In United States Naval Academy terminology, the Old Goat is the longest-serving Naval Academy graduate on active duty.[1][2] Since 2014, the designation has been accompanied by an award created by a previous Old Goat, Rear Admiral Alton L. Stocks. The award - a crystal decanter engraved with the initials and class years of previous holders - is passed to a new Old Goat upon the current holder's retirement.[3][4] There have been nine Old Goats so awarded, each after more than 35 years' service to the U.S. Navy.
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Award Recipients
| Photo | Recipient | Class | Awarded title | Relinquished title | Last position | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Rear Admiral Alton L. Stocks | 1972 | Unknown | 8 March 2014 | Deputy Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery | [3] |
 | Vice Admiral Michael H. Miller | 1974 | 8 March 2014 | 1 August 2015 | Superintendent, United States Naval Academy | [1] |
.jpg) | Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert | 1975 | 1 August 2015 | 18 September 2015 | Chief of Naval Operations | [4] |
 | Admiral Mark E. Ferguson III | 1978 | 18 September 2015 | 1 July 2016 | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe & U.S. Naval Forces Africa | [4] |
 | Admiral Cecil D. Haney | 1978 | 1 July 2016 | 17 January 2017 | Commander, U.S. Strategic Command | [5] |
 | Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. | 1978 | 17 January 2017 | 11 April 2018 | Commander, U.S. Pacific Command | |
 | Admiral Kurt W. Tidd | 1978 | 11 April 2018 | 8 October 2018 | Commander, U.S. Southern Command | [6] |
 | Admiral William K. Lescher | 1980 | 8 October 2018 | 30 August 2022 | Vice Chief of Naval Operations | [7] |
 | Admiral James F. Caldwell Jr. | 1981 | 30 August 2022 | 10 January 2024 | Director, Naval Reactors | [8] |
.jpg) | Admiral John C. Aquilino | 1984 | 9 January 2024 | 26 June 2024 | Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command | [9] |
 | Admiral Stuart B. Munsch | 1985 | 26 June 2024 | Incumbent | Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa | [10] |
The current Old Goat is Admiral Stuart B. Munsch (USNA '85), who has served as Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe and Africa since 2022. He received the title and accompanying award from Admiral John C. Aquilino, the outgoing commander of United States Indo-Pacific Command on 26 June 2024.[10]
Class of 1978
The Naval Academy's Class of 1978 was just the fourth USNA class to produce four full (four-star) admirals; each was recognized as the Old Goat.[11][12]