Active Duty CPL to USMMA

Kracl

10-Year Member
5-Year Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2009
Messages
2
Hello,

My name is Corporal Kracl. I am currently stationed in Okinawa. I'm trying to find a Marine Corps Order similar to MCO 1530.11G (which outlines the regulations and specifications for an active duty Marine to enter the Naval Academy) only specifically for the Merchant Marine Academy. My question is this; am I able to be accepted to the USMMA while on active duty and have orders cut; or will I have to participate in the MECEP program in order to attend?

The reason I ask is I will be deployed to Afghanistan during next years MECEP selection time-line which will make it very difficult to participate in. I'm trying to find out if there is an alternate course of action or if MECEP is my only option.

Thank You.
 
The person you want to contact is Capt Kim. He is the Marine Corps liaison to King's Point. I will find his contact information and pm it to you
Semper Fi Corporal and thank you for your service.
 
Why not USNA?
Primarily because I'll be 22 by July 1, 2010. Which is non-waivable disqualification according to the order.

Thank You very much KPMarineopsdad. Much appreciated. Oorah.
 
Not sure what the age requirements are for MMA. However, the USNA requirement is not to be 23 by July 1 of your entry year. This would eliminate NAPS which might be an issue. I doubt if you will find any formal procedures for this. However, contact MMA for sure (and let us know their answer) to get their recommendation. There are probably ex-enlisted at USMMA but no one out here unless they are an ex_Marine can probably give you the exact procedures so contact them.

Worst case scenario is if they would let you apply while in the USMC is, if you were accepted, perhaps run a DD 368, Conditional Release, up the Chain of Command. It really, by the letter of the regulation, doesn't apply to USMMA since it is not DoD but, being totally at the mercy of your superiors, it might be approved.
 
You need to speak with your CO. I believe you can go through the seaman to Admiral program. You must make application. The one thing I don't remember is if you still need a Congressional nomination. I'm an Admissions Rep for Virginia so I'll ask what steps you need to take and get back to you.
 
Hope this helps !

OVERVIEW
Life After the Academy
How to Apply
Catalog
Facts & FAQs
Financial Aid
Information Reps
Request Info
Visiting the Campus
Application Status
Opportunities for Women



>Facts & FAQs
ACT/SAT
Appointments
Definition of Terms
Eligibility
international Students
Nominations
Prior Service Info
DODMERB Medical Exam
CFA
Service Obligation
Scholastic Requirements



>Financial Aid
Financial Aid Process
FAQs
Midshipman Fees
Description of Fees
Disbursement Dates
Outside Scholarships
Important Links





Info For: Current Midshipman | Future Midshipmen
Friday July 24th 2009


Armed Forces Enlisted Personnel
Enlisted members of the U.S. armed forces may apply, and are encouraged to apply, to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. This includes members on Active Duty, as well as members serving in any Reserve component or the Army or Air National Guard.

The application process for enlisted members is essentially the same as for students applying for admission directly out of high school. Candidates must submit Part I of the application to establish their record (and to initiate the scheduling with the Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DoDMERB) for their complete physical examination). Candidates must also submit Part II of the application, along with the required essay. Candidates must have Part III of the application completed by the High School from which they graduated, and instruct the school official(s) completing the form to return it to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy along with an official copy of their Final Transcript (showing all 4 years of courses completed and grades earned) and results of the SAT and/or ACT test(s) taken. At least one Letter of Recommendation must also accompany Part III.

For those enlisted members who have also completed some college courses, an official copy of their transcript(s) from each college/university attended must also be sent to the Admissions Office. The Academy is not able to evaluate an application for admission until all transcripts have been received.

The application deadline is the same as for all other applicants -- all application information (Parts I, II, and III, essay, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) must be received at the Academy Admissions Office no later than 1 March of the year the student is applying for entry. If, due to unusual circumstances (deployment, for example) an enlisted member requires an extension, they must receive approval for that extension from their Regional Admissions Counselor at the Academy prior to 1 March.

Applications from enlisted members will be evaluated and considered for admission directly into the Academy. However, depending on the length of time it has been since the enlisted member was last in an academic environment, a decision may be made instead to consider the applicant for the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI). The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has a limited number of billets at NMMI, where students attend a rigorous academic and training program for 10 months and, upon successful completion and graduation, are offered admission into the Academy the following year. Enlisted members who do not meet all the minimum academic requirements for admission may also be considered for NMMI.

