in Washington.  Jeffery A. Adams, USPS corporate communications vice president and Army veteran, spoke about the importance of service during the event. "Service isn't about a uniform. It's about impact. It's about showing up. It's about standing up when it matters the most," he said. "As we honor 250 years of military service ... we also recognize those who are serving right now all over the world and keeping our freedoms alive. I know many of you here are veterans yourselves, and maybe you're still serving, and for that, we thank you."

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

Admiral Stuart Munsch did not get to attend North Dakota State University. Instead, he graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1985. Forty years later, the four-star Navy officer is still on active duty, currently in charge of a NATO military command in Naples, Italy. But the Bison have never been far from his thoughts.So, when NDSU President David Cook called up the Admiral and offered him an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Munsch was more than ready to accept.

Ryan Peterman, a former U.S. Navy pilot from the Quad-Cities, has filed paperwork to run as a Democrat for Iowa Secretary of State. In an email, Peterman's campaign said he is a proud Navy veteran and U.S. Naval Academy graduate from the class of 2013. Peterman, 34, served for 10 years as a pilot and as an honor education officer at the Naval Academy.  Peterman filed a statement of organization this week with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board to run for Iowa Secretary of State, a position that runs the state's elections and keeps records of the state's businesses and nonprofits.

On Tuesday, May 20, WPAOG will present the Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) to six graduates of the United States Military Academy whose character, distinguished service, and stature draw wholesome comparison to the qualities for which West Point strives, in keeping with its motto: “Duty, Honor, Country.” The DGA is funded by a generous endowment from E. Doug Kenna '45 and his wife, Jean.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

MAY

20 May - Blue Angels Practice Show

21 May -  Blue Angels Show and 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

2 Jun - Colorado Chapter & NAPC of CO & WY Roadshow - Alpha Charlie's Tap & Tavern - 5:30 p.m.

10 Jun - Trauma Survivor Webinar. 7-9 p.m. ET

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 - 7:30 p.m.

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