Al Olsen, Class of 1972

 

Midshipman Experience

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As a proud member of the class of 1972, the first to have majors at the USNA, Al Olsen was part of the first cohort of History Majors, and he participated in wrestling and Catholic Midshipmen Choir. Mr. Olsen wrote his senior thesis on the 1862 Battle of Shiloh, and developed fond memories while conducting research with Dr. Jack Huston.
 

Career Background

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After graduation, Mr. Olsen served as a Surface Warfare Officer for 9.5 years, acting as the Commissioning Operations Officer on the USS CONOLLY (DD-979). He then completed his final sixteen years of service as an Intelligence Officer, which included such assignments as Assistant Naval Attaché Paris, and OIC of the CNO/SECNAV Intel Briefing team. He was also put in charge of all U.S. military attaches assigned to Asia. In what he remembers as the longest 35 minutes of his life, his linguistic skills were put to the test when he translated for General Colin Powell as he addressed the L’Institute de Haut Etude Defense Nationale (IHEDN), which is the French equivalent of our National War College.

During his long naval career Mr. Olsen received the Legion of Merit, four Meritorious Service Medals, and the French L’Ordre du Merite. He also added to his education by obtaining degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School, the Naval War College, and by earning an MBA from the University of Southern California. After retiring in 1998, Mr. Olsen spent two years working on a black project before serving for the next seven years as the first-ever Defense Intelligence Agency Liaison Officer to Paris.

After two dozen moves (eleven with his parents, eleven during his career, and three during retirement), and after visiting 108 countries and all fifty states, Mr. Olsen decided to move to the area of Charleston, SC, where in 2011 he became a Blue & Gold Officer (BGO) for the Naval Academy, and an Area Coordinator from 2016-2022. Over his eleven years as a BGO he successfully assisted 29 candidates seeking admission to USNA.

 

The History Major

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Mr. Olsen credits being a history major with giving him a “better historical sense of the culture of the countries which you are visiting, living, or working with. Knowing that history provides you unique insights that are invaluable.” He cites his linguistic abilities and historical and cultural expertise with opening doors and providing unique career and leadership opportunities he might not otherwise have obtained.
 

Sage Advice

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"In today's world I would focus more on Chinese/Middle East history. Become an expert. Linguistic capabilities can open doors!"