The United States Merchant Marine Academy (also known as USMMA or Kings Point) is one of the five United States service academies. It is charged with training officers for the United States Merchant Marine, branches of the military, and the transportation industry.
Midshipmen (as students at the Academy are called) are trained in marine engineering, navigation, ship's administration, maritime law, personnel management, international law, customs, and many other subjects important to the task of running a large ship.
History
Between 1874 and 1936, diverse federal legislation supported maritime training through schoolships, internships at sea and other methods. A disastrous fire in 1934 aboard the passenger ship SS Morro Castle, in which 134 lives were lost, convinced the U.S. Congress that direct federal involvement in efficient and standardized training was needed.
Originallyâ€"and in cooperation with the State of New York (which donated the land)â€"the U.S. government planned to establish a large-scale Merchant Marine Academy at Fort Schuyler, New York; but nothing came of these plans.
Congress passed the landmark Merchant Marine Act in 1936, and two years later, the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was established. In that year, the USTS Nantucket (ex-USS Ranger) was transferred from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Kings Point and renamed the USTS Emory Rice. The first training was given at temporary facilities until the Academy's permanent site in Kings Point, New York was acquired in early 1942. The Kings Point campus was originally Walter Chrysler's twelve-acre waterfront estate, named "Forker House" (now known as the USMMA's Wiley Hall). Construction of the Academy began immediately, and 15 months later the task was virtually completed. The Academy was dedicated on September 30, 1943, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who noted that "the Academy serves the Merchant Marine as West Point serves the Army and Annapolis the Navy."
World War II required the Academy to forgo its normal operation and to devote all of its resources toward meeting the emergency need for Merchant Marine officers. Its enrollment rose to 2,700 men, and the planned course of instruction was reduced in length from four years to 18 months. To meet the wartime needs for qualified merchant marine officers two additional merchant marine cadet training school sites were established, one located in Pass Christian, Mississippi and the other in San Mateo, California. The San Mateo location was closed in September 1947 and the students transferred to Kings Point. The location in Pass Christian was similarly closed in 1950. In spite of the war, shipboard training continued to be an integral part of the Academy curriculum, and midshipmen served at sea in combat zones the world over. One hundred and forty-two midshipmen gave their lives in service to their country, and many others survived torpedo and aerial attacks. From 1942â€"1945, the Academy graduated 6,895 officers. As the war drew to a close, plans were made to convert the Academy's wartime curriculum to a four-year, college-level program to meet the peacetime requirements of the merchant marine. In 1948, such a course was instituted.
Authorization for awarding the degree of bachelor of science to graduates was granted by Congress in 1949. The Academy became fully accredited as a degree-granting institution in the same year. It was made a permanent institution by an Act of Congress in 1956. The Academy accelerated graduating classes during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. It was involved in such programs as training U.S. officers for the nuclear-powered merchant ship, the NS Savannah.
Admission requirements were amended in 1974, and this Academy became the first federal service academy to enroll female students, two years before the Military, Naval, Air Force, and Coast Guard Academies.
During the Persian Gulf War in early 1991, and for many months prior to the war, both Academy graduates and midshipmen played important roles in the large sealift of military supplies to the Middle East. Midshipmen training at sea also participated in the humanitarian sealift to Somalia during Operation Restore Hope.
In 1992, the Academy acquired its largest campus-based training vessel, the T/V Kings Pointer. After 20 years at the Academy, the ship was then removed by the Maritime Administration in 2012.
This was followed by an announcement on August 21, 2012, that NASA agreed to transfer the MV Liberty Star to the U.S. Department of Transportation for use as the new training vessel at the Academy. Before being redesigned to serve as a training vessel for students, the former MV Liberty Star served as a solid rocket booster recovery vessel for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), retrieving solid rocket boosters following space shuttle launches. In June, 2014 the vessel was rechristened the T/V Kings Pointer, the fifth vessel of the Academy to carry that name. The rechristening followed the earlier dedication of the Academy’s newly replaced Mallory Pier.
