exactly how does one go active duty from USMMA

BlueBulldog

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So Midn Schmuckatelli at USMMA decides she wants to commission into the US Army after graduation - can someone give a thumb nail sketch how this happens exactly?
 
So Midn Schmuckatelli at USMMA decides she wants to commission into the US Army after graduation - can someone give a thumb nail sketch how this happens exactly?

She doesn't go to Kings Point, she goes to West Point. . .Novel idea.
 
But, mr2020, there is a process to follow. Can you provide the process for the OP
 
So Midn Schmuckatelli at USMMA decides she wants to commission into the US Army after graduation - can someone give a thumb nail sketch how this happens exactly?

The various branches have representatives on campus and there are lots of opportunities to interact, go on service-specific movements (like FTX-field training exercises, etc.,) with whatever branch Mind Schmuckatelli would like to pursue. Mids regularly attend such things as Airborne School (I know that's not the official name), Camp Leatherneck (also I know that's not the official name) and such. Based on what they want to do, they are extended offers based on their qualifications and ranking. Out of our state's 4 graduates last year, two went to Naval Flight School, one went Army fixed wing flight school, and one went straight sailing. I understand this year has a higher proportion of Mids going active duty than usual but the usual is around 20-25%.

I hope that a KP recent grad or current going active duty Army Mid will chime in to shed some more light on this. Hope this helps!
 
So Midn Schmuckatelli at USMMA decides she wants to commission into the US Army after graduation - can someone give a thumb nail sketch how this happens exactly?

My DS was a KP candidate last year. At the end of their four years KP Midshipmen have their choice of service as a officer and take a commission in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard or in the Maritime Industry on a US flagged ship or on shore working in The maritime industry. They also have the option to work for NOOA as well.

Look at this video from you tube it shows the after graduate careers from a graduating class.


https://www.usmma.edu/after-graduation

https://www.usmma.edu/after-graduation/obligation-compliance

You'll have Options
No other federal service academy offers you the career options of Kings Point. You may choose to seek your opportunity as a ship's officer at sea, ashore in the maritime and intermodal transportation field, or as an active duty officer in one of the Armed Forces. Since the Federal Government has provided your education at Kings Point, you will have a service obligation when you graduate -- in the maritime and/or transportation industry, and to Armed Forces Reserve duty.
 
But, mr2020, there is a process to follow. Can you provide the process for the OP

One of my old buddies in KP '19 quit because the army was his dream and he realized KP was going to either not let him follow it or prepare him poorly for it. He's now in West Point '21. Had to go through all the admissions stuff twice. Don't make the same mistake he did.
 
One of my old buddies in KP '19 quit because the army was his dream and he realized KP was going to either not let him follow it or prepare him poorly for it. He's now in West Point '21. Had to go through all the admissions stuff twice. Don't make the same mistake he did.

I wish I could like this 100 times. If you know that you have to go AD, KP isn't the place for you. It's the MERCHANT MARINE Academy.
 
One of my old buddies in KP '19 quit because the army was his dream and he realized KP was going to either not let him follow it or prepare him poorly for it. He's now in West Point '21. Had to go through all the admissions stuff twice. Don't make the same mistake he did.

I wish I could like this 100 times. If you know that you have to go AD, KP isn't the place for you. It's the MERCHANT MARINE Academy.

not to mention going to sea as a cadet who just wants to be in the army. . .Once the second found out that my old sea partner wanted to go army and do anything but sail he banned us from the bridge and made us daymen. Spent the rest of the time on that ship degreasing stuff for 8 hours a day because of that.
 
Still if one wants the free education and a commission USMMA seems a more accessible , route than one of the full on service academies or at least it's another route.

I'd guess the real world hard knocks of sea year would likely better prepare a guy for real world military service.

So does Schmuckatelli just tell the Marines at end of junior year or beginning of senior year hey I want a commission and it's just paper work from there?
 
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Still if one wants the free education and a commission USMMA seems a more accessible , route than one of the full on service academies or at least it's another route.

I'd guess the real world hard knocks of sea year would likely better prepare a guy for real world military service.

So does Schmuckatelli just tell the Marines at end of junior year or beginning of senior year hey I want a commission and it's just paper work from there?


I don't think you get the point. . .West Point and ROTC scholarships are free. USMMA is not the 'accessible' choice. It's a specialized education in boring subjects even for people who want that career and does not prepare you for military service. It prepares you to be a civilian mariner. Sea year is not supposed to be 'hard knocks and the real world', it's experiential education that teaches you the practices and routines followed in the deck or engine department.

Sea year takes you out of the real world. Some of the guys who wanted to go Navy spec ops say that sea year is the reason they didn't qualify, because the restrictions of the ship for 8 months hurt their PST scores.
 
One of my old buddies in KP '19 quit because the army was his dream and he realized KP was going to either not let him follow it or prepare him poorly for it. He's now in West Point '21. Had to go through all the admissions stuff twice. Don't make the same mistake he did.

