<p>Today I found out that I received a nomination to the Merchant Marine Academy as well as an appointment. Yet, it has been a dream of mine to go to the Naval Academy ever since I was a little kid. Point blank, I want to become a Naval Officer. I am not sure what to do. Would I be able to go to the Merchant Marine Academy for a year and then re-apply for the Naval Academy again? My goal is to become the best Naval Officer that I can be (SWO preferably) would the Merchant Marine Academy make me into a great Naval Officer too, if not better than USNA?</p>
<p>Congratulations, well done. I’ve heard that a USMMA education is outstanding, notably for one aspiring to SWO service. Lots of windshield time. </p>
<p>I’m sure others will chime in on the pragmatic possibilities relative to your interests, but I’d be fully confident of good possibilities. And your goal is right on, 2nd to none. More than one way to skin a SWO! Unless USNA has told you as much though, I’d not surrender the possibility of an appointment there.</p>
<p>Someone(s) might be able to lend an informed response about the potential and dynamics of a reapplication like the one you’re asking about.</p>
<p>Can you apply to USNA, once enrolled at USMMA? You would have to contact both institutions and receive their guidance. I doubt if USNA would have a policy but perhaps USMMA might. I personally would not recommend it. One should not attend any SA unless their plan is to succeed while there. Success demands one hundred percent commitment. If USNA were my goal and I were turned down initially, I would spend as much time as both Admissions and your BGO would allow you, ascertaining what you would need to do to better your posture and then do it. It would probably be to attend a good civilian school and excel in Calculus, Chemistry, and English Composition. Nothing wrong with USMMA being your long term Plan ‘B’ again after a year at a civilian college.</p>
<p>For the second part of your question, there are detractors in the USMMA process to commissioning as an Ensign in the USN. You may become a good SWO or perhaps even a great SWO, but all things considered, there being more to being a Naval Officer than “windshield” time, USNA will make you better equipped to be a successful Naval Officer than will USMMA.</p>
<p>If I’m not mistaken, commissions into the U.S. Navy are quite common out of the Merchant Marine Academy. I know one gentleman who graduated from the USMMA and flew P-3’s in the Navy. I’m going to have to ask him how common that was. But he did it!</p>
<p>Thank you everybody for your responses. It is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>I will chime in by saying that if serving as an officer in the US Navy, there are many routes to that end, USMMA included. Options upon graduation incude commissioning in the Navy as an officer, and there are a good handful that go this route each year.</p>
<p>Congratulations and good luck at USMMA! Keep my contact info handy- USMMA is practically in my back yard [well, close enough!] just in case you need something in a hurry!</p>
<p>USNA333 - </p>
<p>Of course you can apply to USNA after a year at USMMA. You may find that the idea of doing two 4/c years is a little less attractive after going to USMMA and decide to stick it out there and commission from King’s Point instead of Annapolis. One year as a 4/c is tough enough - I’m having a hard time imagining two.</p>
<p>As far as “who’s a better ship driver?” I am going to give the nod to USMMA. Those guys actually sit for US Federal licensing exams - something USNA Midshipmen do not do, which this old grad thinks is a bit of a shame.</p>
<p>USMMA is a great school - I happen to be on a business trip with a USMMA '68 grad at the moment - and I really think you will love it there if USNA doesn’t happen for you. </p>
<p>If your heart’s really set on USNA, you should certainly reapply next year, but it makes no difference whether you go to a good civilian school or USMMA as long as you take the “Plebe” curriculum as mombee suggests. Bottom line is do your best and see what happens.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>