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July-August 1999 Hello great '98! Since this is a double issue, I've got lots of great updates from the fleet. Here it is: Mac O. Quidem (SWOS class 131) is on OLDENDORF (DD-972) along with our Classmates, Brian L. Babin (SWOS class 130) and Pete Codihna (supply school grad). They are on a battle group deployment in the Middle East. They have spent a lot of time on the water and are enjoying a port visit to Bahrain. They are learning about the Arab culture up close and personal (Brian even bought one of those Arabian head pieces). The first few classes of NFO's from VT- 10 have moved on to intermediate flight training. Tony Toma, Wade Blizzard, Chris Delgado, John Dinh, Paul Krumholz, Tom McGowan, Ken Wallace and Shane Eisenbraun are also staying in the same location. Matt Greenawalt and Wendy Nowak are heading to San Antonio for navigator training at Randolph AFB. Bethany Schultz graduated from supply school in December and is now stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as the OIC and disbursing officer of PSD. She says GTMO is not as bad you might think. It's challenging, exciting, and in the 80s all year round. Some other locations of supply officers: Regina Ware is in Guam, Sean O'Connor is in Diego Garcia, Dennis Kane is in Sigonella, and Chris Kovak is in Crete. From Andy Newsome: My wife, Paula, and I are expecting a baby boy in October Keep your fingers crossed that he is healthy. I am nearing the end of Intermediate Naval Flight Officer training along with Sara Stires, Matt Dodge, Dave Harris, Lew Callaway, John Dinh and Jake Schmitter. Wade Blizzard recently graduated from Intermediate School and has moved on to advanced training in VT-86. Josh Kiihne recently reported to NAS Pensacola and has begun training as a Marine NFO. From Robert "Werm" Burton: Travis Campbell and I both reported in to 2d Tank Battalion in Camp Lejeune. We'll both be going to Ft. Knox at the end of May for armor school. Brendan Eagan is engaged and it is rumored that Chris Gilmore has been eyeing the rings. Here are some Mos's I can remember from the Fox Company graduates at TBS: Adam Nazario motor transport, Tony Licari-adjutant, Minh Trinh motor transport, Tom Elders-infantry, Kevin Jacobs-financial officer, Aaron Wright-infantry, Russ Lascink-infantry, Jim Mcshea-artillery, Mike Cable-infantry, Bob Whalen-light armor reconnaissance, Paul Detar-artillery. The following Class of '98 people were selected to teach Leatherneck this spring: Kevin Jacobs, Todd Fowler, Vince Guida, Adam Nazario, Cory Shackelton, and John Gilmore. Loren Reinke is on LABOON and just got back from a month long group sail with the Desron. He is the ASWO and already has a successful kill with a VLA! Steve Minihane finished API in February and relocated to Corpus in April to start primary. Some others who are with him are John Arbuckle, Colleen and Sandra Kosloski, and Kevin Popp. Scott Walgren, Matt Ligon, Shane Marchesi and Vic Dyson stayed at Whiting for their primary training. TBS Class, Fox Company, graduated in April 1999. Bob Whalen, Kevin Jacobs, and Russ Lascink graduated in the top 13 people of the class and were augmented receiving a regular commission in the USMC. Congratulations! From Joe Symmes: After graduating from Supply School in warm, sunny, Athens, GA. I got orders to the "mother ship" SUPPLY (AOE-6) out of Earle, NJ. I am currently the food service officer on the ship. Last month I went back down to Crab Town where the former Rachel Nurmi of Annapolis and I got married in the Chapel. ENS Alex Savage, my roommate for three years was one of the sword bearers. He flew all the way from Bremerton, WA, to be there. The other sword bearers were underclass that I had known from 18th Company. ENS Suzanne Weinrich also came up from flight school to see the ceremony. From Darin Pontell: I thought that I would fill you in on how '98's spies are doing. Four of us graduated Intel school in Damneck, VA, in December, and one graduated in April. Darin Pontell-intelligence collections officer for Air Wing 7 (CVW-7), stationed at Oceana NAS in Virginia Beach. We are deploying on EISENHOWER in January. Joe Goodwin-intelligence officer for the Helicopter RAG (HSL-40) in Mayport, FL. Marcelle Mollet-intelligence officer for a S-3 squadron (VS-33) in San Diego, CA. Phil Devega-intelligence officer for an EA-6B squadron (VAQ131 ) in Whidbey Island, WA. Brad Storey graduated in the April class because he took some time off in France. He is the intelligence officer for an F-14 squadron (VF-143 The Pukin'Dogs) stationed at Oceana in Virginia Beach. They are also on EISENHOWER, deploying in January. Everyone got through school fine and actually had a