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01/15/2010

New Commanding Officer at NAPS !!

USNA.com published an article to let us all know that there is a new Commanding Officer at NAPS.

This is very important for Navy Lacrosse fans.

NAPS is often used as a learning institution to prepare athletes who are going to come to Navy to play sports, but might not be ready to excel at the Naval Academy academically.

For those who have graduated from NAPS prior to attending USNA, there is usually universal support for the Prep School and the work of Coach Brian Stewart.

For those of us who did not have the pleasure, we regret the missed opportunity that an additional year of preparation might have afforded.

The Commanding Officer is key for lacrosse fans because the CO sets the tone for the school. The CO decides whether NAPS will be a school of preparation, or a winnowing mill to screen out candidates. It was never intended for the latter, and so the CO ensures that Preparation is the key word.

The USNA.com article follows:
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14Jan10 - ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy Capt. Jim Cunha, of Rumford, R.I., relieved Capt. Anthony Barnes as Commanding Officer, Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) in Newport, R.I. on Jan. 12.

�I would like to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the NAPS faculty and staff,� said Capt. Barnes. �It has been a privilege to lead the NAPS team.�

�It is a great honor to have been selected for this important position,� Capt. Cunha stated. �I am looking forward to helping guide and prepare these young men and women for the challenges they will face if they are selected to attend Naval Academy.�

A 1979 graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Cunha received a Bachelor of Science degree in resource development and education. He was commissioned at the Aviation Officer Candidate School in Feb. 1986.

Cunha reported to his first ship assignment on the USS El Paso in May 1986 and served as auxiliary engineering officer and administration department head. In January 1989, he served as the shipboard management division head at the Surface Warfare Officers School, Newport, R.I., and later became the school�s academic director. Later that year, Cunha was selected as a master training specialist.

Some of Cunha�s past assignments include: enlisted programs officer for Navy Recruiting District, Richmond, Va.; officer in charge at the Security Detachment and Harbor Patrol Unit and Administrative Support Unit in Manama, Bahrain; executive officer at Naval Station

Pascagoula, Miss.; manpower and personnel director at Naval Air Station Keflavik in Iceland; and executive officer at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island.

More recently, Capt. Cunha was assigned as the executive officer at Naval Consolidated Brig Miramar, Calif., in Aug. 2002 and served as commanding officer from Oct. 2003 to April 2005.

In May 2005, Cunha reported as the operations officer at Navy Region Southwest, San Diego, Calif., where he was responsible for anti-terrorism/force protection, current operations, exercises, law enforcement, emergency management and fire and emergency medical services for naval installations and facilities in Calif., Ariz., Nev., N.M., Colo. and Utah. Cunha reported to the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Aug. 2007 where he served as the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection branch head.

Cunha also holds a master�s degree in public administration (MPA) with a concentration in education from Troy State University and a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College. Additionally, Cunha was selected as a student to the Naval War College International Course and graduated with distinction in Dec. 1998.

Cunha has received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Navy Achievement Medal.

Go Navy !!

Buddy