Commandant of midshipmen  The Commandant of Midshipmen is the second-in-command at the United States Naval Academy. According to the Naval Academy, the Commandant of Midshipmen is "responsible for the professional development and day-to-day activities of all 4,500 Midshipmen in the Brigade" and equates to a dean of students at a civilian university. The Commandant reports to the Superintendent. The Commandant is assisted by a Deputy Commandant. Modern Commandants typically hold the Navy rank of captain, but since 2002, two of the Commandants have been a United States Marine Corps colonel. The current Commandant is Captain Thomas Buchanan, USN. He is the 88th Commandant.