The Navy men’s swimming and diving team, along with the rest of the U.S. Naval Academy first-class midshipmen (aka “Firsties” or seniors anywhere else), received their service selections on November 19, 2015. Six months later, on May 27, 2016, they will be commissioned as Ensigns and begin their service as officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
During their four years in Annapolis, this class of Midshipmen won four consecutive Patriot League championships, competed at NCAAs, and etched their names in record-books. They will soon head into the fleet for training and get started on their careers.
At the Naval Academy Men’s Swim and Dive banquet, the ten Midshipmen from the class of 2016 and their families were honored with the above video. Watch it to see images from their swimming and diving careers and to get a preview of what each of these men will be doing over the next five years as Naval Officers.
| Firstie | Hometown | Navy Men’s S&D | Community |
| David Carlson | Brielle, N.J. | Backstroke / Middle Freestyle | Surface Warfare Officer |
| Frank Love | Atlanta, Ga. | Diving | Submariner |
| Alfred Garvey | Lafayette Hill, Pa. | Diving | Submariner |
| Noah Martin | San Tan Valley, Ariz | Butterfly / Sprint Freestyle | Navy Pilot |
| Alex Nickell | Loveland, Colo. | Backstroke / Distance Freestyle | Navy Pilot |
| Jonathan Debaugh | Conroe, Texas | Butterfly / Middle Freestyle | Navy Pilot |
| Bryson Mays | Frederiksted, V.I. | Butterfly / Individual Medley | Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) |
| Tom Hetzel | Charlotte, N.C. | Backstroke / Individual Medley | Navy SEAL |
| Nathan Stinson | Nashville, Tenn. | Middle Freestyle | Navy SEAL |
| Tom Duvall | Durham, N.H. | Middle Freestyle / Distance Freestyle | Navy SEAL |
Special thanks to Ron Mita for publishing the video.
Men congrats on a fine job over the past four years. I know you will continue to make all of us proud in the future. Best wishes for continued success………smooth seas and following winds.
Pete Foley
CAPT USNR (RET)
Thank you for recognizing these exceptional young and courageous men. NMSD Proud!
I look back on my 4 years as an assistant with the NAVY Men’s Swimming and Diving Team, which began 32 years ago, and think the 10 men look exactly the same as those from long ago. Men who will allow all of us to sleep peacefully at night knowing they have chosen to man the front lines to keep us safe. God bless these 10 men, keep them safe and God bless America.