USNA Superintendent

Leadership forged at sea on USNA YPs. ⚓️🇺🇸

Congratulations to our motivated midshipmen and dedicated active-duty officers and enlisted sailors who successfully brought 4 of our Yard Patrol (YP) ships underway alongside fellow future naval leaders from Norway, Spain, Germany, and Taiwan in support of New York 250th celebrations. 🇺🇸🌎

This experience was about far more than seamanship. It strengthened trust, reinforced interoperability, and built the relationships that will help safeguard the maritime domain for generations to come. Our Mids even got to experience an unforecasted storm together. ⛈️🌊

Thank you to every member of our USNA team and in particular our Waterfront Enlisted Warriors who performed maintenance actions to keep us on track. Your commitment behind the scenes ensured our ships were ready to answer the call and provided an unforgettable experience for our midshipmen and international partners.

Representing USNA for our Nation’s 250th Independence Celebration in NYC was an incredible honor. 🇺🇸⚓️

Throughout the week, we had the privilege of spending time with our exceptional midshipmen while engaging with senior military leaders, national leaders, other services, and Chiefs of Navy from around the world. As we celebrated 250 years of American independence, it was a powerful reminder that the freedoms we enjoy today have always depended on leaders willing to serve something greater than themselves.

Our midshipmen represented the Naval Academy with professionalism, confidence, and humility. Whether serving behind the scenes, engaging with distinguished guests, or proudly representing the Brigade, they demonstrated the character, competence, and commitment that define the future leaders of our Navy and Marine Corps.

Here’s to America’s next 250 years, and to the next generation of warfighters who will defend them. 🇺🇸

Patriotic start to our Nation’s 250th Independence Celebration this morning standing in the heart of downtown Annapolis and joining Steve Doocy and FOX & Friends to talk about the mission that matters most: developing our next generation of Navy and Marine Corps leaders. 🇺🇸⚓️

If you want to be fired up about America’s future, come visit us on the Yard and see why we are ranked America’s #1 public school and why we have one of the closest relationships between a city and a college in the entire country. 🤝 Mayor Jared Littmann and I are proud to celebrate this special relationship and all that it represents.

Check out Steve’s “war face” and then check out the Main Street USA segment on the City of Annapolis.

Our Midshipmen and Naval Academy band sounded sharp, looked sharp, and represented the high standards we champion at USNA! BZ! 🫡⚓️🦅

Full speed ahead, Class of 2030. ⚓️🫡🇺🇸

Today, the United States Naval Academy officially welcomed our newest midshipmen. Before their families, friends, and the Class of 1980, 2030’s Link in the Chain, they raised their right hands and committed themselves to something far greater than self.

Today was more than an oath. It was the first step on a journey that will forge leaders of character for our Navy and Marine Corps.

The next four years will test their resolve, sharpen their intellect, strengthen their spirit, and demand unwavering commitment to their teammates. The Naval Academy is a crucible, intentionally built to transform ordinary young men and women into extraordinary officers. Embrace every challenge, because growth is found on the other side of adversity.

Class of 2030: press on when others would quit. Lead when others hesitate. Stand firm when the mission is hard.

Your journey begins today. Your legacy begins now.

Full speed ahead. Anchors Aweigh! ⚓️🇺🇸

🫡🇺🇸 Today, we welcomed CAPT Clinton Cornell and his wife, CAPT Jodie Cornell, to the Yard as he assumed duties as the 92nd Commandant of Midshipmen.

The Commandant bears one of the most important responsibilities at the Naval Academy, leading the development of the Brigade of Midshipmen in character, conduct, discipline, military training, and professional readiness. As the senior officer responsible for the daily military and moral development of our midshipmen, the Commandant helps shape the future officers who will lead sailors and Marines around the globe.

CAPT Cornell returns to Annapolis with an extraordinary record of leadership and service. A Naval Academy graduate, former Brigade Battalion Commander, Naval Academy Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, swim team captain, and distinguished Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, he has led with courage, humility, and excellence throughout a career dedicated to our Nation.

