The Naval Academy Museum will host the first “NavyCon,” a half-day conference on how fleet forces have been portrayed in science fiction, in comparison to our Navy today. Naval experts and analysts will select topics for discussion from their favorite science fiction shows, books, movies and video games. The event will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, from 12 – 5 p.m.
Due to limited space in the museum, seats were reserved for ticket holders only and have been distributed between midshipmen, faculty, staff and guests. The event will be live-streamed at patriotleague.tv/navycon for the public and for those who are interested. Video will also be available on the Naval Academy Museum’s YouTube channel after the conference.
“The event is intended to be both entertaining and informative,” said Museum Director Claude Berube. “So many people have watched science fiction movies or read the books that incorporate space fleets and Marines that we thought we’d bring naval experts in to share their perspectives on their favorite series.”
Opening remarks will be given by former NASA astronaut and Naval Academy Class of 1981 graduate, Capt. Kay Hire, on “NASA Today and Tomorrow.” Other speakers include the current Director of the Defense Strategies and Assessments Program at the Center for a New American Security, Dr. Jerry Hendrix, the former Program Manager of the U.S. Navy’s DDG-51 program, Captain Mark Vandroff, and “Service, Citizenship and ‘Starship Troopers,’” will be delivered by Congressman Mike Gallagher, who served as a Marine in Iraq. The concluding address will be given by the author of the best-selling “Honor Harrington” science fiction series, David Weber.
There will be thirteen presenters in total. A complete schedule of presenters and topics is available on the Naval Academy Museum’s website at https://www.usna.edu/Museum/index.php.
The Naval Academy Museum is open 362 days a year (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). It is open Monday – Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about “NavyCon,” please visit the Museum’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/usnamuseum or Twitter account @USNAMuseum.
For more information about the Naval Academy, please see www.usna.edu or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USNavalAcademy.