In 1990s, the Academy's future seemed to be in doubt, as its elimination appeared in a draft report by the National Performance Review efforts of the Clinton presidential Administration, whose chairman was Vice President Albert Gore, Jr. The final report did not call for closure, but recommended half federal subsidy and half tuition to reduce costs. Congress, however, rejected the recommendation and voted to prohibit charging tuition to students.
Between 2009 and 2014, the Obama Administration invested more than $450 million at the Academy, including almost $100 million for capital improvementsâ€" the most funding ever secured for physical improvements at the Academy.
During the events of 9/11, the Merchant Marine Academy assisted in the evacuation of civilians from Lower Manhattan as well as the transportation of first responders and supplies to and from Ground Zero. Midshipman, faculty and staff from the academy, within hours of the attack, were using boats from the waterfront and sending them to the city. Members of the Merchant Marine Academy participated in the relief efforts for nine days.
Most recently, Merchant Marine Academy midshipmen and graduates have been involved in many facets of the war in Iraq. Many graduates were involved in the transportation of supplies during the buildup to the war in 2003. Many graduates in the U.S. Naval Reserve, now known as the Navy Reserve, have been called to active duty to serve supporting naval roles in ports in Iraq and Kuwait. Graduates who have entered other branches of the service have had more direct roles in Iraq. Aaron Seesan, a 2003 graduate and Army First Lieutenant, was the first graduate to give his life for his country during a war since the Vietnam War.
Because of the service of midshipmen in every major conflict the country has been involved in since World War II, the regiment is privileged to carry a regimental battle standard. The Merchant Marine Academy is the only Federal Service Academy granted the right to do so, and the standard is carried with the colors at all times. Campaign ribbons from all the conflicts midshipmen have taken part in help to dress the battle standard, and bring honor to the academy and her midshipmen.
On 19 June 2006, President George W. Bush gave the commencement address at the Academy, becoming the first sitting president to visit the academy.
Admissions
In addition to requiring strong GPA and SAT/ACT scores, to be eligible to enter the Academy a candidate must:
- Be of good moral character.
- Be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed his or her 25th birthday before July 1 in the year of entrance.
- Be a citizen of the United States either by birth or naturalization, except for a limited number of international midshipmen specially authorized by Congress.
- Meet the physical, security and character requirements necessary for appointment as Midshipman in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
- Obtain a Congressional nomination to the Academy from a Member of Congress.
- Submit a completed application; and
- Qualify scholastically.
Medical/Physical Clearance - Candidates are required to pass a DoDMERB (Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board) physical, and take the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) to assess physical fitness.
Security Clearance - In order to receive a commission at graduation as an officer in the U.S. Armed Forces, candidates are required to complete a security clearance upon enrollment at the Academy.
Organization
The Academy operates on an $85 million annual budget funded by the US Department of Transportation and is administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration (“MARADâ€)
The entire student body is referred to as the Regiment of Midshipmen. The Regiment is subdivided into two battalions and five companies: First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Band, with First and Second Companies making up First Battalion and Third and Fourth Companies making up Second Battalion. Company assignment is random, although candidates who have experience playing a musical instrument are highly considered for joining Band Company.
Department of Public Safety
The United States Merchant Marine Academy Department of Public Safety is responsible for campus safety and security. Staffed by federal police officers and federal security guards, supplemented by contract personnel as necessary, the force operates the gatehouse on Steamboat Road and provides patrols on foot, and in marked and unmarked vehicles. The Department is a full-service law enforcement agency and has mutual-aid agreements with the police and fire departments of the Village of Kings Point Police Department and Nassau County Police Department, and receives investigative support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Department's primary mission is "to provide a safe and secure environment ensuring the successful completion of the Academy's mission".
The Department currently has a Department Head, two federal police officers and two federal guards, with contract security guards utilized to meet minimum manning requirements. During special events, the Department is augmented with additional contract guards that perform access control and crowd control duties. Federal guards have no arrest authority, other than that of an ordinary citizen. Police personnel are sworn officers with full arrest authority under federal law (under Title 40 United States Code section 1315), and may also issue federal and state of New York summonses, protect persons and property, prevent breaches of the peace and to enforce rules and regulations for the protection of properties at the Academy for which the Academy has exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction.
