<p>
[quote]
2Apr08 - Annapolis, Md.- The Department of Defense announced today that the Naval Academys Commandant of Midshipmen, Capt. Margaret D. Klein, has been nominated for promotion to Rear Admiral. Captain Klein remains assigned at the Naval Academy, pending Senate confirmation of her promotion and the Navy's announcement of a future assignment. </p>
<p>A native of Weymouth, Mass., Klein graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1981. She has been assigned as the Commandant of Midshipmen since December 2006. As Commandant, Klein is responsible for the military and professional development of the approximately 4,300-member Brigade of Midshipmen. </p>
<p>Before coming to the Academy, Klein served as Chief of Staff to Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight, embarked in the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia. 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/B 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>Kleins extensive operational experience includes service on the USS Kitty Hawk Battle Group Staff during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her major command was Wing Commander of Task Force 124 and Strategic Communications Wing One in Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.</p>
<p>Klein previously served in the Presidential Contingency Plans Directorate of the White House Military Office, and as a Brookings Legislative Fellow in 1997 on the staff of Senator Olympia Snowe, briefing defense issues. She holds a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern Maine.
<p>If she gets her star dos she have to be reassigned or can the position of USNA commandant be filled with a "one star"?. The corresponding position at WP is usually a Brig. General. Perhaps they will use the opportunity to do the same, or is it always s captain for that spot?</p>
<p>I noticed that Shogun, and I've always wondered why USNA doesn't use an O-7 like USMA. To my knowledge, all past commandants have been been Captains.</p>
<p>And I assume it will stay that way due to this line:
[quote]
and the Navy's announcement of a future assignment.
<p>The Commandant has traditionally been a Captain (O-6). </p>
<p>I know of at least one Commandant who held the position as a Rear Admiral (Lower Half). RDML Sam Locker, now I believe a VADM, was Commandant as a Captain, but through promotion, held it as an O-7.</p>
<p>Correction to my post: all past commandants have been captains since commandant was moved to captain (I think it was CDR back when Supe's were CPT's)</p>
<p>Rear Adm. Milo Frederick Draemel, USN 1937-1940
Rear Adm. Stuart H. Ingersoll, USN 1945-1947
Rear Adm. Charles Allen Buchanan, USN 1952-1954
Rear Adm. William F. McCauley, USN 1979-1981</p>
<p>Supe became an O-7/8 position in 1921 and O-9 in 1945.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The first woman commandant of midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy has been nominated for a promotion, meaning she could be leaving Annapolis.</p>
<p>Capt. Margaret Klein, commandant since 2006, has been nominated by the Department of Defense to become a rear admiral. The promotion would require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.</p>
<p>Klein was a 1981 graduate and member of the second class of midshipmen to include women. The post of commandant of the 4,000 midshipmen at the academy is equivalent to the dean of students at a civilian school.</p>
<p>Academy spokesman Cmdr. Ed Austin said there is no set time for how long commandant postings are held.
<p>Per the names mentioned in previous post(one being my father)-Came into the Commandant position as Captains, selected for Rear Admiral then spot promoted almost immediately. This means you wear the star and use the title-Admiral but do not receive O-7 pay until you are in an O-7 billet. I don't think they are doing much spot promoting anymore. Therefore, Capt Klein will remain a Capt until her next job as an O-7.</p>
Capt. Margaret D. Klein, who in 2006 became the first female commandant of midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, has been promoted to the rank of rear admiral, according to a Department of Defense announcement.</p>
<p>She has been assigned as operations officer of the Naval network warfare command, based in Norfolk, Va.
<p>So then that would mean a new Commandant next year? Does that mean that more changes are in store? Sorry- I'm a little uneducated in this area, but what does the commandant do really?</p>
<p>Rumor has it that the "Mamadant" is leaving during the summer as Jordan indicated. More changes are probably going to be in store meaning that '10 is probably going to pay the price just one more time. </p>
<p>Traditionally, the position of Commandant is held by a Navy Captain or a Marine Corps Brigadier General. By law, the Superintendent has to be a three-star admiral in the Navy at the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>The reason that one stars occupy those positions in the Marines and Army is the same reason Majors hold positions that LT's would normally hold like Company Officers. In the Navy, O-5 is considered to be a "field officer" while the other services indicate O-4 as a "field officer". The Army and Marines are always one ahead in rank, but one behind in billet... it's hard to explain, but if you're a mid you understand what I'm getting at, maybe.</p>
<p>The Commandant's job is equivalent to "Dean" at a normal college, but not Academic Dean.</p>
<p>Although by no means a perfect analogy, think of the Dant as the Dean of Students in a civilan school and the Supe as the president of the university. </p>
<p>The Dant is primarily responsible for the Brigade -- morale, discipline, education, training, etc. The Supe has broader responsibilities that include the professors, the facilities, fundraising, etc.</p>
<p>These days, you typically don't "pin on" 0-7. My understanding is that, by law, there is a fixed number of 0-7s in the USN. Thus, you are given a number in terms of your seniority for promotion and have to wait until a vacancy at the 0-7 position opens up (based on retirements and promotions to 0-8). There are some exceptions, but not many. However, once someone is selected for promotion, it's not uncommon for them to move out of their current billet.</p>