Battleship New Jersey’s Podcast Welcomes Rear Admiral Michael A. York for a Rare Look at Leadership and Logistics
Across the Delaware River in Camden, a historic battleship permanently docked along the waterfront has become more than a museum. It has evolved into a living platform for storytelling, education, and thoughtful dialogue about service, history, and the people who keep America’s maritime legacy moving forward. As the new year begins, Battleship New Jersey’s ongoing podcast series opens another compelling chapter with a powerful guest whose career has quietly shaped the strength of today’s U.S. Navy.
In the latest episode of the WETSU podcast, Battleship New Jersey CEO Marshall Spevak sits down with Rear Admiral Michael A. York for a far-reaching discussion that brings listeners inside the often unseen world of naval logistics, leadership, and operational readiness. Rather than focusing solely on ships and missions, the conversation explores the human systems, strategic planning, and trust-building required to sustain a modern fighting force across oceans and continents.
Rear Admiral York currently serves as Commanding Officer of Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, a role that places him at the center of the Navy’s global supply and sustainment network. While warships and aircraft often capture public attention, Admiral York’s command ensures those vessels remain equipped, maintained, and ready for action. The episode provides a rare opportunity to understand how massive international supply chains, procurement systems, and technical coordination come together to support sailors deployed around the world.
His career story offers its own fascinating arc. Admiral York reflects on his early days at the United States Naval Academy, his first operational assignments at sea, and the progression from hands-on shipboard supply officer to senior leadership ashore. Along the way, he discusses commanding the Navy Supply Corps School and developing the next generation of officers who will carry forward the mission of readiness and resilience. His insights emphasize that leadership in today’s Navy is as much about mentorship, communication, and decision-making under pressure as it is about rank or responsibility.
What makes this conversation especially engaging is its accessibility. Rather than speaking only to military audiences, Admiral York and Spevak break down complex systems into understandable concepts. Listeners gain a new appreciation for how food, fuel, equipment, technology, and spare parts move seamlessly across the globe to meet ships wherever they sail. It is a reminder that naval power is not just built in shipyards but sustained daily by thousands of coordinated actions behind the scenes.
The episode also reinforces Battleship New Jersey’s growing role as an anchor for educational and cultural storytelling in the region. Once the most decorated battleship in American history, the vessel now bridges past and present by hosting discussions that connect modern leadership and service to historic maritime tradition. Through its podcast and public programming, the museum continues to expand beyond static exhibits, creating dynamic content that appeals to history enthusiasts, veterans, students, and curious listeners alike.
For New Jersey residents, this series adds to the state’s diverse lineup of cultural offerings that blend education and experience. It stands alongside the broader landscape of statewide entertainment initiatives that bring people closer to the stories shaping our communities and country.
As the new episode rolls out to listeners, it does more than highlight one officer’s career. It opens a window into the infrastructure of national defense, the personal journeys that define military leadership, and the critical importance of preparation in an unpredictable world. From the deck of a historic battleship docked in Camden, a modern conversation about service, responsibility, and readiness continues to unfold, offering New Jersey yet another reason to look toward its waterfront not just for history, but for insight into the present.