Federal police officers, federal guards and contract guards wear distinct uniforms and perform access control, foot and motor patrols, respond to transmitted fire and security alarms, address safety and security matters, direct traffic and enforce parking and traffic regulations. Federal and State of New York laws are enforced on campus.
Curriculum
Freshmen enter as plebe candidates in early July, when they begin a two-and-a-half week indoctrination period familiarly called "indoc." Indoc is run by upperclass drill instructors overseen by United States Maritime Service officers of the Commandant of Midshipman's staff. This high stress period involves physical training, marching, and an intensive introduction to regimental life at the academy. After indoc, the academic year begins. On Acceptance Day, in September, first-year students take the oath of office of the U.S. Navy Reserve and become members of the regiment as plebes. Plebes are required to adhere to stringent rules affecting most aspects of their daily lives. In March, plebes are recognized as Midshipmen, fourth class, a status that eases the restrictions and affords some privileges
Midshipmen focus on one of two ship transport areas of education: marine transportation or marine engineering. Transportation students learn about ship navigation, cargo handling, navigation rules and maritime law. Engineering students learn about the function of the ship's engines and its supporting systems. There are currently six academic majors. Marine Transportation, Logistics and Intermodal Transportation, and Maritime Logistics and Security, referred to as Deck Majors, grant students a Third Mate License of Steam or Motor Vessels, Unlimited Tonnage, Upon Oceans. Marine Engineering, Marine Engineering Systems, and Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management, referred to as "Engine Majors", are issued Third Assistant Engineer (3 A/E â€" Engineering Officer) Licenses Steam and Motor Vessels, Any Horsepower. Maritime Operations and Technology majors, referred to as "Shoppers", may obtain certification as "Qualified Members of Engine Department", the highest unlicensed rating in the engine department. Marine Engineering Systems and Marine Engineering Systems and Shipyard Management graduates are also qualified to sit for the Engineer In Training (EIT) examination administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES).
For part of sophomore and junior years, third- and second-class midshipmen serve as cadets on US merchant ships. Midshipmen are typically paired two to a ship, an engineering cadet and a deck cadet. Midshipmen work and function as part of the crew and gain an opportunity for hands-on experience as well as the opportunity to travel abroad to foreign ports. The average midshipman travels to eighteen countries during the three-hundred-day training period. This practical training necessitates an academic year that runs from late July to mid-June.
Toward the end of 1st class (senior) year, midshipmen prepare for exams to be licensed as either Third Assistant Engineers (steam and motor unlimited HP) or Third Mates (any gross tons, oceans). All US merchant marine officers must be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The following academic programs (Bachelor of Science 4 year degree programs) are offered at USMMA
- Marine Transportation
- Maritime Logistics and Security
- Marine Engineering
- Marine Engineering Systems
- Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management
Athletics
The USMMA Mariners compete in Division III of the NCAA, as a charter member of the Landmark Conference in all sports (men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis and track & field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, lacrosse, swimming & diving, track & field and volleyball) except in football, where they are an associate member of the Liberty League, and collegiate wrestling, where they are a member of the Centennial Conference. The USMMA formerly was a member of the Skyline Conference until the 2006-07 season.
Distinguished midshipmen
The Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award which can be bestowed upon members of the United States Merchant Marine and is the service’s equivalent of the Medal of Honor. Since mariners serving in the U.S. Merchant Marine are not employed by the Department of Defense, they are not eligible for the Medal of Honor.
Since USMMA opened in 1943, eight midshipmen have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
- Midshipman Francis A. Dales
- Midshipman Elmer C. Donnelly
- Midshipman Carl M. Medved â€" Awarded posthumously
- Midshipman Edwin Joseph O'Hara â€" Awarded posthumously
- Midshipman Walter G. Sittmann
- Midshipman William M. Thomas, Jr.
- Midshipman Phil Cox Vannais
- Midshipman Frederick R. Zito
Life after graduation
Midshipmen at Kings Point have a wide variety of options upon graduation. Unlike the nation's other Federal Service Academies, graduates of USMMA are required to fulfill their service obligation on their own by providing annual proof of employment in a wide variety of occupations as approved by MARAD for a specified period of time.
