Captain Cashman is continuously working behind the scenes on behalf of students. Over the course of the last year-plus, he has served on a multitude of committees, has planned a ‘fast cruise’ for students in the class of 2020, and has worked to ensure the Academy can accomplish three cruises aboard the TSSOM, and five aboard the Bowdoin, in the summer of 2021. He negotiated with the Coast Guard to obtain sea time requirement waivers for students in different graduating classes. Driven by a “what is best for the student” mindset, he has worked tirelessly to improve those aspects of the campus for which he is responsible, to include the waterfront. He is instrumental in planning for the TSSOM’s replacement and has put in long hours working with the Registrar, Career Services, and the STCW coordinator to ensure that despite the wrenches thrown into the works by Covid, students in the Unlimited License Program will be able to fulfill their sea time obligations and graduate on time. For all that he has done and continues to do to lead the Academy forward, I nominate Captain Cashman as the Academy’s Unsung Hero for 2021.

As if being the Commandant and the normal complexities that the role entails are not enough work, CAPT Cashman volunteered his time with the men’s lacrosse team as an assistant coach providing positive mentorship and outlets for the Academy’s students.