News, Events & More

Navy vs UConn Tailgate Info

Posted: 9/9/2016

From OIC Tailgaters, Matt Cissel:

GO NAVY Football!!!

I’m predicting a beautiful day for NAVY FOOTBALL this Saturday (a little warmer than last week and not a 3 day weekend).

I hope that you can take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the weather and be on hand to watch NAVY take on UCONN. Always a great opportunity to meet the midshipman of 1^st Company, renew acquaintances, make new friends and cheer on the Blue & Gold. Along with the food (Chicken Fajitas), there will with ice cold drinks (water, sodas and beer)

If you can bring an appetizer, side dish or desert, it’s always appreciated.

Cost is still $5 per person (this money goes to reimbursing 1st Company Wardroom Mess)

Kick-off is at 3:30, so we plan on being set up and ready to go by around 2:00

Remember, we are located on the Navy side, South end (along Taylor Ave, Spot 43). Closer for those of you who want to watch the March On.

Looking forward to seeing everyone,

Go Navy, Beat UCONN!!!

Again, please forward this email to anyone I might have missed and cc me on it, so I can add them to the list. If you’re on the list and need to update, delete, or whatever send me an email.

R/Matt

Matt Cissel
Engility
NAVSEA/NCR Division Director
O: (202) 406-1311
C: (703) 254-3151
matt.cissel@engilitycorp.com

Navy vs Fordham Tailgate Info

Posted: 8/30/2016

From OIC Tailgaters, Matt Cissel:

Welcome back my friends…to another exciting year of Navy Football!!!

GO NAVY…I’m predicting a beautiful day for NAVY FOOTBALL this Saturday. I hope that you can take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy the weather and be on hand to watch NAVY take on Fordham.

Always a great opportunity to meet the midshipman of 1^st Company, renew acquaintances, make new friends and cheer on the Blue & Gold. Along with the food (hamburgers and Brauts), there will with ice cold drinks (water, sodas and beer). If you can bring an appetizer, side dish or desert, it’s always appreciated.

Cost is still $5 per person (this money goes to reimbursing 1st Company Wardroom Mess)

Kick-off is at 1200, so we plan on being set up and ready to go by around 10:00

Remember, we are located on the Navy side, South end (along Taylor Ave, Spot 43). Closer for those of you who want to watch the March On.

Looking forward to seeing everyone,

Go Navy, Shave the RAM!!!

Matt Cissel

O: (202) 406-1311
C: (703) 254-3151
matt.cissel@engilitycorp.com

Shipmate – July/August 2016 Issue

Posted: 8/21/2016

Good Morning, ’82!

I hope you’re enjoying your summer: sandy beach instead of Red Beach, a cruise that does not include the midwatch, or perhaps a break from the daily routine that does not include reveille and taps. Although as wonderful as this summer may be, I’m sure you all look back with the fond memories brought by the passage of time for our summer on the banks of the Severn, oh so many years ago (38, but who’s counting?). Bounce, ’82!

With pleasure I report the 2016 recipients of the USS Lassen (DDG 82) Class of 1982 Leadership Award, which recognizes a CPO (as voted by the wardroom) and a JO (as voted by the CPO mess) for their outstanding leadership. This continuing project of our class awards a $1000 check and a naval sword/chief’s cutlass to each recipient.

FCCM(SW) James E. Epps, 2016 recipient of USS Lassen (DDG 82) Class of 1982 Leadership Award.

◙ FCCM(SW) JAMES E. EPPS, COMBAT SYSTEM MAINTENANCE MANAGER, USS LASSEN (DDG 82) – A native of Fort Worth, TX FCCM James Epps joined the Navy in November 1993 attending Basic Training in Great Lakes, Illinois. After completion of Basic Training he attended AMH “A” School in June of 1994 in Millington, TN before reporting to Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FIVE (VQ 5). Returning to Active Duty in June 2000 he attended FC “A” school in Great Lakes and FCS/ORTS “C” school in Dahlgren, VA prior to reporting to USS PREBLE (DDG 88). At sea, FCCM Epps served as a ES-3A and S-3A AMH maintenance technician in FAIRECONRON Five (VQ 5) deploying in USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), Workcenter Supervisor and Leading Petty Officer in USS PREBLE (DDG 89), Leading Chief Petty Officer for CF Division and Combat Systems Departmental Leading Chief Petty Officer in USS SHILOH (CG 67), and Combat Systems Maintenance Manager in USS LASSEN (DDG82). He has completed three Western Pacific/Arabian Gulf deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom, and two Forward Deployed Naval Forces tours in Yokosuka, Japan. Ashore, FCCM Epps served at Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 59 (VR59) in JRB Fort Worth, TX as an Active Duty reservist. At AEGIS Training and Readiness Center in Dahlgren, VA, he was an instructor for AEGIS Weapon System Supervisor and Combat System Maintenance Manager courses of instruction as well as N7 Departmental Leading Chief Petty Officer. FCCM Epps’ additional education includes a Bachelors of Business Administration from Ashford University. He also completed his Master Training Specialist at ATRC Dahlgren. His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy Achievement Medal (4) and various unit and campaign awards.

