December 15, 2025 • 8 mins
Marine Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte joined American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast hosts Joe Worley and Adam Marr live at Media Row in Baltimore before the 2025 Army Navy Game presented by USAA. Borgschulte, who played football for Navy, talks about about coming full circle in Annapolis - from attending as a midshipman to leading as the the United States Naval Academy Superintendent.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:12):
All right. Lieutenant General Michael
Borcholti, the 66th Superintendent of the United
States Naval Academy, a 1991 Naval Academy graduate in Marine
Aviator. Attack Marine aviator.
He's LED every level of service from combat aviation to the
Pentagon and now overseas the development of the next
generation of Navy and Marine Corps officers.
(00:35):
Sir, you're a Naval Academy graduate who now leads the
institution itself. You have come full circle.
How? How is that for you?
Oh, it's amazing. I mean, yeah.
So as you would imagine. Right.
Proud, honored. I, I take this very seriously if
it's a heavyweight of the chargethat I've been given.
I mean, we are developing the next leaders for our nation for
the next decades. So when we're all in the VFW
(00:57):
talking about war stories and how great we were, they're going
to be out there protecting us and our nation for decades.
So probably the most pivotal andimportant job that I've had.
Incredible. So as as a, you know, Marine,
what was it like going through, you know, Army's Airborne Corps?
I imagine there was a lot of pressure because if you're going
(01:18):
to be a Marine that shows up over there, you better be hot.
Like you better be ready to go. So what was that experience
like? Well, I trained hard for it.
I was and I'll tell you what, itwas easy.
It was way too easy. I mean, come on.
I mean, they know. I mean, you know, they call them
legs if you don't have jump wings.
That was all. I was in really good shape
(01:40):
because I thought it was going to be, it was easy.
I said bring it on. So, you know, they they dropped
us for some. It was, it was fun and I
appreciate it. I was really proud to be able to
have an opportunity to to do that.
But it was easy. One one thing as a aviator, you
don't want to be jumping out of aircrafts.
Right, you don't, right. I always say never trust a pilot
that has jump wings. So.
(02:03):
I have 7 jobs and I don't know how I got them.
Right. Yeah, yeah, I think I hit harder
each time I jumped. Not good for aviators.
Last year was our first Army Navy game.
It was incredible. The Legions come on as a
sponsor. We've talked about this with
some of the other guests, but having that been the first game,
getting to see the March on to every, all the festivities that
(02:27):
ramp up to almost like what I would call the pinnacle was the
the four attack ship fly over for Army taking the field and
then the four ship for Navy. That is quite impressive way to
start the game. When I was at Fort Riley 1st
Combat Aviation Brigade, we would occasionally get the task
ends to do the flyovers for the Kansas City Chiefs.
And I think when you're a fan oryou're in the audience, it's
(02:48):
incredible. It's powerful for all the
reasons, but just that alone youdon't understand the rehearsals
in the planning that has to go into that.
Have you ever got a tasking to do a fly over?
And can you talk a little bit about either what goes into that
or what those aviators are are planning for, for the pageantry
to happen for everybody at home?Yeah.
So well, first, your first question, you know, just comment
(03:09):
was it's the most patriotic sporting event or maybe event in
America. I mean, if you can't just feel
I'm getting used phones right now, just feel the the
patriotism of of the Army Navy game.
It's it's very special. Now, as you asked about
flyovers, I've done a number of those.
And yes, I mean, it's time on target.
I mean, you got to hit that mark.
(03:29):
So it's great training because you're in holding and you have
to hit you got to know your airspeed to get to the, you
know, look for either traffic orweather challenges or wins and
not So you got to hit that target rate because of the
national anthem ends. Boom, you got to be there,
right. So it's it's a great training
and it and it's it makes you very proud to do that.
And we a lot of times try and get the pilots down, which we
will tomorrow to recognize them after the game.
(03:52):
We got 4 beautiful F eighteens going to scream over the stadium
and you're that didn't get your blood pumping and you know,
you're chest out proud American.I don't know what does I could.
Not agree more. I could not agree.
We got a video of me. We didn't.
They all came out. I was screaming like a girl.
