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 nine Old Goats so awarded, each after more than 35 years' service to the U.S. Navy.
Photo | Recipient | Class | Awarded title | Relinquished title | Last position | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rear Admiral Alton L. Stocks |
1972 | Unknown | 8 March 2014 | Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery | [3] | |
Vice Admiral Michael H. Miller |
1974 | 8 March 2014 | 1 August 2015 | Superintendent, United States Naval Academy | [1] | |
Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert |
1975 | 1 August 2015 | 18 September 2015 | Chief of Naval Operations | [4] | |
Admiral Mark E. Ferguson III |
1978 | 18 September 2015 | 1 July 2016 | Commander,
U.S. Naval Forces Europe & U.S. Naval Forces Africa |
[4] | |
Admiral Cecil D. Haney |
1978 | 1 July 2016 | 17 January 2017 | Commander, U.S. Strategic Command | [5] | |
Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. |
1978 | 17 January 2017 | 11 April 2018 | Commander, U.S. Pacific Command | ||
Admiral Kurt W. Tidd |
1978 | 11 April 2018 | 8 October 2018 | Commander, U.S. Southern Command | [6] | |
Admiral William K. Lescher |
1980 | 8 October 2018 | 30 August 2022 | Vice Chief of Naval Operations | [7] | |
Admiral James F. Caldwell Jr. |
1981 | 30 August 2022 | 10 January 2024 | Director, Naval Reactors | [8] | |
Admiral John C. Aquilino |
1984 | 9 January 2024 | Incumbent | Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command | [9] |
The current Old Goat is Admiral John C. Aquilino (USNA '84), who has served as Commander, United States Indo-Pacific Command since 2021. He received the title and accompanying award from Admiral James F. Caldwell Jr., the outgoing director of Naval Reactors on 10 January 2024. [9]
The Naval Academy's Class of 1978 was just the fourth USNA class to produce four full (four-star) admirals; each was recognized as the Old Goat. [10] [11]
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