16 Jun Daily Shipmate

Monday, Jun 16, 2025

Visiting USNA 16 June? From the NSA Annapolis Deputy Commanding Officer: In coordination with USNA and NSAA Leadership, general public visitation will be suspended on Monday, 16 June 2025.  Visitors who have purchased tickets to tour the installation will still be authorized access.  Additionally, visitors attending a U.S. Naval Academy sponsored event such as a sporting event, summer camp or STEM event will also be allowed to visit.  Normal general public visitation is expected to resume on Tuesday, 17 June 2025.

1933 - A provision of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal legislation—the National Industrial Recovery Act—passed on this date. Roosevelt later allocated $238 million from the legislation to ship construction, bolstering the Navy with the building of 33 vessels, including the aircraft carriers Yorktown (CV-5) and Enterprise (CV-6).

 

1966 - 2LT Ronald Meyer '65, USMC was killed in action with North Vietnamese forces while leading his platoon from Company C, 1st Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. They were assisting a recon platoon that had come under attack. Ronald was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action.” He was survived by his wife, parents, and two brothers.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

At the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), service isn't just a future promise — it's a present commitment. Throughout 2024 and 2025, the Midshipman Action Group (MAG), the largest student-led volunteer organization in the Brigade of Midshipmen, undertook hundreds of community service initiatives that positively impacted lives from Annapolis to Washington State. Volunteer events ranged from tutoring elementary students and organizing large-scale food drives to supporting the Special Olympics and mentoring youth at Boys & Girls Clubs. MAG participants contributed thousands of hours of service and built enduring partnerships with civic leaders, educators, and nonprofit organizations. In Academic Year 2024-2025 alone, 835 midshipmen within MAG volunteered 1,783 times across 119 unique events, culminating in 14,402 hours of service.

Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Great Lakes held a change of command ceremony at Navy Pier June 6, 2025. Cmdr. Brian Richards relieved Cmdr. Eric Rolfs as commanding officer. Rolfs has served as the commanding officer of NTAG Great Lakes since October 2023. Rolfs, a native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2004, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and his Commission. Richards, a native of Sergeantsville, New Jersey, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

All are welcome! Please plan to join us for a fun weekend of sailing, racing, and socializing with the Midshipmen! Tickets are on sale now.  This will be an excellent opportunity to connect into our global FONS Network and share FONS camaraderie among alumni, parents, sponsors, volunteers, and friends. The weekend's multiple social events include the Sail Navy Banquet featuring Keynote Speaker: CAPT Justin Smith, 2024 VADM James B. Stockdale Leadership Awardee, former CO of USS MASON (DDG 87) during Red Sea combat operations, and USNA Intercollegiate Sailing Team Captain Class of 2004. Sailing and racing will be on Navy 44s, Colgate 26s, and 420s.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

In his first visit to the professional military education institution, Secretary of the Navy John C. Phelan delivered the commencement address at the U.S. Naval War College's (NWC) summer graduation ceremony onboard Naval Station Newport, June 13. "I believe one of the most important ways to influence the world is through the education of our leaders, and your experience at the Naval War College and what you learned here will allow you to make optimal decisions when the stakes are the highest,” said Phelan in his remarks. “Today I stand before you to discuss a critical challenge and opportunity, one that defines the future of warfare, the rapid pace of innovation on the battlefield and the imperative for our future leaders to fully embrace the realities of employing these innovations and defending against them.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently signed a memorandum that provides additional assistance to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection divisions through enhancements to the Defense Department's own SkillBridge program. SkillBridge gives retiring and separating service members the ability to conduct on-the-job training in the private and civil sectors so they can successfully transition on behalf of a grateful nation. Under the secretary's direction, military departments will encourage service members considering participation in the SkillBridge program to seek internships, apprenticeships or on-the-job training with either ICE or CBP.

