LCDR Christina Dalmau '98, USN, Naval Nuclear Power Training Command, and LT Sarah Rice '02, USN, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, have both been awarded the 2011 Joy Bright Hancock Award, recognizing inspirational Navy leadership. Congratulations!

It is still an issue as women aspire to higher ranks but are limited in how they can serve in combat regimes. DoD should eliminate the exclusion policies, says the Military Leadership Diversity Commission. 20 other recommendations have been made. Watch the Pentagon Channel's "Around the Services" story here (2nd story in this broadcast).

In the 156-year history of the U.S. Naval Academy, it's never graduated a position player who made the Major League. Jonathan Johnston, 26, is trying to change that. Former A's draft pick Johnston is at spring training, having finished his Navy commitment after three deployments.

The rumblings from alumni concerning the grease-free Herndon climb last year made their way successfully to the Administration Building—the climb of 2010 will not repeat itself in 2011. Regretfully, however, the unofficial Annapolis holiday known as the Blue Angels Commissioning Week show will not happen in 2012.

Michael Izbicki came to the Naval Academy as many his age did, a teenager wanting to serve his country during a time of war, convinced that his Christian beliefs could be reconciled with military culture. In practice, they could not. He was recently discharged from the Navy as a conscientious objector.

A bet is a bet. Superintendent Mike Miller wagered with San Diego State University president Stephen Weber prior to the Poinsettia Bowl that the defeated would wear the winning team's jersey for a day. It was time to pay up. Oh, the agony of defeat.

What happens when you combine historical elegance, modern amenities and great staff devoted to making your event a memorable one? You get an amazing event with all the personal touches that people will remember for years. Make your wedding, birthday, graduation party or company event the talk of the town. Bring your event home to Ogle Hall.

Eleven midshipmen have been separated from the Academy because of "spice," a synthetic form of marijuana still considered legal in Maryland. It is also a Big Navy problem. Download the Superintendent's statement concerning spice here.

No, just a group of 60 alumni and friends enjoying the warm Caribbean islands this past February. Come join one of our great alumni adventures to wonderful places around the world to enjoy the camaraderie and sea stories. We'll buy the grog.

The Academy has upgraded their training simulators to project more vivid and realistic images with seven projectors and 205- to 210-degree views projecting 9- to 12-feet high. The Academy expects up to 4,000 midshipmen to use the "USS STORM" and "USS DOYLE" this year.

This month represents the start of spring break at the Naval Academy. The Dark Ages have ended. We have seen increased activity at Ogle Hall, on the road and on the Yard. At Ogle Hall, we conducted several more ... (read more)

With spring comes graduation, no better time to shop for Naval Academy gifts from M.LaHart & Co., official partner of the Alumni Association. The USNA Collection includes sterling silver cufflinks, TAG Heuer watches, silk ties and more. Order by 10 April 2011 and save $10—use code USNAGRAD.