27 August Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Daily Shipmate Photo of the Week

1945 - Ships of Third Fleet, under the command of Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., Class of 1904, entered Sagomi Wan outside the entrance to Tokyo Bay, Japan.

 

1992 - Allied aircraft began flying as part of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing a no-fly zone that prohibited Iraqi aircraft from operating below the 32nd parallel. The first aircraft on station as part of the operation were from the carrier Independence (CVA-62).

2002 - CDR Peter Oswald '84, USN died of injuries sustained during a “fast rope” training exercise in El Salvador. He was commanding officer of SEAL Team 4. Earlier in his distinguished career he'd been aide to the Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet, and was an Olmsted Scholar at Kyoto University, Japan. Peter was survived by his wife, three daughters, parents, and two brothers.

Academy & Graduate happenings

The one and only Navy Football Podcast kicks off its fourth season with the same team that has been together since the start. Former Navy football greats Eric Kettani and Keenan Reynolds provide expert analysis, while producer Chris Servello '99 brings the fan's perspective. Bill Wagner, longtime Navy Athletics reporter for The Baltimore Sun and Capital Gazette newspapers, serves as moderator. We preview the season opener against VMI and talk about the high expectations for Navy football this season.

📅 Date: Friday, 10 October

📍 Location: Subaru Park, 1 Stadium Dr., Chester, PA 19013

🎉 Tailgate: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET

🎟️ Cost: $70 per person (includes game ticket + tailgate)

 

For the first time in its 14-year history, Army-Navy Cup XIV will feature both Men's and Women's soccer teams in a thrilling doubleheader at Subaru Park. This landmark event coincides with the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy, making it a truly unforgettable night of service academy pride, fierce competition, and electric atmosphere.

 

Women's Match: 4 p.m.

Men's Match: 7 p.m.

 

Join us for an epic evening of soccer, camaraderie, and celebration. Your ticket includes access to our spirited  pre-game tailgate inside the park—complete with food, drinks, some swag, and D&B fanfare to get you game-day ready.

 

Last year's Army-Navy Cup drew over 10,000 fans, and this year promises to be even bigger. Whether you're a die-hard supporter or just love a good rivalry, this is one event you won't want to miss.

Deadline to purchase your ticket & tailgate package is 3 p.m. ET on Friday, October 3. Digital tickets will be emailed to the purchaser after October 6. No refunds after 3 p.m. on October 3. 

Capital Gazette

Naval Academy graduate Rayuan Lane III has made the Jacksonville Jaguars' initial 53-man roster.

 

Lane, a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, was one of five safeties kept by the Jaguars, who released the final roster on Tuesday afternoon. By all accounts, the Gilman graduate made the team due to his prowess on special teams.

 

Jacksonville made two surprising moves that basically assured Lane a spot on the roster. The Jaguars released veteran safety Daniel Thomas and placed promising rookie Caleb Ransaw on injured reserve.

 

Thomas, a 2020 fifth-round draft pick out of Auburn, had been one of Jacksonville's top special teams performers. That Lane made the team over Thomas shows how much he impressed management with his special teams play during preseason.

 

Lane made at least one special teams tackle in all three preseason games. He is arguably the greatest gunner in Navy football history and figures to fill that role on the punt coverage unit for the Jaguars.

 

Lane is one of two Naval Academy graduates that survived final cuts as Joe Cardona is set to serve as the starting lone snapper for the Miami Dolphins. Cardona, a 2015 Navy graduate, spent the previous 10 seasons with the New England Patriots. He was released by the Patriots shortly after they selected long snapper Julian Ashby in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft.

 

On May 10, Miami announced that it had signed Cardona, a former fifth-round draft pick who has played 160 career games.

 

Lane is the fifth Navy player to make the NFL since 2005, joining Cardona, wide receiver Malcolm Perry (Class of 2020), wide receiver Keenan Reynolds (2016) and fullback Kyle Eckel (2005), all of whom got into regular season games. Fullback Eric Kettani (2009) spent seven seasons on NFL practice squads, but was never activated.

 

Lane joins projected starters Eric Murray and Andrew Wingard, along with Darnell Savage (Maryland) and Antonio Johnson as the safeties to make the Jacksonville roster.

 

Murray was slated to make $2 million this year, so money may have been a factor in him being released. Lane signed a four-year deal worth $4.4 million with a guaranteed signing bonus of $222,176. The Jessup native has a base salary of $840,000 this year.

 

Ransaw, a 2025 third-round draft pick out of Tulane, missed most of preseason with a lower body injury. Because he was placed on injured reserve before the season, Ransaw must sit out all of 2025.

 

Lane was voted first team All-American Athletic Conference as a senior after ranking third on the team with 70 tackles (47 solo). He recorded two interceptions and also had five pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

 

Lane was the 19th Navy player taken in history of the NFL draft with more than half those selections coming between 1947 and 1973. There was a 13-year drought between when defensive tackle Glen Nardi was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1973 and tailback Napoleon McCallum was chosen in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1986.

 

Lane was the first defensive player from Navy taken in the NFL draft since lineman Bob Kuberski went to the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round in 1993.