(04:13):
Hey, Jay, I like the, you know, I got to give it to the Army
that the Apaches are pretty cooltoo.
I got to love. It's a good fight.
Yeah, right. I mean, anytime you got an
attack gunshot, that's right. I'm fired up.
It's pretty incredible. And, and you know, and honestly,
this is one of those every experience is a is its own, its
own thing. And and so this being our our
second time, I'm so excited the first time you you can watch it,
(04:36):
you can read about it, but just like combat, you have no idea
what you're getting yourself into until you show up.
The army data game is something completely special, just like
you sat here. I'm glad to have you here with
us today, too. Yeah, I appreciate you.
I mean, you know, there's veterans yourselves both served
and in combat, really appreciateyour service, what you're doing
(04:59):
here for our veterans. You know, it's a it's a close
knit community. I think a lot of Americans
really don't maybe understand usbecause very few of us serve
these days. And I, I think it's, it's very
powerful what you're doing, justkind of connect us, but then
really connect America to us so they understand the sacrifice
that you all and our veterans gothrough.
(05:20):
Can you tell us a little bit about the the midshipmen since
you've been Superintendent? And you know, maybe you can tie
it into even the American Legions mission or one of our
missions here lately to to be the one to end veteran suicide,
which of course focuses on leadership after the uniform
comes off. So this kind of ties back.
(05:42):
Why is developing character and connection now just as important
as a tactical excellence for what comes later?
In addition, also, is there anybody in particular or any
cadets in particular we need to be keeping an eye out for?
As you mean on the football field or?
I'm just saying, like in general, that we need to be
keeping an eye on some future leader that might be a problem.
(06:03):
Is there anybody that we need toknow?
I'm just. Yeah, I don't want to be a
problem. I I guess some future leaders
going to be like could be president.
Gotcha. I I'm, I'm tracking with you.
Yeah, it was a horrible joke. Get your jokes better.
What's your name? Hey, you were calling me you I
I'll take your I'll take your jokes all day.
But no, you know, I just tell you, you know, something fun
(06:25):
this morning, which maybe doesn't answer your question,
but it's fun to tell. We've had a couple events we did
this morning. I talked to the Naval Academy
prep School about standards and discipline, toughness and
gritty, and they're going to come to us next year.
Then after that, we placed Reeseat our, at Reese Across America,
at our cemetery up on the Naval Academy.
We put Reese there, had a very solemn, beautiful ceremony.
(06:48):
And then after that, we had one of our companies takes our game
ball is currently right now running a game ball from
Annapolis to Baltimore, 36 miles.
And so they're running the wholeway.
They're going to run all night. And they're doing, they're
taking like a relay, yeah, relays.
And they're going to run it all here.
And So what I got to do was start that.
I just started this new traditional where the
Superintendent takes it and throws it hopefully a dime
(07:11):
pretty far. And then the leader of the
company, commander of that unit has to catch it.
And then I actually ran the first leg with him and I was
wearing the football helmet. Yeah.
That I, I brought. I was, yeah, we're in the first
leg. It was fun, you know, before
that. Then tonight we got this great
the gala where I'm going to fireit up and say some horrible
things about Army in a very good-natured way or somewhat
(07:32):
good nation. I am a, you know.
Right. That's right.
They're they're used to losing. I don't think it'll be too much
of A. A problem I like what?
What I'm noticing here. We got Army Navy right here,
that's right there. We go What's your prediction?
How many touchdowns will Navy lose by?
Tomorrow, well, it's just, you know, it's ultimate.
It's just going to be domination.
I think Army's going to be crying in the fourth quarter.
(07:52):
You know, I'll probably have to go over and, you know, hold the
soup. The West Point.
So much crap last year and I ateit all.
But you know what? That's what.
I just sat there and let him sit.
In it, you know, I listen to oldsoups, you know, like, Oh yeah,
we're going to win by a couple point.
No, we're going to dominate whatam.
I going to do not attack. Like.
You made for this. All right.
I would expect nothing less froman attack that's.
Right, Exactly. All right, Sir, every midshipman
(08:15):
on that field is preparing for alifetime of service.