LTJG Adam C. Johnson, SC, USN, ’13, 2016 recipient of USS Lassen (DDG 82) Class of 1982 Leadership Award.

◙ LTJG Adam C. Johnson, SC, USN, ’13, FOOD SERVICE OFFICER & DISBURSING OFFICER, USS LASSEN (DDG 82) – LTJG Johnson was born and raised in Sandy Springs, Georgia. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelors of Science degree in General Science. He is an avid basketball fan and player who enjoys traveling, eating, exploring new music and new experiences. After graduation in 2013, LTJG Johnson began a brief TAD assignment in the Disbursing Office at USNA while awaiting assignment to the Basic Qualification Course for Supply Officers in Newport, RI. LTJG Johnson was stationed at USNA from June 2013 – December 2013. LTJG Johnson began at the BQC in January 2014. He completed the course in June 2014. LTJG Johnson attended Helicopter Control Officer School in June 2014 before reporting to USS LASSEN in early July. He served as the Disbursing / Sales Officer onboard USS Lassen (DDG 82) from August 2014 – April 2016. He currently serves as the Food Service Officer. She was home ported in Yokosuka, Japan from 2005 until 2015. Her new homeport is Mayport, Florida.

Mark LoPresto (20) reports:

VCNO ADM Michelle Howard with fellow classmates (l to r): Dave Balk (20), Tim Galpin (1), Michelle, Paul Healy (11), Pat Madden (15) and Mark LoPresto (20). Other ’82 classmates who work at APL but could not make it to the photo include Bob Evans (35), Joe Welter (20) and Bill Druce (20).

◙ “VCNO, ADM Michelle Howard (23) recently visited the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory where she addressed the staff about her priorities as VCNO, including some entertaining insights into the character and motivations of the young men and women who defend our Nation. APL is a non-profit DoD research and development laboratory with a long history of support to the Navy, and many alumni have found a home there. Prior to her talk, Michelle took a few minutes to pose with just some of her classmates who work at APL.”

Jan Myers, Winemaker

◙ A couple of years back your humble scribe made it onto the email list for Jan Myers (29). For all you oenophiles, you should be, too. You see, after his naval aviator career, Jan became a winemaker in Northern California, creating his own label “My Well Wines”. His new wine release is a “2013 Pinot from Sonoma and Napa Carneros appellations and is elegant with a lingering blackberry and plum finish.” Ready for a taste? Learn more and join his list at www.MyWellWines.com

Jane Teadway Conley (7), Goat One, reported on the recent gathering of the Women of ’82:

Fun at Granlibakken: (top row): Jane Conley, Terri Riggs, Kathy Bustle, Ron Parson. (bottom row) Sandy Sadler, Carrie Perry, Anita Flynn.

◙ “Sandy Martin Sadler (6), Carrie Coulter Perry (23), Terri Riggs (1), Kathy Bustle (29), Anita Flynn (7) and I met at Ron Parson’s (21) beautiful Granlibakken Lodge, Tahoe City, CA, during the last weekend of April 2016. There was lots of great discussion, technical drawings on how to beat the obstacles on the Zip line course, and even though we feel as young as we were 34 years ago, we developed a list of regulations for growing older: no complaining and no organ recitals!”

Sunrise Hike at Lake Tahoe, courtesy of Ron Parson. Carrie Perry, Terri Riggs, Sandy Sadler, Jane Conley and Anita Flynn.

Bruce Bushong (17) sent in this update:

Newly commissioned ENS Ben Bushong flanked by his family.

◙ “I attended my son Ben’s Commissioning and Graduation at NC State University in May. Ensign Ben Bushong has orders to flight school in Pensacola this summer. Also of note, the commencement speaker was none other than ADM Michelle Howard (23), who delivered a stirring speech to the graduates, highlighted by the following revelation: “There are two important days of your life. The day you are born, and the day you realize how you were born.” Way to go, Howie! Go ’82 and Fly Navy!”