Graduates may elect to fulfill their service obligation by working as licensed officers on U.S. flagged merchant vessels, as civilians in the maritime industry, or as active duty officers in any branch of the armed forces of the United States. Regardless, graduates are required to maintain their US Coast Guard issued merchant marine officer's license for a period of at least 6 years.
Those graduates electing to enter the civilian work force in the Maritime Industry, and those sailing in the Merchant Marine, are also required to maintain their Naval Reserve commission (or another reserve component commission) for a period of at least 8 years and are required to serve in the maritime industry for at least 5 years following graduation.
- On average about 1/3 of each graduating class goes to sea working in the United States Merchant Marine as officers serving on ships in overseas trade, inland & near-coastal transportation, research vessels, and other types of vessels.
- Another 1/3 generally go to work in the maritime industry ashore working in commercial shipping, ship broking, intermodal logistics, marine engineering, maritime law, maritime insurance or defense contracting.
- And, about 1/3 enter the military as active duty Commissioned Officers. Of those going on active duty most enter the US Navy as Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, Surface Warfare Officers, Submarine Officers or occasionally even as SEALs. Some midshipmen enter the Marine Corps and Coast Guard, while a small number enter the US Army, US Air Force and their Reserve or National Guard components. Midshipmen may also apply for commissions in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with the NOAA Commissioned Corps.
A graduate from USMMA will receive upon graduation:
- 1: A Bachelor of Science Degree
- 2: An Unlimited USCG License as a Merchant Marine Officer, either 3rd Mate or 3rd Assistant Engineer, and
- 3: A Commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve Strategic Sealift Officer Program (see: Navy Reserve Merchant Marine Insignia), or if accepted, as an Ensign in the US Navy, US Coast Guard or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or 2nd Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, US Army or US Air Force. Graduates who choose military service must serve at least five years in the active duty force of their respective service.
American Merchant Marine Museum
The USMMA in Kings Point, New York is also the home of the American Merchant Marine Museum. The museum houses the Academy's collection of maritime art and artifacts. The museum contains a learning center which is open to the regiment and the public, as well as a number of exhibits including the only known back-acting engine still in existence, that of the former gunboat USSÂ Ranger.
The museum also houses the National Maritime Hall of Fame. The only permanent exhibit of its kind in the nation, the Hall of Fame honors people and ships important to American oceanic, coastal, inland waterway and Great Lakes shipping. Inductees into the Hall of Fame must have been deceased, or sunk or scrapped, for at least five years. Only one person and one ship are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year. The hall inducted its first set of members in or about 1982.
Among the museum's many items are the world's largest collection of navigation and nautical instruments, and the only extensive selection of ship's china, on display anywhere in the world. In addition, one of the five surrender swords presented by the Japanese to Douglas MacArthur at the conclusion of World War II is housed there.
Images from the Museum and from the Academy can be seen at this website - Photographic Catalog of the US Merchant Marine Academy
Superintendents
- Captain James Harvey Tomb, USN 1942â€"1943
- Rear Admiral Giles C. Stedman, USNR 1943â€"1946
- Rear Admiral Richard R. McNulty, USNR 1946â€"1948
- Vice Admiral Gordon McLintock, USMS 1948â€"1970
- Rear Admiral Arthur B. Engel, USCG 1970â€"1980
- Rear Admiral Thomas A. King, USMS 1980â€"1987
- Rear Admiral Paul L. Krinsky, USMS 1987â€"1993
- Rear Admiral Thomas T. Matteson, USMS 1993â€"1998
- Vice Admiral Joseph D. Stewart, USMS 1998â€"2008
- Rear Admiral Allen B. Worley, USMS 2009â€"2010
- Rear Admiral Phillip H. Greene, Jr., USMS 2010â€"2011
- Rear Admiral James A. Helis, USMS 2012â€"present
Congressional Board of Visitors
In accordance with 46 USC § 51312 â€" A Board of Visitors to the United States Merchant Marine Academy shall be established, for a term of 2 years commencing at the beginning of each Congress, to visit the Academy annually on a date determined by the Secretary of Transportation and to make recommendations on the operation of the Academy.
