Renew WISNAPA membership

8/4/2009: WISNAPA membership forms were mailed in May. If you have not renewed your membership and wish to join, click here. Membership includes numerous activities during the year including lunches with interesting guest speakers; care packages sent to Midshipmen and deployed graduates; gifts for graduating Midshipmen; participation in Yardtales  with information about current Midshipmen, graduates and other interesting feature articles; a web site that is updated daily and provides a wealth of USNA information; handbooks for incoming Plebes and Plebe parents; and mass E-mailings to keep members informed about changes and policies at the Naval Academy and updates about WISNAPA families.

Most importantly, WISNAPA offers support and camaraderie to families through friendship and activities throughout the year. An annual membership is only $40 for families with current Midshipmen and $20 for families of graduates, sponsors, Foundation or NAPS as well as split households.

Midshipmen wrap up summer cruise aboard USS Normandy

8/5/2009: Thirteen first and third class Midshipmen from the Naval Academy concluded their summer tour aboard the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) July 17. They spent their tour observing and participating in a number of shipboard activities, including bridge watch standing, navigation, gunnery exercises and even some painting. Full story

Baltimore, Annapolis Sailors train Plebes for damage control

8/6/2009: In addition to the initial training Plebes receive on the Yard, the NOSC Baltimore staff and Sailors from the Naval Academy train the Plebes in damage investigation, pipe patching, shoring, structural damage repair and teach the importance of these skills in a shipboard damage control environment. Full story 

US Navy sails into Newburgh and Beacon harbors

8/14/2009: Three US Navy ships sailed into Newburgh harbor (New York) last week, but they were not the kind one would usually think of. They were small sailing sloops, part of the US Naval Academy's Offshore Sail Training Squadron and third class midshipmen use them for summer training programs. Full story 

Historic building profile: Dahlgren Hall

8/16/2009: Constructed in 1903, Dahlgren Hall is named after John A. B. Dalhgren, known as the "Father of Naval Ordnance." Dahlgren was appointed a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy in 1826. His most famous contribution to naval history was the invention of the Dalhgren gun, a cast-iron, smoothbore shell gun designed to increase the safety and range of artillery fire aboard ships. Full story

Yard Patrol

8/18/2009: The Plebes of the Class of 2013 started to test their sea legs as they embarked on the Yard Patrol (YP) cruises during Plebe Summer. The Plebes set off on a three-hour cruise from the Academy to the Navy Operational Support Center in Baltimore. Along the way, they received training on fire fighting, line handling, navigation and basic shipboard terms and knowledge. Full story

For Midshipmen it's a Navy-style summer vacation

8/19/2009: It's a ritual as dependable as the influx of jellyfish when the Chesapeake warms up: Every summer, more than a thousand midshipmen flock to Norfolk for a taste of life in the "real" Navy. Most are students at the Naval Academy; some are college students enrolled in the Navy's reserve officer training corps, or ROTC. Full story

Guest speaker discusses diversity

8/20/2009: Sociologist, motivational speaker, educator and author Dr. Samuel Betances addressed Naval Academy staff July 30 on the subject of diversity and embracing the difference of individuals in order to make the organization stronger. Betances' presentation was preceded by the July 1 induction of the Class of 2013, the most representative class in Academy history. During his talk, he focused on the Academy staff's interaction with the new Midshipmen. Full story 

Underwood sponsors Academy Midshipmen

8/23/2009: During the last four weeks Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy have been on board USS Underwood (FFG 36) as part of the Midshipmen summer training program. These Midshipmen have been afforded the opportunity to live onboard the Guided Missile Frigate and experience the daily routine of the ship's crew as it goes through their 2009 training cycle. Full story

Former faculty member returns as academic dean

8/24/2009: American poet and author, Margaret Elizabeth Sangster once said, "There is nothing half so pleasant as coming home again." That sentiment is reiterated by Dr. Andrew Phillips, a former computer science faculty member of the Naval Academy, who recently returned to the place where he started his academic career - this time as the Academic Dean and Provost. Full story

Naval Academy competes in World Robotic Sailing competition

8/25/2009: The Naval Academy recently competed in the World Robotic Sailing Championship (WRSC) held in Matosinhos, Portugal. The Academy team was the only team from North America and placed 4th out of eight teams. This is the first time the Academy has participated in the WRSC. Full story

Naval Academy professor awarded for excellence in teaching

8/26/2009: Dr. Sommer Gentry, a professor from the U.S. Naval Academy was awarded the Henry L. Adler award by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) for excellence in teaching recently. The annual award recognizes beginning college or university mathematics faculty members whose teaching has been extraordinarily successful and whose effectiveness in teaching undergraduate mathematics is shown to have influence beyond their own classrooms. Full story

Retired Marine officer appointed commandant of midshipmen

8/27/2009: William G. Fell, Jr., a 1978 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, has been named the 16th Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He holds the rank of captain, U.S. Maritime Service. The post of Commandant of Midshipmen is comparable to Dean of Students at a civilian college. Full story

Naval Academy chief selectees begin induction

8/28/2009: Six Annapolis area 1st Class Petty Officers have begun the six-week induction process to become Chief Petty Officers (CPO). They will undergo rigorous physical training, volunteer work in the community, team building exercises and other training sessions, many of which are closely guarded secrets. Full story 

Marine, Naval Academy graduate laid to rest

8/30/2009: A Marine aviator who was killed while deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom was laid to rest at the Naval Academy Aug. 26 following funeral services held at the Academy Chapel. Marine Capt. Matthew C. Freeman, Naval Academy Class of 2002, was killed Aug. 7 while conducting operations with 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army, in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star with combat "V" posthumously for his actions. Full story