Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson to Attend Mariners for America Conference 2026
MITAGS is proud to announce that Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson, Commander of the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC), will attend the upcoming Mariners for America Conference 2026.
Military Sealift Command serves as the operational arm of the U.S. Navy responsible for strategic sealift and global ocean transportation supporting all branches of the U.S. military. MSC’s mission depends on a highly skilled workforce of civil service mariners and strong partnerships across the U.S. maritime industry.
At the Mariners for America Conference, Rear Admiral Nicholson will engage with maritime educators, industry leaders, and government stakeholders to discuss:
- Sealift readiness and operational demands
- Mariner recruitment and retention strategies
- Strengthening the U.S. Merchant Marine
- Workforce sustainability and maritime education alignment
- The shared responsibility of maintaining America’s maritime strength
His participation reinforces the conference’s focus on national maritime security, workforce development, and industry-government collaboration.
Advancing Maritime Workforce Development and Sealift Readiness
The Mariners for America Conference 2026 brings together leaders from across the maritime industry, government agencies, maritime training institutions, and labor organizations to address critical issues shaping the future of the U.S. maritime sector.
Key conference themes include:
- U.S. maritime workforce development
- Maritime security and national defense readiness
- Strengthening the U.S. Merchant Marine
- Public-private collaboration in maritime operations
- Career pathways and credentialing for professional mariners
Rear Admiral Nicholson’s attendance highlights the essential role that cooperation between Military Sealift Command, maritime educators, and commercial operators plays in sustaining a strong and resilient maritime enterprise.
“The success of our national defense strategy depends on the readiness and dedication of our mariners,” says Conference Organizer Capt. Jon Kjaerulff. “Forums like the Mariners for America Conference provide an invaluable opportunity to collaborate, share best practices, and inspire the next generation of maritime professionals.”
Event Details
- The Mariners for America Conference 2026 will be held at the Maritime Conference Center on the MITAGS campus in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, from March 30 – April 1.
- Early Bird registration is available through March 1. Discounted registration rates are offered for employees of government agencies and nonprofit organizations.
- To learn more about the Mariners for America Conference 2026 or to register, contact: [email protected]
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