23 September Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, Sep 23, 2025

1779 - The frigate Bonhomme Richard engaged the British frigate Serapis at Flamborough Head, England, in an epic battle lasting three and a half hours. At one point, the British captain hailed the American skipper and asked, “Have you struck? Do you ask for quarter?” The Bonhomme Richard commander, Captain John Paul Jones, replied with the immortal words, “I have not yet begun to fight.” Serapis struck its colors later that night.

 

1944 - The battleship West Virginia (BB-48) rejoined the Pacific Fleet, the last veteran of the 7 December 1941 Pearl Harbor attack to return to active service.

 

1983 - 2LT Jeffrey Ohl '82, USMC was lost when the aircraft he was aboard crashed in Tuscola, Illinois. At the Naval Academy he was 33rd Company Commander and also the captain of the powerlifting team. Jeff was survived by his wife and parents.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Congratulations to the 2025 Thriving as Leaders (TAL) awardees and all those nominated by fellow Association members as exceptional leaders in their chosen fields and pursuits.

Now in its second year, this annual set of awards honors living Association members who have made a meaningful impact through achievement, volunteer leadership and service. By living the values of the Naval Academy and Alumni Association, these alumni inspire others to lead with purpose both in and out of uniform and strengthen the bonds of the USNA alumni community through their leadership and service. Please join us in recognizing and celebrating these outstanding alumni.

September 19, 2025 on the Lead from the Heart Podcast with Mark Crowley. For the second half of this podcast season, we've been focused on employee well-being—why it matters, how to foster it, and what happens when leaders fail to take it seriously. Our new guest, Amy Gilliland '96, shows what it looks like when a CEO makes well-being a true priority, not a mere slogan. Amy is president of General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a $9 billion global technology enterprise with 28,000 employees. Under her leadership, GDIT has achieved four straight years of revenue growth, a 27% increase in operating earnings, and a record $15.4 billion in contract awards in 2024. What makes her stand out isn't only the results, but how she's achieved them. Amy believes compassion and performance go hand in hand. She has been a visible advocate for employee well-being and mental health, launching GDIT's groundbreaking “How Are You, Really?” campaign.

In Podcast Episode 6 Dr Ed Barrett, Director of Research at the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, shares his journey from C-130 pilot to ethicist and explains how the Center's fellows program shapes military ethics for today's challenges. We cover the McCain Conference, research that feeds the Naval Academy's core ethics course, and timely topics like great power competition, AI/autonomy, cyber operations, virtue ethics, and moral injury—plus how midshipmen develop character through a holistic education.

Throughout the past year, participants in the Gulf to Goat Ride for Charity have been working hard to increase awareness and donations for their supported charities and ramp up their fitness levels. There has already been a great amount of success! Donations to their five charities are nearing a total of $70,000, which includes over $21,000 to the Naval Academy Foundation. They are hoping to eclipse $100,000, and that goal is certainly within reach. On the fitness front, riders have been increasing their daily mileage throughout the summer in preparation for their 1200 mile adventure. To keep the competitive juices flowing, a number of riders joined the American Legion USA 250 Challenge as the Gulf to Goat Team. In typical Navy fashion, they lead the entire country in miles completed, exceeding their nearest competitor - the entire state of Iowa - by nearly 4,000 miles!  The Gulf to Goat Team “Hits the Road” in just a week.

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 September 22, 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.

The Chief of Naval Operations released a Sept. 15 memo that provides guidance on how to report unprofessional social media use. The memo, which began circulating online and was confirmed as real by a spokesperson for the CNO, details a multi-step process for identifying and tracking reports of inappropriate online behavior. Navy Adm. Daryl Caudle, who was confirmed as the new CNO on Aug. 1, signed the document, which was addressed to Chief of Navy Personnel Vice Adm. Jeffrey Czerewko. “When reports of Service members' unprofessional personal social media use are received at the Echelon 1 level, those reports will be forwarded to you for routing and tracking,” Caudle said in the memo.

NASA announced its 2025 Astronaut Candidate Class on Sept. 22, 2025. NASA's 10 new astronaut candidates were introduced Monday following a competitive selection process of more than 8,000 applicants from across the United States. The class now will complete nearly two years of training before becoming eligible for flight assignments supporting future science and exploration missions to low Earth orbit, the Moon, and Mars. After graduation, the 2025 class will join the agency's active astronaut corps. Among the selected was Rebecca Lawler '09, 38, is a native of Little Elm, Texas, and a former lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. She is a former Navy P-3 pilot and experimental test pilot with more than 2,800 flight hours in more than 45 aircraft.

Local, Education & other academy news

Becky Lawler was selected by NASA to join the 2025 astronaut candidate class. She reported for duty in September 2025. Lawler formerly was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy, logging more than 2,800 hours in more than 45 different aircraft. She earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis in 2009 and is a U.S. Naval Test Pilot School graduate. She also holds master's degrees in space systems engineering and flight test engineering from Johns Hopkins University and the National Test Pilot School, respectively. She also served as a hurricane hunter with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps and flew as a P-3 Orion research pilot during NASA's Operation IceBridge. At the time of selection, she was a test pilot for United Airlines.  Lawler was born in Lewisville, Texas, but she considers Little Elm, Texas, her hometown. She is married with one child and enjoys running, painting, reading, and spending time with her family.

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is banning opinions by professors in the classroom and some books and courses in a crackdown that violates the First Amendment, a law professor at the military school said in a lawsuit Monday seeking class action status. Tim Bakken filed the lawsuit in Manhattan federal court and named the school and its leaders as defendants. He said he wants to protect free speech and the right to academic freedom at an institution where he has flourished despite his public criticisms of the academy and the U.S. military. Bakken also noted in the lawsuit that he has a contract with a publisher for a book that is critical of some aspects of West Point and doesn't want to seek approval from the school's leadership prior to its publication because “it is very likely such approval will be withheld.”

Catch an unforgettable weekend in Philadelphia this October while celebrating the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday! Kick off the action on Friday, 10 October at Subaru Park with the Army-Navy Cup men's and women's soccer double-header. Then catch the excitement of an American Conference showdown when Navy football takes on Temple at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, 11 October. Be part of the celebration and don't miss an action-packed sports weekend in the city where it all began.

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.

 

📅 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); Free for children 2 and under.

 

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.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Women's Golf at Nittany Lion Invitational - 5th of 16 teams

Today's Matchups

Men's Soccer v. Air Force - Annapolis, Md. - 7 p.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

SEPTEMBER

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

30 Sep - USNI Panel Discussion: Beyond Shipyards to Unmanned Systems in the Future Fleet

 

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 - 2025 Navy Rugby Alumni Association's 10th Annual "With You" Dinner and HOF Induction

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 - Noon

8 Oct - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Business Mtg. - 4:30 p.m. EDT Brudergarten

22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 Online event: BOD https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

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

15 Oct - USNI Conference: Dominance Through Disruption: The Evolving Military Advantage - 8:00am

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 - 5:30 p.m. - Fast Friends Beer Co, Austin

31 Oct - North Texas Chapter + NAPC of North Texas Roadshow - 4:30 p.m. - 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