On a bright Friday morning in Annapolis, history was made at the U.S. Naval Academy as Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte became the institution’s 66th superintendent—and, notably, the first Marine Corps officer to ever hold the post in the Academy’s 180-year existence. The change of command ceremony, held in the storied Dahlgren Hall, marked a moment of transition and tradition, blending the Academy’s proud past with a vision for its future.
Secretary of the Navy John Phelan set the scene with a touch of nostalgia and camaraderie, noting that Borgschulte, a native of Springfield, Missouri, “even wore the blue and gold, No. 38, as a linebacker on the football team, and I’m told he holds the title of senior-most Marine on the team.” According to the Associated Press, Phelan described the new superintendent as “a decorated naval aviator and a veteran of three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan who’s led sailors and marines at all levels.”
Borgschulte, who graduated from the Academy in 1991 with a bachelor of science in oceanography, brings a wealth of experience to the Yard. He later earned a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College and has held a variety of leadership roles, most recently serving as deputy commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs in Quantico, Virginia. Before that, he was the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego. Promoted to lieutenant general in 2024, Borgschulte’s career as an AH-1 attack helicopter pilot is distinguished by 3,800 flight hours—including more than 700 in combat zones across Afghanistan and Iraq.
But Borgschulte’s ties to the Academy run deeper than his resume. As Phelan observed, “He has never lost his connection with his alma mater, dedicating himself to leading and mentoring generations of midshipmen.” That commitment was on full display at the recent Marine Corps Awards Ceremony for the Class of 2025 Marine Selects, where Borgschulte addressed the soon-to-be second lieutenants: “Thanks for your willing commitment to serve this great country. To serve something bigger than self. Most people wouldn’t do that these days. In fact less than 1% of our country serves.” He encouraged them to “be proud. Stay humble. The title you’re about to earn and the cloth you’re about to wear of a United States Marine is earned every single day, by how you live, how you lead and how you serve your Marine warriors.”
Family is also central to Borgschulte’s story. He met his wife, Gitte, 23 years ago in Copenhagen, Denmark. Now a U.S. citizen and a practicing physician, Gitte was praised by her husband during Friday’s ceremony: “You’re an amazing person and, although I may be biased, the finest physician in America. I feel a bit sorry for Denmark because they certainly lost that competition.” The couple’s two sons, 16-year-old Ryker and 13-year-old Torben, have experienced the nomadic life common to military families—attending four different schools in as many years due to Borgschulte’s service. Addressing his boys, he said, “I’m incredibly proud of your grit, your toughness and resilience.”
Friday’s ceremony also marked the end of Vice Adm. Yvette Davids’ tenure as superintendent. Davids, who made history herself as the first woman and first Hispanic person to lead the Academy, was nominated by President Joe Biden and had served since January 2024. According to The Baltimore Banner, her reassignment to the Pentagon as deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans, strategy and warfighting development was abrupt, coming just last month at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Phelan lauded Davids, saying, “Vice Adm. Davids’ experience, operational record and strategic mind made her the natural fit for the job and will serve her and the Navy well in this future role.”
Borgschulte steps into his new role at a time when the Academy’s mission is as vital as ever. In his remarks, he emphasized, “The academy exists not to pursue academic rankings or institutional accolades—yes, we have those—but to fulfill a sacred mission, and that’s to develop the next generation of Navy and Marine Corps officers who will protect and defend the freedoms we as Americans so often take for granted.” This year alone, the Academy commissioned 776 Navy ensigns and 258 second lieutenants in the Marine Corps, a testament to its ongoing impact on the nation’s defense.
His leadership philosophy is shaped not only by his military service but also by lessons drawn from outside the armed forces. At the May awards ceremony, Borgschulte referenced his favorite book, “Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life,” by James Kerr. The book chronicles the New Zealand national rugby team’s success and draws broader lessons on leadership and personal legacy. “Your legacy has already started,” Borgschulte told the Marine Selects. “Your personal legacy. How your peers will look at you, how your seniors will look at you and most importantly how those Marines you’re about to lead will talk about you.”
Borgschulte’s advocacy for service members extends beyond the battlefield. In April, he testified before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee, supporting increased wages for staff at military child care centers and highlighting the importance of educational programs for service families. When asked by Senator Elizabeth Warren about the timeline for implementing a new compensation model, Borgschulte responded, “We have increased the wages. I’ll get back to you with a specific date, but we have over 40,000 kids in our child and youth programs. I mean, think about that. That’s a retention effort, and that allows them to be free to go fight.” Warren acknowledged his progress, saying, “You said many nice things, and the fact that you’ve actually moved toward increasing wages puts you a step ahead of the other two people to your right.”
Those who know Borgschulte best describe him as a leader who combines the best of modern tactics with timeless values. “He is someone who his fellow Marines described as a military hybrid of modern tactics and ancient attitudes,” Phelan remarked. Retired Marine Col. Don Chipman, a longtime friend and one of Borgschulte’s Navy flight school roommates, summed up the sentiment: “He’s the perfect person for this. He treats everyone like they’re his best friend.”
As the U.S. Naval Academy looks to the future, Borgschulte’s appointment signals both continuity and change. With a decorated combat record, a deep commitment to mentorship, and a personal investment in the well-being of service members and their families, he is poised to guide the Academy through an era of evolving challenges. “Get ready, midshipmen. It’s time to buckle your chinstraps,” Phelan said, capturing the anticipation and resolve that now fills the Yard.
The Academy’s legacy, much like the new superintendent’s, is already in motion—shaped by every leader, every class, and every commitment to service that passes through its historic halls.