The United States is shifting military resources, including ships, in the Middle East in response to Israel's strikes on Iran and a possible retaliatory attack by Tehran, two U.S. officials said Friday. The Navy has directed the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, which is capable of defending against ballistic missiles, to begin sailing from the western Mediterranean Sea toward the eastern Mediterranean and has directed a second destroyer to begin moving forward so it can be available if requested by the White House. President Donald Trump is meeting with his National Security Council principals Friday to discuss the situation. The U.S. officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

CDR Josh Womack is a native of Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Hegraduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2009with a Bachelor's Degree in History. Afloat, CDR Womack served aboard USS TAYLOR (FFG 50) as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, aboard USS VICKSBURG (CG 69) as Training Officer and Combat Information Center Officer, and aboard USS GRAVELY (DDG 107) as Operations Officer and Combat Systems Officer. He also served as the Current Operations Officer (N3) and Future Operations Officer (N5) for Task Force 65 / Destroyer Squadron 60 in Rota, Spain.

CDR. Basil F. Gray Jr., USN (Ret). After almost two years of living without his lifelong love, companion, friend, and wife, Basil left this world to reunite. At the age of 95 and weeks short of his birthday, God called him back to shine in Heaven and be with his true love. After 69 years of marriage, serving his country for 23 years as a naval officer, and raising a family to carry on his legacy, Basil has truly retired. Basil was raised in Newport News, graduated from Newport News High School, was a Sigma Phi Epsilon brother at Randolph Macon, appointed to the US Naval Academy '54, and had a proud career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy.

MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate - July 19, 2025 - 10:30 AM ET - Free Admission - Glenn Warner Soccer Facility at the Naval Academy. MLS NEXT and Allstate will provide more than 40 of the best young players in North America with a once-in-a-lifetime player experience during MLS All-Star Week by being selected for the MLS NEXT All-Star Game presented by Allstate. Forty-four of the top MLS NEXT players, 22 per team, will showcase their talent on a national stage by competing in an East vs. West game at the Naval Academy's Glenn Warner Soccer Facility in Annapolis, Md. on Wednesday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Fans are highly encouraged to park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and ride the free shuttle bus to and from the game due to security restrictions. Pedestrians can enter through the Naval Academy Visitors Center where they must go through security and present a valid US ID.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

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

 

JULY

9 Jul - Hampton Roads Chapter - Chapter event with Navy Offensive Coordinator Drew Cronic  and Midshipmen Meet & Greet Social. 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District. More Info

14-16 Jul - YP visit to Yorktown, VA.

18 July - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

25 July - Plebe SummerFormal parade

25 Jul - Hampton Roads Chapter/NAPC of Hampton Roads Roadshow - Blue Moon Taphouse, Norfolk - 5:30 p.m.

26 Jul - VA Peninsula Chapter Roadshow - Revolution Golf & Grille, Williamsburg - 12 p.m.

26 Jul - Richmond Chapter/NAPC of Central Virginia Roadshow - Capital Ale House, Glen Allen - 5:30 p.m.

27 Jul - NAPC of SW Virginia Roadshow - Macado's, Roanoke - 12 p.m.

27 Jul - Central VA Chapter/NAPC of Central Virginia Roadshow - Three Notch'd Brewery, Charlottesville - 5:30 p.m.

 

AUGUST

1 Aug - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

1-3 Aug - Seattle Sea Fair

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

6 Aug - Hampton Roads Chapter Midshipmen Summer Cruise Meet and Greet - Norfolk - 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

7 Aug - Class of 2029 Plebe Parent Mixer, Fluegel

8-10 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend

9 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend Formal Parade

9 Aug - Blue & Gold kick-off BBQ - N/MCMS

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

10 Oct - Army-Navy Cup XIV. Soccer doubleheader vs Army at Subaru Park, Philadelphia. Women's Match - 4:00 p.m., Men's Match at 7:00 p.m.

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 - Run to Honor's annual pre-Honor Our Fallen Heroes Gathering (FAC)

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