Naval Training

Opinions: Would I receive better Naval training at USMMA or at an NROTC unit? Which one would better prepare me for a career in the US Navy?

JohnPaulJones said:

Opinions: Would I receive better Naval training at USMMA or at an NROTC unit? Which one would better prepare me for a career in the US Navy?

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I'm kind of partial to NROTC. That being said provided you are interested in the curriculum that USMMA offers I expect it would be the better program and offers you broader options after graduation. If you are interested in some other major then I would suggest NROTC. (disclaimer: I know little of USMMA other than what's available on the web). ie. I would choose the major over the institution.

JohnPaulJones said:

Opinions: Would I receive better Naval training at USMMA or at an NROTC unit? Which one would better prepare me for a career in the US Navy?

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You want to be a naval officer go NROTC or USNA, you want to be a Merchant Marine Officer go to Kings Point.

I have heard that some of the best Naval Officers come from Kings Point. Excluding the academic majors, is the Naval Science training at USMMA similar to the Naval Science classes taught at a NROTC unit?

JohnPaulJones said:

I have heard that some of the best Naval Officers come from Kings Point. Excluding the academic majors, is the Naval Science training at USMMA similar to the Naval Science classes taught at a NROTC unit?

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Great naval officers can come from any institution. It's all about the individual and what they put in to it.

Take a look at the New York Maritime College (SUNY) right across the bay from USMMA. You have the options of Merchant education, variety of engineering majors and a full NROTC unit. My DS has this as plan B if he does not get a CGA or NA appointment. Good luck

Seems to be some confusion here in the answers above. All USMMA Midshipmen are Midshipmen in the USNR (i.e. NROTC) - you will take the same Naval Science courses as all NROTC program participants they are given by the USMMA's Department of Naval Science, and the Regimental Program is 24/7 with 100% of the Student Body at USMMA required to participate.

I am not making a commentary as to which might be better in general or for any particular individual - merely wanted to clear up some confusion as to the USMMA Midshipman's individual participation in the NROTC program and the status of the USMMA's Regiment of Midshipmen's status as one of the largest NROTC units in the nation.

Over summer cruise, there was a mix of a dozen USNA mids, a USMMA mid, and a couple of NROTC mids on my ship.

From what I could tell, everyone was generally on even ground (1/C, 2/C, 3/C alike). The NROTC mids were a bit more uptight, but that's another matter. BDOC and your first ship (i.e. the SWO qual) will probably have more bearing on your professional development as a SWO than the differences between commissioning sources.

The choice really depends on your own aspirations. USMMA obviously has a unique program with training opportunities not offered at most other NROTC universities. Not many civilian universities have a fleet of training vessels.

As an active duty Naval Officer I can think of no better place to get an education and prepare to be a Naval Officer than Kings Point.

Here's why:
1)You learn to be a sailor, first and foremost.
2)Your education is top notch and related to #1
3)You will be light years ahead of your peers in many respects if you decide to go SWO. If you go aviation you're already ahead of the game for navigation (if you went deck)


There are other intangible benifits of coming from KP as well. Best of luck!

kp2001 said:

3)You will be light years ahead of your peers in many respects if you decide to go SWO. If you go aviation you're already ahead of the game for navigation (if you went deck)

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DS decided to take a commission as a SWO. Recently his ship's Chief Engineer was giving instructions to several new Ensigns - looked at DS and said "You're from Kings Point. You know all this already."

Do you want to Drive or Ride?

I totally agree with kp2001. My DD is now a LTJG in the Active Duty Navy. The last 2 1/2 years have proven the advantage of an USMMA degree.

The USNA Ensigns have had no more than 3-4 weeks do Observing at Sea per year at the Academy. They are Managers with little knowledge of the Sea or the ship they are assigned to. USNA will get you to the Navy ships.

In all Training Classes, USMMA Midshipmen perform Outstanding! These are the ones that have spent over 300 days at Sea, working & learning from Mariners!
While time was spent on learning the specifics of the Ship she was on, she was WAYYYYYYYYY ahead knowing about how to sail. She has had XO's & Captains that quickly recognized her expertise! USMMA will get you to the Ships of the World!!!!

Back to the silly question -- Do you want to Drive/Engineer or Ride on the Ships of the World?