<p>Don't know if it's been posted yet, but CONGRATULATIONS to 2008! It's been a tough 4 years and Monday will be the best day of your lives!!!!</p>
<p>Also, 2009/2010/2011 - Finals are over. Take a breath and know that you've done your best.</p>
<p>I know I will miss all of you senior parents! Thank you for all of your words of wisdom during this past year. I can't believe the our former plebes made it through the first year! Congrats to all!</p>
<p>Admiral James G. Stavridis, USN, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, will deliver the keynote address at commencement exercises on June 16 for the 213 members of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's class of 2008.</p>
<p>The U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is responsible for contingency planning, operations and security cooperation for Central and South America, the Caribbean, Cuba and the Bahamas. SOUTHCOM is also responsible for ensuring the defense of the Panama Canal and the canal area. Located in Miami, FL, SOUTHCOM is comprised of more than 1,200 military and civilian personnel representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and several federal agencies.</p>
<p>The members of the class of 2008, who have been trained as merchant marine and Naval Reserve officers, represent 39 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, the Class includes one student each from the Republics of Panama and Venezuela. Midshipman Robert T. Grandstaff of Red Oak, TX, will deliver the valedictory address.</p>
<p>Among the graduates from the New York area are seven students from Long Island, one from Brooklyn, two from Queens and one from Staten Island.</p>
<p>During the graduation ceremony, the academy superintendent, Vice Admiral Joseph D. Stewart, will present third mate licenses to 129 members of the class. Third assistant engineer licenses will go to 84 midshipmen. All graduates receive bachelor of science degrees.
Forty-two members of the 2008 class will be commissioned for active military service: 17 in the U.S. Navy: 8 in the Marine Corps; 1l in the Coast Guard; 1 in the Air Force; and 5 in the Army. In addition, 2 graduates will take a reserve commission in the Army National Guard; 2 in the Army Reserve; and 2 in the Coast Guard Reserve.</p>
<p>Thirty-six women are part of this year's class, bringing the total number of academy female graduates to 621. [USMMA, in 1974, was the first federal academy to admit women.]</p>
<p>Commencement marks the end of a demanding academic and regimental training process for the class of 2008. Each midshipman, in addition to classroom studies, has spent a year at sea in a work-study program aboard various U.S.-flag merchant vessels.</p>
<p>Seventy percent of the '08 class spent all or part of their sea year assigned to Naval auxiliary vessels forward deployed to the Middle East and/or aboard commercial vessels chartered to carry military supplies in support of U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. USMMA is the only federal academy with students in a combat zone.</p>
<p>The academy, which is operated by the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation, was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1943. Its college level, four-year program is fully accredited. More than 21,000 academy graduates have served the maritime industry and the Armed Forces both at sea and ashore.</p>
<p>Jazzmom--as usual a complete and eloquent account--don't forget the most recent shuttle commander was a USMMA graduate!--Congrats to all!</p>
<p>Well Kathy, I wish I could take credit for that little copy & paste function thingee I used but alas those weren't my words. I'm afraid that I couldn't come up with enough eloquence to do justice to this year's KP Grads. Soon, all the grumpy butt Mids I lay claim to, will be graduating. I might come up with some suitable words next year if I can put the kleenex box down long enough to see the computer screen. I plan on embarrassing a few of them next June if I make it there. Still have this one more year to go. Its been quite the adventure. I'm almost ready to get off this roller coaster (dizziness!) & let you guys carry on with the good stuff. :D There are some pretty awesome folks on here who I consider friends & have learned a great deal from. ( I find our kids our really kinda rotten at it). Can't thank them enough for cluing me in on stuff as it happens. I consider it a good thing to be curious. Don't let 'em tell ya otherwise! Hang tough KP parents! I was told in the beginning that this would fly by. Hmmmph. They weren't kidding! Merlot & chocolate to one & all!!</p>
<p>The following part has come into question (from well meaning busy bodies) with some concerns over the actual numbers not being correct. I've been lookin' around but can't find any other information to post back here as of yet. If I hear anything new, I'll post back. Darn Alumni. You just can't trust 'em. (This is for you KP2001 > :D)</p>
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Forty-two members of the 2008 class will be commissioned for active military service: 17 in the U.S. Navy: 8 in the Marine Corps; 1l in the Coast Guard; 1 in the Air Force; and 5 in the Army. In addition, 2 graduates will take a reserve commission in the Army National Guard; 2 in the Army Reserve; and 2 in the Coast Guard Reserve.
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<p>That number sounds about right for people going into the active duty component. With the recent decrease in the number of shore based waivers being granted more people are going active duty.</p>