I'm a simple guy and there's just so much here I don't understand?
1) What does any of the above have to do with wether or not the President chooses to speak at graduation? That was/is the topic of this thread, no?
2) kp2010 used the proper nomenclature and description - the USMMA is one of the five (5) Federal Service Academies.
3) You are correct - the USMMA is not a Military Academy, kp2010, kp2001, myself and most others here, especially alumni and most current members of the Regiment - always strive to make clear, USMMA is a federal service academy, further as noted by SamAca it is indeed a Maritime Academy and that is central to it's mission.
4) Subsequently SamAca who is a current USCGA Cadet that explored the possibility of attending USMMA prior to opting for what was always his first choice also then seems to latch on to some confused discussion of these points so I'd like to chime in here as a proud alumnus -
USMMA is NOT a military academy, federal or otherwise. It is one of the five Federal Service Academies. Further, let's be perfectly clear, all five have their pluses and minuses and all are great institutions, however USMMA isn't as good as any of the other four - NOT EVEN CLOSE - WE ARE BETTER, THATS RIGHT - WE ARE THE BEST OF THE BEST. So if the the leader of the free world wants to come to our graduation, I'm sure just like when President Bush came for the graduation of the Class of 2010 we'll welcome him with open arms and be quite grateful for his time and consideration. If he chooses instead to go to one of the other four of our Federal Service Academy sisters, we'll understand that they need the presence of his office at their graduation ceremonies on a more regular basis than do we because of their insecurities in order to validate their unfounded, unjustified feelings of entitlement and superiority to the other four of their sister institutions of which we are among.