A few other differences I thought of USMMA you have to pass DoDMERB, you have to pass a physical fitness test, and you must get a nomination. For life in and after the Academy, for USMMA, you receive a free education and you get paid during summer training while you pay for your education and training for State. For after graduation, you can go straight into the civilian field if you graduate from a State Academy. Also, some Academies do not require you to be in the Corps of Cadets or acquire a license. For USMMA, you must go into the military. Most fulfill this military obligation by going into the Navy Reserve, or graduates can choose to go Active Duty or Reserves/National Guard in any of the branches and the NOAA Corps. Military programs for State Academies are usually only Navy/Marine Corps ROTC and Coast Guard MARGRAD. A few have the Strategic Sealift Officer Program (The same Navy Reserve choice offered to USMMA graduates). The California Maritime Academy also has Air Force ROTC.