National Museum of the American Sailor Holds Regional SeaPerch Competition

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS – Over 150 students representing 14 schools and organizations participated in the annual Navy Great Lakes SeaPerch Regional Competition on March 16 at Lake Forest Academy.

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Students build their ROV using pre-assembled kits and a STEM curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. Throughout the project, students learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications. These concepts are critical in developing the future of the Navy. The U.S. faces a shortage in STEM graduates that may result in a lack of expertise within Navy mission-critical areas. In this backdrop, SeaPerch has grown from its infant stages at Massachusetts Institute of Technology into a national K-12 STEM Outreach Program with backing from The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).

Welcome brochures for the Navy Great Lakes Regional SeaPerch Competition on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Lake Forest Academy, Illinois. Photo courtesy of National Museum of the American Sailor, Kim Ortega, Outreach Coordinator.

The event commenced with opening remarks from the National Museum of the American Sailor’s Deputy Director, Kelly Duffy, who welcomed guests and thanked event partners, including the Lake County Navy League, Recruit Training Command (RTC) and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes (NMRTC). Distinguished guests included: Congressman Brad Schneider, Commanding Officer of Naval Station Great Lakes CAPT Steve Yargosz, and FORCM (retired) David Twiford, representing Magellan Corporation.

In an online article shared by Recruit Training Command, Deputy Director Kelly Duffy is quoted as saying, “STEM competitions like SeaPerch provide invaluable learning opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in STEM fields . . . it allows them to hone their skills, collaborate with peers, and gain hands-on experience in robotics and engineering.”

Volunteers from Recruit Training Command help teams with fixing their Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Photo courtesy of National Museum of the American Sailor, Kim Ortega, Outreach Coordinator.

The SeaPerch competition included two in-pool components: an obstacle course and a challenge course. Student teams were required to navigate both vertically and horizontally through a series of underwater hoops, open trap doors, to transport and deliver cargo loads and tools between structures. The inspiration for this year’s challenge is deep sea exploration.

Supporting the event was 32 volunteers from RTC and NMRTC. These sailors assisted by judging the competition, aiding with event logistics, and helping student teams with fixing circuit boards, electrical wiring, structural integrity, propellers and other ROV issues.

Volunteers from Recruit Training Command (RTC) and National Museum of the American Sailor staff work together to “sink” obstacle and mission courses at the Lake Forest Academy pool. Photo courtesy of National Museum of the American Sailor, Kim Ortega, Outreach Coordinator.

Awards were presented to the top eight finishers in middle school, high school and open divisions. Three teams advanced to the National SeaPerch competition, happening May 31-June 1, 2024 at College Park, Maryland: ‘Phoenix’ from Unity Junior High, Cicero, Illinois (middle school division); ‘Trident’ from Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois (high school division); and the ‘Dolphins’ from Union League Boys and Girls Club, Chicago, Illinois won the open class division.

Volunteers from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Great Lakes (NMRTC) work together to serve as judges during the Navy Great Lakes Regional SeaPerch Competition on March 16, 2024. Photo courtesy of National Museum of the American Sailor, Kim Ortega, Outreach Coordinator.

For more news from the National Museum of the American Sailor, visit www.history.navy.mil/nmas.

Holiday Momentos from the Fleet

The tradition of sending holiday cards dates back to 1843 in England when the first commercial holiday card was created. Over the last century, holiday cards have become a staple of the season. For Sailors, holiday cards are an opportunity to send a bit of holiday cheer home to loved ones, while also showing off where the sailor is stationed. The museum’s collection boosts cards showcasing individual ships as well as cards from foreign locales. This particular card was purchased by a sailor named Bill while he was serving in the Pacific at Christmastime in 1943.

Image courtesy of the National Museum of the American Sailor’s permanent collection.

In addition to the printed holiday greeting, Bill wrote, “Hope you have a swell Christmas. Wish I could be there.”

Image courtesy of the National Museum of the American Sailor’s permanent collection.

From all of us at the National Museum of the American Sailor, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Remembering Why We’re Thankful

Although we may all be dreaming of turkey, stuffing, and pie as November begins, it is important to remember what we’re truly celebrating on Thanksgiving. It is a time to look at our lives and identify who and what we’re thankful for. The National Museum of the American Sailor is thankful for our sailors – past, present and future – who put themselves on the line for all of us. We’re also thankful for our volunteers who provide support in all areas of the museum. And finally, we’re thankful for you! Thank you for supporting the work we do, for attending the events we host, and for loving Navy history as much as we do!

