Rich Cataldi ’69 is our East Tennessee Area Coordinator. If you have any interest serving as a Blue and Gold Officer or are interested in learning more about an appointment to the Naval Academy contact him at cdrcataldi@tds.net. He will be glad to answer any questions you may have. He has also been involved with the parent’s club and our two organizations work well together in helping our young men and women be successful in their future endeavors.”
Mission of the United States Naval Academy
“To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically and to imbue them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career of naval service and have potential for future development in mind and character to assume the highest responsibilities of command, citizenship and government.”
Attributes of Midshipmen
We accomplish our mission by graduating midshipmen who are warriors ready to meet the demands of our country at war or at peace. In this sense our graduates are:
• Selfless
• Inspirational
• Proficient
• Innovative
• Articulate
• Adaptable
• Professional
Naval Academy Information Program Mission Statement
To market the opportunities available at the United States Naval Academy and to identify, recruit, and counsel young men and women of diverse backgrounds who possess the potential to be developed morally, mentally, and physically into the nation’s future Naval, government, and civilian leaders.
Blue and Gold Officers (BGOs) are “field” representatives of the Admissions Office who cover a specific geographic area, usually defined by assigned high schools. They encourage exceptional individuals to seek a naval career through the Naval Academy and other officer-accession programs. BGOs provide counseling and information to candidates and applicants throughout the Naval Academy application process. BGOs are comprised of both Naval Academy Information Affiliates (NAIAs) and Naval Academy Information Officers (NAIOs). Though many BGOs have served as Naval Officers, prior service or graduation from the Naval Academy are not pre-requisites for assignment. Any mature adult who has a sincere interest in fulfilling the mission of the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Information Program may be considered as a BGO candidate. Area Coordinators make the initial recommendation to the Head of Candidate Guidance for assignment. Approved applicants for the Blue and Gold Program must pass a proficiency examination before being designated Affiliates. Affiliates must attend BGO summer training offered at the Academy during the summer within two years of designation. Upon successful completion of the initial BGO Training, Affiliates are re-designated as Information Officers. Background checks will be conducted on all BGOs who join the program.
