30 September Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025

1937 - The aircraft carrier Yorktown (CV-5) is placed in commission. Yorktown plays a significant role in stopping Japanese expansion and turning the tide of the war during the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway.

 

1954 - Nautilus (SSN-571), the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, is placed in commission.

 

1983 - LT David McCullough '79, USN and LT Nicholas Harman '80, USN were lost when the A-6E Intruder they were aboard crashed in the Black Mountains of Arizona. They were both members of Attack Squadron (VA) 34. David earned his N-star as a youngster on the pistol team; he finished second in the country in NCAA competition in 1978, and competed after graduation as a member of the All-American Pistol Team. David was survived by his wife, son, parents, two sisters, and brother. Nicholas was from Phoenix, Arizona and a gymnast at the Naval Academy. He was survived by his wife, parents, sister, and three brothers.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Here comes the Sept/Oct issue of the world's greatest Alumni Magazine. In a historic Change of Command ceremony, LtGen Michael J. Borgschulte '91, USMC, became the first Marine to serve as Superintendent after relieving VADM Yvette M. Davids '89, USN, on 15 August. 

 

Editor's note: The photo on pages 22-23 incorrectly identifies LtGen Michael J. Borgschulte '91, USMC, at USNA's 66th Superintendent Change of Command ceremony on 15 August. The photo features U.S. Marine Corps Commandant Gen Eric M. Smith, USMC with outgoing USNA 65th Superintendent VADM Yvette Davids '89, USN. This error has been corrected in the digital version.

Season six, episode 8. It's Air Force Week. Enough said. But there IS more. It's President's Circle Weekend for the Alumni Association & Foundation. We celebrate our PC donors with activities, receptions and tailgates Thurs-Sat. We also bring in three reunion classes - 1990, 1995 and 2015. And it's Boat Show weekend in Annapolis. Looks like we picked the wrong time to quit sniffing glue (Airplane reference). On the subject of President's Circle, we interview USNA Parent and PC Donor Parv Shalov. She talks about her why for giving and how her donations are Making USNA better today AND tomorrow. Don't miss our awesome chat. We also chat Ryder cup, what a government shutdown would mean for the Academy and the end of the O's season.   That and more on a world's best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast. Thanks for listening. Beat Army! And BEAT AIR FORCE!

USNA students build race car as part of engineering capstone

Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy are gearing up for their capstone projects. For one team, that means building and modifying a car from the ground up. Powered by a snowmobile engine, the ultimate goal for this team is a running vehicle that can hold its own when raced at the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) competition in Michigan. Hosted annually by SAE International, the Formula SAE competition brings together college teams from around the globe to design, manufacture and test a prototype race car. Entries are judged on design, performance, and presentation skills.

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 29, 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.

Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program Adm. William J. Houston, walked through the doors of the Hyman G. Rickover Naval Academy on Sep. 19, with the gravity of his office but spoke with the candor of a teacher. His visit was more than a ceremonial occasion; it was a living lesson in leadership, resilience, and service. For the cadets seated in uniform, for the faculty and staff at Rickover Naval Academy, for the Northwestern University Navy ROTC midshipmen who joined them, and for the civic leaders assembled in support, the morning became a dialogue across generations about the meaning of duty and the enduring influence of the legendary Adm. Hyman G. Rickover '22.

Local, Education & other academy news

Capital Gazette

Freshman U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks has been named to the Naval Academy Board of Visitors, one of the service academy panels that President Donald Trump has assailed as being “woke” and which he gutted earlier this year.

 

Alsobrooks, a Democrat, was appointed by the Senate Committee on Armed Services and will join Democratic colleagues from the Maryland congressional delegation, Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Rep. Sarah Elfreth on the advisory panel, which oversees academic programs and student life.

 

“The United States Naval Academy is one of our nation's most storied institutions,” Alsobrooks said in a news release. “Maryland is proud to be home to this world-class military service academy. It is my absolute honor to be appointed to its board of visitors.”

 

The board's responsibilities include overseeing morale, discipline, the academy's curriculum, physical equipment and fiscal affairs, among other general oversight of the academy.

 

Each year the board drafts a written report sharing its findings and recommendations to the president.

 

“The Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy serve our country with courage, integrity, and distinction,” Alsobrooks said. “Each year, young patriots step onto the Yard with one goal: protect and defend our nation.”

 

Board members include presidential, vice presidential and congressional appointees and feature a combination of lawmakers and military personnel.

 

In February, Trump sacked the boards of visitors for all of the United States service academies, including the Naval Academy, referencing “Woke Leftist Ideologues” that must be removed in order to make the military “great again.”

 

Amid rising tensions at the Naval Academy under the Trump administration and an onslaught of DEI-removals, the board — and its members from Maryland — have been central in culture-war battles. Van Hollen, in May, urged the board to replace the 381 books removed from its Nimitz Library amid a Trump administration crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion education.

 

While Van Hollen temporarily suspended his motion after resistance from the board's Republican members, most of the books were taken back out of the library closet, where they were held under lock and key, and placed back in circulation.

 

“We have an obligation to do more than just thank our Midshipmen — and all our service members and veterans — for their service,” Alsobrooks said. “It is my duty — and my privilege — to fight for them in Congress, for their benefits, and for their protection. I look forward to furthering that mission in this role on the Naval Academy Board of Visitors.”

Ready to tee it up? Join us at the stunning USNA Golf Course for a day where golf meets camaraderie, competition, and Navy pride. This isn't just a tournament—it's an experience you won't want to miss!

 

📅 October 24
📍 Naval Academy Golf Course
⏰ 8 a.m. check-in | 9 a.m. shotgun start
⛳ Scramble format

 

🔥 Thrilling contests and can't-miss prizes

🍳 Breakfast, on-course lunch, and a lively post-play after-party

🍹 Bar sponsored by The Graduate Hotel—yes, celebratory drinks are included

🌊 The chance to bid on an exclusive 3-day Pebble Beach golf getaway, courtesy of Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis

 

🎉 Sign up today and secure your spot in the most fun tournament of the year!

Have you traveled with USNA Travel before — or are you thinking about booking a trip in the coming year? Maybe you're just curious what the experience is all about.

 

Join the USNA Travel Group through your myUSNA.com account and:

 

💬 Connect with alumni who've journeyed the world with USNA Travel

❓ Ask questions and get first-hand travel advice

📸 Share your own trip photos and stories

🗺️ Be the first to know about exciting upcoming trips and special deals

 

Your next adventure starts here — come see what USNA Travel is all about!

Join us in Philadelphia this October for an unforgettable weekend honoring the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday — and experience nonstop sports action in the city where it all began!

 

📅 Friday, October 10 – Kick things off at Subaru Park with the Army–Navy Cup men's and women's soccer double-header.
📅 Saturday, October 11 – Feel the energy at Lincoln Financial Field as Navy Football battles Temple in an American Conference showdown.

 

🎉 From soccer rivalries to football excitement, it's a weekend packed with Navy pride and Philadelphia spirit. Don't miss your chance to be part of history!

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

On behalf of the Navy Letterwinners Association, we hope you enjoy the latest edition of our monthly newsletter. In this issue, you will find feature articles about Navy soccer alumnus TJ Grady '96, women's triathlete Natalie Wang '28, and men's cross country coach Aaron Lanzel '03.

Men's Golf at Commander-In-Chief's Cup - Mamaroneck, N.Y. - 7:15 a.m.

USNA and AA&F Events

SEPTEMBER

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.

12 Nov - GSMC Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5-6 p.m - 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: Meet - toh-nvgs-yvn

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