AN EMAIL FROM RADM PAUL BECKER, PRESIDENT – FOJC

Dear FOJC Members, 

Important to share my first-hand observations regarding an incident that received national-level online media attention 24 hours ago.

The Jewish Women of the Naval Academy display case contents, in Stein Fellowship Hall, were removed in their entirety on Friday, 28 March. The memorabilia were returned to their former locations on Tuesday 02 April just several hours after such activity was brought to the attention of the Naval Academy’s most senior leaders.

The USNA Public Affairs Office issued the following statement on 02 April: “…[we are] aware that photos were mistakenly removed from the Naval Academy Jewish Center. The U.S. Naval Academy leadership was immediately taking steps to review and correct the unauthorized removal.”

I was on the Naval Academy Yard Tuesday 01 April and again this morning, Wednesday 02 April to assess the situation first-hand.   I am in regular communication with our rabbi Chaplain Creditor, and have spoken in person with the Superintendent’s Chief of Staff and the Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen, CAPT Dave Forman (USNA ’98 – Jewish, by the way … have know him since he was Midshipman).

The Secretary of Defense visited USNA on 01 April to address the Brigade of Midshipmen.   In advance of the Executive Order compliance committee’s visit, a happenstance to coincide with he SECDEF’s visit, the Superintendent shared her Commander’s Intent for all USNA components to be in compliance with relevant Presidential Executive Orders and Secretary of Defense guidance re: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Gender Ideology.   

A member of the chain of command between the Superintendent and Rabbi Creditor misinterpreted this Commander’s Intent and erroneously directed the photos of women from the Stein Social Hall be removed. The USNA chain of command took immediate follow-up actions to address this error.   

Important to note, that as a reflection of their concern on this matter, on Tuesday evening, the following USNA Senior Leaders arrived on scene in the Levy Center to direct appropriate corrective measures:  Superintendent, Chief of Staff, Engagement Retention & Equal Opportunity Officer, Commandant of Midshipman, Deputy Commandant, Public Affairs Officer, Command Chaplain, Deputy Chaplain and Rabbi Creditor. 

In my opinion, THIS WAS NOT AN ANTI-SEMITIC ACT.   Directions for compliance with Executive Orders were given across the Academy, to include the library. This was the only center where there was misinterpretation of the Commander’s Intent. As an aside, SECDEF did not visit the Levy Center and Jewish Chapel during his short time on the Yard.

Our Midshipmen were neither targeted nor threatened during this incident.   I am confident after talking with the Chief of Staff and Deputy Commandant this morning, that they are committed to protecting Jewish religious activities, personnel, property and traditions.   

Our Board of Directors has requested a meeting with the Superintendent and senior USNA leaders to thank them for their swift resolution of this matter, ensure their awareness of our keen interest and far-reaching impacts of such incidents, and reinforce our longstanding strategic coordination and collaboration.