Classmates,
This past Monday, November 17, I attended the Fall Council of Class Presidents’ meeting. Here is a brief summary of the information we received that I think will be of interest to you.
ALUMNI/FAMILY HEALTH & WELLNESS
Two alumni, Mitch Henderson ’65 & Mike Stocks ’72, gave a presentation on Alumni/Family Health & Wellness Support. Several senior classes have initiatives creating support groups on various health and caregiver issues, and they have hosted health webinars and confidential health forums for classmates to share information. The Alumni Association is now supporting these efforts through Alumni Support Services. Much of this information is available to all alumni on www.usna.com under the Alumni Support Services menu where you will find information on these topics:
· Spouse Support Program
The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation Spouse Support Program provides vetted resources to enhance the lives of our military and veteran spouses. This resource page is broken down into four main areas:
ü DOD and Government Resources
ü VA Resources
ü Non-DoD and VA Resources
ü Memorial Affairs.
· Medical Facilitation & VSO’s
A “gouge” handbook for alumni is being developed to help navigate the Veterans Administration (VA), understanding Tricare benefits, or connecting alumni to a Veterans Service Organization (VSO). There is also a medical discussion board that supports alumni helping alumni in time of need. Here you will find topics such as:
ü Tricare Options for Retirees
ü VA Websites and Benefit Resources
ü End of Life Support
ü Living Wills Resources
ü Mental Health Services
ü Parkinson Resources
ü Resource Library
ü Complementary and Integrative Health Options
ü Medical Forum
The Medical Forum is a project started by some 60’s classes intended to provide a place where classmates can share their healthcare experiences and provide support to others with health issues. These classes have held health webinars on various medical issues and caregiver support. The Medical Forum is currently an unmoderated forum and is not intended to provide health services, but instead is a resource for the community to use to discuss any advice they may have. You will find the forum on the “myUSNA” app.
Superintendent’s Presentation
Our new Superintendent, LtGen Michael Borgshulte, gave us a quick update. The General is very engaging and excited to be the first Marine Corps General serving as Superintendent. He believes our Academy is headed in the right direction to create warfighting officers, and he pledged to work hard to stay focused on the job in a non-political and non-partisan way. He updated us with the following information:
The Class of 2029 includes 1,197 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 14 international countries. The class profile consists of:
· 69% Male, 31% Female
· 92% High School Varsity Athletes
· 58% High School Team Captains
· 54% High School Student Body Leaders
· 25% JROTC/ROTC/Sea Cadets
· 8% College
· 5% Prior Enlisted
USNA continues to strive for a 50/50 civilian/military faculty composition. Currently 52.5% of the faculty are civilians + retired military and 45.7% are active-duty military (remainder are international exchange officers). USNA is working to increase the percentage of military faculty by increasing the authorized number of Permanent Military Professors and Military Instructors, as well as, an expanded reserve recall.
Recent US News & World Report college rankings show USNA as the #1 Top Public School (Liberal Arts); #3 National Liberal Arts College; and, #5 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (at schools where doctorates are not offered).
Finally, service assignment was on Thursday, November 20. Typically, 80% get their first choice and 93% get their first or 2nd choice and 25% will go Marine Corps.
ACADEMIC DEAN
Our Academic Dean, Dr. Samara Firebaugh, spoke about aligning academics with Fleet needs. She recently led an offsite to Norfolk to have discussions on how to achieve this alignment. A couple of items of note:
1 In Maritime warfare, wargaming is being added to the 2/C curriculum with a focus on geography and weapons platforms and how and when to use them.
2 During Captone (annual 1/C project presentations) Operations Research and Naval Architecture will focus on ship design and defining ship missions.
She also addressed the use of Generative AI. She tells the faculty to not ignore AI. Rather, explain what the assignment is to accomplish keeping the big “why” up front to promote learning. AI is a tool and Midshipmen need to learn how to use it while gaining the knowledge the professor is teaching.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Our new Athletic Director, Michael Kelly, had some interesting thoughts to share. He stated that most Power 4 football conference schools are not recruiting heavily in high schools – they are using the portal to add players to their roster. He gave the example of USF, who Navy just defeated, having 67 new football players this season and had a $10 million NIL budget. Navy’s approach is to put our resources into coaches and facilities and spent the time to develop our young players. Our players know if they work hard, they have a shot at playing DIV 1 football. There is no guarantee in the Power 4 schools that a hard-working player won’t be replaced by a portal transfer who is stronger, faster and more talented. Through grit, determination and perseverance our players succeed both on and off the field. Exactly what we expect of those that will become officers in the Navy and Marine Corps.
CLASS NEWS
Finally, in October our class nominated 3 classmates for the 2026 USNA Distinguished Graduate Award: Sean Coffey (13th CO), Mark Fox (18th CO), and Jon Kutler (17th CO). The DGA Selection Panel is reviewing the packages now and will meet on December 6 to make final selections. We will let you know as soon as we learn their selections.
Wishing all a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.
Fair winds…
Glen
Glen Woods
President, USNA Class of 1978