16 Jul Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, Jul 16, 2025

1862 - Congress passed a measure reorganizing the rank structure in the U.S. Navy and establishing the number of officers in respective grades. In addition to creating the ranks of rear admiral, commodore, and lieutenant commander, the act set a force of nine rear admirals, 18 commodores, 36 captains, 72 commanders, and 144 officers each in the remaining ranks through ensign. In recognition of his victory at New Orleans, David G. Farragut is the first officer to be promoted to rear admiral.

 

1912 - Rear Admiral Bradley Fiske, Class of 1875, received the first patent for a design of an air-launched torpedo. This was but one of the noted naval officer's inventions, which include an electrically powered gun turret, telescopic sight, electromagnetic system for detonating torpedoes under ships, and electric range finder.

1978 - LCDR William Matthews '68, USN and LTjg Patrick Kilcline '75, USN were lost when the F-14 Tomcat they were aboard crashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Bill Matthews had completed two combat deployments to Vietnam; he was survived by his wife, two sons, his parents, a brother, and a sister. Pat was survived by his wife, parents VADM and Mrs. Thomas Kilcline '49, brother Tom '73, and two sisters.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) announces the retirement of Director David M. Cattler '93, effective September 30, 2025. As Director, Cattler leads the United States Government's premier organization of approximately 15,000 federal and contract support personnel worldwide to deliver integrated security services including vetting, industrial engagement, counterintelligence support, and security training. Under his leadership, the agency launched its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan, stabilized and reimagined the National Background Investigation Services (NBIS) acquisition program, and reinvigorated and strengthened across the U.S. government, Defense Industrial Base, and cleared academia. He will complete a major reorganization to position the Agency for future success in fiscal year 2026.

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. appointed Vice Admiral Charles J. "Joe" Leidig, Jr. (Ret.) as Chairman of its Executive Advisory Board for Naval Nuclear Initiatives, according to a company statement. Leidig will guide the company's initiatives to support U.S. Naval operations with nuclear power solutions, including potential use of NANO Nuclear microreactors for propulsion and baseload power on operating bases. The former naval officer served as Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command from August 2010 to June 2013, concluding a 39-year Navy career. His previous roles included serving as the 80th Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy and commanding USS Cavalla (SSN 684). He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1978.

Recently, RADM Larry G. Vogt '59 was named President of the Class.  He is a retired nuclear submariner and successful businessman.  His biographical data may be found on the Class website using MyUSNA.com.

Lt. Cmdr. Mitchell Kempisty '14 discusses astronautical engineering, the role of education in invention, and the challenges facing an entrepreneur while serving as a naval executive officer and commanding officer in Bahrain on the Perpetual Motion Podcast.

Government & Military News

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed retired Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata as the next Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, putting the controversial nominee in charge of a host of department programs supporting troops and their families. Tata was approved for the post by a partisan 52-46 vote, with all Republicans present in the chamber backing his nomination and all Democrats opposing it. He served as Deputy Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division during its deployment to Afghanistan in 2006. After his retirement from the military in 2009, he spent time as a public school administrator and as Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Shipbuilder Austal USA delivered the final Independence-class littoral combat ship to the U.S. Navy on Friday, marking the end of a construction phase that's lasted 15 years. The Alabama-based Austal has built a total of 19 Independence-class littoral combat ships for the service. The first, the Independence, was commissioned in 2010. The final ship will be christened as the Pierre, named after the capital of South Dakota. “The delivery of the future USS Pierre will be one of our most memorable milestone achievements as it marks the conclusion of Austal USA's Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship program,” said Austal USA President Michelle Kruger in a release.

Local, Education & other academy news

Developers revoked their proposal to build a marina at Annapolis City Dock, Patch confirmed Tuesday. Few specifics were available about the marina proposal, which was announced last week. Residents, however, worried about increased boat traffic and its potential effect on downtown historical sites. The project would have brought even more construction to Ego Alley, where Annapolis is already preparing to construct City Dock Park. The green space is intended to protect downtown from flooding with a raised earthen berm, flood gates and water pumps.

Annapolis will see a Republican candidate on the ballot for mayor this November after all, as Bob O'Shea officially declared his 2025 mayoral bid. O'Shea, a longtime Annapolis resident and local businessman, filed his candidacy today. He previously ran for Mayor in 2013 and was the GOP nominee for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 30A in 2018, establishing himself as a familiar face in the city's political circles. O'Shea grew up in Pennsylvania and New York and has called Annapolis home since 2000. Professionally, he spent three decades advising manufacturing firms on defense, medical, and government contracts.

USNA and AA&F Events

July

18 Jul - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

25 Jul - 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 - 5-7 p.m. - 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

15 Aug - 2 for 7 Signing - Class of 2027

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 - A&SP/NAAA Trustee Appreciation Pre-Game Breakfast – Navy vs. VMI

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

1-22 Oct - Class of '75 Gulf to Goat Charity Bike Ride

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th Reunion

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

9-16 Oct - Celebrating The Navy and Marine Corps' 250th Anniversary - Philadelphia

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day

10 Oct - Army-Navy Cup XIV. Soccer doubleheader vs Army at Subaru Park, Philadelphia. Women's Match - 4 p.m., Men's Match at 7 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 2005 20th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th 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) - 6:30pm - Register

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