Naval War College Foundation
Sentinel of the Sea Award Gala
Honoring VADM John Mustin, USN (Ret.)
Thursday, November 5, 2026
Location:
New York Yacht Club
37 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
6 p.m. Reception
7 p.m. Dinner and Program
Attire: Black tie (optional) or service equivalent
The Sentinel of the Sea Award is the Naval War College Foundation’s highest honor, recognizing distinguished American citizens whose lives and careers embody the values and traditions of the U.S. Naval War College and reflect the U.S. Navy’s enduring motto, Non Sibi Sed Patriae / Not Self but Country.
The annual Sentinel of the Sea Award Gala brings together leaders from the military, government, industry, and the Naval War College community for an evening celebrating exceptional leadership and service while raising critical support for the U.S. Naval War College.
2026 SENTINEL OF THE SEA AWARD RECIPIENT
Vice Admiral John Mustin, USN (Ret.), is a retired U.S. Navy leader, technology executive, and experienced board director whose career spans national security, organizational leadership, technology innovation, and public service.
During a 34-year Navy career, Mustin was selected for command six times and culminated his military service as the 15th Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, leading 60,000 personnel worldwide. A decorated veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, he made history in 2019 as the first Reserve officer to command a U.S. Navy strike group when he assumed command of Expeditionary Strike Group TWO.
Most recently, as President of Saildrone, Mustin helped scale one of the nation’s leading autonomous maritime technology companies, continuing a career at the intersection of national security, emerging technology, and maritime innovation.
Read VADM Mustin's Full Biography
Vice Admiral John Mustin is a retired U.S. Navy leader, technology executive, and experienced board director whose career spans national security, large-scale organizational leadership, technology innovation, and public service.
During a 34-year Navy career, Mustin was selected for command six times and culminated his military service as the 15th Chief of Navy Reserve and Commander, Navy Reserve Force, where he led 60,000 personnel worldwide and managed a $3.7 billion annual budget. A decorated veteran of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, he made history in 2019 as the first Reserve officer to command a U.S. Navy strike group when he assumed command of Expeditionary Strike Group TWO in Little Creek, Virginia.
Throughout his military and civilian careers, Mustin has focused on leading complex organizations and applying emerging technology to consequential operational and national security challenges. Most recently, as President of Saildrone, he helped scale one of the nation’s leading autonomous maritime defense technology companies through a period of significant revenue/bookings growth and global expansion. His work has placed him at the intersection of defense innovation, artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, maritime security, and the adoption of commercial technology for government missions domestically and internationally.
Earlier in his civilian career, Mustin held senior executive and entrepreneurial roles focused on technology, digital transformation, growth, and business strategy. Across these experiences, he developed expertise in organizational transformation, strategic planning, financial stewardship, public-private partnerships, and navigating complex government and commercial environments.
A fifth-generation graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Mustin earned a BS in Systems Engineering and later an MS in Operations Research from the Naval Postgraduate School and an MBA, cum laude, in Finance and Management from Babson College.
Mustin has maintained a longstanding commitment to public service, leadership development, and the military and veteran communities. An experienced board and advisory board member, early-stage investor, published author, and frequent speaker on national security, technology, leadership, and service, he brings to corporate and nonprofit boards a distinctive combination of governance experience, strategic and financial oversight, technology fluency, organizational leadership, and a commitment to mission and public service.
An Evening of Conversation with Sandra Smith
We are pleased to welcome Sandra Smith, co-anchor of America Reports on FOX News Channel, as moderator of a special fireside conversation with 2026 Sentinel of the Sea Award recipient VADM John Mustin, USN (Ret.).
Drawing on Admiral Mustin’s distinguished military career and leadership in defense technology, the conversation will explore the evolving intersection of national security, innovation, and leadership, offering guests a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping our nation’s future.
Read Sandra's Full Biography
Sandra Smith serves as co-anchor of FOX News Channel’s (FNC) America Reports (weekdays 1-3PM/ET). She joined the company in October 2007 as a reporter for FOX Business Network (FBN).
On America Reports, Smith and co-anchor John Roberts are joined by newsmakers and experts to discuss the latest afternoon headlines and issues of the day. Previously, she served as co-anchor of the morning news programs America’s Newsroom and Outnumbered alongside co-anchor Harris Faulkner and rotating panelists.
