Old Goat

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 eight 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.
For the mountain, see Goat Range (Kananaskis).

Award Recipients
Photo Rank Name Class Awarded Retired Last Position
RADMAlton L. Stocks19722014 Mar 8[3]Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
VADMMichael H. Miller197420142015 Aug 1[1]Superintendent of the Naval Academy
ADMJonathan W. Greenert197520152015 Sep 18[4]Chief of Naval Operations
ADMMark E. Ferguson III197820152016 Jul 1Commander, NAVEUR-NAVAF
ADMCecil D. Haney197820162017 Jan 17[5]Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
ADMHarry B. Harris Jr.197820172018 Jun 1Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
ADMKurt W. Tidd197820182018Commander, U.S. Southern Command
ADMWilliam K. Lescher19802018Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Admiral Harry Harris accepts the Old Goat decanter from retired Admiral Cecil Haney, April 2017.

The current Old Goat is Admiral Bill Lescher, who received the award from Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, former Commander, U.S. Southern Command.[6] Tidd was also the Navy's "Old Salt" - the active-duy Navy officer with the longest-standing surface warfare qualification. The prior holder, ADM Harry B. Harris Jr., passed on the title to ADM Tidd in a presentation ceremony, 11 April 2018, citing his intent to retire in June.[7]

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.[8][9]

References
  1. 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. 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. MC2 Nathan Wilkes (2 October 2015). "Adm. Ferguson Receives 'Old Goat' Award". U.S. Naval Academy. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  5. "U.S. Strategic Command welcomes Hyten as new commander". U.S. Strategic Command. 3 November 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  6. https://www.southcom.mil/MEDIA/NEWS-ARTICLES/Article/1659306/passing-the-decanter-the-us-naval-academy-way/
  7. Pacom’s Harris Passes ‘Old Goat’ Award to Southcom’s Tidd
  8. "Naval Academy Class of '78 Shines with Four 4-Stars". U.S. Naval Academy. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  9. "'78 Flag and General Officers". U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1978.
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