Naval researchers pioneer TCP-based spam detection

1/1/2012: A group of researchers from the U.S. Naval Academy has developed a technique for analyzing E-mail traffic in real-time to identify spam messages as they come across the wire, simply using information from the TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) packets that carry the messages. This approach could be a useful addition to the arsenal of today's spam-fighting techniques, observers argue, in that, unlike typical spam fighting approaches, the content of the E-mail does not have to be scanned. Full story

From Beijing to the sea: one midshipman's challenge

1/2/2011: Midn. 1st Class Christ Wehner is spending this semester in China. He talked about his recent experience distributing diabetes information across China for Project Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides health care and humanitarian aid around the world. Full story

US defense secretary to discuss strategic review

1/4/2012: Discussion of the strategy by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other senior Defense Department officials will come as the Pentagon is finalizing its budget submission to Congress for the 2013 fiscal year, usually released in February. Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates launched the strategic review more than seven months ago after President Barack Obama asked him to cut $400 billion from projected Pentagon spending over 12 years. Full story

Commissioning Week 2012

1/5/2011: A tentative schedule for the 2012 Commissioning Week is available. Events begin Wednesday, May 23, 2012 and run through graduation on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. Note: The Class of 2015 Herndon Climb will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. (EST). Updated commissioning events will be updated periodically on this web site. See schedule

2012 summer seminar application process open

1/6/2012: The US Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS) is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high achievers high school juniors. NASS emulates life at the Naval Academy where academics, athletics and professional training play equally important roles in developing the nation's leaders. Interested students can apply online starting Jan. 3. Three sessions will be offered in June 2012. More information

Encore presentation of "A Game of Honor" to air Sunday

1/7/2012: CBS Sports Network will air an encore presentation of the critically-acclaimed Showtime documentary-style special, A Game of Honor, on Sunday, Jan. 8 at 9-11:30 CST. A Game of Honor chronicles the season-long journey of the Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen preparing to play in a rivalry unmatched by any other in sports - the Army-Navy football game. It provides unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to both academies and their respective football teams for six months leading up to and during the 112th Army-Navy game. Full story

Summer STEM applications will open Jan. 17

1/8/2012: The summer STEM program is offered to rising 8th to 11th students interested in a career in science and engineering and who demonstrate superior academic performance in GPA, class standing and/or a strong PSAT, SAT or ACT score. Applications for the program will open online Jan. 17, 2012. Selection is based in large part on ensuring geographic representation along with overall accomplishments in and out of the classroom. There will three sessions: June 3-9 (grades 8-9), June 11-16 (grade 10) and June 18-23 (grade 11). Applicants will be notified of their status by May 1, 2012. More information

Naval Academy gate gets new name
Arch honoring Barry, first Navy officer, begins creation of memorial

1/9/2012: With its bright Navy blue and its golden letters glinting in the sunlight, visitors to the Naval Academy might not realize a new archway over one of the most highly traversed entrances to the academy hasn't always been there. Displaying the name "BARRY," visitors certainly wouldn't realize the work that went into getting it there. Full story

Sexual assaults up at Naval Academy - or are they?

1/10/2012: Reports of sexual assaults at the Naval Academy doubled last year, the fourth straight year the number has increased, according to the Defense Department. But do the findings of the Pentagon report on sexual harassment and assaults mean that such incidents are on the rise in Annapolis? Or, do they show that midshipmen have grown more aware of sexual assault and are more likely to report it to authorities? Academy officials and critics alike hope it's the latter - but say it is impossible to know for certain. Full story

Midshipmen donate books overseas

1/11/2012: With the start of the new year, midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy are preparing for their annual donation to Books for International Goodwill, a program organized by a Naval Academy political science professor that donates textbooks to schools and libraries overseas. Full story

Embarking on a new career

1/12/2012: Billy Hurley III, a Naval Academy graduate who spent two years on the USS Chung-Hoon as part of his mandatory five-year military commitment returned to Honolulu to fulfill his golfing dream. With a no. 25 finish last year in the Nationwide Tour standings, Hurley, 29, became the first Naval Academy graduate to earn a PGA card. Full story

New brigade commander steps up

1/13/2012: A U.S. Naval Academy midshipman assumed duties as brigade commander Jan. 10. Midshipman 1st Class Jordan Foley now takes on the role as most senior midshipman at the academy, leading more than 4,500 midshipmen as brigade commander. Full story

Navy patrols cut pirate attacks by about half

1/14/2012: The number of successful pirate attacks in the Horn of Africa region declined nearly 50 percent last year, the first significant drop since the international community established counterpiracy naval forces in the area three years ago. The number of successful attacks dropped to 24 last year, from 45 in 2010, according to NATO. Many other attacks were disrupted by naval vessels or merchant ships that were able to evade pirates, most of whom are based in Somalia. Full story

1st Company named Color Company

1/16/2012: The Naval Academy announced 1st Company won the fall semester Color Company competition Jan. 10. Results were announced after the final competition tally showed the "Shipmates" of 1st Company edged out 15th Company for the title. The Color Competition, a tradition that began in 1867, recognizes the superior performing company with the honor of carrying the flags in color parades. Full story

Navy SEALs, SWCCs serve as mentors

1/17/2012: Members of the Navy SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC) scout team attended the 18th Annual Hispanic Games at the Armory Indoor Track and Field Stadium in New York City Jan. 9-11. The U.S. Navy sponsored event had more than 7,000 athletes, parents and spectators attending the games from high schools from across the nation. Full story

New law eases airport screening for troops, families

1/18/2012: President Barack Obama signed a bill into law Jan. 3 to streamline airport screening procedures for service members and their families traveling on official orders. Full story

USNA course increases cyber awareness among mids

1/19/2012: Midshipmen who completed the Naval Academy's inaugural course on the basis of cyber security indicated that 95 percent were more aware of the threats facing them online as a result of the class according to a survey released Jan. 4. The Naval Academy is the only institution in the country that requires mandatory comprehensive cyber awareness training for all students. Full story

USNA hosted robotics tournament

1/22/2012: High school students throughout Maryland participated in a statewide robotics qualifying tournament at the U.S. Naval Academy Jan. 14, where they displayed their prototypes and battled for the chance to compete in the state championship. Full story

Naval Academy's 'South Pacific' is a secret

1/27/2012: Next month, Naval Academy midshipmen will perform possibly the most nautical musical ever to hit Broadway - but you wouldn't know it by reading the school's announcement of tickets for the winter musical. It's South Pacific, but "licensing restrictions prohibit releasing the name of the production in this announcement." Full story

USNA dean of admissions receives MLK award

1/28/2012: Naval Academy Dean of Admissions Stephen B. Latta received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drum Major Award at the 24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Awards dinner Jan. 13. The Drum Major Award is presented to individuals and organizations who have demonstrated, through their words and actions, a commitment to the dream of Dr. King. The award is given annually to recipients locally and nationwide. Full story

Military drops 'birth control glasses' for fresher pair

1/28/2012: On a military procurement manifesto, they're S9s; but to a new soldier who's just received a new pair, they're BCGs, or Birth Control Glasses. The spectacles' thick frame and large lenses are said to make the wearer so unattractive that chances of connecting with a member of the opposite sex become vanishingly small. Now, however, the military is offering a new design - a nod to the fact that the standard-issue specs are so ugly, many troops end up stuffing them in the back of their trunk as soon as they leave training. Full story