Throughout her tenure, Smith has appeared across both FNC and FBN daytime and primetime programs, as well as frequently filled in as guest anchor on The Story with Martha MacCallum. In 2024, Smith presented FOX News Voter Analysis data from the network’s election headquarters in New York to showcase the electorate’s views on certain topics as presidential election results rolled in. In addition to providing coverage of every major political story during the most recent cycle, Smith co-anchored the special Democracy 2024: New Hampshire Primary with John Roberts, providing viewers with a close look at the Granite State, following former President Donald Trump’s win in Iowa.
In February 2022, Smith co-anchored breaking news coverage on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with John Roberts, providing special weekend coverage as fighting intensified in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. In 2020, she co-anchored FNC’s special coverage of the memorial service honoring civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) alongside Harris Faulkner and Trace Gallagher. In May 2018, Smith was on location from England to present live coverage of the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
In November 2015, Smith co-moderated the FOX Business Network’s inaugural Republican presidential primary debate, making history as the first dual-female team to host a debate. The event, which featured candidates earning less than 2.5 percent, delivered 4.7 million total viewers and 866,000 in the key 25-54 demo, making it one of FBN’s highest-rated programs.
Prior to joining FBN, Smith was an on-air reporter for Bloomberg Television. In this role, she covered U.S. equities and derivative markets and contributed to breaking news and analysis. Before Bloomberg, Smith was the Director of Institutional Sales and Trading at Terra Nova Institutional where she handled investment management and hedge fund accounts. She also assisted in the development of program trading models for existing and prospective clients. Prior to this, she was a trader at Hermitage Capital, where she executed U.S. equities and options orders, conducted portfolio analysis, prepared commission reports and serviced clients.
A graduate of Louisiana State University, Smith began her career as a research associate at Aegis Capital. There, she assisted in the research and analysis of retail stocks, prepared weekly stock newsletters for clients and identified investment opportunities.
Educate Today. Secure Tomorrow.
Proceeds from the Sentinel of the Sea Award Gala support the Naval War College Foundation’s mission to provide the margin of excellence that advances the U.S. Naval War College’s priorities in education, research, wargaming, and leader development.
An Evening at the New York Yacht Club
Thursday, November 5, 2026
New York Yacht Club
37 West 44th Street
New York, New York
6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception – Grill Room
7:00 p.m. Dinner & Program – Model Room
9:30 p.m. Approximate Conclusion
Black tie (optional) or service equivalent
Become a 2026 Sentinel of the Sea Sponsor
Join the Naval War College Foundation in honoring distinguished leadership and service while advancing the mission of the U.S. Naval War College. Sponsorship of the Sentinel of the Sea Award Gala provides critical philanthropic support for the education, research, and programs that prepare leaders to meet the complex national security challenges of today and tomorrow.
Your support helps provide the margin of excellence that ensures the Naval War College remains at the forefront of strategic thought and leader development.
2026 Sponsors
Captain
Trustee Ralph H. Isham and Mrs. Ala Isham
Commanding Officer
Trustee Paul A. Dimitruk and Mrs. Ingrid Dimitruk
Stephanie W. McLennan
Executive Officer
Mr. and Mrs. James L. Lanzillo
Adam Levin
Scott & Michele Nelson
Department Head
Tony Braddock
Trustee Justin Freeh
Eric Swedenburg
A Distinguished Legacy
Since its establishment, the Sentinel of the Sea Award has recognized distinguished Americans whose leadership, service, and commitment to our Nation reflect the values and traditions of the U.S. Naval War College.
ADM James G. Stavridis, USN (Ret.)
16th Supreme Allied Commander, NATO
GEN James N. Mattis, USMC (Ret.)
26th U.S. Secretary of Defense
Gary Sinise
American Actor, Philanthropist, Humanitarian, and Musician
J. William Middendorf II
62nd U.S. Secretary of the Navy
Join Us in New York
Thursday, November 5, 2026
New York Yacht Club
All Content ©2026 Naval War College Foundation
Narrative Infrastructure by Bravo Charlie Delta
All Content ©2026 Naval War College Foundation
Narrative Infrastructure by Bravo Charlie Delta