USNA Out is by definition a Shared Interest Group (SIG) – a large and growing association of individuals from almost every class and almost every state who have been brought together through our common interest as alumni of the U. S. Naval Academy.

None of the other “model schools” that compete for the same candidates as the Naval Academy has an LGBT “Chapter” or “Club.” However, all these model school all have strong LGBT organizations, most of which are officially recognized by their respective alumni associations, including the Blue-Alliance of the US Air Force Academy. The LGBT alumni groups can be found within one to two clicks from the respective alumni associations’ home page.

The current organizational structure of the Naval Academy Alumni Association as defined in the Association ByLaws consists of “Classes” and “Chapters.” This structure dates back as far as anyone we know has corporate knowledge. Despite significant changes in society, demographics of alumni, technological achievement and major changes in typical American daily life, this same structure remains in place effectively unchanged and unaugmented for decades.

From 1867 through 1999, the Alumni Association functioned mostly as a social organization with the primary mission of preserving and celebrating the customs, traditions and “sea stories” that bind and enrich the organization and help to strengthen the life-long bonds that alumni treasure. In 1999, the USNA Foundation was restructured to function in parallel to the Alumni Association to provide financial and other support to the Academy to ensure a “margin of excellence.” In the past 12 years, as other top colleges and universities have continued to evolve their organizational development to best meet their needs and goals, the USNA Alumni Association structure has not as quickly adapted to newer and innovative means to support the USNA Foundation as best we could.

As an example, Yale University recognized early on that many Yale alumni connect to Yale in means other than their class and Yale Clubs (Chapter) structure. Yale has identified and developed more than 60 additional ways that Yale Alumni can connect through SIGs. Emphasis at Yale resulted in one full-time staff employee dedicated to administering support to and coordinating SIG efforts.

The USNA Alumni Association can more efficiently adapt to changing times and provide means beyond the building blocks of the Chapters and Classes to facilitate alumni to reconnect. We are not advocating changing the current system of classes and chapters but augmenting it with additional means for alumni to connect via Shared Interest Groups.

Questions & Answers about USNA Out and SIGs

Q: Alumni can always get together anyway they please, why does it make any difference if they are “officially recognized” as SIGs?

A: That would depend on if you feel that the Naval Academy is an institution that should continue to provide the same level of excellence while developing of our nation's future leaders while federal funding is reduced. Other exceptional educational institutions which depend solely on private fundraising and endowments for their day to day operations have already figured this out.

It is vital to the future of the Naval Academy that we reconnect alumni to their Naval Academy heritage by every means possible. All SIGs would greatly benefit from the resources available as being connected to alumni via the established communications networks that exist to the chapters and classes, i.e., SHIPMATE Magazine and the USNA.com website. Otherwise, their growth and ability to reach out to those who would reconnect is left to word-of-mouth efforts.

Q: What is the difference between a Chapter and a SIG?

A: Although not specifically defined as such in either the Association Bylaws or the Association's Operating Manual, the Board of Trustees has adopted a steadfast policy that new Chapters are formed only on a geographic basis. A SIG is based on a shared interest of alumni, regardless of class or geographic location. Shared interests could relate to a myriad of factors that tie alumni together: by extracurricular activities at the academy (such as a sport or clubs such as the glee club or the newly formed “Decatur Club” of the LGBT Midshipmen), as careers in the Fleet (such as an association of Seals or Marine Aviators) or by second careers (such as real estate professionals or lawyers).

Q: Why can't a SIG just become a Chapter?

A: Per the Association Bylaws and Operating Manual, a SIG of more than 25 members would qualify as a Chapter as did the RV Chapter. But Chapter status for any SIG is not in the best overall interest of the Alumni Association and Foundation nor the Naval Academy. The intention of SIGs is to supplement the existing Class and Chapters, not replace them. Classes and Chapters remain the primary and most important, viable means to connect alumni to the Academy.

Q: If the RV Chapter is really a SIG, why is it a Chapter?

A: The RV Chapter was the first of only two shared interest groups to apply for chapter status. In 1999 when the RV Chapter was founded as “the only Alumni chapter without a geographic origin” by Mike Stoop USNA '54, there was no procedure to establish a SIG amongst alumni. The other SIG to apply for Chapter status was a proposed Lesbian & Gay Chapter in 2003. That proposed chapter was rejected for several reasons, foremost that it was not “geographically based.” Subsequent to the USNA Out application, the Alumni Association Board of Trustees has taken the unwavering stance that all chapters will be geographically based.

There still isn't any procedure to form official SIGs amongst alumni. But the very embarrassing fact that the RV SIG continues to enjoy the special status and benefits as a Chapter remains a contentious and serious liability for the Alumni Association and Board of Trustees.

Q: What is it that you gay people really want? Why can't you just join your local chapter and keep your mouths shut about your sexual status? Why does it always have to be about you?

A: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Most LGBT alumni feel that the Naval Academy had a special place in our development, our experiences at Annapolis and in the fleet remain very much a part of us, just as they do for our heterosexual and closeted (many married and often homophobic) peers. We also are keenly aware of the additional challenges that we experienced because of our identification/reidendification as sexual minorities at the Academy and as officers in the Navy and Marine Corps. We know that it is very beneficial to those who follow us, their parents, friends and their peers to have role models about whom most of us never had the advantage and comfort of knowing.

We also know that once the stereotypes are broken down, we become accepted as “just like all other alumni.” But to break down those stereotypes, particularly for the “pre Will & Grace” generations, will require our substantial visible presence and participation.