I also want to recognize CAPT Austin Jackson for his outstanding service as Interim Commandant. His steady leadership, unwavering commitment to the Brigade, and willingness to answer the call during a pivotal period ensured continuity, stability, and continued mission success.

Please join me in welcoming CAPT Cornell and his family back to Annapolis. I know he will build upon the strong foundation of those who came before him as we continue our mission of developing leaders prepared to serve as warfighters in the Navy and Marine Corps.⚓️🇺🇸

Welcome aboard, Commandant.

To all of the Fathers, Grandfathers, Stepfathers, and father figures who have helped shape our Midshipmen, Happy Father’s Day! 🇺🇸⚓️

Behind every Midshipman standing tall in Bancroft Hall is someone who spent years teaching lessons that don’t appear in any textbook.
You taught them to shake hands firmly, keep their word, show up on time, finish what they started, and do the right thing when no one was watching. You showed them that leadership is earned, responsibility matters, and that service to others is one of life’s highest callings.

Long before they took the Oath of Office, many of them learned what commitment looked like by watching you.

And personally, I thank my own Dad, whose example of hard work, humility, and service helped shape the man and Marine I became. I also celebrate the privilege of being a father to our two American Vikings, Ryker and Torben, who inspire me every day. 🇺🇸🇩🇰⚔️

We salute all Dads behind the Mission. 🫡⚓️






Leadership Lessons & Legacy. ⚓️🇺🇸

Inspiring to join our midshipmen at the Gettysburg Leadership Encounter, where the timeless lessons of one of our nation’s most consequential battles challenged us to think deeply about leadership, decision-making, and service.🦅🔱

Bringing together our outstanding Naval Academy leadership faculty, midshipmen selected for our first-semester leadership positions, and varsity team captains created a powerful opportunity to learn from history and from one another. The lessons of Gettysburg remain as relevant today as ever as we develop the next generation of warfighters.

This is just one example of the immersive leadership development opportunities our future warriors gain by earning a place at the United States Naval Academy.
#1 Public School for a reason. 👊🇺🇸

Thank you to Colonel (Ret.) Douds, USMC, for his PHD level Gettysburg leadership historical lessons. None better.

Many thanks to the great class of 1977 for sponsoring this year as link in the chain with 2027! Your Legacy & connection with our future leaders matter! We salute you! 🫡

Also, Huge thank you to our incredible leadership staff led by Colonel Maria "MJ" Pallotta, USMCR (Ret.), our Director of the Center for Experiential Leadership Development (ELD). Well done Team!

It was an honor to represent the Naval Academy during today’s White House ceremony posthumously recognizing Colonel John Ripley (ret), USMC, a 1962 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, with the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Vietnam.

Generations of midshipmen know the legend of “Ripley at the Bridge.” His near-impossible demolition of the D**g Ha Bridge on April 2, 1972, depicted in a powerful diorama at the Naval Academy, has long been part of the way we teach our midshipmen courage, ingenuity, and leadership under fire.

From the halls of Annapolis to the battlefields of Vietnam, Colonel Ripley embodied the values of duty, honor, and sacrifice. His courage, leadership, and selfless service represent the very best of our Academy, our Naval Service, and our Nation.

His legacy reminds us that character is revealed when the stakes are highest. May his example continue to inspire generations of midshipmen to answer the call, lead from the front, and serve with courage when America needs them most.

Sea Trials = Grit, Moto, Teamwork & Fun! ⚓️💪🇺🇸

Summer Seminar third block almost complete. Our last, rising high school senior Summer Seminar for this year. Many will prove they have what it takes to earn a spot in the USNA Class of 2031!

Over 17,000 high performing high school candidates will apply for only 1100 spots at USNA, the #1 Ranked Public School. We look forward to welcoming these outstanding young men and women next year that choose to serve something bigger than self. Respect!