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Academy names new commandant

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A former submarine skipper will take over this spring as the Naval Academy’s No. 2 officer, officials here announced Monday.

Capt. Robert Clark, now commodore of Submarine Squadron 4 at Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn., is scheduled to become the Naval Academy’s next commandant of midshipmen — known around the Yard as the “Dant” — in the coming weeks, according to an academy announcement.

He will join Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Jeffrey Fowler, who also spent his career as an officer in submarines.

Although the precise date for the change has not been set, in a few weeks Clark is to relieve the current commandant, Capt. Matt Klunder, who has been selected for rear admiral but whose next assignment has not been determined.

Klunder told the Naval Academy’s Board of Visitors on Monday that he had enjoyed his two years in the job — he called it an “honor, honor, honor” — and that he had been inspired as much by midshipmen as he had tried to inspire them.

Clark is an alumnus of the Naval Academy and the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I. According to an academy announcement, his career has included service aboard several fast attack submarines, as well as command of the attack boat Connecticut.

Two other new officials were announced Monday:

• The Naval Academy’s new top enlisted sailor, Command Master Chief (SW) Jon Taylor, who is coming from the amphibious command ship Mount Whitney. He will relieve Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Evelyn Banks, who is moving to Naval Sea Systems Command.

• The new command chaplain, the Rev. (Capt.) Michael Parisi, who is relieving the Rev. (Capt.) Peter McGeory.