Rodney Rempt News

Adm. Philip S. Davidson, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), became the Navy’s newest “Old Salt” during an award presentation Oct. 22 at the Pentagon.The “Old Salt” award is given to the active duty officer who has held the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) qualification for the longest amount of time."It is a tremendous honor to receive this award. I have been fortunate to be part of this organization for more than 35 years, serving alongside a number of amazing men and women.

The “Old Salt” designation, honoring the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) serving on active duty with the earliest Surface Warfare Qualification, passed from Adm. Sam Locklear to Vice Adm. Kurt Tidd at a June 22, 2015 ceremony at Washington, DC. Locklear, the recent Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, retired on June 30, 2015. Tidd is currently the Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. Locklear has been the “Old Salt” since May 2014. “In the Navy, we have an expression for a respected, experienced and knowledgeable mariner. We call them ‘Old Salts,’” said Vice Adm.

The ”Old Salt” designation, honoring the Surface Warfare Officer serving on active duty with the earliest Officer of the Deck, Fleet, Qualification, has passed from Vice Adm. Rod Rempt to Adm. Mike Mullen at a May 21st ceremony at Annapolis, Md. “We rely on those who have gone before us to pass down our lore, customs and tradition,” said Vice Adm. Kevin Green, U.S. Navy (Retired), president of the Surface Navy Association. “Some of us have been around a long time, and in the Navy, we have an expression for an experienced and knowledgeable mariner. “The ‘Old Salt’ award originated in 1988, when the Surface Navy Association wanted to honor the Surface Warfare Officer possessing the coveted qualification…

Two hundred and seventy-four midshipmen selected the surface ships they will serve on after graduation at the U.S. Naval Academy's “Ship Selection” night, Feb. 23. Vice Adm. Terry Etnyre, commander, Naval Surface Forces, welcomed them to the surface warfare community and said, “This is an important moment in your careers. Each midshipman who was assigned surface warfare as their career path awaited their turn in Memorial Hall to pick placards with ship names off large boards categorized by homeport. Each selecting midshipman’s name, ship and homeport were announced to the midshipmen, officers, friends and family present. Etnyre, Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm.