While many American college students were busy doing keg stands or planning a trip to Cabo, the students at the Naval Academy were told to "double down" on their education because the "historic" Iran operation just changed their military lives from the "theoretical" to the "very real."
U.S. Naval Academy Superintendent USMC Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte issued the message to all the plebes and midshipmen at the academy, telling them to treat every evolution, assignment, and physical training as crucial preparation because "History does not ask whether we feel ready. It simply arrives."
Everyone can learn something from his serious words. There's history, order, and purpose in his message sent Monday, March 2, following the Saturday morning attack on the Islamist mullahs, whose militant kleptocracy had just killed more than 40,000 protesters in the streets.
I thought the letter was a social media tall tale at first since it was too perfect. I chased down the provenance, however, and yep, the admonition was written by the USNA's first-ever Marine superintendent, who graduated in 1991.
It began with a reminder of Iran's war against the U.S. military for decades.
Brigade of Midshipmen,
As you have seen in the news, our Joint Force has begun military operations against Iran. For decades, Iran has waged a proxy war against American forces and our partners across the Middle East.
The events now unfolding are historic. They are consequential. And they demand serious reflection from all of us.
For some of your company mates who have only recently graduated, this is no longer theoretical. It is not a case study. It is not a classroom discussion.
It is real.
They are likely participating in these operations today, standing watch, flying sorties, leading Sailors and Marines, executing missions on behalf of our great country. They are carrying the weight of decisions that matter.
Among the "Supe's" "serious reflections" were that this is not a test. It's not a dress rehearsal. And, "Soon enough, [the] responsibility will be yours. This moment should sharpen your perspective."
Recommended: Hey, Ingrates, Could You Spare a Thank You to Elon for Giving Iranians Back Their Voices?
He turned to philosophy to explain why their roles in someday fighting for their nation depend on officers who are competent and moral. When have you ever heard of that being asked of a student in a typical college classroom?
The fate of nations, the stability of regions, and the lives of your fellow Americans are not abstract ideas. They rest in the hands of officers who are competent, disciplined, and morally grounded.
The fate of the Iranian people, like so many populations caught under regimes that choose hostility over peace, will ultimately be shaped in part by how professionally and decisively American forces conduct themselves.
You’ve heard me talk about warfighting and our focus on it. What you are seeing in the news is an example of why we must be ready.
He said that they're not in the fight right now, but last year's grads are.
You've heard me talk about warfighting and our focus on it. What you are seeing in the news is an example of why we must be ready. Warfighting is not a slogan. It is the core purpose of our Navy and Marine Corps. It requires intellectual rigor in the classroom, physical toughness on the field, and professional seriousness in every training evolution.
It requires leaders who understand history, technology, human behavior, and the moral weight of command. It requires officers who can think clearly under pressure and act decisively in uncertainty. This is not a time for distraction. It is not a time for complacency.
And then he issued his challenge:
It is a time... to double down.
Double down academically, master your disciplines. Whether you study engineering, cyber, political science, or literature, your ability to think critically will shape your effectiveness in combat.
Double down athletically, physical resilience underpins combat effectiveness. The demands placed on junior officers in operational units are unrelenting.
Double down professionally, treat every formation, every brief, every watch, and every leadership opportunity as preparation for the day when the stakes are real.
And then he doubled down on the necessity of moral clarity in war and at school.
Our mission remains clear: to develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically and to imbue you with the highest ideals of duty, honor, and loyalty. Those ideals are not ornamental. They are operational necessities.
History does not ask whether we feel ready. It simply arrives. We are not simply another college, our responsibility is far greater. We will continue to prepare you accordingly.
With Respect,
Your Supe
LtGen Michael J. Borgschulte, USMC
66th Superintendent
I read the superintendent's message for my podcast audience the other day and was glad to see in the livestream comments that I wasn't the only one who felt every American would be edified to hear them. They're at 1:09:00 in the podcast livestream, but what ho! I found the Supe himself reading his message. Nice.
Message to the Brigade
— USNA Superintendent (@usnasupe) March 4, 2026
Sat, 28 Feb 2026
Operation EPIC FURY pic.twitter.com/pmFIN1tawu
On the pod, I was talking about the Iran operation with PJ Media's own Robert Spencer, an expert on all things Islam. We actually had way too much fun. Got to laugh in serious times.
Watch it all below.