Members of the 113th Congress
Ex Officio Members:
- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Chairman, Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee
- Rep. Howard McKeon (CA-25), Chairman House Armed Services Committee
Members of the United States Senate
- Sen. Roger Wicker, (R-MS)
- Sen. John Boozman, (R-AR)
- Sen. Mark Warner, (D-VA)
Members of the House of Representatives
- Rep. Peter King, (R-NY-02)
- Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, (D-NY-04)
- Rep. Alan Nunnelee, (R-MS-01)
- Rep. Michael Grimm, (R-NY-11)
- Rep. Tim Bishop, (D-NY-01)
Notable alumni
- Alex Bonner (1943) Emmy Award winning radio and television producer and broadcast executive
- Robert H. Scarborough (1944) First graduate to become a Vice Admiral in the United States Coast Guard; Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard; Inducted into USMMA Hall of Distinguished Graduates in 1997.
- Theodore "Ted" Taylor (1944) author of over 50 fiction and non-fiction books; best known for his 1969 novel The Cay
- Russell B. Cummings (1945) Texas State Representative from Harris County (1963â€"1967)
- Dean White (1945) Chairman and CEO of Whiteco Industries, Inc, Hotel/Display Sign Magnate, Member of Fortune 500; philanthropist; The Dean and Barbara White Admissions Center at USMMA is named in his honor; Inducted into USMMA Hall of Distinguished Graduates in 2006.
- John Diebold (1946) Author of the book "Automation" (1954); Established DiBold Group in 1961 designed and installed the first electronic banking network. Inducted into USMMA Hall of Distinguished Graduates in 2003.
- Elliot See (1949) Project Gemini astronaut; killed in training; Inducted into USMMA Hall of Distinguished Graduates in 1999
- William B. Morgan (1950) Distinguished Naval Architect and Marine Engineer who revolutionized propeller design; 50-year career with the U.S. Navy's David Taylor Model Basin; Inducted into USMMA Hall of Distinguished Graduates in 2008
- Albert J. Herberger (1955) First graduate to become a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy; Head of the U.S. Maritime Administration under President Bill Clinton; Inducted into USMMA Hall of Distinguished Graduates in 2000.
- George Oster (1961) Professor Mathematical Biology, University of California; MacArthur Fellow; Member National Academy of Science
- Robert Kiyosaki (1969) Author of the Rich Dad, Poor Dad books; Marine Corps helicopter gunship pilot during the Vietnam War
- Skip Prosser (1972) Men's basketball coach at Loyola (Md.), Xavier University and Wake Forest University
- Mark H. Buzby (1979) Rear Admiral United States Navy; Commander, Military Sealift Command; Former Deputy Director Expeditionary Warfare; Commander, Joint Task Force, Guantanamo; Commanding Officer USS Carney (DDG-64) and DESRON-31
- Sean Connaughton (1983) Head of US Maritime Administration (2006â€"2009), Virginia Secretary of Transportation (2010â€"2013)
- Mark E. Kelly (1986) Captain, US Navy; Space Shuttle pilot, STS-108 Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-121 Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-124 Space Shuttle Discovery
- Sean Marshall (1987) Former child actor, star of Disney's "Pete's Dragon."
- David "Dubs" Wright (2004) Laser Sailor, 2002 National Champion. All American 2003. Represented Canada in 2012 London Olympic
Notable non-graduates
- Andrew Card â€" Former White House Chief-of Staff
- Henry Way Kendall â€" Nobel Laureate in Physics (1990)
- Carroll O'Connor â€" Actor â€" portrayed Archie Bunker on All in the Family
- Martin Lewis Perl â€" Nobel Laureate in Physics (1995)
Notable faculty
- Clark G. Reynolds â€" Historian; professor of history and head of the Department of Humanities (1976â€"1978)
See also
- Vice Admiral Emory S. Land, USN. Instrumental in overseeing founding of Academy
- United States Merchant Marine
- United States Maritime Service
- U.S. Department of Transportation
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Maritime Administration
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- Navy Reserve Merchant Marine Insignia
- The Olmsted Scholar Program
References
External links
- Official website
- Official athletics website
- Official USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation website
- USMMA Sailing Foundation website
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