UNM alums return to Albuquerque to participate in 2024 Navy Week

The U.S. Navy returns to Albuquerque with its Navy Week program from Sept. 9 to 15, marking the 12th Navy Week of the calendar year. Sailors from across the fleet, including two alums from The University of New Mexico and a New Mexico native, will participate in events highlighting the Navy's critical role in national security and prosperity and its significance to the Albuquerque community, the state of New Mexico, and the nation as a whole.

Navy Week is a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach. It is designed to teach Americans about the Navy, its people, and its importance to the country. Since its inception in 2005, the Navy Week program has been the Navy's flagship outreach effort in regions without a substantial Navy presence. Albuquerque Navy Week will feature participation from senior Navy leaders, namesake Sailors from the USS New Mexico, Navy Band Southwest, Naval History and Heritage Command, and other Navy units. It offers the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Navy Week will bring approximately 50 sailors from across the country to volunteer in the community and discuss the importance of the Navy. This will be the sixth Navy Week hosted by New Mexico and its surrounding communities, with the program last visiting Albuquerque in 2022. Throughout the week, sailors will participate in various community events across the area, including engaging with students across multiple high schools and at the Roadrunner Foodbank, Habitat for Humanity, and publicly visible at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, New Mexico State Fair and downtown Albuquerque. Residents will also enjoy free live music by Navy Band Southwest at venues throughout the week.

Two UNM alums and a New Mexico native are participating in this week's events including Capt. Shauna O'Sullivan, Cmdr. Jessica McNulty and Alamogordo-native Hospital Corpsman First Class Aisha Thomas.

O'Sullivan was born at Hahn Air Force Base, Germany and grew up in and around the military. She was awarded an academic and athletic scholarship at UNM playing Division I soccer and graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Biology. She was the recipient of a Naval Health Professions Scholarship and attended medical school at Kansas City University from 1999-2003. She graduated summa cum laude. After graduating, she completed a family practice internship at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla. from 2003-2004.

A fourth-generation sailor, McNulty is a New Jersey native and a 2003 graduate of UNM's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in Albuquerque, where she earned a BS in biology and was competitively selected to study abroad at the Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, England and at Las Escuela Naval Militad de Oficiales in Galicia, Spain. McNulty went on to earn an MA in International Relations from Salve Regina University in Newport R.I. and an MA in Strategic Security Studies from the National War College in Washington D.C. She is a former military social aide to the President of the United States and an alumnus of the George W. Bush Presidential Center "Stand-to Veterans Leadership Program.

Thomas, a native of Alamogordo, N.M., enlisted in the Navy in January 2007. Following completion of basic training and Hospital Corpsman "A" school at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Ill., she reported to San Diego, Calif. followed by Surgical Tech Service School at San Diego, California, Sewell's Point Dental Clinic, Norfolk Va., 1st Medical Battalion, Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas.

These three Sailors and more than 50 others will engage in various community events and projects throughout the week, including in-person demonstrations, performances, and engagements.

Key events during the week include:

• Navy Day at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History on Monday, Sept. 9.
• Swearing-in ceremony with local recruits at the New Mexico State Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
• Meeting with UNM Naval ROTC program, Sept. 12.
• Various volunteer events across Albuquerque non-profits.
• Band performances by Navy Band Southwest across the city.

Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa/commander, Allied Joint Forces Command, Naples will serve as this Navy Week's senior executive. Munsch is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He was selected for a Rhodes scholarship and attended Oxford University and earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Munsch previously commanded USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) from 2002 to 2005.

"I am excited to be returning to Albuquerque and lead the United States Navy team that will be visiting the area to discuss with the citizens of New Mexico how the Navy makes America more secure and prosperous," said Munsch. "Our Navy is on watch around the world, ensuring the free flow of maritime commerce that keeps the global economy, and by extension, the New Mexico economy running."

Albuquerque Navy Week offers a unique opportunity for the local community to connect with the Navy and learn about its vital contributions to national defense and community engagement. The program aims to foster a deeper understanding of the Navy's mission and the dedicated service of its personnel.

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