Enlisted members must also complete all other admission requirements. They must obtain a nomination from either a U.S. Senator or a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. That nomination may be from either their original home State of residence or the State in which they are currently residing, depending on where they are registered to vote. Individuals who are assigned and/or residing outside the United States must obtain their nomination from their original home State of residence. Enlisted members must also successfully complete the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA) and a medical examination conducted by DoDMERB. Failure to obtain a nomination to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and/or failure to pass the CFA, and/or failure to be certified as medically qualified for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will result in your application for admission being denied.

Applicants to the Academy must not have passed their 25th birthday by 1 July of the year they are applying for entry.

In general, all branches of the uniformed services will release enlisted members to attend the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy after they have received official confirmation that the member has received (and accepted) an Appointment. Individual circumstances may, however, preclude any release. Coordination through your chain of command to obtain approval to attend the Academy is essential.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Admissions Office at: 1-866-546-4778 (toll-free), or at: 1-516-773-5391 (direct dial). Alternatively, you may e-mail the Admissions Office at: admissions@usmma.edu.

Links

Facts

ACT/SAT

Appointments

Definition of Terms

Eligibility

International Students

Nominations

Prior Service Info

DODMERB Medical Exam

Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)

Service Obligation

Scholastic Requirements






US Merchant Marine Academy
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY 11024
Tel: 516-773-5000 Home | About USMMA | Admissions | Academics | Midshipman Life | Administration & Services
 
Basically all the MMA website states is that they will accept applications and that the individual services, "in general" will release individuals who are accepted. In other words, I read it that there is no official policy.

kpmom, MECEP is the USMC version of STA-21 (seaman to admiral program). I am relatively certain that attending a SA would not fall under the purview of either MECEP or STA-21. They would have to be released from their USMC contract.

Age is an issue. It precludes NAPS and then USNA so a USNA appointment would have to be direct entry. NMMI is an option for USMMA but my understanding is that it is also a military high school which incorporates those students into the chain of command. I have trouble envisioning a high school freshman giving orders to a combat seasoned USMC Sergeant. Not sure NAPS is definitely a non-entity for USMMA. It used to be an avenue. Might want to ask to make sure. If NMMI is a concern and the only option and direct entry is the only other option, a lot of soul searching may be in order. Either Academy might give you the benefit of the doubt as to your academic credentials. Do you feel you could survive college calculus, chemistry, and English?

MECEP is a great program. You may find that it, at a private university, is your best avenue.

Good luck.
 
NMMI, from what was described to me from parents of an attendee clarified it more for me, because I originally thought as MomBee did. Here's the explanation I got (HTH):

One section of NMMI is a Prep/Jr college, strengthing/refreshing academic areas, and exposing candidates to the full physical and regimental lifestyle.

In addition, there is a High School section... which does indeed run a regimental-style student officer corps for the high school student population(only). In the example, a high school freshman can receive orders from his 'superior officers' in the High School Regiment. In short, the High School chain of command has not impact on the Post-High-School/College-Prep students.
 
nmmi

That is not correct. NMMI has one corps of cadets comprised of both high school and junior college students (including preps). It is a fact that high school students are some of the squad leaders and officers in the corps.
 
Thanks TexMom.
I passed along info that had been given me, and qualified it as such. But I'm learning more, and thank you for the opportunity to dig a little deeper.

NMMI does a great job preparing people for their first year at the Service Academy they chose, among it's other functions.

I also looked up some cadre breakdown from nmmi.edu website (e.g.):
Foxtrot Platoon College Squad Leader,
Foxtrot Platoon High School Team Leader, etc.
There are also Foxtrot Platoon Guidon/Exec Officer, etc. (that aren't specified as college or high school).

Mombee made a hypothetical musing that she would "have trouble envisioning a high school freshman giving orders to a combat seasoned USMC Sergeant. " As would I, too.
It doesn't look like that would even be POSSIBLE at NMMI... I guess that is where I was trying to head.

I can't see that a High School Freshman would be/could be in charge of Service Academy/College Prep attendee.

Good school... although it's graduates frequently comment about the closest town being Roswell N.M. :)
 
nmmi

Please excuse my incompetence on my previous post. I attempted to go in and clarify under edit, but alas, I was multi-tasking and not successful.

As for NMMI - with the exception of HQ troop (band), all other troops have some squads made up of high school students and other squads that have only college/preps. Most, if not all, of the platoon sergeants are high school students as are the first sergeants. These are not freshmen, but normally juniors and seniors. The Exec. Officer and the Troop Commander positions are held by college students, frequently AROTC folks who are in the Early Commissioning Program at NMMI or other college students who went to high school at NMMI.

