The Experience of a Lifetime; A Lifetime of Experience
With 95 percent of the world’s products transported over water, our graduates are vital to the effective operation of our merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport during war and peace.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are committed to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. With 95 percent of the world’s products transported over water, these leaders are vital to the effective operation of our merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport in peace and war. Academy graduates abide by the motto: “Acta Non Verba,” or “Deeds Not Words,” and are leaders that exemplify the concept of service-above-self.
Known for its rigorous academic program, USMMA requires more credit hours for a baccalaureate degree than any other federal service academy. This challenging coursework is augmented by the Academy’s Sea Year experience, which affords midshipmen the opportunity to acquire hands-on, real-world experiences aboard working commercial or military vessels sailing to ports around the world. Midshipmen who master this demanding curriculum earn a unique combination of credentials:
- An highly-regarded Bachelor of Science degree
- A U.S. Coast Guard license
- An officer’s commission in the U.S. Armed Forces
For this reason, Academy graduates are highly sought after as officers in the military and the merchant marine. This merchant fleet of efficient and productive commercial ships owned by U.S. companies and registered and operated under the American flag, forms an essential part of our domestic and international transportation system. U.S. Merchant Marine graduates play a key role in this industry, which is vital to America’s economy and continued prosperity.
All graduates have a service obligation upon graduation that provides the most career options offered by any of the federal academy.
- Graduates can choose to work five years in the United States maritime industry with eight years of service as an officer in any reserve unit of the Armed Forces.
- Or five years on active duty in any of the nation’s Armed Forces.
In time of war or national emergency, the U.S. Merchant Marine becomes vital to national security as the “fourth arm of defense.” Our merchant ships can be ordered to national service and take on the responsibility for delivering military troops, supplies and equipment overseas to our forces and allies operating as an auxiliary unit of the Navy. The stark lessons of the twenty first century conflicts again prove that a strong merchant marine is an essential part of American security and sea power.
The nation’s economic and national security needs met by the U.S. Merchant Marine are compelling. Today, the United States imports approximately 85 percent of some 77 strategic commodities critical to America’s industry and defense. Although we, as a nation, account for only six percent of the world population, we purchase nearly a third of the world’s output of raw materials. Ninety-nine percent of these materials are transported by merchant vessels.
But the most important element in a productive merchant fleet and a strong transportation industry is people – men and women who can lead with integrity, honor, intelligence, dedication, and competence. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ensures that such people are available to the nation as shipboard officers and as leaders in the transportation field who will meet the challenges of the present and the future.
Acta Non Verba!
Admissions
Completing an application to the United States Merchant Marine Academy is a lengthy process. Applicants may start the application on May 1st of their junior year of high school, and are encouraged to complete the application as early as possible to receive an early determination. Applications must be completed by February 1st for appointment consideration.
Options after Graduation
You control your future. You can choose to work in the United States maritime industry and serve as a reserve officer in the Armed Forces, or apply to serve as an active duty officer in any of the nation’s Armed Forces.
Air Force Army Coast Guard Marines Navy MARAD
Steps To Admissions
1. Confirm Eligibility
2. Get Started
3. Apply for a Nomination
4. College Entrance Exams
5. Transcripts
6. Candidate Fitness Assessment
7. Medical Exam
8. Complete Your Online Application
Academics
The Academy's four-year program centers on a regimental system that instills its students 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 the U.S. Armed Forces.
About the Program
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 Commission on Higher Education 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.
Academic Departments
Humanities
Mathematics and Science
Marine Engineering
Marine Transportation
Naval Science
Physical Education and Athletics
Professional Development & Career Services
Academic Center for Excellence
Challenging Environment
The Academy challenges its midshipment 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.
Athletics
Athletics is one of the four developmental pillars at the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the lessons learned by our Midshipmen on the fields of play are instrumental in their leadership development.
The USMMA Department of Physical Education and Athletics (PE&A) currently offers 18 NCAA Division III varsity programs: Baseball, Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Football, Men’s Lacrosse, Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s Soccer, Men’s Swimming & Diving, Women’s Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Men’s Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Women’s Track & Field (Indoor and Outdoor), Wrestling and Women’s Volleyball. The department will additionally offer Women’s Soccer beginning in 2020-21, which will become an NCAA program by 2022-23.
In addition to our varsity athletic programs, PE&A also offers three competitive club programs: Ice Hockey, Rugby and Water Polo.
The USMMA Waterfront offers competitive water sports that include: Dinghy Sailing, Offshore Sailing, Men’s Crew and Women’s Crew.
Midshipmen are encouraged to participate in one of our many athletic offerings at the Academy. The Office of Student Activities hosts a number of athletic clubs as well.
For those interested in starting a club not currently offered, Midshipmen can reach out to the Office of Student Activities.