Featured is CMDR and Mrs. Ellis as guests at the Thanksgiving Dinner at the First Regiment at the U.S. Naval Training Camp, Charleston, South Carolina, c. 1910. Image courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command (NH 116412).

All Treats and No Tricks at the Great Lakes Commissary!

With the help of Sailors from Recruit Training Command, the National Museum of the American Sailor was able to participate at the Great Lakes Commissary Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 27, 2023. It was a spooky good time filled with costumes, candy, and laughter!

(From left to right) HN Navalta, HM1 Miguel, LN2 Simmons. Image courtesy of Kim Ortega, Outreach Coordinator NMAS.

The Storied Tradition of Navy Chiefs

By Tricia Menke, NMAS Curator of Education

This September, the United States Navy welcomes more than 700 chief selects to a rigorous six-week chief initiation process. Those who successfully complete the initiation join a storied history of leaders. For Navy chiefs, understanding their history and their role within it, is a powerful aspect of the chief grade. Chiefs serve as keepers of knowledge, subject matter experts, and leaders to both junior sailors and junior officers. In addition to sharing the Navy’s history and heritage with their shipmates, chiefs often make history as well.

The Freedom to Fight: Integration and the Equality of the Armed Services

by E.J. Prevoznak, NMAS Volunteer

A nation shines its values onto the armed services that defends it.  Like a mirror the armed services reflects it back, and since they are just a small fraction of society these values shine that much brighter.  Knowing this, President Harry Truman on July 26^th, 1948, signed Executive Order 9981 ordering the desegregation of the United States Armed Services.  The executive order reads in part “…there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin.”[1]    Though the legal framework changed with the executive order, it would take years and even decades to fully integrate the United States Navy. .  Though an executive order can be powerful, it cannot undo 170 years of history. 

“Women Must Be Given Permanent Status:” Gender Integration in the U.S. Navy

By Tricia Menke, NMAS Curator of Education

By the end of World War II in 1945, more than 350,000 women served across all branches of the United States military.¹ They had been accepted into service due to the emergent need of the war. But now that the war was over, many Americans expected these female veterans would return to more traditional women’s roles. Rosie the Riveter and her sisters had other ideas. In the years immediately following peace, women (and some men!) across the country advocated for permanent military status for women.

SOS: Sh#% on a Shingle

by Kelly Duffy, NMAS Deputy Director

If you ask Navy veterans about their favorite food while serving, there is a high probability that “Sh#% on a Shingle” or SOS for short, will make the list. No, this is not an April fool’s joke, and SOS is an actual Navy recipe. While the dish’s exact origins cannot be determined, some argue that SOS can be traced to a pre-World War I Army “Chipped Beef” recipe that appeared in the 1910 Manual for Army Cooks. Due to its enduring popularity, SOS can now be found in many a Navy cookbook. Made from chipped beef and a simple seasoned roux served over toast, it continues to be a favorite dish for sailors and an easy meal for Navy Culinary Specialists to make.

Green Faces, Blue Jeans: Blue Jeans during Vietnam

by Tricia Menke, NMAS Curator of Education

The jungles of Vietnam in the midst of the Vietnam War may not seem like the best place to make a fashion statement, but the U.S. Navy SEALs have never played by the rules. The “men with green faces” quickly discovered upon arrival in Vietnam that the climate was harsh and Navy-issued pants were not necessarily cut out for the environment. To contend with the pests and the unforgiving jungle, SEALs turned to a tried and true American classic: the blue jean.

“A Strenuous Life” Inspiration to Exercise from Navy History

by LT E.J.A. Prevoznak, National Museum of the American Sailor Volunteer

New year, new you, as they say, and one of the most popular ways to find a “new you” is by resolving to get into better physical shape. The ushering in of the new year has many hoping they can lose weight, gain muscle, and perhaps even participate in a physical fitness or sporting competition. However, numerous studies show most people who make health and fitness-oriented resolutions quit before February 1. Fitness app Strava has dubbed January 17 “Quitter’s Day.”¹ Other reports state the best time to buy fitness equipment is in February because most fitness resolutions have failed, and remaining equipment is put on steep discount.² Many people fail because they do not strive to live a “strenuous life” as Theodore Roosevelt famously declared.³ Teddy’s quote underscores an important element that many fitness resolutions lack – consistency to inspire them throughout the year. For sailors, failing to maintain their fitness resolutions can come with a steep price, which is why sailors make great inspiration for those seeking to turn around their physical fitness.