Attributable to Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon:
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks departs on domestic travel to Kings Point, New York, this Saturday to deliver the 2023 U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Commencement Address; administer the oath of office to commissioning midshipmen; and meet with faculty and administrators.
The deputy secretary met with students earlier this week to discuss their experiences at the academy, hear their stories, and learn more about their expectations for their future military service.
During her commencement address, Deputy Secretary Hicks will reinforce the strategic imperative of public service to ensure U.S. national security, the outsized role of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in producing future leaders to support U.S. national defense, and the importance of principled leadership during an era of strategic competition. The commencement event begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be live-streamed on maritimetv.com and defense.gov.