Meeting opened by VADM Mustin. Administrative matters were dealt with.

VADM Mustin made opening remarks highlighting proposed modifications to AA Operating Manual that will modify methodology of blending elder decades and creating new 10s Decade Rep. Introduced Communications Committee Chairman, Ingar Grev.

Ingar Grev made presentation on new tools that are being made available to all COCP members to enhance and facilitate Horizontal Communications. Office 365 will be used. It is being provided at no cost by Microsoft. Test email was sent to all members – any who did not receive it should give their names to Ken Kurz (AA IT manager)

End of Presentation. – Ingar Grev indicated that the program is being rolled out and is available for all to "try out” and learn how to use. He and Ken Kurz will assist as needed –

VADM Mustin recognized LtGen Jack Klimp, Vice Chairman of the Alumni Association who is in attendance and will make a presentation later in the meeting.

Break for DECADE BREAKOUT MEETINGS

Plenary Session – REPORTS OF DECADE REPS

VADM Mustin acknowledged the two new trustees recently elected by their Decades. He stated that the third would be forthcoming shortly, and asked for approval in advance because of time constraints. That approval was granted by the Council. (VADM Mustin additional note: I'm happy to report that the First ever 2010 Decade Rep is LTJG Robert Battle, president of the great Class of 2010.In the absence of objection from a majority of Council members, I will forward the three names (Kobosko '80, Forman ‘98 and Battle '10 to the Chairman of the Alumni Assn. for appointment to the Board of Trustees. If you approve, no reply is necessary.)

Presentation by CAPT R.E. Clark II USN, Commandant of Midshipmen.

CAPT Clark reviewed status of progress in the Brigade – noting decline in serious conduct and honor violations, all-time high in cumulative academic grade point and steadily improving retention and physical readiness. He described the success of athletic endeavors, overseas placements of midshipmen and local actions that bring credit upon the Brigade and the Navy. He noted that this is his final meeting with the COCP and will be relieved by CAPT Bill Byrne ’87. When he is relieved, he will become the Commandant with the longest tenure in the job – overtaking the record of Bud Edney’57.

VADM Mustin led the COCP in rendering three Cheers for CAPT Clark!

VADM Mustin introduced Skip Orr ’65 – and passed along reminders of his fame as a Navy Football player.

Skip Orr presented remarks on the Foundation’s support of Navy Athletics through the Foundation’s Fund for Athletic Excellence Program, and illustrated ways classes coming up for major reunion legacy gifts are allocating portions of their gift to Athletic excellence. Skip emphasized that importance of athletic support to attaining the Mission of the Naval Academy, a principal element of which is physical fitness. He illustrated where the donated funds go – e.g. Coaches, recruiting tools, travel support for teams, support for non-varsity sports (clubs and intramurals) physical facilities, etc. He noted that NAF maintains Class Giving as an essential element of Athletic excellence. Skip’s presentation is included as an Appendix to these minutes.

VADM Mustin asked about soliciting “older” classes who are beyond the 50th Anniversary – and Skip responded that the Foundation would welcome such support – but his slides were illustrative of ongoing efforts with classes looking forward to major quintennial gifting. Skip noted that for the upcoming (2014) Capital Campaign, gifts/pledges currently made will be integrated into the new campaign so as to avoid duplicate solicitations. Skip’s presentation is an appendix to these minutes.

VADM Mustin introduced Chet Gladchuk, Director of Athletics.

Chet Gladchuk’s remarks included summary of Navy’s current and recent athletic accomplishments and pointed out the current status of scheduled games in near term years. This information is important for classes who are planning major reunions and must lock in specific weekends at hotels and make other arrangements.

Chet then focused in detail on the rationale for joining a conference. He stated that it is necesaary to be in a conference in order to schedule games with major teams and retain TV contracts., and many other factors – the sum of which make it essential to continuing the success of Navy athletics. He recognized that conference membership will have costs that Navy will have to “Step up” to meet, but expressed confidence that these challenges will be met. A discussion at the end of Chet’s remarks evolved on the desirability of the several options for starting Navy Football games. Each starting time had advantages and disadvantages for different classes. As it stands, coming seasons will feature a variety of starting times so there will be something for everyone.

