Questions about USMMA.

gvnkenney

gvnkenney
5-Year Member
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Aug 1, 2014
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Can somebody explain a few things for me? I have searched everywhere and I can't find anything. First of all, is USMMA a military school, or is it like Cal Maritime? I mean, if I go, would I have to put up with all the crap they make them go through at USNA? Next, is Sea Year only for certain majors, or does every student go through it? How strict are the rules? Like, I know people say its tough, but I don't mean academically. I mean like random yelling outside of Indoc; does that happen? Thank You in advance.
 
Yes all do sea year. USMMA is under the DOT but mids are USNR and yes it is military based have to meet height weight body fat must pass fitness tests regularly. Yes you get yelled at after indoc. Rules are rules... so yes they are strict...don't follow them and you too along with your entire squad can do extra PT late at night. Never attended USNA...what kind of "crap" do you mean...yes they put up with "crap" at USMMA. Many of your questions could have been answered if you were to look at the USMMA site. Good Luck.
 
Can somebody explain a few things for me? I have searched everywhere and I can't find anything. First of all, is USMMA a military school, or is it like Cal Maritime? I mean, if I go, would I have to put up with all the crap they make them go through at USNA?

Yes, everyone here is part of the regiment. I'd say we're a lot more similar to USNA than Cal. Cal Maritime has a regiment too, but they're a LOT more lax (...casual maritime). So yeah, you'd have to put up with all the regimental stuff.


Can Next, is Sea Year only for certain majors, or does every student go through it?

Everyone goes to sea. Merchant Marine Academy. Everyone needs a license to graduate, and in order to get a license you need sea time.

How strict are the rules? Like, I know people say its tough, but I don't mean academically. I mean like random yelling outside of Indoc; does that happen? Thank You in advance.

As a plebe you're like a monk living in a monastery, so lots of rules, no privileges, and the occasional reg cock who will ruin your otherwise okay day. It gets better with time, but yes lots of rules, yes you have to follow them, and yes there are consequences (..including disenrollment) if you can't. More people get the boot for academics than conduct though.
 
My DS, a current Plebe, summarized his experience to date as follows: "Anything that adds a little bit of convenience to my life is taken away." That is to say, it is hard, it is military, and it is exhausting. He still is thrilled with his decision to attend. He did tons of research, visited twice and knew what he was getting into - but still some surprises have cropped up. Is there"Crap"? - my DS would give that a big old yes - but, he would say it is "crap" with a purpose.
 
Everyone needs to stop calling this the military, it isn't. There is a regimental structure that we follow, but it isn't the military.

It is the REGIMENT of midshipmen.
 
Beyond is right. It is a school under DOT not DOD. I used military as an adjective - not a noun. The Regiment are members of the Naval Reserve.
 
First of all, is USMMA a military school, or is it like Cal Maritime?

First of all, that comparison is wrong. Cal Maritime has a regimented program with 4/C indoctrination and the 4/C training system; it's actually similar to USNA in that regard. Uniforms, regulations, restricitons, watch-standing, etc. for all classes. If you're looking for a completely lax environment, UCLA would probably be a better option.
 
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Can somebody explain a few things for me? I have searched everywhere and I can't find anything. First of all, is USMMA a military school, or is it like Cal Maritime? I mean, if I go, would I have to put up with all the crap they make them go through at USNA? Next, is Sea Year only for certain majors, or does every student go through it? How strict are the rules? Like, I know people say its tough, but I don't mean academically. I mean like random yelling outside of Indoc; does that happen? Thank You in advance.


Crap at the Naval Academy? Last time I checked the Naval Academy puts out a pretty good product...
 
First of all, that comparison is wrong. Cal Maritime has a regimented program with 4/C indoctrination and the 4/C training system; it's actually similar to USNA in that regard. Uniforms, regulations, restricitons, watch-standing, etc. for all classes. If you're looking for a completely lax environment, UCLA would probably be a better option.

To say the regiment at cal is anything like USNA is a bit of a stretch. Cal musters once or twice a week, everyone has gangway all the time, it isn't called casual maritime for nuthin'
 
Crap at the Naval Academy? Last time I checked the Naval Academy puts out a pretty good product...

He didn't ask if it put out crap he asked if to get through the program he's have to put up with crap ... given every one of us SA grads has heard and chuckled at the adage that we got a fully free education (ignoring the years of our life post graduation we served our obligation in return for that "free" education)worth whatever large number any of our alma maters were touting at that time. Followed by the obligatory pause. and then "Of course at time it was shoved up our ### a nickel at a time." I'm pretty sure his point was is USMMA's regimental program more like the other Federal SA's or a bit more "casual" say like an ROTC program etc...

I think the answers have been pretty on spot - USMMA's Regimental life and system like USNA, USAFA, USMA, and USCGA is 24/7 for the entire student body every day you are in residence on campus. Sea Year is part of everyone's four year program as unless you are an International Student to graduate you must take and pass your USCGA Merchant Mariners License Exam. Also "if offered" you must accept your USNR Commission and serve you obligation that way or an alternative acceptable fashion (i.e. Active Duty).

At any of the State Maritime Academies, Cal, SUNY, etc not everyone who is enrolled is either in the "Regiment" or whatever those in that program are referred to (e.g. Corps of Cadets, etc.) nor is everyone on a track to obtain and USCG Merchant Mariners License. Additionally at USMMA there is a very limited number of choices as to your "Major" - five to be exact - three that include and lead to a Third Assistant Engineers License ("Engineers" or "Snipes" or...." ) and two that include and lead to a Third Mates License (referred to as "Deckies").

As noted the way the question was phrased one would have to worry about having one of those "Private Benjamin" moments when reporting aboard to USMMA - about 15 minutes after the original poster walked into the gym and reporting aboard. You know as one of the Indoc DI's was yelling at him ... "Hey I think there's some sort of mistake, I signed up for the Kings point with the yachts and condos..." :redface:
 
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To be fair, KP has yachts.:redface:

Lynn: That is does and when the Sailing Foundation is "done with them" sometimes "foolish" graduates buy them :wink: ... Hope all is going well with DS' first class year.
 
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