Duffy Speaks To MMA Grads
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy didn’t spare words when he addressed the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Class of 2025 on June 23. He told the class that “despite being disrespected and uncared for,” they were “the finest graduates of all our service academies.”
Referring to substandard conditions in under-maintained buildings, he said, “For years, this institution has been neglected by Congress and mismanaged. The campus has been allowed to fall into disrepair. It’s unbecoming of a national service academy. It’s unfair, given the depth of the sacrifices you have made, and it’s unworthy of the greatest country in the world.”
Duffy added, “Your perseverance is why the Air Force schools prefer pilots from here rather than the Navy. You’ve put up with more than they have. You’ve done more with less than they have. And you’ve done the dirty jobs they haven’t. You’ve demonstrated the discipline to do things you don’t want to do when you don’t want to do them.”
Duffy also told graduates, “This administration understands that restoring maritime dominance is critical to our national security. And to do that, our nation needs more brave men and women to sail those ships. The mission you all are about to embark on could not be more important at this very moment when our nation confronts conflict in the Middle East.”
He called on graduates to stay faithful and not to underestimate the power of prayer.
Representing 39 states and territories, the 207 U.S. merchant marine and military officers were honored before more than 3,000 friends and family. Superintendent Vice Admiral Joanna M. Nunan, United States Maritime Service, and distinguished UMMA alumnus Shane Dowling, CEO of TMMG, from the class of 1996, also spoke at the ceremony.
Eighty-four graduates were sworn in as active-duty military officers. The remaining graduates will serve as Navy reservists in the Strategic Sealift Officer Program while working as United States Coast Guard-licensed mariners aboard deep-sea vessels, offshore supply vessels, tugs and towing vessels.
Duffy’s complete keynote address is available online at https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-addresses-merchant-marine-academy-class-2025 .
