Naval Academy first to implement mandatory cyber curriculum

11/2/2011: Halfway through fall semester, the Naval Academy's new cyber security curriculum is well underway, giving first-year midshipmen a comprehensive overview of networks, hardware and software systems, and cyber defense. With the new curriculum, every plebe is required to take Cyber I to increase their awareness of cyber security issues. During their junior year, they will take Cyber II, which emphasizes network defense with a deeper look at technical topics. In addition, the importance of cyber security is emphasized in economics, political science and leadership classes throughout the academy. The goal is to ensure future military leaders possess the necessary tools to operate efficiently in a cyber environment, and the Naval Academy is the first college to require an immersive curriculum as a mandatory part of the education. Full story

Midshipmen teach STEM topics to local scouts

11/3/2011: Members of the Naval Academy Eagle Scout Association helped Maryland scouts, ages 11-17, earn merit badges at a one-day science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) event at Aberdeen Proving Ground Oct. 15. The event focused on STEM topics such as explosive ordnance disposal, detection dog demonstrations and lessons on space exploration, aviation, computer programming and robotics. The midshipmen were in charge of teaching the scouts as well as the logistics of moving them from place to place. Full story

Mids support community at youth soccer tournament

11/5/2011: Midshipmen from the Naval Academy Latin American Studies Club supported a soccer tournament for youth at risk for gang involvement Oct. 15 at the U.S. Naval Academy. During the tournament, the midshipmen served in support roles such as game referees, score keepers and medical assistants. Full story

USNA faculty attends inaugural cyber security conference

11/7/2011: A faculty member from the U.S. Naval Academy's Center for Cyber Security Studies attended the inaugural Maryland Cyber Challenge and Conference (MDC2) last month. The conference is designed to bring together students and cyber security professionals to develop the skills needed to protect information systems. Full story

Seniors perfect balancing act for academy

11/8/2011: A closer look at this year's senior class explains why the Naval Academy football program recruits in large numbers. Navy honored 33 seniors during ceremonies prior to Saturday's final home game against Troy. That is actually a fairly large class by comparison to past years. Navy opened the 2010 campaign with 23 seniors while the 2009 team had 31 seniors. Full story

Prestigious USNA Men's Glee Club to perform at War Memorial

11/9/2011: The Grosse Point War Memorial in Michigan has usually had patriotic music as part of its annual Veterans Day breakfast, but his year, the music will be particularly special. That's because the acclaimed U.S. Naval Academy Men's Glee Club will be performing after the Nov. 11 breakfast for veterans and other members of the community. Full story

Arabian Nights at USNA's Masqueraders mesmerizing

11/12/2011: The United States Naval Academy Masqueraders' production of Arabian Nights was a night of mesmerizing tales and astounding wonders. Stories told within stories about stories of stories, the show was a vast wealth of funny and engaging tales of life in the distant past of the middle east. Full story

Navy wins intercollegiate sailing championship

11/14/2011: Eight midshipmen from the Naval Academy's varsity offshore sailing team won the prestigious John F. Kennedy Cup Regatta, a national sailing championship that took place in Annapolis Nov. 4-6. The Kennedy Cup is a three day, 10-race series regatta against the best intercollegiate big boat squads in the nation. Full story

USNA ethics team to compete in regional Ethics Bowl

11/15/2011: The Naval Academy Ethics Team will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Ethics Bowl Nov. 19 at the University of Baltimore. Ethics Bowl case studies will cover topics such as voting rights, protecting endangered species at the cost of indigenous societies, ethical hiring practices, home schooling and drug trafficking, among others. Full story

Head of NASA encourages students to study sciences

11/17/2011: NASA administrator and retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Charles Bolden, Jr. delivered the Naval Academy's Forrestal Lecture Nov. 8 to the Brigade of Midshipmen and visiting university students. Bolden addressed the students on the importance of developing a vision and passion for serving others in order to make the world better. He also stressed science and technology education as vital to the success of the country and reiterated NASA's commitment to inspiring students to study STEM disciplines and pursue STEM-related careers. Full story

