<p>You are my hero Zonker :)</p>
<p>Ditto that Suzanne</p>
<p>tlswogh89 - I’m a 1982 grad with a son in 2012 and while I can’t speak for the entire graduating class of 1982 or my son’s class I can speak for both of us on these subjects.</p>
<p>Neither he nor I went or go to USMMA to drive towards a career on active duty. While this years graduating class had 25% go active duty historically over the past 30 years the number has usually been more like 15%. </p>
<p>Kings Point is a Maritme, not a military academy. It’s primary mission is to provide leaders to an industry vital to the US’ national interest and one which by the some accounts for 1 in 7 jobs in the country. When longshoremen shut down the ports of Southern California a couple of years ago the ripple effects and impacts were well documented. As to your comment about the 7 state chartered maritime academies, they serve and provide a compliomentary purpose however they too are similar sized to USMMA - that means between 1300 and 2000 graduate and enter this vital industury annually. The capacity of the industry to support those graduates is pretty well agreed upon and documented by studies and data MARAD tracks since all operate under some of their auspices.</p>
<p>I didn’t go back through all the posts and threads that others cite here nor will I. I gather you wanted to go to KP badly and now you are disillusioned about it for whatever reason. So you post here to rile folks up and maybe make a statement. I’ll even assume that you might still stick it out and graduate. I will offer you this advice as someone who is now almost 30 years into my post USMMA career. I learned a lot of things at the Academy that have helped me and I’ve pretty much lived by the motto “Acta Non Verba” since July 1979. Here’s what I have to say I learned and have kept close to my core beliefs since entering the school in 1979 and graduating in 1982:</p>
<p>1) The Honor Code is important. Most of all so I can look at my own face in the mirror when I shave every morning. It affects how I behave as much or more than anything else in my fiber and folks around me point to my many faults as I compete for success in this world however in 30+ years noone has ever questioned my ethics or integrity and it’s because I live the Honor Code. The fact that Kings Point of all the Maritime Academies has the strongest honor code and one similar to the other Federal Service Academies is something that matters to us. Who is “us” - Kings Point Alumni - a group that numbers about 15,000 (all time) many of whom are “movers and shakers”. Because of the honor code we feel and take responsibility for our actions and to make a POSITIVE difference in this world. Despite your cynicism and the cyniscism and self - deprication you see us exhibit, if you make it through the full four years, ring the bell and shake the Admiral’s hand on graduation day, you’ll feel it too. However, I doubt you’ll make it if you don’t take the Honor Code to heart, when you do you won’t need to ask some of the questions you apparently asked earlier, you’ll know the answers and behave accordingly.</p>
<p>Leaders live by “Acta Non Verba” we have principles to guide us but for the most part we live “in the moment”, stay positive and get things done. After we’ve reached a milestone or accomplishment, we celebrate it appropriately for a short time and go on to the next goal/mountain to climb. My class has 10+ members I can think of off hand who have been wildly successful in life (5 by anyone’s measure) - I’m by no means even thinking of including myself in their ranks - they all fit this description. There are current faculty members who know them and remember them - they would all tell you that even back then - 30 years ago, these men and women exhibited the beginings of those traits and behaviours back then. Start out with growing and nuturing these good habits now and they will help you for the rest of you life.</p>
<p>Lecture over other than to say, good luck, I hope you make it, obviously I like the others who’ve read your post think that bashing at something because you are frustrated or it isn’t turing out the way you thought it would isn’t the best approach to addressing challenges and problems in life.</p>
<p>“half of SUNY Maritime actually participate in their regimental program for to get their license.”</p>
<p>Wayyyyyyyyy off my friend… not even close. If you want to use figures, at least make them accurate.</p>
<p>I think you are incorrect, the usmma is a valuable academy because you can commission into any branch.</p>