And thank you for the way that you're preparing our future
military leaders. And the American Legion exists
to support those not just duringservice, but long after they
become veterans. Sir, thank you so much for
leading the future, for being here with us today.
Appreciate. It thanks guys.
Appreciate you.
All right. Lieutenant General Michael
Borcholti, the 66th Superintendent of the United
States Naval Academy, a 1991 Naval Academy graduate in Marine
Aviator. Attack Marine aviator.
He's LED every level of service from combat aviation to the
Pentagon and now overseas the development of the next
generation of Navy and Marine Corps officers.
(00:35):
Sir, you're a Naval Academy graduate who now leads the
institution itself. You have come full circle.
How? How is that for you?
Oh, it's amazing. I mean, yeah.
So as you would imagine. Right.
Proud, honored. I, I take this very seriously if
it's a heavyweight of the chargethat I've been given.
I mean, we are developing the next leaders for our nation for
the next decades. So when we're all in the VFW
(00:57):
talking about war stories and how great we were, they're going
to be out there protecting us and our nation for decades.
So probably the most pivotal andimportant job that I've had.
Incredible. So as as a, you know, Marine,
what was it like going through, you know, Army's Airborne Corps?
I imagine there was a lot of pressure because if you're going
(01:18):
to be a Marine that shows up over there, you better be hot.
Like you better be ready to go. So what was that experience
like? Well, I trained hard for it.
I was and I'll tell you what, itwas easy.
It was way too easy. I mean, come on.
I mean, they know. I mean, you know, they call them
legs if you don't have jump wings.
That was all. I was in really good shape
(01:40):
because I thought it was going to be, it was easy.
I said bring it on. So, you know, they they dropped
us for some. It was, it was fun and I
appreciate it. I was really proud to be able to
have an opportunity to to do that.
But it was easy. One one thing as a aviator, you
don't want to be jumping out of aircrafts.
Right, you don't, right. I always say never trust a pilot
that has jump wings. So.
(02:03):
I have 7 jobs and I don't know how I got them.
Right. Yeah, yeah, I think I hit harder
each time I jumped. Not good for aviators.
Last year was our first Army Navy game.
It was incredible. The Legions come on as a
sponsor. We've talked about this with
some of the other guests, but having that been the first game,
getting to see the March on to every, all the festivities that
(02:27):
ramp up to almost like what I would call the pinnacle was the
the four attack ship fly over for Army taking the field and
then the four ship for Navy. That is quite impressive way to
start the game. When I was at Fort Riley 1st
Combat Aviation Brigade, we would occasionally get the task
ends to do the flyovers for the Kansas City Chiefs.
And I think when you're a fan oryou're in the audience, it's
(02:48):
incredible. It's powerful for all the
reasons, but just that alone youdon't understand the rehearsals
in the planning that has to go into that.
Have you ever got a tasking to do a fly over?
And can you talk a little bit about either what goes into that
or what those aviators are are planning for, for the pageantry
to happen for everybody at home?Yeah.
So well, first, your first question, you know, just comment
(03:09):
was it's the most patriotic sporting event or maybe event in
America. I mean, if you can't just feel
I'm getting used phones right now, just feel the the
patriotism of of the Army Navy game.
It's it's very special. Now, as you asked about
flyovers, I've done a number of those.
And yes, I mean, it's time on target.
I mean, you got to hit that mark.
(03:29):
So it's great training because you're in holding and you have
to hit you got to know your airspeed to get to the, you
know, look for either traffic orweather challenges or wins and
not So you got to hit that target rate because of the
national anthem ends. Boom, you got to be there,
right. So it's it's a great training
and it and it's it makes you very proud to do that.
And we a lot of times try and get the pilots down, which we
will tomorrow to recognize them after the game.
(03:52):
We got 4 beautiful F eighteens going to scream over the stadium
and you're that didn't get your blood pumping and you know,
you're chest out proud American.I don't know what does I could.
Not agree more. I could not agree.
We got a video of me. We didn't.
They all came out. I was screaming like a girl.
(04:13):
Hey, Jay, I like the, you know, I got to give it to the Army
that the Apaches are pretty cooltoo.
I got to love. It's a good fight.
Yeah, right. I mean, anytime you got an
attack gunshot, that's right. I'm fired up.
