“In a few moments, you will be commissioned into the mightiest fighting forces of the air, the land, and the sea,” President Trump told graduating Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy. To the graduating class of 2018, President Trump delivered a message of American strength and optimism for the future at the United States Naval Academy on May 25.
“Together, you are the tip of the spear, the edge of the blade, and the front of the shield defending and protecting our great country,” he said.
The President has historically delivered commencement addresses at the service academies throughout their years in office: The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; and the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
President Trump spoke at the United States Coast Guard graduation in 2017. The opportunity to speak directly to those about to enter military service must be both thrilling and humbling for their Commander-in-Chief. Many speakers choose to take the opportunity to show their support and talk about the world that the newly commissioned Active Duty officers are entering.
President Trump opened by praising the winning spirit of the graduates. As a public figure who loudly celebrates his own accomplishments in office, this surely came as no surprise to the crowd. “Nothing like winning, you got to win,” he said. “In every endeavor, the class of 2018 has shown its metal and it’s proved its might.”
Tiptoeing Around Controversy
Some in attendance were anticipating Trump-style rhetoric about victories over his own political opponents or the fight he faces with the media.
Several midshipmen expressed concern about how to handle the President’s remarks in emails to Stephen Wrage, a professor at the Naval Academy. Wrage wrote in an Op-Ed piece to the Washington Post that he counseled them to show respect for the office of the President, regardless of how they felt about Trump individually.
As expected, that’s exactly what the midshipmen did.
Trump’s speech did include rhetoric focusing on American strength and might. Given the audience and what he, as Commander-in-Chief, was calling each of them to do, this was both expected and completely appropriate.
“We are not going to apologize for America. We are going to stand up for America,” Trump told the crowd. “And we are going to stand up for our men and women in uniform.”
Trump continued by including references to the increased defense budget and pay raise for the military that was passed earlier this year. In true President Trump fashion, he took advantage of the opportunity to bring attention to the successes of his administration.
“I fought for you,” he told the future Ensigns and Second Lieutenants, referencing the pay raise to the military. He continued to speak to the crowd about legislation to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs, economic gains in the defense industrial sector, and expanding the military force.
President Embraces Military Tradition
President Trump spent much of his speech calling on the rich history of our country’s military. He referenced several Naval Academy and military traditions. He spoke of how the school’s mission to “develop midshipmen morally, mentally, and physically” was part of the test that had forged the graduates into leaders. He also jokingly recognized that many of them tossed pennies into the statue of Tecumseh located on campus, in hopes of gaining favor in academic pursuits.
He also absolved all midshipmen on restriction, with extra duties or revoked privileges such as free time, for minor offenses. This has been a tradition of the commencement address speaker.
In his speech, President Trump called on many American Navy heroes. “Don’t give up the ship,” he told them, referencing the dying command of Navy Captain James Lawrence in 1813, now a call to action for all Naval Academy midshipmen. He continued to share how the rallying cry was used in businesses as well as the military.
“Keep fighting. Don’t give up the ship. But it’s really—you guys started it,” he told them.
To the @NavalAcademy Class of 2018, I say: We know you are up to the task. We know you will make us proud. We know that glory will be yours. Because you are WINNERS, you are WARRIORS, you are FIGHTERS, you are CHAMPIONS, and YOU will lead us to VICTORY! God Bless the U.S.A.! pic.twitter.com/V9TgEo8MY4
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2018
The President also referenced Civil War Navy Admiral David Farragut and the US Naval Academy Class of 1968, who graduated exactly 50 years earlier. The link between classes separated by 50 years is a Naval Academy tradition that is celebrated during all 4 years of attendance and beyond.
Another Link in the Chain was established by the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation in order to encourage “binding and bonding classes through the generations.” This helps to ensure “the history and traditions of the Naval Academy and its Alumni” are celebrated. The “legacy of heroes” was a central theme in the President’s address.
“For the last four years, you have walked the same paths as Navy’s greatest legends, the giants of Midway and Coral Sea and Manila Bay,” the President said. “Here in Annapolis, the glorious past is all around you, and so are the stories of your great heroes.”
He told the midshipmen a story of bravery and sacrifice in World War II. Bruce Voorhees, a 1929 graduate of the US Naval Academy and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, served as a source of inspiration for the graduates and President alike. “Each of you inherits the legacy of the heroes who came before you,” he said.
“Strive for Excellence”
President Trump concluded his address by challenging the newest members of the Armed Forces to continue their work towards excellence.
“Strive for excellence,” he told them. “Live for adventure. Thing big. Dream bigger. Push further. Sail faster. Fly higher. And never, ever stop reaching for greatness.”
As a real estate mogul and billionaire who successfully set his sights on the highest office in our country, this sentiment rings true. Even though Trump may have diverted towards political rhetoric from the President, he finished his address strong with genuine advice from the man.