Tom Clemons (11) posted on Facebook the following link to a newspaper account of our graduation ceremonies: http://goo.gl/w2zwuf Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger was the principle speaker, and said that he United States cannot expect the Soviet Union to limit nuclear arms until the Kremlin is convinced America is equal in military capability. (Ed. Note: Those who who fail to learn from history…) Did you know that ours was the largest USNA graduating class ever, to that point? This article helps you remember more than the humidity and the hat toss. Give it a read.

As we approach our 35^th Reunion in 2017, we are looking for “missing” classmates. 21^st Co. is searching for Roger Conley, Rudy Heller, Ron Snyder and Tim White. 36^th Co. is seeking Ron Jackson and Mark Sims. If you guys read this, please log on to usna.com to update your records, or send your contact information in to membership@usna.com, as USNAAA does not have a valid email address for you. We want all classmates to receive the Reunion Gouge when it starts to flow. In fact, if you haven’t logged in for some time, please do so to ensure that the Alumni Association has your latest info.

Fight Her ‘Til She Sinks, And Don’t Give Up The Ship!

I leave you with a photo I took last September in Bancroft Hall, the center of our living for four years in Crabtown by the Bay. Always in the background, both physically and spiritually, was “Don’t Give Up The Ship.” But what permeated our training and experience was the first part of that famous saying by Capt. Lawrence: “Fight her ‘til she sinks…” Dig in. Persevere. Be strong. Don’t give up the ship, ’82.

Looking good, ’82! – Razz

The Last Ring Home

Minter Dial has just completed a book and documentary film, The Last Ring Home, about his grandfather, Lt Minter Dial, USNA 1932, after whom he was named. It has been 25 years in the making! He will be launching the film and book in November. The film will be aired on PBS-WHYY on Nov 11 and in ANZ on the History Channel. Here is the trailer: http://youtu.be/o4o1DPHrfF8

Minter Dial would like to have a social with our class to discuss linking his grandfather’s class with our class, early evening 9 November 2016, near USNA. Please let Jane, jtcnaples@yahoo.com if you will attend and number in your party NLT 15 October 2016. Will have details by Homecoming, 22 October.

Shipmate Nov/Dec 2015 – CNO Change of Command

Posted: 10/7/2015

Good Morning, ’82!

Our new Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, USNA Class of 1982

Friday, September 18, 2015 was a day in which ’82 was looking very good. Mighty good indeed, as our very own Adm. John Richardson (26) became the Navy’s most senior naval officer as he was sworn in as the 31^st Chief of Naval Operations, relieving Adm. Jonathan Greenert ’75, and joining the ranks of Leahy, King, Nimitz and Burke.

Two hundred classmates and spouses filled our section of Alumni Hall to support John and his family, and we cheered loudly when (mostly) appropriate, showing the same class spirit born in the summer of ’78 and honed during our four years at the Boat School.

The crowd of 1200 in Alumni Hall included the Joint Chiefs Chairman, former CNOs, numerous foreign ambassadors and admirals. The speakers included Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Secretary Carter said he had to wrestle John away from the Energy Secretary, and described John as “the clear choice.” “Exceptional. Strong. Buoyant.” “A bold and innovative thinker.” “A tremendous leader.” “The Navy’s “go to” officer on many topics.” “The best troubleshooter on issues of integrity and ethics.” “Leading the Navy on advanced capabilities efforts.” Secretary Mabus said that he had given John some of the hardest jobs in the Navy, including the investigation into the Washington Navy Yard shooting, but that no matter how hard the task, John was “always up to it with calm professionalism. I couldn’t find a task to discourage, let alone defeat, John Richardson. I’m confident that John is ready for whatever awaits him and our country.”

A portion of the ’82 section in Alumni Hall.

Not too many open seats in the “end zone” of Alumni Hall for the CNO change of command.

“I relieve you, sir.” Outgoing CNO ADM Jonathan Greenert with his relief, ADM John Richardson.

ADM Greenert gave his farewell address, thanking those who served with him during his forty years of service, as well as his family and friends. “Challenges remain, but we have the right team. ADM Richardson has all that it takes, but he also has what it takes, and that is Dana [his wife] and they are ready to meet those challenges.”

John and the outgoing CNO exchanged salutes with the traditional “You had it, I got it.”

