SAN DIEGO — Navy Midshipman 2nd Class Hamza Iqbal, a native of Annapolis, Maryland, recently completed a key training program aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, which operates out of San Diego, California. Iqbal, who is in his third year at the U.S. Naval Academy, participated in Career Orientation and Training for Midshipmen, known as CORTRAMID, a four-week immersion designed to expose future officers to various Navy and Marine Corps operations.
Iqbal, a 2022 graduate of Cedar College in Pakistan, is majoring in operations research at the academy. His background includes growing up in a poverty-stricken region, which he said taught him the value of perseverance. “I grew up in a poverty-stricken region,” Iqbal said. “People around me were not that well off, which taught me you sometimes have to struggle to earn things in life.” His family’s long history of military service also influenced his path. “I wanted to serve my nation,” Iqbal said. “My whole family had dedicated their lives to serving in the military, and I wanted to be a part of that.”
As a foreign national midshipman, Iqbal represents one of the international students at the Naval Academy, where citizens of other countries can attend if nominated by their home governments. The program allows up to 60 foreign midshipmen from various nations to train alongside U.S. students, fostering international partnerships. Upon graduation, these midshipmen typically return to serve in their own countries’ armed forces. Iqbal plans to do just that, aiming to become a pilot in the Pakistani Navy. “Serving my nation will be an honor for me and my family,” Iqbal said. “I’m a foreign national midshipman, so after graduation, I’ll return to Pakistan and hope to become a pilot and fly for my country’s Navy.”
The Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland, serves as the undergraduate institution for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It enrolls about 4,400 midshipmen who are active-duty Navy personnel during their four years of study. Graduates earn Bachelor of Science degrees and commissions as ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marines, with a minimum five-year service commitment. The academy’s rigorous curriculum emphasizes leadership, academics and physical fitness, preparing officers for global roles. Recent classes, such as the Class of 2029, began their journey with Plebe Summer, a seven-week indoctrination program that introduces new midshipmen to military life.
CORTRAMID provides midshipmen like Iqbal with practical exposure outside the classroom. The program divides time equally among surface warfare, submarine operations, aviation and Marine Corps activities. Participants often board ships, submarines and aircraft, and embed with Marines for a week. “I have learned a lot about how the U.S. Navy operates the fleet,” Iqbal said. “This has been critical to my professional development.” For many, this training influences future career choices before commissioning. Iqbal’s session included time on the USS Boxer, where he observed amphibious operations.
The USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship resembling a small aircraft carrier, supports a crew of about 1,200 officers and enlisted personnel and can carry up to 1,800 Marines. It facilitates missions ranging from humanitarian aid to combat assaults in near-shore environments. In August 2025, the ship conducted flight operations and amphibious familiarization training, including exercises with casualty response teams from Naval Medical Center San Diego. These activities underscore the vessel’s role in projecting U.S. naval power globally.
Iqbal’s aspiration to become a pilot aligns with the Navy’s emphasis on aviation, a field with strong ties to Southern Maryland. Naval Air Station Patuxent River, located in St. Mary’s County, hosts the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, established in 1945. The school trains experienced pilots, flight officers and engineers in testing aircraft and systems, contributing to advancements in naval aviation. The base supports over 165,000 air operations annually across vast restricted airspace, making it a hub for research and development. Local graduates, such as Lt. Stephen Hornbuckle from Leonardtown High School, have progressed from the Naval Academy to roles as naval aviators, highlighting the region’s pipeline for Navy pilots.
This year marks the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday, with celebrations emphasizing its maritime heritage. Events begin in January 2025 and culminate in October with flagship activities in Philadelphia, including a parade of ships, concerts and public demonstrations. Navy officials note that 90 percent of global commerce travels by sea, underscoring the service’s role in securing economic interests. “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom,” according to Navy statements.
Iqbal credited his father, Rear Adm. Zafar Iqbal, a 33-year veteran Pakistani Navy pilot, for his inspiration. “I want to thank my father, Rear Adm. Zafar Iqbal, a Navy pilot who served for the past 33 years,” Iqbal added. “No one does it better than him.” As midshipmen like Iqbal advance, they embody the Navy’s commitment to recruiting diverse talent to maintain readiness.
The Naval Academy continues to draw from across the nation and world, with recent highlights including athletic achievements and scholarly honors. For instance, midshipmen have excelled in water polo academics and received prestigious scholarships. In May 2025, the Blue Angels performed aerial demonstrations over Annapolis during Commissioning Week, showcasing Navy aviation prowess to the public. These events reinforce the academy’s integration with the local community, where residents are familiar with the institution’s presence along the Severn River.
Southern Maryland’s naval installations, including Patuxent River, employ thousands and drive economic activity through contracts and innovation. The base’s test pilot school has produced over 2,600 graduates, many contributing to programs like the F-35 Lightning II. For aspiring pilots like Iqbal, such facilities represent potential future training grounds, even as international midshipmen apply skills back home.
Iqbal’s CORTRAMID completion marks a step toward commissioning, where he will join a Navy focused on forward operations. The service’s global footprint ensures officers promote security and prosperity, aligning with its quarter-millennium legacy.