During lunch, our sponsors gave presentations, held raffles and donated prizes to lucky winners. Rich Goldsby ’72 presented information on the about to open art display of Naval history of the War of 1812. The exhibit will be available in MAHAN Hall, second deck (site of the Library before Nimitz Library was built) – on 1 April, 2013. Steve Comiskey ’69 gave us an update on their class project – Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) which is “up and running” and looking for more people to sign up as either mentors or mentorees. This can be done online through the www.usna.com website.

After Lunch VADM Mustin introduced VADM Michael Rogers, USN, Commander U.S. TENTH Fleet to give an overview and update of the Navy’s Cyber Warfare activities.

VADM Rogers briefed the members on his command and its structure – pointing out the Navy’s methodology in dealing with Cyber Warfare. He described the issues and challenges faced by the need to expand the numbers of personnel needed and recently authorized (about 1800 navy billets) to meet these challenges. Newsworthy examples of the use of cyber warfare in China and North-South Korea were noted. He showed that we are on the ground floor of Cyber warfare – but emphasized that the Navy’s approach is to treat the matter as a Warfare Specialty – and recognize its pervasiveness - and the need to develop ways to fight it both offensively and defensively. In response to a question from the floor, he said that unlike most other types of warfare in which “defense” has an inherent advantage, in Cyber warfare this is not the case.

He emphasized that the challenge of retention of skilled engineers, and hi-tech trained personnel all of whom are sought by better paying civilian firms, are being met by leadership and dedication of these personnel to the mission and importance of the warrior ethic held by them.

He described the career path for officers and enlisted personnel entering the community- entry schooling, initial tours and follow on education and touring. He described new ratings (CT-Networks, IT & IW) being created in the navy to manage personnel.

He reiterated that Cyber warfare affects all people in the navy – citing the example of Bradley Manning, an enlisted soldier in Iraq who downloaded and promulgated much classified data to which he had access (but no authority to use). VADM Rogers pointed out that what is required is a program similar to the Nuclear Weapons “Personnel reliability Program – PRP” that is used to provide needed security for Nuclear weapons capable ships and squadrons. But in Cyber warfare, every person in the navy becomes ‘an operator, because of the pervasiveness of technology.

He pointed out that his command, 10th Fleet, differs from other such organizations in that it is not geographically oriented – but is defined by its mission.

VADM Rogers concluded his remarks by saying that the other services and joint Cyber command were impressed by the Navy approach to Cyber warfare.

VADM Mustin thanked VADM Rogers for his enlightening presentation and then introduced the Alumni Association & Foundation’s President and CEO Byron Marchant ’78, who opened the Alumni Association presentations.

Bill O’Connor, Alumni Association Executive Vice President for Development reported on accomplishments with respect to the upcoming campaign –“ Leading up” research is completed; there has been good response to review of the Case paper. Going forward:

Bill O’Connor concluded by offering 3 thoughts on Class Giving:

  1. Know what the campaign plan - set a goal – and then divide goal amount by percentages
  2. Provide ample recognition materials
  3. Stress importance of Annual Unrestricted giving.

Next speaker was LtGen Jack Klimp ’68 – Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He spoke representing ADM Bob Natter, BOT Chairman.

LtGen Klimp reported on his experience chairing the Committee to select Distinguished Graduates. He reported that the committees are always highly diverse, but include at least one former recipient of DG honor. He noted that nominees are allowed three consecutive (but newly refreshed) opportunities to be screened and encouraged broad participation. He pointed out that any member of the Association may nominate a person for consideration, but without an official endorsement by the nominees class such a nominee would not be selected. He concluded his remarks by encouraging class presidents to actively solicit nominations from their classmates to enhance the pool of nominees.

VADM Mustin concluded by urging Class Presidents to submit specific HC recommendations NLT 25 April as the plan will be executed shortly after that date. Please send your recommendations to Ingar Grev, (igrev@1989.usna.com), copy to the Chairman, (hmustin@comcast.net) Jerry Smith (jfsmith@themillcreek.com) and Bill Peerenboom (whp36@aol.com)

Also please recall that if we are to accomplish this program, which Alcon agree is the COCP's highest priority, we're going to have to manage it ourselves in coordination with the Assn. That means we need volunteers, who do not have to be Class Presidents but do have to be programmers with IT credentials and experience in management organizational structures. We can't get there from here with a "somebody's got to take charge attitude. Remember Pogo, "We have met the enemy and they is us."

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and accepted. Meeting adjourned.

Minutes recorded by Bill Peerenboom’57

Updated: September 30, 2018
Curator: Ed Moore