Sing Second Alumni

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We just announced a $15 million contribution from Micahel Taylor '86. Taylor’s gift will establish an endowment for academic excellence at USNA, ensuring long-term investment in current and future educational programs. Additionally, the contribution will provide essential support for AA&F daily operations at the Fluegel Alumni Center, ensuring its continued role as a home for alumni engagement for generations to come. Chris and John talk to Michael about his "why" for giving back, how life in Singapore is going and his early start in aviation. Chris and John also talk about a great weekend supporting Class of 2025 parents at Commissioning 101. We chat about a disappointing 1-2 weekend vs Army in Star matchups. And we remind eveyone about how dangerous these jobs are in the Navy as we break down the recent mishaps in San Diego with a Growler crash and the USS Harry S. Truman collision at sea. Give a listen. Beat Army...always.

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We got a ship visit last week from USS Marinette (LCS 25). She tied up pierside at USNA, and the AA&F staff got an amazing tour. Mission packages...life as a SWO...gundecking battle lantern PMS spotchecks...the whole Swotivating experience. Marinette CO CDR Janet Broome joined the pod to talk about life in command. ANd we have a great discussion with Class of 05 alum and Annapolis resident Chris Yenias. Chris was a helicopter pilot in the Navy. He was a Foundation Student. Cal Ripken fan. Helicopter pilot. And now he has an amazing podcast - the Know Your Neighbor podcast. Check out our interview and our chat with him.Chris and John also talk about DEI, the Board of Visitors, Commissioning 101 and the hope for three Stars vs Army this weekend. Give a listen. Beat Army...always.

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We highlight another amazing volunteer leader this week…AND we get a crack at a recent alum – 2021 grad Zac Swindell. Zac is an Aviator in the TACEMO community and lives in Oklahoma City. And he’s running our Ok City Chapter!!! We chat up Zac about his experiences in the cockpit, living in Oklahoma and why he gives back as a recent alum. Chris and John also talk about the USS Marinette visit to Annapolis, the social media guidance from DoD and the Navy that is affecting the Academy and ALL military commands. And finally, we talk about the life of Brian Ellis ’93. Brian was a member of the Football Brotherhood and retired Marine Aviator. He was working at Deloitte in DC and returning home on a business trip to DC when he was killed in the tragic collision with a Blackhawk helicopter near Reagan Airport. We celebrate and remember a life well lived. Beat Army...always.

We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We go full hockey Spittin Chicklets this week with a great interview with the firsties from the USNA Club Hockey Team. We talk to the boys about their favorite NHL hockey teams, where Mids go out in DTA nowadays and the benefits of the physical mission. Most importantly, Sean, Pete and Porter talk about how central alumni support has been to their success and the success of the team. Bonus - Sean is an A&SP Foundation student, so we chat with him about his Prep School experience and how A&SP helped prepare him for a career beyond Annapolis. Chris and John also talk about Forrestal Lectures, ship visits to USNA and saying goodbye to Pete Medhurst. And next week is Ship Selection on the yard. We do a little preview. Give a listen. Beat Army...always.

Sing Second Podcast featuring new Distinguished Graduate, JoAnna Sohovich '93. Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We have an amazing in-depth interview with new DG, JoAnna Sohovich '93. JoAnna is the quintessential example of success from the "Fleet to the C-Suite." Chris and John chat with JoAnna about her memories as a mid, her life in the Fleet and the leadership lessons she still lives by today as she successfully navigates her way to corporate success. Note - Don't be a afraid of feedback...and praise in Public, criticize in private. Those nuggets and much more wisdom and perspective from an alum who has always found ways to give back. Chris and John also remember Pete Medhurst, the legendary voice of Navy Sports, who tragically lost his battle with brain cancer earlier this week. We miss you, Pete. We also chat about online availability of Shipmate Magazine and some potential additions to our podcast empire. Beat Army...always.

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We have quite the episode this week. SecNav spent his final weeks in office naming ships and Making farewell addresses. Chris and John discuss the '83 alum's legacy and contributions to his alma mater in 3.5 years in the SecNav seat. One ship naming was naming the new class of Landing Ship Medium (LMS) after Megan McClung '95. Megan was a Marine Corps PAO who became the first female USNA alum to die in battle in 2006. Chris and John talk to Megan's mother, Re, and her brother, Michael, about Megan's legacy and this very special honor. And we wrap up the Week of Gratitude by chatting with Travis Galaska from the Foundation. We like to introduce the listeners to the hard working team at AA&F, and Travis is a pure teammate. He chats about Week of Gratitude and the Foundation's efforts to connect and support our alumni. We also chat about online availability of Shipmate Magazine and some potential additions to our podcast empire. Beat Army...always.

Sing Second Podcast featuring Jim Schwab '88 and Chris Bushnell '88. Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We're back from our holiday hiatus with a discussion about the passing of Jimmy Carter '47. We talk about his legacy and how the only U.S. President (so far) to attend the Naval Academy will be remembered. Chris and John also talk about the football team's big win over Oklahoma over the winter break. Is the future bright for Navy Football? We discuss. Our feature interviews ironically feature two '88 alums. It wasn't planned, but we chat with Jim Schwab about his role as a Trustee for the Alumni Association and Athletic & Scholarship programs, as well as his perspective as a class president. And next week is the annual Surface Navy Association (SNA) Symposium. So we chat with the SNA Executive Director, Chris Bushnell '88, about what news will be made with all those SWO pins in one room. Beat Army...always.

Special preview Navy vs Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl game. This pod is hosted by Bill Waggoner, Keenan Reynolds and Eric Ketani, is produced by Chris Servello and includes analsis from Mike James.

Go Navy--Beat the Sooners!

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). We blinked our eyes...and it's almost 2025! We finish off the half-year finale strong with an amazing interview with Sharon Disher '80 about the recent Distinguished Grads...our first female SEAL selectee...and the amazing work she does for needy families in Annapolis during the holidays. John caught up with Sharon and her family at the Stanton Center In Annapolis as she was preparing gifts for families for the holidays. And we keep the tradition going...talking to USNA Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk about the fall sports season and the AMAZING win over Army Saturday - 31-13. ANd Chris and John preview next year and give thanks for a great 2024. Beat Army...always.

Welcome to another great episode of the Sing Second podcast. We bring you the stories and happenings at the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AA&F). The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Award Selection Panel, chaired by Admiral Harry Harris '78, USN (Ret.), selected the following alumni as 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award recipients: Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert ’75, USN (Ret.); Vice Admiral Anthony W. Winns ’78, USN (Ret.); Captain Sunita L. Williams ‘87, USN (Ret.); and JoAnna L. Sohovich ’93. We look forward to honoring these exceptional alumni during the medal ceremony on Friday, 21 March 2025, at the Naval Academy. But before that, we bring you a special introduction to ADM Greenert and VADM Winns in exclusive interviews. Look for JoAnna Sohovich in next week's pod...and we'll let Suni Williams get down from space before we bother her with a pod interview request. Chris and John break down the awardees and also chat about this coming Saturday's Army-Navy Game! Beat Army...always.