It's a specialized education in boring subjects even for people who want that career and does not prepare you for military service.

I get what you are saying...but USMMA still gives you the education (ie. a college degree) and leadership experience that will prove useful in whatever service you go into. Sure, you don't have all the field experience and perhaps ingrained culture and traditions, but frankly that is learned quickly in the first couple years of training, just like someone getting commissoned through OCS.

Now back to the OP -- I've been curious as well. One of the selling points for USMMA is the ability to serve in any branch, but how does that occur ? Do you apply for a direct Commission ? Is it competitive, i.e. if 500 grads wanted to go into the Army, would Army take them ?
 
if 500 grads wanted to go into the Army, would Army take them ?

That's a pretty nonsense scenario. For 500 grads to want to go army, the school would have to more than double the class size. . .It's competitive or not depending on the accession targets for the year. The Navy took everyone with a pulse out of KP this year who wanted it.
 
Yes, you apply for a direct commission. I have not heard of anyone being denied a spot in the armed service they desire. However, they may not always get the specific community they desire. Traditionally, each class has about one-third of it's members going active duty each year. In my DS's class of 2013, he had friends who went into each branch as well as into the maritime industry. Though I know I will get bashed for saying this, I believe it is a good thing to send graduates out the into the world as our future leaders who understand the importance of our maritime industry in peace and in war. The insular nature of the industry has contributed to its decline in many ways, and having graduates fan out into a variety of career choices can only help spread the word about why we need to rebuild our maritime fleet.
 
if 500 grads wanted to go into the Army, would Army take them ?

That's a pretty nonsense scenario. For 500 grads to want to go army, the school would have to more than double the class size. . .It's competitive or not depending on the accession targets for the year. The Navy took everyone with a pulse out of KP this year who wanted it.

So it's not a guaranteed commission each year - much like a Senior Military College you have to apply for it then, though more of a token application in the case of USMMA where it can be pretty competitive at SMC
 
if 500 grads wanted to go into the Army, would Army take them ?

That's a pretty nonsense scenario. For 500 grads to want to go army, the school would have to more than double the class size. . .It's competitive or not depending on the accession targets for the year. The Navy took everyone with a pulse out of KP this year who wanted it.

So it's not a guaranteed commission each year - much like a Senior Military College you have to apply for it then, though more of a token application in the case of USMMA where it can be pretty competitive at SMC

Each branch has their own ‘application process’. They usually involve putting together another ‘application package’ of some sort for a board that grants the mid a commission and subsequent community. The ‘application packages’ are not difficult to procure, the hardest part is probably obtaining letters of recommendation, which after time at KP and at sea shouldn’t be too difficult (if the mid is not screwing up continuously). Theres always someone somewhere in your corner.

Each branch and subsequent community has varying requirements regarding applications. The best way to pursue this is to get in touch with your desired branch’s liason officer at KP. I recommend this being done sooner rather than later, because, even though the application process may not begin until 2/C or 1/C year, the liason officer will be able to provide updates, deadlines, etc. in addition to the aforementioned activities/events (FTX, Internships) that may be going on. I’d say get in touch with your desired liason officer before going out to sea the first time, just to “get your foot in the door.” Another benefit to reaching out early is that if there are any medical hiccups, such as maybe exploring corrective eye surgery for a flight spot, these need to be done before the process can continue.

As others have mentioned, I believe it is extremely important to keep an open mind throughout KP. Explore all relevant options, but realize how many great options there are! Sailing changed my entire perspective on my future MULTIPLE times.
 
Though I know I will get bashed for saying this, I believe it is a good thing to send graduates out the into the world as our future leaders who understand the importance of our maritime industry in peace and in war. T
> No bashing here, I agree. It's an important topic, and probably not enought people who understand it.

Explore all relevant options, but realize how many great options there are! Sailing changed my entire perspective on my future MULTIPLE times
> Personally, I think it would be an incredible experience. I didn't know much about USMMA when I was in high school (one of my HS classmates went, and I don't think I even knew it was an option back then), I had a classmate in Pcola who was a grad, and have heard KP reps speak at Congressman Open Houses, and it sounds like they have a pretty good program.
 
if 500 grads wanted to go into the Army, would Army take them ?

That's a pretty nonsense scenario. For 500 grads to want to go army, the school would have to more than double the class size. . .It's competitive or not depending on the accession targets for the year. The Navy took everyone with a pulse out of KP this year who wanted it.

So it's not a guaranteed commission each year - much like a Senior Military College you have to apply for it then, though more of a token application in the case of USMMA where it can be pretty competitive at SMC

I'm pretty sure the official policy is if you can get out of USMMA with a 2.00 you can be a Surface Warfare Officer with America's Navy. Honor -- Courage -- Commitment, every day.
 
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