Old Goat

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For the mountain, see Goat Range (Kananaskis).

In United States Naval Academy terminology, the Old Goat is the longest-serving Naval Academy graduate on active duty.[1][2] Since 2014, the designation has been accompanied by an award created by a previous Old Goat, Rear Admiral Alton L. Stocks. The award - a crystal decanter engraved with the initials and class years of previous holders - is passed to a new Old Goat upon the current holder's retirement.[3][4] There have been seven Old Goats so awarded, each after more than 35 years' service to the U.S. Navy.

The Old Goat decanter in the possession of ADM Mark Ferguson, Class of 1978.

Award Recipients

Photo Rank Name Class Awarded Retired Last Position
RADM Alton L. Stocks 1972 2014 Mar 8[3] Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
VADM Michael H. Miller 1974 2014 2015 Aug 1[1] Superintendent of the Naval Academy
ADM Jonathan W. Greenert 1975 2015 2015 Sep 18[4] Chief of Naval Operations
ADM Mark E. Ferguson III 1978 2015 2016 Jul 1 Commander, NAVEUR-NAVAF
ADM Cecil D. Haney 1978 2016 2017 Jan 17[5] Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
ADM Harry B. Harris Jr. 1978 2017 2018 Jun 1 Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
ADM Kurt W. Tidd 1978 2018 Commander, U.S. Southern Command
Admiral Harry Harris accepts the Old Goat decanter from retired Admiral Cecil Haney, April 2017.

The current Old Goat is Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, Commander, U.S. Southern Command. Tidd is also the Navy's "Old Salt" - the active-duy Navy officer with the longest-standing surface warfare qualification. The previous holder, ADM Harry B. Harris Jr., passed on the title in a presentation ceremony, 11 April 2018, citing his intent to retire in June.[6]

Class of 1978

The Naval Academy's Class of 1978 is notable for producing four full (four-star) admirals, a distinction shared by only four prior USNA classes since the Academy's founding in 1845. As of 11 April 2018, all four admirals of the Class of 1978 have been recognized as the Old Goat.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ a b Matthew Hay Brown (23 July 2014). "New superintendent says Naval Academy will meet evolving challenges". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  2. ^ ""Old Goat" Decanter Passed on to Oldest Active Duty USNA Graduate". YouTube. USNA Alumni Association & Foundation. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b CAPT Dora Lockwood (31 March 2014). "Navy Medicine Flag Officer Retires After 41 Years of Service". U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b MC2 Nathan Wilkes (2 October 2015). "Adm. Ferguson Receives 'Old Goat' Award". U.S. Naval Academy. Retrieved 31 March 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "U.S. Strategic Command welcomes Hyten as new commander". U.S. Strategic Command. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  6. ^ Pacom’s Harris Passes ‘Old Goat’ Award to Southcom’s Tidd
  7. ^ "Naval Academy Class of '78 Shines with Four 4-Stars". U.S. Naval Academy. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  8. ^ "'78 Flag and General Officers". U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1978.
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