BFE/Checklist Before INDOC?

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Mar 27, 2020
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Is a formal BFE to be sent out to all recent appointees? When is a formal appointment letter/notice received? How long does it normally take to arrive? Does it include a checklist of everything that needs to be done before INDOC? Or is some sort of official checklist online/reporting instructions online?
 
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Is a formal BFE to be sent out to all recent appointees? When is a formal appointment letter/notice received? How long does it normally take to arrive? Does it include a checklist of everything that needs to be done before INDOC? Or is some sort of official checklist online/reporting instructions online?
Last year the Logging Book with all the instructions was emailed on 5/2. That has all the instructions, lists, etc. A BFE arrived via FedEx a few days later. It had some of the forms and other necessary stuff in it. Since many at the Academy are working remotely, I'd cut them some slack on getting the BFE out as quickly as usual. But I'd think you can expect the Logging Book via email next week. If you're anxious, you can find the 2023 Logging Book. This year's will probably be similar. I know someone posted it in one of these threads.
 
Congratulations!
We knew it would happen. You worked hard for this but . . .
The paperwork is just beginning.

A few pressing matters you need to take care of ASAP are:
  1. Passport (Must be Valid for 4 Years minimum)
    Get your Passport now!
    It can take 45-90 days.
    https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html

  2. TWIC Card http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/transportation-worker-identification-credential-twic®
    https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/twic
    Apply NOW!
    You MUST make an Appointment
    Indicate the purpose for the card is for employment as a Merchant Mariner and that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is the employer
    .
    Apply for TWIC at least 6 weeks prior to when the card will be required.
    TWIC applicants are experiencing delays to receive their TWIC card.

  3. Physical Readiness Program (Attached)
    Start working out NOW!
    During Plebe Indoctrination you will take two physical fitness tests.
    The first fitness test, Initial Strength Test (IST), will be conducted on the second day and consists of maximum curl-ups in two minutes, maximum push-ups in two minutes and a timed 1.5 mile run.
    The second fitness test near the end of the two weeks, the Final Strength Test (FST), includes maximum push-ups in two minutes, maximum curl-ups in two minutes and a timed 1.5 mile run.

  4. Wisdom Teeth (potentially disqualifying dental condition)
    Have you had your wisdom teeth removed?
    The recommendation by the Academy’s Dental Service is that third molars (wisdom teeth) be removed at least 6 weeks prior to Indoctrination if indicated by your Dentist.

  5. Take Swimming Lessons (if you don't know how to swim)
You will need all of these at INDOC ( Friday, July 10th) to be able to sign in.

Additional CHECKLISTS
Related Health Services Documents
All forms are to be completed, signed, dated and returned to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Office of Health Services four weeks prior to Day 1 of Indoctrination. No later than Friday, 05 June 2020


1 - Welcome Letter

2 - Health Documents Checklist

3 - Dental Documents Checklist

4 - Notice of Privacy Practices

5 - Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices

6 - Consent for Use and Disclosure of Health Information

7 - Authorization to Provide Health Services for Minors

8 - Pre-Admission Immunization Record Summary

9 - Dental Examination for Third Molar Status

10 - Respiratory Protection Medical Questionnaire Form

11 - Plebe Candidate Indoctrination Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: Friday, April 10, 2020 on USMMA.edu
 

Attachments

  • Physical Readiness Program 2020.pdf
    699 KB · Views: 52
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APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy participates in the Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Financial aid is available to eligible Midshipmen, regardless of family income. Financial Aid may be used to cover eligible educational expenses associated with attendance at the Academy. If you require financial assistance, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will not be considered for aid until you do so. Midshipmen are encouraged to file the FAFSA as early as possible. Filing a FAFSA does NOT obligate you to accept any financial aid awards.

To file a FAFSA, visit: https://fafsa.ed.gov/

When filing the FAFSA, Plebe Candidates and parents should use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to facilitate completion of the form. USMMA’s school code for the FAFSA is 002892.