The reality from my personal observation on more than twenty visits to NMMI in the last two years is that the academy prep cadets are respected by most of the corps, regardless of their rank or lack thereof. While there are always exceptions, the preps are usually not the subject of some overzealous high school cadet on a power trip. (I'd like to be a fly on the wall when a previously enlisted Marine encountered one such misguided high school student:shake:)

One of the times in the corps that the preps are separated from the rest of the corps is for corps P/T. The preps do have their own program for P/T which is definitely more rigorous than the regular corps version.

Again, sorry if my original post sounded rude - that definitely was not my intent.
 
It sounds as if NMMI might continue to be a concern, especially for a combat seasoned Marine. I was being slightly facetious when I mentioned a freshman though.

If an enlisted candidate stays on active duty via NAPS and USNA, he will continue to honor his commitment and, if he drops out, return to his enlisted obligations. Since, apparently there is no formal program with USMMA, the USMC might have issues with a release of obligation to attend a civilian prep school.
 
To your original question -

Corporal Kracl,

You ask: "My question is this; am I able to be accepted to the USMMA while on active duty and have orders cut; or will I have to participate in the MECEP program in order to attend?"

Two of the original answers directed you to two sources of information as regards your particular situation: a) your Chain of Command (CO) and/or b) Capt. Kim, the USMC Liason currently at the USMMA. I'd echo that sentiment and add a few things re: contact information.

The Academy is back in full session now so in addition to Capt. Kim you should also be able to get a hold of folks in the admissions office. The Head of Admissions Capt. Johnson was formerly at West Point and is a retired Army Col., the associate director Cdr. Mike DeRosa is currently a USNR Cdr. both would also likely provide you with good information and direction.

If you are deployed now or unable to call during the normal business day on the US East Coast, email should work even better.

I don't have Capt Johnson's email handy but Cdr DeRosa's is: derosam@usmma.edu; the commercial direct number for the Cdr De Rosa is: (516) 773-5801.

Capt Robert Johnson's direct phone and email are: (516) 773-5755 and johnsonr@usmma.edu

Capt Kim's Direct Contact Number is: (516) 773-5441. His USMMA email is kimd@usmma.edu.

Also, I'd suggest that you contact your home Congressman and Senator's Offices and begin the application process for a nomination, if at all possible before you go in Theater. I believe when you talk to the above folks they'll tell you you will need a nomination, they may be able to help you get to the sources but I think you'll need one all the same. I also have to believe that at least one, if not all of those three nominating authorities will work to accomodate your constraints, especialy in the case of USMMA where basically they each have the ability to nominate up to 10 candidates who are given equal weight in the selection process.

I am unsure, as it seems most of us here are as to how your orders, etc. will work and if you return to active duty post graduation how things would work. That said I can tell you there is at least 30 years of history and precident for what you are trying to do so the folks we are all steering you to should be able to help you figure things out.

Good Luck and thanks for your service and sacrifice.

Acta Non Verba!
 
Back in the old Corps (65-67) our DI on the Island went over all the requirements to the different SAs. Coast Guard Academy was height of 6ft so you could get ashore if your ship sank.
Basic premise was that while on active duty you could apply to any of the SA and if you were accepted, they let you out to attend. At that time I think you may have had the option to return to the Corps with a commission.

Good luck on deployment.
Lewis
D-2-11, 1st MarDiv FMF (rein)
0811
1966-1967
 
Neither of these instructions apply to USMMA and I don't think the oversight is accidental since there is no active duty military requirement upon graduation. I would guess that he would have to be on his own running a chit up. Agree?
 
tpg & mombee: Age limit for USMMA is 25 the year they enter. In my graduating class there werre three Marines who came in from Actiuve Duty Enlisted - 1 via NAPS, 1 directly, I never did know whether the third came via NAPS or directly. So whilethe exact instruction tpg has cited may or may not be applicable:
a) from the contents of this thread it looks like Cpl Kraci is correct (he will exceed the age limit in the applicable instruction for consideration to Annapolis and West Point.
b) I continue to reccommend he explore USMMA as an option via his chain of command and/or the suggested POCs here in if he remains interested.
c) re: tpg's comment contents "In my day, unless you were trying for NROTC or USNA, help was not exactly offered….not discouraged either mind you..." I guess that's why the Corporel may be looking here, but I am comfortable and confident in stating that I'm almost 100% that at any time between when I got there in 1978 and today there are at least a couple of midshipmen in the USMMA Regiment who started their quest while serving on active duty in the USMC and entered the Academy at Kings Point prior to when their contract would have ended, without incurring any additional service obligation over and above what every other member of the Regiment also signed up for.
 
Back
Top