<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>I've nearly completed finishing my applications for the other academies. I did apply for a nomination for this academy, just to see if I get in... and would consider going here if I knew what exactly the academy is all about.</p>
<p>After reading the Wikipedia and About Page about MMA, I'm still extremely confused on what a Merchant Mariner is and if it is considered a "military" or service academy. Will someone please help me out?</p>
<p>First, congratulations on saying "Merchant Mariner" and not confusing it with the US Marines. That's a step in the right direction. Simply put, Merchant Mariners are those individuals that serve in the Merchant Maritime, which under wartime comes under the jurisdiction of the Navy. It is the Merchant ships that will do the heavy lifting of transporting equipment and supplies during times of war. Those who attend the USMMA are midshipmen (Navy) who just like the other academies serve their obligation by being in the Armed Forces. Unlike the other Academies, a Kings Point midshipman is able to choose upon graduation which branch they desire to serve, active or reserve. Most wind up choosing the Naval Reserve, but all branches are well represented. It IS the most misunderstood Academy, but offers very unique opportunities to its graduates. </p>
<p>I am giving you a very broad brush that is incomplete and others will chime in with more details. We have had two sons go the Academy route, one West Point, one Kings Point. Very different schools, but very similar also.</p>
<p>I hear from Midshipmen at USNA SS, that at USMMA the Mids have a "worse" life compared to the other academies.</p>
<p>Congrats on your research so far.
Your best bet for getting info is to ask ....
So, United</a> States Merchant Marine Academy > admissions...
Give them a call and discuss their mission/your options/and what you are interested in achieving. </p>
<p>Every academy is different... (Choices of major, emphasis, etc).</p>
<h2>NO, repeat <em>NO</em>, academy is going to be easy!</h2>
<p>So... Stop the hear-say... go get facts.
Good luck on your decision.</p>
<p>the kids at USNA say we have a worse life, but in reality it's just different. from what my friends there have told me their regimental system under the brigade is a lot stricter than out system here, but their academic side offers a bit more to choose from that makes it "easier" on them. i say it like that because nothing is easy at these places.
our school is a bit different in that we still have a regimental system that is fully operational, but you won't have people going around trying to wreck someone else's day because we all simply have too much on our own plates to really do that. </p>
<p>remember, it's not a competition between schools. if you go to any of the academies you're pretty much set for life. at USMMA your life is indeed a tough one. you lose a lot of sleep and have many difficult classes. however, you make great friends that you'll have forever and have experiences that no one back home can come close to. </p>
<p>look on United</a> States Merchant Marine Academy and then go from there. you'll get it all figured out. best of luck as you make your decision.</p>
<p>As was stated above, all the academies are hard... The tax payer wants to get their money's worth - any you will get a $250,000 education for free... (actually there are costs associated will all the academies... about the cost of one quarter at a good junior college in exchange for four years)...</p>
<p>To answer your basic question "Service" vs. "Military" Academy. There are literally hundreds of schools, both high schools and colleges that are called "Military Academies". This simply means there is some sort of regimental aspect to their academic program. The term "Service Academy" applies only to the five academies administered by the federal government - Army (West Point, NY), Navy (Annapolis, MD), Coast Guard (New London, CT), Merchant Marine (Kings Point, NY) and Air Force (Colorado Springs, CO).</p>
<p>Each of the Service Academies serve as the prime source of officers for their respective service. Meaning that in echange for a free B.S. degree, you agree to serve in that service for a specified period of time following graduation as agreed to in your service contract.</p>
<p>The BIGGEST DIFFERENCE - AND THIS IS IMPORTANT... Is that while West Point Cadets must serve the Army, and Coast Guard Cadets must serve the Coast Guard, and Navy Midshipment must agree to serve the Navy or Marine Corps - Kings Pointers get a huge number of ways to repay their obligated service... these options are not available to the other academies...</p>
<p>First, the Academy is designed to support a war time need for licensed officers in the merchant marine - heavy sea lift - tanks, fuel, bullets to/from the theater, and in times of national emergency - Hurricane Relief. Since the nationalized need for heavy sea lift is not constant - there is no need for a standing federal merchant marine service (Military Sealift Command and U.S. Maritime Service aside). So, Congress funds the school to keep a ready pool of officers ready for recall if needed. It would not be fair to let you go to school on the tazpayers dime ($250,000 bill) to let you simply walk after graduation so you have to choose some options:</p>
<h1>1 Do you want to go on active duty? Yes or No - Unlike USMA, USNA, USAFA and USCGA you don't have to. But, on average 1/3 of each class will.</h1>
<ul>
<li>Most go into the navy (pilots, naval flight officers, surface warfare officers, submariners, supply corps, seabees and seals - all options). next is an equal number of Coast Guard and Marines (but the Coasties have been steadily growing each year), Army and Air Force as well - Even NOAA - KP is the only direct commission source for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).</li>
</ul>
<h1>2 if you don't want to go on active duty, do you want to go to sea in the Merchant Marine? That is the real reason for having the Academy. To take your USCG License and sail for US Companies on the high seas... Cargo Ships, Tankers, Research Ships, Oil Rigs, Tugs, Military Sealift Command (Naval Support Ships, Oilers, Ammunition Ships, "spy" ships...). About 1/3 of each class does this.</h1>
<h1>3 If don't want to do that you can go to work in the "Maritime Industry"... working ashore in the transportation industry in a maritime related job or defense contracting, or maritime law or insurance... the choices are many... Basically, you select the job you want and submit your choice to the Maritime Administration for approval.</h1>
<p>If you choose option #2 or #3 you will have to agree to serve as a commissioned officer in the Naval Reserve for a specified period of time.</p>
<p>So, you can select any one of the above or a combination of the above... Remeber that if you select the Naval Academy - you are going to go on active duty in the Navy (or Marines) - you have no other choice... You can do that at KP too, but may be you'll change your mind in four years - too late at Annapolis...</p>
<p>Hope this helps...</p>
<p>USMMECOM
Welcome</a> to USMMA Online, the one stop shop for all things related to the UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADMEY</p>
<p>usmmecom - that is one of the best posts I've read on here. I have cut and paste it to several of our guidance counselors along with friends who are interested in KP. Thank you for your valuable input - keep it coming! I look forward to more from such a credible POSITIVE source....</p>