Can marines become Superintendents of the Academy?

[SamAca10]

I've noticed that Navy Admirals can become Superintendents, but I've never seen one Marine General become the Superintendent. Is there some sort of rule against it? I mean, it's the USMC's school as well.

 

[Capt MJ]

I think it's only a matter of time, if the circumstances were exactly right. The first African-American males, first Marines and first woman to be Dant or DepDant just happened in the last decade or so. I don't think USNA would ever choose a non-USNA grad to be Supe, which somewhat cuts down the field of eligible 2-stars and current 3-stars who would play for the job. Marines, as a smaller force, have that many fewer general officers, and I think the Marines think very carefully about where and how they place their senior leadership.

 

[mombee]

Anyways, just as Capt. MJ posted, yes, it can happen and probably will someday. I feel and believe that you will see a female Superintendant or a minority Superintendant before you will see a Marine Officer as Superintendant.

Current tradition has the Superintendant being a VADM or three stars.

Federal law, not tradition, requires it to be not only a three star, but also a three star on their last tour. They are required by law to a three year tour and then retirement. This probably diminishes the available pool also, somewhat.

I agree that it is only a matter of time until there is a female and/or minority. Probably just never been an alignment of the stars yet.

As far as a USMC Supt. I thought there was a federal law requiring the billet to be filled by a Navy Admiral but can't seem to find it. It could be a Navy regulation. But definitely current tradition. I think the broader based Navy background would lead to better suitability for the job.

 

[usna1985]

A Marine in charge of USNA -Why would they want that to happen? Have you also noticed that there never has been a woman in charge either or that USNA has never had a minority as Superintendent.

I'm not sure it has made sense historically to put a USMC Lt. General in charge of USNA for any number of reasons. However, with the number of USNA grads going USMC potentially approaching 33% (not there yet, but it could well happen), it makes more sense now than in the past. I do agree that, given the demands on the USMC with the ongoing war and the smaller number of O-9s from which to draw, it still may not happen for awhile, if ever.

As for females and minorities, two different issues. There have been both as Commandant. Although minorities have been flag officers for quite a few years, I'm not sure of the number who have been 0-9s who are also USNA grads and I can't imagine a Supe who isn't one. I think it is a numbers game.

As for females, the most senior female USNA grad (who also happens to be African-American) just put on her second star. Thus, finding a female Vice-Admiral who is nearing retirement will take a few more years.

I do wonder if the retirement requirement could be "waived." I note that the law says the individual must acknowledged that he/she will be terminated (retired) after the tour. However, it's not clear to me that the President could not ask the Admiral to stay on or could not bring the person back on active duty after retirement. Just saying . . .

 

[usna1985]

It was Admiral Charles Larson. He was supe the first time when I was a mid. He was brought back for a second tour after some issues involving a different Supe. I believe he is the only person to be supe twice but could be wrong about that.

 

[usnabgo08]

(a) Mandatory Retirement.— Upon the termination of the detail of an officer to the position of Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, the Secretary of the Navy shall retire the officer under any provision of chapter 571 of this title under which the officer is eligible to retire.

(b) Waiver Authority.— The Secretary of Defense may waive the requirement in subsection (a) for good cause. In each case in which such a waiver is granted for an officer, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a written notification of the waiver, with a statement of the reasons supporting the decision that the officer not retire, and a written notification of the intent of the President to nominate the officer for reassignment.

SECDEF can waive the retirement requirement for "good cause" with POTUS concurrence.

RADM Michelle Howard would be an excellent choice for Supe, if she decides this route.

 

[mombee]

However, the precedence of a waiver, given most circumstances, would defeat the purpose of the law. It will probably never happen.

 

[usna1985]

RADM Michelle Howard would be an excellent choice for Supe, if she decides this route.

It's is quite the speculation -- not for this change of supes (which is due relatively soon) but the next one. If the President wants her and her continuing to serve after is also desirable, I think it well could happen.

That said, there is good reason for the law to be what it is, although I'm not sure that the problems it was designed to address are actually addressed by this law. But it is what it is.