It's pretty incredible. And, and you know, and honestly,
this is one of those every experience is a is its own, its
own thing. And and so this being our our
second time, I'm so excited the first time you you can watch it,
(04:36):
you can read about it, but just like combat, you have no idea
what you're getting yourself into until you show up.
The army data game is something completely special, just like
you sat here. I'm glad to have you here with
us today, too. Yeah, I appreciate you.
I mean, you know, there's veterans yourselves both served
and in combat, really appreciateyour service, what you're doing
(04:59):
here for our veterans. You know, it's a it's a close
knit community. I think a lot of Americans
really don't maybe understand usbecause very few of us serve
these days. And I, I think it's, it's very
powerful what you're doing, justkind of connect us, but then
really connect America to us so they understand the sacrifice
that you all and our veterans gothrough.
(05:20):
Can you tell us a little bit about the the midshipmen since
you've been Superintendent? And you know, maybe you can tie
it into even the American Legions mission or one of our
missions here lately to to be the one to end veteran suicide,
which of course focuses on leadership after the uniform
comes off. So this kind of ties back.
(05:42):
Why is developing character and connection now just as important
as a tactical excellence for what comes later?
In addition, also, is there anybody in particular or any
cadets in particular we need to be keeping an eye out for?
As you mean on the football field or?
I'm just saying, like in general, that we need to be
keeping an eye on some future leader that might be a problem.
(06:03):
Is there anybody that we need toknow?
I'm just. Yeah, I don't want to be a
problem. I I guess some future leaders
going to be like could be president.
Gotcha. I I'm, I'm tracking with you.
Yeah, it was a horrible joke. Get your jokes better.
What's your name? Hey, you were calling me you I
I'll take your I'll take your jokes all day.
But no, you know, I just tell you, you know, something fun
(06:25):
this morning, which maybe doesn't answer your question,
but it's fun to tell. We've had a couple events we did
this morning. I talked to the Naval Academy
prep School about standards and discipline, toughness and
gritty, and they're going to come to us next year.
Then after that, we placed Reeseat our, at Reese Across America,
at our cemetery up on the Naval Academy.
We put Reese there, had a very solemn, beautiful ceremony.
(06:48):
And then after that, we had one of our companies takes our game
ball is currently right now running a game ball from
Annapolis to Baltimore, 36 miles.
And so they're running the wholeway.
They're going to run all night. And they're doing, they're
taking like a relay, yeah, relays.
And they're going to run it all here.
And So what I got to do was start that.
I just started this new traditional where the
Superintendent takes it and throws it hopefully a dime
(07:11):
pretty far. And then the leader of the
company, commander of that unit has to catch it.
And then I actually ran the first leg with him and I was
wearing the football helmet. Yeah.
That I, I brought. I was, yeah, we're in the first
leg. It was fun, you know, before
that. Then tonight we got this great
the gala where I'm going to fireit up and say some horrible
things about Army in a very good-natured way or somewhat
(07:32):
good nation. I am a, you know.
Right. That's right.
They're they're used to losing. I don't think it'll be too much
of A. A problem I like what?
What I'm noticing here. We got Army Navy right here,
that's right there. We go What's your prediction?
How many touchdowns will Navy lose by?
Tomorrow, well, it's just, you know, it's ultimate.
It's just going to be domination.
I think Army's going to be crying in the fourth quarter.
(07:52):
You know, I'll probably have to go over and, you know, hold the
soup. The West Point.
So much crap last year and I ateit all.
But you know what? That's what.
I just sat there and let him sit.
In it, you know, I listen to oldsoups, you know, like, Oh yeah,
we're going to win by a couple point.
No, we're going to dominate whatam.
I going to do not attack. Like.
You made for this. All right.
I would expect nothing less froman attack that's.
Right, Exactly. All right, Sir, every midshipman
(08:15):
on that field is preparing for alifetime of service.
And thank you for the way that you're preparing our future
military leaders. And the American Legion exists
to support those not just duringservice, but long after they
become veterans. Sir, thank you so much for
leading the future, for being here with us today.
Appreciate. It thanks guys.
Appreciate you.
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