News, Events & More

Register NOW for Vietnam SEALs Roundtable on 24 April

Posted: 4/4/2025

Join the Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation for a roundtable discussion on 24 April moderated by ADM Robert Natter ’67, USN (Ret.), centered on the emergence of the SEAL community in Vietnam and their unique ability to operate in a guerilla warfare environment. ADM Natter was the officer in charge of a SEAL boat support detachment in the lower Mekong Delta. In 1971, he earned a Silver Star for his actions following an ambush in the Nam Can region of Vietnam while supporting a Vietnamese SEAL platoon.

Panelists include:

CAPT Tom Murphy ’66, USN (Ret.) – Silver Star recipient who served with Seal Team Two in Vietnam and whose post-war commands included SEAL Team One and SEAL Team Six. He authored Beyond the Trident which documents some of his experiences as a SEAL team member in Vietnam and tips for overcoming life’s trauma.

CAPT Dick Couch ’67, USN (Ret.) – As platoon commander with SEAL Team One in 1970, he led one of the few successful POW rescue operations of the Vietnam War. He has authored several books spotlighting SEALs including By Honor Bound and Navy SEALs: Their Untold Story. CAPT Sandy Prouty ’67, USNR (Ret.) – Silver Star recipient who served with SEAL Team Detachment GOLF, MIKE Platoon in Vietnam. He joined the FBI in 1973 where he would become the agency’s third in command.

The Alumni Association is working with Naval Academy leadership to invite and host many of the 32 1/C Midshipmen who have been selected for Naval Special Warfare. It also is inviting more recent alumni to provide their perspectives on the SEAL community. Registration is now open: Click HERE. Cost is $10 for Naval Academy alumni. The program will commence at 3:30 p.m. on 24 April at the Fluegel Alumni Center in Annapolis. To see content from the Legacy of Valor: Vietnam War series visit Legacy of Valor Vietnam.

Supe Updates Class at 12 March Luncheon

Posted: 3/31/2025

Twenty-five Classmates, wives and guests listened to an inspiring and enthusiastic talk by VADM Yvette M. Davids, 65^th Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. VADM Davids is a 1989 graduate of the Naval Academy and has served as a SWO throughout her Naval Career. She has held several commands throughout her career, including a Frigate, a Cruiser, and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. She is the first woman to serve as the Superintendent of the Naval Academy, assuming her duties in January 2024.

VADM Davids flanked by Class President, Jim Long and his wife, Nancy. Jim and Nancy’s nephew goes to the same school as the Supe’s son, and they are good friends.

VADM Davids described her goals of graduating our country’s future Naval Leaders, stressing Character through Truth, Unity and Teamwork. She also gave an update on the current scholastic trends at the Academy, including changes to the curriculum and culture, to coincide with the recent directive on changes from the CNO.

VADM Davids concluded her update by detailing the infrastructure improvements being made at the Academy to prevent future flooding of Academy grounds and buildings.

The next Class luncheon will be held on Wednesday, 9 July 2025.

NEW “Daily” Shipmate Publication

Posted: 3/26/2025

NEW: The Daily Shipmate is a new publication intended to share news about the Naval Academy, the Naval Services, and its members. It is apolitical as an organization and strives to bring forward relevant news on a wide variety of issues. Click HERE is you wish to subscribe.

TRICARE Online Patient Portal (TOL PP) Decommissioning Update

The on-line Tricare Patient Portal medical records sites (TOL PP) has transitioned to a new system: MHS GENESIS Patient Portal (MHS PP). Use MHSG PP for your online healthcare requests and to view your current Health Record (HR) data. Click HERE for more information.

On 1 April 2025, TOL PP will be decommissioned. Prepare now by downloading/printing your historical HR data that is not available on the MHSG PP.

Log in to TOL PP to download and save your HR data to PDF or store in CCD format for uploading into a personal health record (PHR) of your choice. Click here for instructions on how to print your Health Record data. Instructions to download HR data from TOL PP is also located on the “TOL Health Record” page within the FAQs.

TOL PP will no longer be available to users after 1 April 2025.

Final note: if you use Tricare for Life, it uses a different portal and is not impacted by this transition.

24 April: SAVE THE DATE for Vietnam SEALs Roundtable

Posted: 3/12/2025

Save the Date – Legacy of Valor: Vietnam War – SEALs roundtable – 24 April 2025

Join the Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation for a roundtable discussion moderated by ADM Robert Natter ’67, USN (Ret.), centered on the emergence of the SEAL community in Vietnam and their unique ability to operate in a guerilla warfare environment. Panelists include: ADM Robert Natter, who was the officer in charge of a SEAL boat support detachment in the lower Mekong Delta. In 1971, he earned a Silver Star for his actions following an ambush in the Nam Can region of Vietnam while supporting a Vietnamese SEAL platoon.

CAPT Tom Murphy ’66, USN (Ret.) – Silver Star recipient who served with Seal Team two in Vietnam and whose post-war commands included SEAL Team One and SEAL Team Six. He authored Beyond the Trident which documents some of his experiences as a SEAL team member in Vietnam and tips for overcoming life’s trauma.

Supe to Speak at 12 March Class Luncheon

Posted: 3/6/2025

On Wednesday, 12 March 2025, the Class will hold its semi-annual luncheon at the Fleet Reserve Club, Annapolis, MD

The Class is privileged to have Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids, Superintendant of the Academy, as its featured speaker. Click HERE for a current biography of VADM Davids.

As usual, the Luncheon will begin about 1130, buffet lunch at 1200, and our Guest Speaker at about 1230. Cost of the luncheon will be $45 per person. Wives, Widows and Guests are most welcome to join us.

Classmates are encouraged to attend this Luncheon to hear what’s going on at the Academy.

For more information and to register, contact Chuck Grutzius at elexsys.cg@att.net.

Columbarium Update

Posted: 3/3/2025

Fewer than 40 niches remain at the columbarium, and the Naval Academy memorial affairs team estimates it will reach capacity for new or first inurnments by the summer 2025. Once all niches are filled, no new inurnments for alumni will take place at the columbarium for at least two years.

Plans for future expansion or alternatives are being considered to accommodate the needs of the USNA community. For guidance and options in services and bookings, visit usna.edu/cemetery or contact Joe Fagan ’89 and Chris Silva at memorialaffairs-group@usna.edu.

UPDATE: Financial Wellness

Posted: 2/26/2025

20th Company Classmates, Rick Grant and Phil Bozzelli, share a recording that looks back at 2024 and predicts financial markets for the year ahead.

Click HERE to access a recording that offers clarity on how the markets have performed and what we might expect in 2025.

This information is provided through the USNA 1966 Class Wellness initiative. It is not advice nor is it an advertisement; it is additional information to consider in charting the year ahead.