THE
MISSION OF THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY
"To
educate and graduate professional officers and leaders
of honor and integrity, who are dedicated to serving
the economic and defense interests of the United
States in our Armed Forces and Merchant Marine,
and who will contribute to an intermodal transportation
system that effectively ties America together." |
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The
Academic Program
The Academy is located in Kings Point, New York. Its 82-acre
waterside campus lies on Long Island's north shore, about
20 miles east of New York City.
The Academy is a national institution, operated by the
Federal Government's Maritime Administration, an agency
of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Academy's
four-year program centers on a regimental system that
instills its students - called midshipmen (a term used
for both men and women) - with the traits of leadership,
discipline and dedication required for a career that typically
may include service at sea, maritime employment ashore,
and serving as a commissioned officer in a reserve component
of the U.S. Armed Forces.
The Academy's Regiment of Midshipmen
numbers approximately 950 young men and women who represent
every state of the Union as well as U.S. Trust Territories
and Possessions. The size of the student body contributes
to a true sense of camaraderie among the members of the
Regiment and permits the Academy to maintain an excellent
student-teacher ratio.
A sound college education is the foundation
for every profession in our society and the mariner’s
profession is no exception. The academic curriculum at
the Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association
of Colleges and Schools and provides each midshipman with
the broad college education required for a bachelor of
science degree, with the specialized training for licensing
as a merchant marine officer, and with the military knowledge
for commissioning in a reserve component of the Armed
Forces. Few colleges can offer such a full range of credentials
at graduation.
The Academy challenges its midshipmen
intellectually and physically. The academic program is
demanding, the regimental system rigorous. Freshman (fourth
class or plebe) year is particularly strenuous as students
make the transition from high school graduate to Academy
midshipman. In their first few months, they learn many
new terms, the quality of endurance, how to perform under
pressure, and most importantly, how to successfully manage
time.
During sophomore (third class) year,
and again during junior (second class) year, midshipmen
are sent to sea for practical shipboard training. Aboard
ship, sailing the trade routes of the world, they learn
the value of self-reliance and initiative as they gain
firsthand experience in the mariner's environment.
In senior (first class) year, they fine
tune the skills learned in the classroom and at sea as
they prepare to enter the Professional world.
Enrollment at the Academy requires many
personal sacrifices, but the goal is worthwhile. Students
must be prepared for numerous demands on their time, a
degree of stress, and some limitations on their personal
freedom. In return, the Academy develops leaders and prepares
its graduates for careers that are bounded only by their
talents and desire.