Government & Military News

The U.S. Navy held an assumption of command ceremony Saturday to usher in new leadership for the service's legal branch, according to the Navy. Navy Secretary John Phelan welcomed Marine Corps Maj. Gen. David J. Bligh as the next Judge Advocate General, or JAG, at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington. “He is a proven warfighter, a seasoned leader, warrior and patriot of the highest order,” Phelan said, according to the release. “With his selection, a Marine once again takes the helm of the JAG Corps, only the second time in its history and the first since Col. Remey was appointed as the inaugural Judge Advocate General in 1878.”

Aircraft carriers will remain key to projecting American power long into the future, as the Navy is committed to maintaining a fleet of at least 11, the commander of Naval Air Forces and Naval Air Force, Pacific, said Tuesday. “We're dedicated in the Navy to maintain the National Defense Authorization Act [level] of 11 aircraft carriers and nine airwings,” Air Boss Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever said during an event co-sponsored by CSIS and the U.S. Naval Institute. “The aircraft carrier is very symbolic of America and is very, very much [our] visible deterrent around the globe. Everybody knows when that aircraft carrier is near or even coming. What that means, usually means we have a bigger air force than wherever we are.”

Local, Education & other academy news

Retired Admiral John Aquilino '84, who in a distinguished 40-year naval career held key leadership roles, most recently as commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command based in Hawaiʻi, has been appointed to the board of directors of Hawaiian Electric. Before serving as commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, the military's largest combatant command, Aquilino previously served as commander of the US Pacific Fleet, the US Fifth Fleet, and as Director of Operations, Plans and Strategy for the Chief of Naval Operations. He retired as a 4-star admiral in July 2024. A native of New York, Aquilino is a graduate of the US Naval Academy, the Joint Forces Staff College and Harvard Kennedy School's Executive Education Program in National and International Security. He trained as a fighter pilot at the Navy Fighter Weapons School and logged 120 combat missions.

LT Christopher Jayden (CJay) Clarke '21 passed away on August 11, 2025, in San Diego, California. He was 26 years old. Born December 22, 1998, in Encinitas, California, CJay grew up with a passion for athletics, outdoors, and service to others. A four-year letterman in track and an Eagle Scout, he embodied a loving spirit, leadership, and perseverance from an early age. He graduated from Minnetonka High School in Minnesota before attending the United States Naval Academy, where he earned his degree in Political Science with a minor in French in May 2021. Following graduation, CJay spent over 3 years in flight training then proudly served his country as a Navy Pilot with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23 based in San Diego, CA. His commitment, talent, and camaraderie left a lasting mark on his squadron and the many lives he touched along the way.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Women's Soccer v. Marywood University - W 3-0

USNA and AA&F Events

AUGUST

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 - Alumni Association & Foundation Pre-game Social for VMI - (9-11 a.m.)

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 - 12 p.m.

 

SEPTEMBER

2 Sep - 80th Anniversary of the Japanese surrender aboard USS Missouri

4 Sep - Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Medal Ceremony - Alumni Hall, 4:30 p.m.

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

6 Sep - Alumni Association & Foundation Pre-game Social for UAB - (Noon-2 p.m.)

6 Sep - Navy Football vs University of Alabama Birmingham, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

8 Sept - 2 year anniversary of the Fluegel Alumni Center ribbon-cutting.

9 Sept - USNA Entrepreneurs Fall Speaker Series - Army/Navy Country Club - 5pm EST

10 Sep - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5-6 p.m. @ 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: https://meet.goto.com/326914317

11 Sep - Be Somebody's Hero Golf Tournament - Norfolk VA - hosted by USNA AA Hampton Roads Chapter

11 Sep - OKC Chapter + NAPC of Oklahoma Roadshow - 5:30- 7:30 p.m. - Jones Assembly - 901 W Sheridan Ave, OKC

12 Sep - Tulsa Chapter Event & Roadshow - 6 p.m. - Marshall's Brewery - 1742 E 6th Street, Tulsa

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

14 Sep - Annapolis Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

18 Sep - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Happy Hour - 4-6 p.m. @ Tap House, 1637

423418 Three Notch Rd California, MD 20619

18 Sep - 20th Anniversary of the opening of the Uriah P. Levy Center at USNA

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

18-21 Sep - Class of 1985 - 40th Reunion

19 Sep - USNI Dudley Knox Achievement Award Reception

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

26 Sep - Class of 2020 Happy Hour - Fluegel Alumni Center

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

3 Oct - Rugby banquet

4 Oct - 1958/2008 tailgate for 50 for 50 celebration - Open invitation to A/F and USNA grads and mids to celebrate 50 Years of women - 10 a.m.

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD - 12 p.m.

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

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day - 180th Birthday of the Naval Academy

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

24 Oct - Anchors Aweigh Open - Alumni Golf Tournament - Naval Academy Golf Course

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 Oct - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

26 Oct - USMC Marathon w/ Run to Honor SIG participating and presenting the Penguin Award to final finisher

30 Oct - Austin Chapter roadshow - 5:30pm - Fast Friends Beer Co, Austin

31 Oct - North Texas Chapter + NAPC of North Texas Roadshow - 4:30pm - Bitter Sisters Brewing Co, Addison

 

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) - 6:30 p.m. - 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 Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

13 Dec - Army-Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD