United States Naval Academy appoints its inaugural Marine superior officer
The U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis welcomes a new leader, Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte, who assumed the role of superintendent on August 15, 2025. Borgschulte, a decorated naval aviator with over 3,800 flight hours, becomes the 66th superintendent in the academy’s history [1][2][4].
Borgschulte, a 1991 graduate of the Naval Academy, brings a wealth of experience to his new position. Before becoming superintendent, he was the Deputy Commandant of the Marine Corps for Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Virginia [1][2][3]. He also commanded the Third Marine Aircraft Wing, the largest aviation unit in the Marine Corps [2].
As superintendent, Borgschulte is tasked with leading the academy with a focus on preserving its traditions while preparing future Navy and Marine Corps officers for complex challenges. He emphasises the importance of cultivating a warrior ethos and readiness for combat, stating that victory begins in the academy’s classrooms, labs, and athletic fields, not just on the battlefield [1][2].
John Phelan, the Secretary of the Navy, described Borgschulte as a military hybrid of modern tactics and ancient attitudes. Phelan also highlighted Borgschulte's leadership skills, stating that he led sailors and marines at all levels [1].
Borgschulte is the first Marine Corps officer to serve as superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. He follows Vice Adm. Yvette Davids, who fulfilled her role with distinction and is moving to the Pentagon to be the deputy chief of naval operations for Operations, Plans, Strategy, and Warfighting Development [1]. Davids led the academy to achieve the highest recruitment and retention in the Marine Corps' history under her leadership [1][4].
This year, the U.S. Naval Academy commissioned a total of 1034 officers, including 776 Navy ensigns and 258 second lieutenants in the Marine Corps [1]. The academy's commissioning ceremony marked the culmination of four years of intense academic, physical, and military training for the new officers.
As Borgschulte takes the helm, he is expected to further cultivate a culture of winning and warfighting at the U.S. Naval Academy. Under his leadership, the academy will continue to prepare future generations of officers for the challenges of an increasingly complex world.
[1] Navy Times. (2025). New superintendent takes helm at U.S. Naval Academy. Retrieved from https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2025/08/15/new-superintendent-takes-helm-at-us-naval-academy/
[2] Military.com. (2025). Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte: First Marine Corps Officer to Serve as Superintendent of U.S. Naval Academy. Retrieved from https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/08/15/lt-gen-michael-borgschulte-first-marine-corps-officer-serve-superintendent-us-naval-academy.html
[3] Department of the Navy. (2025). Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte Biographical Data. Retrieved from https://www.navy.mil/ah_files/BioData/Borgschulte_Michael.pdf
[4] U.S. Naval Academy. (2025). Class of 2025 Graduation. Retrieved from https://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek/Classof2025/index.php
Borgschulte, in his new role as superintendent at the U.S. Naval Academy, intends to strengthen the culture of education-and-self-development and career-development alongside the warrior ethos, preparing future officers for complex challenges in Toronto and beyond. His leadership approach, echoing John Phelan's description as a military hybrid of modern tactics and ancient attitudes, promises continued success for the academy and its graduates.