Then John took to the podium and thanked the “Great Class of 1982”, which elicited a spirited, boisterous response from a fine group of youthful fifty-somethings. He acknowledged that in family matters, quantity is quality (his wife, five kids and six siblings, as well as other family members, were in attendance), then gave three reasons why he thought most in the audience were present at the ceremony:

To pay tribute to ADM Greenert, whom John had followed into various billets throughout their careers, culminating at the highest level of naval service;
To honor the meaning of the ceremony, to witness the formal passing of authority, accountability and responsibility; and
To recognize that America, since inception, is a maritime nation who relies on oceans for our prosperity. “It’s in our DNA.” But that “deep in our gut, we sense a shift in the world. We sense that once again it will be vitally important to protect our interests on the seas.” He asserted that global information systems “connect us as fluidly as the world seas” and are also vital to our interests, but at the speed of light.

John spoke of the logistics of this event, and asked that none of us change our email address in the next four years so that we don’t miss the invitation to his next change of command.

ADM John Richardson giving his first address as the 31st CNO.

Then John spoke of his confidence. “These are challenging times, for sure.” But “as an American and as your CNO, I am very optimistic, because this is exactly the environment in which Americans thrive. Americans are uniquely creative and innovative. We find a way to succeed under any circumstances. We are at our best when the chips are down and the stakes are high, and they are very high, indeed, right now.”

John spoke of our being a part of a strong and growing network of allies, partners and friends, “We will not be on our own”, and that among our sister services, the Marine Corps is our closest relative.

Then John spoke of those he leads. “I’m very optimistic because there is no one more creative, nobody more resilient, nobody who learns faster, nobody who adapts quicker, who shows more initiative, and there is not better partner, and there is no more dangerous competitor than the United State Sailor. They are magnificent! Under any circumstances, in any situation, in any crisis, and certainly in any fight, they will find a way to win. It is a privilege to be part of and to serve and lead this magnificent team who will give everything we have, our last molecule of energy.”

In closing, John asked “just one favor. As you put your head down tonight before you go off to sleep, take a moment to say a quick prayer for our Nation, our Navy, and our Sailors at sear around the world. And say a prayer for the Greenerts as they move into the next phase of their life.” Amen.

We all sang “The Navy Blue and Gold” (stirring as always), then the dignitaries, past

CNO and John were piped ashore to conclude the ceremony, followed by the Naval Academy Band playing inspirational patriotic background music as the crowd dispersed.

Following the ceremony was a reception, during which a class photo was taken. Herding cats is tough to do; herding classmates is several orders of magnitude more difficult. Bravo Zulu to Andy Shelter (8) for gathering everyone together and for taking most of the photos used in this issue.

The Class of 1982 at the CNO Change of Command reception

Andy also gathered together many of the ’82 Flag Officers. From the left, they are: ADM Phil Davidson (6), RADM Ken Carodine (ret) (13), VADM Rick Breckenridge (1), RADM Kate Gregory (32), RADM Bob Greene (9), VADM Terry Benedict (1), ADM Michelle Howard (23), ADM John Richardson (26), RADM Dave Johnson (17), VADM Dave Dunaway (32), VADM Tommy Rowden (24), RADM Ken Perry (ret) (2), RADM Matt Klunder (ret) (5), and RADM Chris Paul (30).

Class of 1982 Flag Officers at the CNO Change of Command reception.

Following the Change of Command was a Formal P-rade, reviewed by Secretary of the Navy Mabus.

Beautiful view of the Chapel from Worden Field during the Formal P-rade.

We then gathered at the Alumni Association’s Ogle Hall outside the wall for a wonderful reception in the outside patio honoring John. Unfortunately, John was already on the job as CNO and could not attend.

The next day, Saturday, was the football game against East Carolina (45-21 Navy) and the tailgater. More about this in a future issue.

The weekend definitely had the feel of a mini-reunion, probably the largest gathering of classmates we’ve ever had since graduation outside of a reunion. Speaking of reunions, we are inside of two years to our 35^th. The planning is in the early stages with a small group of classmates who live in the Annapolis area. If you have any recommendations, please send them to me at Rett@Rasmussen.biz and I’ll pass them along to the committee. Most importantly, resolve to attend. As you know, you belong to an exceptional Class consisting of quality individuals. Resolve to spend three days with them every five years. Everyone benefits when we renew our bonds, and our Class grows stronger.

[Apologies to those who submitted input and expected to read it in this issue. I’ll get to you next issue. This one belongs to John and the Class as a whole.]

Time to turn the page on another year of Shipmate. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and BEAT ARMY. See you in the New Year, Classmates.