Pentagon audit says USNA wasted $3.5 million commercials

11/18/2011: The U.S. Naval Academy wasted $3.5 million by improperly contracting for the production of a short film and six commercials, according to an audit by the Defense Department's inspector general's office release Nov. 10. The military collage also wrongly accepted more than $184,000 in gifts such as wine and fancy crystal from an alumnus between 2005 and 2007, as well as $348,208 in corporate sponsorship funds, the audit found. The audit says the academy may have circumvented Congress by using non-appropriated funds for the film and commercial contract, and that it needed a better system for making sure the monetary gifts didn't come from prohibited sources such as entities doing business with the Navy. Full story

Naval Academy celebrates 236th Marine Corps birthday

11/20/2011: Naval Academy faculty, staff and midshipmen celebrated the 236th birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps Nov. 10 with a ball in Dalgren Hall. This annual celebration is intended to honor the traditions of the Marine Corps heritage and recognize its rich history. The first formal Marine Corps birthday ball took place in 1925 and has since become a tradition. Full story

Ex-mid ready for tour of duty

11/22/2011: Six tournaments into this year's Nationwide Tour, Billy Hurley III had five missed cuts and a 44th-place finish to show for it. Hurley had graduated from the Naval Academy in 2004, the same year he won the Byron Nelson Award as the nation's best college player. But while Camilo Villegas, Bill Haas and J.B. Holmes - 2004 NCAA All-Americans along with Hurley - moved on to the PGA Tour, Hurley began serving his five-year service commitment. In the ensuing five years, Hurley's golf game took a back seat to his new job. In 2007, Hurley had petitioned to allow him to switch from active duty to reserve status for his final two years of service, allowing for more golf. Though his request was denied, the former Navy lieutenant still managed to earn the coveted PGA Tour card, the first person from any service academy to do so. Full story

Naval Academy uses Legos to teach science

11/23/2011: The Naval Academy Midshipman Action Group (MAG) recently started a new outreach program using Legos to encourage and foster children's interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Full story

Thanksgiving

11/24/2011: This year, as you give thanks for all your blessings, remember those not home with family, those in dangerous places, those who help and comfort, and the families that watch and pray. Thanksgiving, we have much to be thankful for. Watch video

USNA's senior enlisted honored for inspiring students

11/25/2011: Command Master Chief Jon R. Taylor, the senior enlisted advisor at the U.S. Naval Academy, was recently inducted into his high school's alumni honor roll for inspiring students to believe in the power of education with his personal story of a successful career. Full story

Navy proves cheating on submarine nuclear exams

11/27/2011: The Navy's inspector general for the Atlantic submarine force is investigating claims that pervasive cheating has tainted exams administered to enlisted sailors and officers as part of their nuclear training. The investigation could lead to changes for the submarine force. Full story

Academy midshipmen visit Naval Submarine Base

11/28/2011: Twenty midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy visited the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut before their Thanksgiving holiday to try out the submarine trainers. The damage control trainer is a replica of a submarine engine room with pre-designed leaks and other material failures the instructional staff can program. Full story

Naval Academy community to aid 1,000 kids

11/29/2011: For the 21st consecutive year, the U.S. Naval Academy's annual Giving Tree program will kick off with a private lighting ceremony today at 12:50 p.m. in Bancroft Hall. The Naval Academy's Giving Tree collection will run through Dec. 12. Each year midshipmen from the academy's 6th Company decorate a holiday tree with hundreds of paper angel ornaments provided by the Salvation Army. Full story

USNA Alumni buses to Army-Navy game filled

11/30/2011: There are no seats available for the roundtrip bus ride from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to the parking Lot B at FedEx Field this Saturday. Check-in time is 10:15 a.m. (EST) with a departure of 10:30 a.m. Buses will depart from FedEx Field 45 minutes after the playing of Blue & Gold.

Army march-on will be 11:24 a.m. with Navy following at 12:04 p.m. (times are approximate). Reservations are still being accepted for the USNA Alumni tailgate by calling Wendy Owen at 410-295-4018.