Shipmates, we are excited to announce that the Colorado USNAAA has started an Alumni of the Quarter (AOTQ) program. The objective of this program is to recognize the contributions and achievements of members who exemplify the mission statement of both the United States Naval Academy and Colorado Chapter of the Alumni Association. We intend to eventually publish a submission portal on the association’s web page, but until then, all nominations may be sent to Matthew Duffey at DuffeyMatthew@gmail.com.  We encourage our members to nominate those who you feel have embodied the missions of the Academy and our Alumni Association. We will be announcing the AOTQ after our quarterly board meeting and we look forward to recognizing the selfless work of our members.

During these challenging times, we understand that networks are as important as ever.  With that in mind, the chapter has decided to move forward with a professional network based on the LinkedIn platform. The mission of this organization will be to Create a professional networking space that focuses on education, professional development, and availing members of our organization of both the talent and opportunity in the area. This networking will provide members the ability to post opportunities, post resumes, understand upcoming SACC opportunities, and participate in quarterly professional development sessions. We encourage all to join – if for no other reason than to support those transitioning during these challenging times.  The link to join is: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12500451/

All Hands,

A classmate stumbled across the 1956 USNA recruiting film here while wandering through the web. 

We have alumni here in Colorado who were at the Academy when this film was shot, so they might just see themselves. 

Lot's of change, lots of not so much. 

Guy '69

All Hands,

I received the attached letter from the presidents of the five US Service Academies.

Service Academy Alumni Assns' Letter.docx

Stay Safe and Beat Army,

Guy '69

The USS Colorado Submarine Association has recently been formed to support the crew of Colorado’s namesake submarine throughout its lifetime. Their main purposes are to 

• Support the morale, well-being and recreation of the crew and their families.
• Encourage, advocate, and generate statewide support for the crew and to educate the citizens of Colorado about their namesake submarine.
• Educate the crew about the beauty of Colorado and the heritage of previous USS Colorado’s.
• Raise funds to support these objectives.

Some of the projects they have recently conducted:

• Hosted visit to Colorado by four crew members in May.
• Funded pizza and bowling party for sailors’ families while the boat was deployed.
• Bought gifts for the crew to help them celebrate half-way night on their deployments.
• Donate dolphin pins to newly qualified sailors.
• Visited Groton to meet with the crew and attended a ship’s picnic.
• Help put on dinners and parties for the crew and families when we visit the boat.

They are looking for members to help join in this effort to show Colorado’s support. Membership dues in the association are $100 per year for an individual and $150 per year with a family member. Members will be able to participate in future crew related events.

For more information and to enroll as a member please visit them at usscoloradosubassoc.org. Feel free to contact them at usscoloradosubassoc@gmail.com.

All Hands,

Sports Illustrated just published their list of the ten greatest rivalries in college football.  Army - Navy is #4 with the following observation:

"If you need an explanation as to why this makes the list, then you've never been—and you should go."

You can read the very short article here.

Beat Army,

Guy '69

All Hands,

About three quarters of the Class of '19 joined the AMP.  This is a program created to connect alums who have knowledge and/ore experience with those seeking it.  It's not about greyheads pronouncing sage advice to rapt newbies, but rather about men and women with experience providing insight as a resource.  It's also about younger alums with current, real world knowledge providing insight to what's happenin' now in the Fleet and the Corps. 

You can find out about AMP here.

Guy '69

The attached kit, which I received through my class admin, is something that everyone will likely find useful at some point. 

Guy '69

VASurvivorsKit.pdf 

Indiana University's School of Education ranks USNA as the #1 of the top 5 most prestigious military school in the world.  Please see the posting at the following link: https://blogs.iu.edu/education/2018/04/12/the-5-most-prestigious-military-schools-in-the-world/

DefenseNews published an article on October 8th highlighting potentially serious issues with the United States’ sealift capacity.  The article goes into the age and minimal size of the existing sealift fleet.  The author emphasizes the importance of being able to move the Army’s equipment to Europe in the event of a conflict there.  

What the article doesn’t touch on is Russia’s submarine capability and the threat that poses to an already inadequate sealift capability.  In WWII, we lost hundreds of ships, but we had thousands and the loss of no one ship was devastating. With fewer than 100 sealift ships, the loss of a single ship could spell disaster.