Old Goat Explained

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.

Award Recipients

Photo	Recipient	Class	Awarded title	Relinquished title	Last position	Ref.
	Alton L. Stocks	1972	Unknown	8 March 2014	Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
	Michael H. Miller	1974	8 March 2014	1 August 2015	Superintendent, United States Naval Academy
	Jonathan W. Greenert	1975	1 August 2015	18 September 2015	Chief of Naval Operations
	Mark E. Ferguson III	1978	18 September 2015	1 July 2016	Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe &<br />U.S. Naval Forces Africa
	Cecil D. Haney	1978	1 July 2016	17 January 2017	Commander, U.S. Strategic Command	^[5]
	Harry B. Harris Jr.	1978	17 January 2017	11 April 2018	Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
	Kurt W. Tidd	1978	11 April 2018	8 October 2018	Commander, U.S. Southern Command	^[6]
	William K. Lescher	1980	8 October 2018	30 August 2022	Vice Chief of Naval Operations	^[7]
	James F. Caldwell Jr.	1981	30 August 2022	10 January 2024	Director, Naval Reactors	^[8]
	John C. Aquilino	1984	9 January 2024	26 June 2024	Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command	^[9]
	Stuart B. Munsch	1985	26 June 2024	Incumbent	Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa	^[10]

The current Old Goat is Admiral Stuart B. Munsch (USNA '85), who has served as Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa since 2022. He received the title and accompanying award from Admiral John C. Aquilino, the outgoing commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command on 26 June 2024.^[10]

Class of 1978

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.^{[11] [12]}

Notes and References

1. News: Matthew Hay Brown. New superintendent says Naval Academy will meet evolving challenges. 31 March 2018. The Baltimore Sun. 23 July 2014.
2. Web site: "Old Goat" Decanter Passed on to Oldest Active Duty USNA Graduate. YouTube. USNA Alumni Association & Foundation. 31 March 2018.
3. News: CAPT Dora Lockwood. Navy Medicine Flag Officer Retires After 41 Years of Service. 31 March 2018. U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. 31 March 2014.
4. News: MC2 Nathan Wilkes. Adm. Ferguson Receives 'Old Goat' Award. 31 March 2018. U.S. Naval Academy. 2 October 2015.
5. News: U.S. Strategic Command welcomes Hyten as new commander. 31 March 2018. U.S. Strategic Command. 3 November 2016.
6. Web site: Garamone. Jim. Pacom's Harris Passes 'Old Goat' Award to Southcom's Tidd. 11 April 2018. 3 September 2022. U.S. Department of Defense.
7. Web site: Garamone. Jim. Passing the Decanter, the U.S. Naval Academy Way. 8 October 2018. 3 September 2022. U.S. Southern Command.
8. Web site: ADM William Lescher '80 passed the Old Goat Award to ADM Frank Caldwell '81 during an unofficial ceremony this month at the U.S. Naval War College.. 30 August 2022. 3 September 2022. United States Naval Academy. LinkedIn.
9. Naval Reactors. USNavyNNPP. 1744857257723285947. Besides being Director, @USNavyNNPP, Adm. Frank Caldwell has also been holding the Old Goat Award – as the longest serving @NavalAcademy graduate on active duty - passed today to Adm. John Aquilino, Commander, @INDOPACOM.
10. Web site: Hardgrove. Samuel. NAVEUR-NAVAF Commander becomes U.S. Navy's Old Goat. 2024-06-28. 2024-07-07. U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Public Affairs. Washington, D. C.. U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa.
11. News: Naval Academy Class of '78 Shines with Four 4-Stars. 31 March 2018. U.S. Naval Academy. 19 January 2016.
12. Web site: '78 Flag and General Officers. U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1978.