Secretary of Defense Austin Encourages Naval Academy Grads to Embrace their Leadership Role

In a powerful address to the graduating class of the U.S. Naval Academy, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized that their time as midshipmen has prepared them to assume leadership positions in the Navy and Marine Corps. Austin commended the new Navy and Marine Corps officers for overcoming the challenges posed by the global pandemic and assured them that they are ready for the next step.

Addressing the newly minted ensigns and lieutenants, Austin stated, “You are ready, and that’s not just because you’ll have a commission the next time that you walk off the Yard. It’s because of each time that you walked onto the Yard, you chose to come to this academy.” Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy’s historic Yard in Annapolis, Maryland, has played a pivotal role in shaping generations of Navy and Marine Corps officers, forming the bedrock of the world’s finest Navy.

Since its establishment, the academy has graduated approximately 90,000 midshipmen, including the Class of 2023. Notably, over 6,400 women have graduated from the academy since 1980. This year’s class comprises 1,018 graduates, with 744 commissioned as Navy ensigns and 257 as Marine Corps 2nd lieutenants.

Drawing from his own experience as a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Austin highlighted the significance of leadership. “Leadership is not just what you do, it’s who you are,” he affirmed. He emphasized that Navy officers possess a unique understanding of the power of teamwork, which is crucial for uniting sailors from diverse backgrounds to accomplish the mission and maintain the strength of American sea power.

Austin acknowledged the critical role the Class of 2023 will play in leading the next generation of sailors and Marines, especially during this pivotal moment in history. As the U.S. strives to build a more open and peaceful 21st century, competitors openly challenge the vision, seeking to replace the postwar system of rules and rights with autocracy and aggression. However, Austin expressed confidence in the graduates’ ability to defend democracy and protect the rules-based international order.

“You will deploy forward, you will travel the globe to defend our democracy,” Austin stated. “And you will learn that the lifeblood of the rules-based international order is actually seawater. That’s a big job, but you’re up to it.”

With Secretary Austin’s words resonating in their hearts, the Naval Academy graduates embark on their new journey, carrying the torch of U.S. sea power and embodying the spirit of teamwork, courage, and dedication that has defined the Navy and Marine Corps throughout history. As they sail into the future, these young officers are poised to uphold the values of freedom and security, symbolized by the American flag atop a U.S. Navy ship, and contribute to a more secure and peaceful world.