<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Rodney P. Rempt has selected Naval Flight Officer and academy graduate, Capt. Margaret D. Klein to serve as the 82nd Commandant of Midshipmen.
Klein, 49, a native of Weymouth, Mass. will relieve current Commandant of Midshipmen Capt. Bruce E. Grooms in December. Capt. Grooms has been selected for promotion to Rear Admiral and assignment as deputy director, Submarine Warfare Division, N87B, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C..
Klein, a 1981 graduate of the Naval Academy is currently serving as Chief of Staff to Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight, embarked in the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group. She was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1983 and served three operational tours in Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Three (the Ironmen) flying in the EC-130Q and the E-6A TACAMO aircraft. Klein had command of the Ironmen in her final tour, during which the squadron won the Battle E and Maintenance Excellence Award.</p>
<p>This, of course, will be the first female Commandant. For those of use female grads, it's very exciting and yet another milestone. Glad to see it's a grad (as always).</p>
<p>We've already had one of those. She was around back when I was at NAPS. Can't remember her name, but she was a Rear Admiral. WAY big into computers and such, she was one of the driving forces behind bringing the Navy into the 20th century when it came to computers.</p>
<p>She was a trip to listen to during a speech, too! A complete riot! :D</p>
<p>You are thinking of Grace Hopper. She was a computer pioneer and wrote the Cobal language. I think she remained in the Navy until she was in her late 80s. She looked very old and urban legend has it that when Rickover met her, he said "I thought I was the oldest person in the Navy."</p>
<p>If Captain Klein is selected for flag rank, I think she would be the first female academy grad to attain the rank. She is a classmate, but I do not know her.</p>
<p>Flag rank means Rear Admiral Lower Half or above. A flag officer is entitled to signify his presence by the flying of a flag. In the Navy, it is a blue flag with the stars on the flag indicating an officer's rank. If you go by the Supe's office, there is a blue flag flying with three stars-- a Vice-Admiral.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You are thinking of Grace Hopper. She was a computer pioneer and wrote the Cobal language. I think she remained in the Navy until she was in her late 80s.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That would be her, then.</p>
<p>"Here. Have a picosecond!" LOL! :D</p>
<p>Woman was an absolute trip. Hopefully the new 'Dant will have as much sass and pizaz. She had us ont he edge of our seat the whole time.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Capt. Margaret D. Klein will also probably be the first female flag officer.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Nope (even assuming you mean female USNA grad flag officer). Michelle Howard '82 has already been selected for Rear Admiral (LH). It was announced in late August.</p>
<p>And, I should add, there have been female flag officers for many years now. However, given that women didn't graduate from USNA until 1980, until recently, there haven't been any female USNA grads senior enough to be selected for flag rank.</p>
