18 Jun Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, Jun 18, 2025

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.

1911 - Further demonstrating the possibility of aircraft operating from ships, Eugene Ely successfully landed a Curtiss pusher aircraft on a wooden platform built on board the armored cruiser Pennsylvania (ACR-4) anchored in the San Francisco Bay, California.

2000 - LT David Bergstrom '92, USN and LT William Dey '92, USN were lost when the F-14 Tomcat they were aboard crashed during an airshow at Naval Air Station Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. They were members of Fighter Squadron (VF) 101. Bill, the pilot, was survived by his wife, one-year-old daughter, parents, and three sisters. David 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). A quiet summer? Nope. John and Chris welcome in Entrepreneur Summit week with a conversation about the Summit events here at the Fluegel Alumni Center. We chat a little more about the new Athletic Director, who just did his first interview with our friend Bill Wagner at Anchors Aweigh. We chat about next week's Change of Leadership ceremony for the new Commandant. And finally we chat about the emerging global conflicts and how they might affect our alums serving around the world. Our featured interview is with Authentically American founder Dean Wegner and his Biz Development guru, Brian Erickson '95. Both Brian and Dean played Hockey while at their academies. Now, nearly 30 years after they left their respective academies to start aviation careers, the two are joining forces to bring jobs to America. Dean started Authentically American in 2017 to help bring manufacturing jobs back to America by selling premium, competitively priced, apparel that is ALL made in the US. They intentionally donate 10% of their profits to Veteran- and First Responder-focused charities as a way to honor our American heroes. We have a great convo. Thanks for listening … and Beat Army. Always.

Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen Capt. Walter H. Allman III will be properly relieved by Capt. Gilbert E. Clark Jr. in a change of leadership ceremony at the Naval Academy. The event is for invited guests only. The ceremony will take place Monday, June 23, at 11 a.m. on Radford Terrace at the Naval Academy. Clark, USNA Class of 1998, will succeed the current Commandant of Midshipmen, Capt. Allman, who will depart this summer after a one-year assignment. “I am deeply honored and humbled for the opportunity to lead the Brigade of Midshipmen and forge our next generation of Navy and Marine Corps leaders,” said Clark. “There is nothing quite like the enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by the Brigade, staff, and faculty. Our family is excited to come back to the Naval Academy and join a team committed to building the warfighters our nation needs to fight and win from the sea.”

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 June 16, 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.

Thousands of disabled veterans could be eligible for additional retroactive combat-related special compensation after the Supreme Court unanimously ruled last week that federal officials had unfairly capped those payments. Officials from the National Veterans Legal Services Program, which helped bring the legal suit, said more than 9,000 individuals nationwide could benefit from the ruling. In a statement, Executive Director Paul Wright said the move means that those veterans “will finally receive the full amount of the compensation they earned through their service and sacrifice.” The case — Soto v. United States — has been winding through the federal courts since 2017 and has been pending before the Supreme Court since last fall. Arguments on the issue took place in April.

Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington is on patrol in the western Pacific, where China has been expanding its naval presence. The George Washington is one of the U.S. Navy vessels homeported in Japan. The aircraft carrier, which is equipped with F-35C stealth fighter jets, returned to Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo in November 2024 after undergoing maintenance and upgrades in Virginia. The George Washington's first patrol since returning to Japan comes as two Chinese aircraft carriers were deployed simultaneously to the wider western Pacific for the first time earlier in June, marking a major milestone in China's efforts to challenge U.S. naval dominance.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

“Powder” Burgess was recently promoted to Rear Admiral Lower Half (RDML) and is now Commander of Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) in Fallon, NV. Rick is a former TOPGUN Instructor, Executive Officer of aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (Jolly Rogers) and two first-in-class warships, afloat forward staging base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB-3) and aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

Bill and Muriel Elliott, parents of Ensign John Elliott '00, will be featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show this Thursday, 19 June during the segment “What I'm Liking.” The segment highlights uplifting and inspiring stories and brings people together. The Elliotts' story and the HERO Campaign's mission serve as a testament to how love, loss, and determination can spark impactful change. After losing their son John to a drunk driver shortly after his graduation from the Naval Academy, the Elliotts founded the HERO Campaign to promote the use of designated drivers and prevent drunk driving tragedies from happening to others. Their work ensures John's legacy continues to save lives and make a difference across the country. Their appearance, a powerful reminder of how one life, lived with purpose and honor, can inspire a national movement. The episode airs Thursday, 19 June on NBC. Check your local listings for times. It airs in Washington, D.C. at 2 p.m. and in Baltimore at 11 a.m.

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