WITH SNOW BLANKETING the ground beneath a cloudless blue sky and temperatures in the single digits, General Randall Reed, commander of United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), arrived at the Maine Maritime Academy campus at 0745 on February 9. It marked the first visit by a four-star general in living memory.<\/p>\n
USTRANSCOM is a \u201ccombatant command which provides support to the ten other U.S. combatant commands, the military services, defense agencies, and other government organizations.\u201d The command coordinates global logistics for the Department of Defense using both military, including the Military Sealift Command, and commercial resources.<\/p>\n
In United States Senate Armed Services Committee testimony on March 12, General Reed highlighted the importance of the commercial shipping industry to USTRANSCOM\u2019s strategic sealift capability during crises. According to General Reed, USTRANSCOM \u201cdelivers the mass of our combat power through the decisive strength of sealift sustainment.\u201d The commercial fleet, the General estimates, provides \u201cmore than 90% of sustainment [transporting materiel] to deliver power and presence at the time and place of our choosing.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"\/mariner\/summer-2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/07\/reed2.jpg\")
General Reed visits the NROTC building.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n
During testimony, General Reed indicated that in conflict \u201ccompetitors train to turn logistics into a primary battlespace\u201d and emphasized that the \u201cpriority remains keeping power projection as the Joint Forces\u2019 decisive strategic advantage.\u201d Senator Mark Kelly agreed, adding that the federal government \u201cneed[s] to do more to support the commercial industry we rely on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCompetitors train to turn logistics in a primary battlespace and the priority remains keeping power projection as the Joint Forces’ decisive strategic advantage.\u201d
\n\u2014 General Randall Reed<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nCommandant of Midshipmen Captain Justin Cooper welcomed the General and his delegation to campus upon their arrival. The group, visiting from Scott Airforce Base outside Belleville, Illinois, entered Leavitt Hall through two rows of saluting cadets as the blue four-star flag was raised behind them.<\/p>\n
The USTRANSCOM delegation met with President Johnson and senior representatives from the office of Senator Susan Collins. Affable and engaging, General Reed made a point of introducing himself to students, staff, faculty, parents, and political delegates alike, enthusiastically asking how he might help tell their stories in Washington.<\/p>\n
Those in attendance emphasized the importance of collaboration with the federal government to ensure the Academy can continue to efficiently supply a strong pipeline of mariners to both the military and private sector, an objective recognized as a strategic national priority.<\/p>\n
General Reed visits the waterfront improvement project with President Johnson and Carol Woodcock from the office of Senator Susan Collins.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n
The discussion continued in a larger meeting chaired by President Johnson in the Holmes Heritage Room. On multiple occasions, General Reed asked about the Academy\u2019s ability to quickly increase training capacity during times of conflict, \u201cWhat would a surge look like\u2026 and what would you need?\u201d<\/p>\n
President Johnson affirmed the Academy\u2019s ability to respond to a sudden increase in demand for mariners, noting that the new training vessel will be a \u201cgamechanger\u201d for instructional capabilities and highlighting the potential to expand capacity at the Brunswick facility for workforce development. While Identifying opportunities for growth, he also underscored tuition costs as a critical barrier to training more mariners.<\/p>\n
General Reed acknowledged the impressive outcomes achieved by the Academy and asked about the \u201csecret sauce\u2026 What\u2019s your magic?\u201d<\/p>\n
Trustee Bill Eisenhart, former Cal Maritime Academy president, emphasized the strength of the campus community and the close relationships formed there. \u201cWhat makes this place special is the people,\u201d President Johnson echoed, \u201cWe care about each other here.\u201d Regimental Commander Odegaard Fields \u201926 added that the Academy cultivates not only great leaders, but exceptional citizens.<\/p>\n
General Reed meets with NROTC Commanding Officer Captain Gary Chase and NROTC midshipmen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n
General Reed acknowledged a key challenge in maritime recruiting: while many individuals express a desire to serve, awareness of maritime career pathways remains limited. Commandant
\nCooper suggested that USTRANSCOM consider leveraging the STATE OF MAINE and other National Security Multi-Mission Vessels to raise the visibility of State Maritime Academies and the career opportunities they offer.<\/p>\nMarine Transportation Chair Ender Asyali, Ph.D. noted that the Academy\u2019s hands-on, experiential learning model is both a strength and challenge. Cutting edge training tools, including advanced simulators, enable world-class instruction but require substantial, sustained financial investment to remain state-of-the-art.<\/p>\n
Engineering Chair Don McCann raised concerns with General Reed regarding recent modifications to the U.S. Coast Guard licensing examination. He argued that flawed testing procedures prevent otherwise qualified candidates from earning their credentials.<\/p>\n
When General Reed asked cadets why they chose to attend Maine Maritime Academy, many cited a call to public service both to the state and country.<\/p>\n
Before leaving, General Reed described the specialized nature of USTRANSCOM\u2019s mission, emphasizing its role in \u201cchampioning all aspects of transportation, not just military.\u201d He underscored the strategic importance of maritime professionals and the urgency of investing in the next generation, stating, \u201cOur time is now… how can I help?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
General Randall Reed Visits Campus
\nUSTRANSCOM Commander seeks to champion both military and commercial maritime transportation in Washington<\/p>\nBy Michael Dickerson, Ph.D.<\/p>\n
WITH SNOW BLANKETING the ground beneath a cloudless blue sky and temperatures in the single digits, General Randall Reed, commander of United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), arrived at the Maine Maritime Academy campus at 0745 on February 9. It marked the first visit by a four-star general in living memory.<\/p>\n
USTRANSCOM is a \u201ccombatant command which provides support to the ten other U.S. combatant commands, the military services, defense agencies, and other government organizations.\u201d The command coordinates global logistics for the Department of Defense using both military, including the Military Sealift Command, and commercial resources.<\/p>\n
In United States Senate Armed Services Committee testimony on March 12, General Reed highlighted the importance of the commercial shipping industry to USTRANSCOM\u2019s strategic sealift capability during crises. According to General Reed, USTRANSCOM \u201cdelivers the mass of our combat power through the decisive strength of sealift sustainment.\u201d The commercial fleet, the General estimates, provides \u201cmore than 90% of sustainment [transporting materiel] to deliver power and presence at the time and place of our choosing.\u201d<\/p>\n
During testimony, General Reed indicated that in conflict \u201ccompetitors train to turn logistics into a primary battlespace\u201d and emphasized that the \u201cpriority remains keeping power projection as the Joint Forces\u2019 decisive strategic advantage.\u201d Senator Mark Kelly agreed, adding that the federal government \u201cneed[s] to do more to support the commercial industry we rely on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCompetitors train to turn logistics in a primary battlespace and the priority remains keeping power projection as the Joint Forces’<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"\/mariner\/summer-2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/07\/reed3.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"\/mariner\/summer-2026\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/07\/reed4.jpg\")