Coast Guard or Merchant Marine Academy

Colleges and Universities A-Z Service Academy Parents
41

<p>Going back to the original post and question I think it’s really hard to add much in the way of thoughtful commentary without more knowledge about the applicant and their goals/preferences. </p>

<p>If the primary interest is to serve there are a many paths that can be taken to achieve that objective. As 69 pointed out the overriding concern should be the choice in career path; within the Coast Guard, Merchant Marine or taking a commission from the MMA into one of the other services. </p>

<p>To that I would add the major or area of study that is of interest as the CGA and the MMA have limited offerings. Also you mentioned you son turned down athletic offers (scholarships?) to go military. If he is really talented in a sport(s) does he want to play for a Div I or Div III college? </p>

<p>I can’t speak to the MMA as it wasn’t on my sons list, but he did apply to the CGA. We visited a number of times and he went through the candidate visitation weekend. The humanitarian mission was appealing to him as well as to us as parents. My only concern involved the attrition rate when compared to other SA’s. They typically lose about 1/3 of the entering class and I really never received a satisfactory answer to explain it. It could be due to kids showing up unprepared for a real service academy environment, as the CGA undoubtedly is. When I last looked I believe the other SA’s had graduation rates in the 80%+ range. </p>

<p>You can’t make the decision for them. As a parent I would frame what I considered to be my primary responsibility in terms of one who tried to shine a light on the doors that are out there for them to consider. They have to decide to take the initiative to find out what is on the other side and if they decide, to walk through. To a lesser degree I’ve also tried to be a devils advocate in terms of asking questions. </p>

<p>There are many ways to serve and get to a point where you have the opportunity to serve; there are a number of excellent ROTC programs that go well beyond what you would normally think of when someone mentions ROTC. If your son has any interest in Engineering, there are great programs at colleges like Virginia Tech that combine the academic and military through their Corps of Cadets; same is true for Texas A&M. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

42

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<p>Not sure where you are getting this info about "13 programs of study" or "core courses in liberal arts" from. The core courses required of every cadet have been listed in a post above, as well as the 8 majors.</p>

<p>There is summer training (what you are calling "internships") required each year, which typically includes:</p>

<p>4/c - 1 week on USCG Eagle near the end of Swab Summer
3/c - 5 weeks on USCG Eagle, 5 weeks on operational cutter
2/c - AIM Cadre, Swab Summer Cadre, Waterfront Cadre, or Eagle Cadre
1/c - 10 weeks operational cutter</p>

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<p>Yes that is currently the case, cadets are chosen on a nationwide merit-based competition. However a bill before Congress could change that, the earliest it may come into play is for the class of 2015 (entering June 2011).</p>

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<p>USCGA Cadets are considered active duty Coast Guard and receive a modest paycheck.</p>

<p>There is also a $3,000 fee required before reporting, to cover the cost of a new lap-top computer and the first-issued uniforms.</p>

43

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<p>As a matter of fact, it is usually #1 or #2 on the list of why high school seniors choose certain colleges over others.</p>

44

<p>
[quote]
Not sure where you are getting this info about "13 programs of study"

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<p>I copied it directly from the CGA website.
United</a> States Coast Guard Academy - Majors</p>

<p>Did not mean for summer training comment to read that it was an internship. It is in addition to summer training just as Sea Year is a different entity than the internship that is a graduation requirement. I should have said "plus internship requirements" maybe. Sorry for the confusion.</p>

<p>From what I could reason, is it safe to say that the CG Officers change assignments about every 3 years or do they do so more often than that?</p>

45

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<p>Gotcha. They are sub-catagorizing a few of the 8 majors. Good catch. ;)</p>

46

<p>I've heard that there's little left over of the monthly stipend once fees and services they have to pay for get deducted (Gee, much like most other paychecks today). Didn't know if that was accurate.</p>

<h2>However, many parents I've met are depositing about an extra $100-200 monthly for their kids to ... eat/order out, watch a movie, decompress a little OFF campus. Same levels hold true for Coastie parents??</h2>

<p>PS> Luigi... LOVED your characterization of the service commitment in the middle of post #43. Now, I gotta go clean coffee off my screen and keyboard. :D</p>

47

<p>
[quote]
They are sub-catagorizing a few of the 8 majors. Good catch.

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<p>Uh. You gave credit where none was due I'm afraid. You realize that I didn't do that on purpose right? I don't know this stuff & how it works like you CG parents. Just thought I'd better own up to that. LOL And its why I ask all these crazy questions. I'm tryin' to learn more since I'm getting a Coastie. The boy confuses me too much. Luigi & Boss are much better teachers. </p>

<p>Zonk, here's your paper towel. :D</p>

48

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<p>4/c have around $100 "spending money" left each month after all the deductions. and it increases every year. </p>

<p>My son deposited his graduation money into his NFCU account as soon as he had it set up, but I don't think he is spending any more than he gets in his regular net pay, New London not being nearly as expensive (or exciting ) as NYC. ;)</p>

49

<p>USNA69- "That would be the Navy."</p>

<p>I don't know if you could call a Navy Sailor a professional seaman. :0 </p>

<p>Some merchant mariners might disagree with you on the whole professional part.</p>

