Featured Firstie: 1/C Joe Phelan

  POSTED ON: Friday, October 7, 2022 1:47 PM by mediarelations@usna.edu

Today’s Firstie Friday is the Diversity Conference Chair, MIDN 1/C Joe Phelan. Phelan is from Cincinnati, Ohio and a platoon commander in 22nd Company.

The 3rd Annual Diversity and Inclusion Conference was held this week; Phelan strongly believes the different perspectives shared strengthens the Navy and Marine Corps: “continuing these conversations is important to keep our military great.” His most memorable takeaways from the panels were LCDR Jonny Kim’s insights on humble leadership and LCDR Kayla Barron’s experience breaking through barriers by dreaming big.

In addition to his involvement with the USNA Diversity Conference, Phelan is a member of the Chinese Cultural Club and the Dolphin Club, a club for aspiring submariners.

Phelan came to the Academy because he wanted to give back to the country that has given his family so many opportunities. As a midshipman, he is regularly pushed out of his comfort zone and exposed to new experiences. His favorite memory is sailing 753 miles through the Gulf Stream from Annapolis to Bermuda this past summer, a route that contains extremely tough conditions and unpredictable weather.

In his leadership positions, Phelan uses the words of his father, a former major in the U.S. Marine Corps, who reminds him, “Do everything you can for those you will be leading, because they will do everything they can for you.” Phelan will be commissioned as a submarine officer in May.

Category: Midshipman, General Interest