USMMA Athletics is hosted at the following web location: www.USMMASports.com. Click the link for more information.
Our Athletic Facilities
Our athletic facilities include sport fields for football, baseball, lacrosse, track & field and soccer, as well as tennis and handball courts, a HITT locker, a customized Obstacle Course, and a quarter-mile, surfaced track. Historic O'Hara Hall has a spacious gymnasium, an indoor Olympic-size swimming pool and diving well, racquetball courts, cardio, core and weight training facilities, wrestling and locker rooms. Our Waterfront facility, Yocum Sailing Center, overlooks Long Island's Little Neck Bay and is home to the Intercollegiate Dinghy Sailing Team, the Rowing Team and the Offshore Sailing Team.
Our Waterfront Teams
Varsity Intercollegiate Dinghy Sailing Team
Varsity Rowing Team
Varsity Offshore Sailing Team
Club Sports
The Merchant Marine Academy sponsors a full program of Club Sports as a complement to the Varsity Intercollegiate sports program. Competitive club sports are interest-driven and provide the opportunity for Midshipmen to participate in sports not offered at the varsity level.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy’s Competitive Club Sport Program promotes health, fitness, and physical well-being, as well as, physical skill development. Club Sports also provide the opportunity for Midshipmen to develop and hone skills in athletics, leadership, management, teamwork and other professional qualities that will benefit the participants throughout their life after college. They provide social/recreational opportunities for the entire Academy community, and are designed to serve individual interests in different competitive sports and recreational activities.
Regimental Life
The Academy campus and facilities comfortably accommodate the Regiment of Midshipmen. The design of the buildings is simple yet functional, and the campus has been laid out to take full advantage of the picturesque waterfront of Long Island's north shore. The Academy's buildings and walkways are named after individuals whose deeds have brought fame to America's merchant marine.
The Campus
USMMA Campus is located at Kings Point, NY. On the slope looking toward Long Island Sound stands a monument to the Academy's World War II casualties. Around this monument are grouped an outdoor swimming pool; a boat basin and the Yocum Waterfront Center; Gibbs Hall, with modern science and engineering laboratories; and Samuels Hall, with Humanities department classrooms, the Continuing Education Office, the Computer Resources Office, a ship's bridge simulator, and laboratories for teaching nautical science. A beautiful interfaith chapel, which serves the religious needs of the regiment, stands on a grassy knoll to the south of the War Memorial.
Although the majority of Academy buildings were constructed during World War II, ongoing modernization programs have rendered the classroom, laboratory and dormitory facilities virtually brand new.
Across the Campus
Wiley Hall, facing Long Island Sound, is the chief administration center of the Academy. Formerly the home of automobile magnate Walter P. Chrysler, this historic building contains the offices of the superintendent, senior members of his staff, and the Admissions Office.
East of Wiley Hall lies the center of the Academy campus, marked by a striking, 172- foot flagpole. Surrounding this landmark are Fulton Hall, the marine engineering and science building; Bowditch Hall, housing the Department of Marine Transportation and the 900-seat Ackerman Auditorium; and the Schuyler Otis Bland Memorial Library.
Delano Hall, the midshipman dining room, and five dormitory buildings - Barry, Rogers, Cleveland, Murphy, and Palmer Halls - complete the circle of buildings enclosing the main campus. The dormitories and dining room are connected by an underground promenade, which contains the midshipman lounge and canteen, uniform shop, post office, laundry facilities, bank, barber shop, and ship's service store.
On the northern border of the Academy lies the McNulty Campus, named after the “father” of the Academy, Rear Admiral Richard R. McNulty, who was instrumental in calling public attention to the need for a federal maritime officer training school. Located in this area is the American Merchant Marine Museum, a popular stop for campus visitors.
Sea Year
This phrase has inspired generations of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy midshipmen. It has taken them across the world's oceans to exciting foreign ports, and in the process, provided them with unique practical training, with an opportunity to learn more about themselves, and with plenty of adventure.
port
Your Defining Moment
There’s no better way of learning that by doing. That’s what sea year is all about. You’ll work at everything from cargo loading and navigation to engine repair and ship maintenance. You’ll heed the advice given to every midshipman embarking on sea year: “Keep your eyes and ears open.”
Why is sea year so important? Because, for most midshipmen, it’s their first real opportunity for self-reliance. At sea, you’ll balance your time between shipboard tasks and your sea project. You’ll develop self-discipline and self-confidence. You’ll practice human relations skills as you work both with the ship’s officers and crew. You’ll observe different and exotic cultures as you travel from port to port.
As you walk up the gangway of your first ship, sea bag over your shoulder, you’ll join the ranks of thousands of Kings Pointers who credit Sea Year as the foundation of their successful professional careers.
For them, it was their defining moment. Make it yours too.
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