50

<p>So as an athlete(and being recruited by civilian colleges) his choice between CGA & MMA would also include a good hard look at both schools' sports programs, as well as his meeting with the coach(es) and expectations with the team. I'm unsure about the role athletic recruitment plays in the admissions process with regard to nominations. Doesn't the MMA require a congressional nomination? If he's found fully qualified does he get an automatic nomination? Will the MMA then cover his additional fees as a recruited athlete? On a personal note, both locations are very nice and I'd think either school would be a win/win decision. Good luck!</p>

51

<p>I haven't been following this thread so forgive my ignorance...what sport(s) are we talking about? Makes a difference.
As far as noms, the MMA will make sure a blue chip athlete gets one. CGA nom is not necessary.
Fees need to be paid by parents; no special treatment for athletes.</p>

52

<p>Or a third choice: Webb Institute. All three are on Long Island Sound, All three focus on Naval Architecture and Marine engineering. There is no tuition charge at Webb, but one pays for room and board. But there also is no post graduation commitment.</p>

53

<p>So as an athlete(and being recruited by civilian colleges) his choice between CGA & MMA would also include a good hard look at both schools' sports programs, as well as his meeting with the coach(es) and expectations with the team.</p>

<p>(Gawd, its been so long since I've been on here I can't remember how to make those neat little grey boxes!)</p>

<p>If he's a wrestler and wants to be part of a nationally ranked Division III team, he should go to KP :)</p>

<p>What was the CGA vs KP score the other night?</p>

54

<p>Chose USMMA over USCGA! </p>

<p>At this point, there is still the possibility that we may have to decide between KP and USNA to complicate things further--but it will be very difficult to turn down Kings Point. The opportunities at KP are amazing --some excellent coaches as well! May I add that the coaches have been much more proactive at KP (versus USCGA), which has pretty much sealed the deal for us. </p>

<p>Go MARINERS!!!</p>

55

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<p>In wrestling? 43-4, Kings Point.</p>

<p>What's the current all-time standings of the Superintendent's Trophy (awarded to the school that wins the most athletic events between Coast Guard and Merchant Marine each season)?</p>

<p>The Bears have never lost the Superintendent's Trophy, winning all 5 times. :D</p>

56

<p>Are there other sports besides wrestling? ;)</p>

57

<p>No there are no other sports other than wrestling. Just some other sports to fill in between seasons! :) :)</p>

<p>Go Kings Point</p>

58

<p>Having served in a senior civilian position in the AF for the last two years (2-star equivalent, now 4-star equivalent) and having been asked to serve a while longer in the new Administration to facilitate transition, I will tell you that officers in any service, even junior officers, with a broad military and world perspective and joint understanding, while competent in their discipline are the most valuable in facing the challenges we face as a military today.</p>

<p>Serving in today’s joint environment engaged in fourth generation warfare requires very flexible and adaptable skills as well as much firsthand knowledge of the world as can be acquired as early as it can be acquired. Moreover, an understanding of the relationships and interconnectivity between the military and the commercial sector, especially with regard to the complexities of the logistics tail that supports the combatant commands is vital.</p>

<p>We are not fighting yesterday's wars.</p>

<p>General and Flag officers in every service have told me that Kings Point graduates today start well ahead of their peers from the other academies and ROTC programs regardless of branch, because of the broad and real life experiences and more importantly the serious level of responsibility they get during their sea year.</p>

<p>Here is a real-life example --- there is a King Point Midshipman who will be graduating this year who will be commissioned in the active duty Air Force as a 2nd Lt; Air Logistics Officer. She has already managed cargo operations in six different counties. She has had to solve inventory discrepancies in different languages and cultures. She has also interned in on the staff of the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Logistics and Engineering; and served in support of air logistics and MedEVAC operations at Andrews AFB. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics.</p>

<p>She got the top pick of assignments for all ALOs graduating this year regardless of commissioning source.</p>

<p>I have six Air Force Academy graduates on my staff. They are all great officers, doing great things. All of them are in awe of the things this Midshipman has done and know she will be a great Air Force officer. My military assistant is an O-5 ALO with a Bronze Star in OIF. She said she’s never seen a better qualified ALO right out of college.</p>

<p>There is a reason the Air Force and the Army are expanding their recruiting of Kings Point graduates, both for not only the active force, but for the Reserve and Guard components as well – it is because Kings Pointers are well prepared for the challenges we will face today from asymmetric threats in a joint environment.</p>

<p>Just like in WWII, Kings Point is continuing to provide the right people, with the right skills, to meet the challenges of the time.</p>

<p>It's a Joint environment and will be even more so in the future. USMMA is America's Joint Service Academy.</p>

59

<p>"Here is a real-life example --- there is a King Point Midshipman who will be graduating this year who will be commissioned in the active duty Air Force as a 2nd Lt; Air Logistics Officer. She has already managed cargo operations in six different counties. She has had to solve inventory discrepancies in different languages and cultures. She has also interned in on the staff of the Assistant Chief of Staff of the Air Force for Logistics and Engineering; and served in support of air logistics and MedEVAC operations at Andrews AFB. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Logistics."</p>

<p>Thanks for that... Never even looked at it that way!</p>

60

<p>I posted this to another thread this morning, but I think it fits here as well-</p>

<p>A First Classman emailed me an article he is submitting to the Hear This!, I think he really sums up the KP experience-</p>

<p><a href="http://usmmawaterfront.blogspot.com/2009/03/says-it-all.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://usmmawaterfront.blogspot.com/2009/03/says-it-all.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>