Next Commandant

SUBRON 20 Commander. He has the chops for this job, for sure.
 
No, but they usually are. There was another thread about this in the last few months. I think there was a Commandant was not a USNA grad.

Among other other officers on staff in all departments, there will be a wide variety of commissioning sources - ROTC, SMC, OCS, direct, etc.
 
Aren't most, if not all commandants of USNA alums? (Mattis was NROTC/MO)
 
Hashbrowns and eggs said:
What does this mean for any future mids? Will there be policy changes?
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Of course. Could be small, could be big. The pendulum swings with every change of leadership. More mandatory meals, fewer mandatory meals. More ability to earn weekends, less ability to earn weekends. And many more...

It is excellent training for the Fleet and Corps, where the rule of thumb is 30% turnover of leadership and crew every year. Adaptiveness, flexibility and ability to navigate change are key junior officer skills.

The one constant of military life: Change.
 
All Supes have been grads from the time that there were grads senior enough to hold the position. Obviously, in the early years of USNA (roughly 1845-1865), Supes were not grads. Not as sure about Dants, but don't think there have been any non-grads in recent memory.

Any time there is a change in Supe or Dant, there are some changes at USNA. The mids probably feel it more from the Dant (i.e., liberty, rules). Supes tend to set strategic priorities -- for example, VADM Rempt felt it important that all mids be strong sailors (i.e., sailing vessels) and, as a result, during his tenure, training and academics were tweaked to emphasize this. Cyber has been big for the last two Supes, resulting in mandatory cyber courses and a cyber major.
 
usna1985 said:
All Supes have been grads from the time that there were grads senior enough to hold the position. Obviously, in the early years of USNA (roughly 1845-1865), Supes were not grads. Not as sure about Dants, but don't think there have been any non-grads in recent memory.

Any time there is a change in Supe or Dant, there are some changes at USNA. The mids probably feel it more from the Dant (i.e., liberty, rules). Supes tend to set strategic priorities -- for example, VADM Rempt felt it important that all mids be strong sailors (i.e., sailing vessels) and, as a result, during his tenure, training and academics were tweaked to emphasize this. Cyber has been big for the last two Supes, resulting in mandatory cyber courses and a cyber major.
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Capt Jack Darby was the first and AFAIK the only non grad Dant
Concur on liberty/rules type stuff. It seems as though different Dant's order Shuffle/Shotguns, especially of they experienced them while they were a mid.
 
Capt MJ said:
I knew someone would remember Capt Darby!
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Actually, he was after I graduated. I think he came after JAWs AKA RADM Winnefeld (father of recently retired ADM Winnifeld, VCJCS)
 
Wikipedia has a list of all 'Dants, in case anyone is interested.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commandant_of_midshipmen

It's amazing the number since 1975 who went on to 3 or 4 stars, especially given that 2 (Darby and Palmer) died before having that opportunity. And some who still could still achieve that rank . . .

I think we (1985) were one of the last classes to have a Supe (Larson) and Dant (Edney) who both went on to become 4-stars (Hate to say it, but '86 may have been the last class). Can't happen anymore, since Supe must now retire as a 3-star.
 
RADM Darby made flag but passed away at age 50 unexpectedly. He had a good reputation.
 
usna1985 said:
Can't happen anymore, since Supe must now retire as a 3-star
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Is this statutory, or policy ? My recollection is that Admiral Larson came back as 4 star to clean up some mess (I don't recall which mess), and it became a policy that Supe would become a last tour to shield him/her from some of the politics. That same policy objective could be satisfied with a 4 star twilight tour.

Not sure where I saw it, perhaps here ....but RUMINT is that next Supe will be a female , USMC type. I think the article mentioned that would be a double first -- first USMC and first woman Supe. Of course, just rumor at this point, but her record is impressive, and she sounds like a good selection. (However, I will admit one little reservation -- as I was hoping for an '85 Classmate in Buchannon House for our 35th Reunion).
 
Under current law, the Supe must retire after his/her service as Supe -- it is in the law (US Code). Doesn't say that a 4-star can't become Supe but has never (to my knowledge) happened other than Larson. ADM Larson was asked to serve a second term as Supe after the EE cheating scandal in the early 1990a. Larson will likely be the last 4-star to serve as Supe, absent another scandal, which we all hope will not occur.

Rumor (which is worth what you pay for it) is that the next Supe will be a USMC 3-star. The only one who is a grad and meets that requirement is Lori Reynolds '86.
 
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