By Jack Jones
In the early morning hours of Sept. 24, 1965, I sprawled face-down, struggling to breathe after scaling and leaping from the top of a tall, barbed wire-tipped fence behind the U.S. Naval Security Group operations building in Kamiseya, Japan. About a dozen of my shipmates crawled and wandered in dazed confusion around me.
Continue reading “Remembering The NSGA Kamiseya Fire”
I’ve spent some time contemplating what it means to be an O-5 in the military.
As a junior officer, I frequently sparred with those in this rank who were described colloquially as “The Frozen Middle.” This term refers to those mid-to early-senior grade officers who are perceived to place risk aversion over change adoption. Oftentimes, The Frozen Middle prioritizes career progression or comfort in ways that can feel at odds with a commander’s stated goals of innovation and change.
Continue reading “The Frozen Middle, by Roger Misso, Commander Select”
By Capt Jim Darenkamp, USN, (Ret.)
In my 37 years of naval service, I was blessed with opportunities I never imagined when I started as an E-1. From E-8 to O-1E to O-6, every step was cheered on by my best friend, partner, and wife of 33 years. She was my encourager, the quiet strength behind the uniform.
Continue reading “When the Wind Left My Sails”
This year, September 24, 2025, marks the 60th anniversary of one of the most tragic events in the history of U.S. Navy cryptology — the deadly fire at Naval Security Group Activity (NSGA) Kamiseya, Japan. On that fateful day in 1965, a devastating blaze tore through the secure operations building, claiming the lives of 12 brave cryptologists and shipmates who were serving their country in silence and secrecy.
Continue reading “Will Your Command Remember – 60 Years Later: Honoring the Fallen of the NSGA Kamiseya Fire September 24, 1965 – September 24, 2025”
On August 6, 2011, America suffered the single deadliest day of the Afghanistan War when a CH-47D Chinook helicopter—call sign Extortion 17—was shot down in the Tangi Valley of Wardak Province. All 38 souls aboard perished, including 30 American military personnel, one military working dog, and eight Afghans. Among the fallen were 17 members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs, many from the renowned SEAL Team 6, the same unit credited with the mission that killed Osama bin Laden just months earlier.
Continue reading “Remembering Extortion 17: A Tragic Day for American Warriors”
Congratulations to all selected. Message follows:
Continue reading “FY-26 Navy Reserve Commander Line Promotion Selection Results”
Station HYPO 