little fun while they were in Virginia Beach. The Intel community is a pretty good deal...where else do you get two shore tours for every one sea tour? From Sam Stahl: I was at SWOS up in Newport from September'98 thru February '99; then I went to Force Air Defense Warfare Commander (FADWC) and Combat Systems Officer Track in Dahlgren, VA, at the Aegis Training and Readiness Center. From there I went to Tomahawk Watch Officer school in Dam Neck, VA. In May, I reported to PORT ROYAL (CG-73), Honolulu, Hl, as the strike officer. I decided to ship my car from Los Angeles to Hawaii, so my mom and I drove across the country and had a blast. Made stops at the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, a weekend in Las Vegas and then in LA to ship the car, and then down to the San Diego Zoo and other sights, back to LA for my flight to Hawaii. We had a great time and I recommend the trip to anyone having to ship their vehicle. So far, Hawaii is great, as PORT ROYAL. Two fellow Classmates are also on PORT ROYAL; Kendra Deppe is the Ol division officer and Joel Rodriguez is the electrical officer Matt Shearin is the weapons officer on TORTUGA (LSD-46) in Norfolk, VA. Matt is getting married to Pilar Ayala at noon on 17 July 1999 at the USNA Chapel. CB Davis received his master's degree in English from Catholic University, is in Pensacola, FL, for Flight School and moving in mid-July to Corpus Christie, TX, for his next school. The epitome of JO life. Shawn Gee packs it all up and heads to NY for prototype. It's probably safe to say that he's sitting in the middle of all his possessions. When else to we get to see our net worth so succinct as that? The epitome of JO life. Shawn Gee packs it all up and heads to NY for prototype. It's probably safe to say that he's sitting in the middle of all his possessions. When else do we get to see our net worth so succinct as that? From Rick Ullman: I'm just learning the ropes here at SEAL Team 1. The guys are great here and I'm happy with how things are going. Jay Hull, Brooks Hollan, Larry Yatch and Ed Yealdhall are on San Clemente Island. Jason Lavarias, John Cremins and Mike Wisecup are currently in Dive Phase. And last, but not least, J.D. Donaldson and Brian Dreschler (BEEF) just finished "hell week." Russ Tate unfortunately got rolled for an injury, and he will be starting first phase again in May. Some assignments: Curt Cronin and I got Team 1. Joe Femenia got Team 2, Coleman Ruiz got Team 3, and Brendan Roach, Chris Irwin '97, and Dave Silverman got Team 5. Great job and good luck to everyone else still in the training pipeline. First '98 SEALs to graduate. Top Row- L to R: Rick Ullman, Brendan Roach, Joe Femenia, Coleman Ruiz, Curt Cronin. Bottom- L to R: Dave Silverman and Chris Irwin '97. And now, a word from your president: I had the opportunity to go back to the Yard between Power School and Prototype. I didn't think I'd be going back so soon, but I will say that I enjoyed it. It's interesting to see what types of things stir the most memories. I thought it would be the chow calls and chopping, etc. Instead, seeing the same NOSLOT workers (or whatever it changed to) and the same broken water fountains made it seem like my real alma mater. I ate my last meal in King Hall as we knew it as Mids. Soon the Brigade will be eating in various other places as the renovations continue. (Ed note: The King Hall renovations have been put on hold until a later date.) Also, work continues on Beach Hall (in between medical and officer housing) to hold the Naval Institute. Now, since the Naval Institute is moving out of Preble (they were on the upper decks), the museum can get bigger. As the great Class of 1998, we have the opportunity to help in the museum renovation as a Class project. The museum is going to be a display of the Navy through the years. Classes are sponsoring portions of the museum timeline that correspond to their Class years. We would sponsor the "Future of the Navy" section, which would be continually updated to reflect the latest developments in technology and geopolitical situations. We have enough money to make a significant contribution, and I think this will be an excellent way to start to give back to the Academy. If you have any questions or comments, please call or email me. I'd like to get the best "pulse" of the Class that I can, prior to signing off the funds. Let me know! Finally, here in Charleston, Class 9901 has shifted from the power school world of lectures and exams to the world of cubicles and signatures for checkoffs. It's fun to get more practical, hands-on knowledge, but the building still doesn't have any windows... Charge on '98, Good Luck, and let me know what happens. Fair winds...DSF.