Once you have filed your FAFSA, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Lauri D’Ambra in the Office of Financial Aid at (516) 726-5638, or by email at dambral@usmma.edu . The Office of Financial Aid is located on the 2nd floor of the Admissions building. Additional information regarding financial aid is available on the USMMA website at:

http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/financial-aid

IMPORTANT NOTE: Financial Aid is disbursed after each academic trimester has started. Plebe Candidates should not expect to see disbursements from Pell Grants or Direct Loans until 30 days after the first day of class for the first trimester. Unfortunately, the funds from Financial Aid are not immediately available to pay for items that must be procured before arrival at the Academy such as laptop, Plebe Kit, TWIC, etc. However, financial aid may be used to reimburse these costs. If Plebe Candidates have a signed Financial Aid Award Letter with adequate funds, prepayment of Midshipman Fees is not required. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
 
SCHOLARSHIPS AND COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS

Outside Award Scholarships: Students are strongly encouraged to apply for outside award scholarships from all sources. Students who receive scholarships should contact the Financial Aid Office to arrange for receipt of their award. Should you receive an outside award scholarship, but the awarding agency refuses to award it to you because of your attendance at USMMA, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarship checks must be made payable to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and should be mailed to:

USMMA
Attn: Office of Admissions – Financial Aid
300 Steamboat Road
Kings Point, NY 11024​

IMPORTANT NOTE: Scholarship checks are not deposited until after the start of the First Trimester. While these funds will not be available to the Midshipman until after classes have started, their Midshipman Fees account will be credited accordingly. Any excess funds will be refunded to the Midshipman per Federal regulations.

College Savings (529) Plans: The Academy welcomes payments from college savings plans to help offset qualifying expenses. Please consult your awarding agency for details and contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions or concerns.

Lauri D’Ambra in the Financial Aid Office can be reached at (516) 726-5638 or via e-mail at dambral@usmma.edu
 
Congratulations!
We knew it would happen. You worked hard for this but . . .
The paperwork is just beginning.

A few pressing matters you need to take care of ASAP are:
  1. Passport (Must be Valid for 4 Years minimum)
    Get your Passport now!
    It can take 45-90 days.
    https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/apply.html

  2. TWIC Card http://www.tsa.gov/stakeholders/transportation-worker-identification-credential-twic®
    https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/twic
    Apply NOW!
    You MUST make an Appointment
    Indicate the purpose for the card is for employment as a Merchant Mariner and that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is the employer
    .
    Apply for TWIC at least 6 weeks prior to when the card will be required.
    TWIC applicants are experiencing delays to receive their TWIC card.

  3. Physical Readiness Program (Attached)
    Start working out NOW!
    During Plebe Indoctrination you will take two physical fitness tests.
    The first fitness test, Initial Strength Test (IST), will be conducted on the second day and consists of maximum curl-ups in two minutes, maximum push-ups in two minutes and a timed 1.5 mile run.
    The second fitness test near the end of the two weeks, the Final Strength Test (FST), includes maximum push-ups in two minutes, maximum curl-ups in two minutes and a timed 1.5 mile run.

  4. Wisdom Teeth (potentially disqualifying dental condition)
    Have you had your wisdom teeth removed?
    The recommendation by the Academy’s Dental Service is that third molars (wisdom teeth) be removed at least 6 weeks prior to Indoctrination if indicated by your Dentist.

  5. Take Swimming Lessons (if you don't know how to swim)
You will need all of these at INDOC ( Friday, July 10th) to be able to sign in.

Additional CHECKLISTS
Related Health Services Documents
All forms are to be completed, signed, dated and returned to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Office of Health Services four weeks prior to Day 1 of Indoctrination. No later than Friday, 05 June 2020


1 - Welcome Letter

2 - Health Documents Checklist

3 - Dental Documents Checklist

4 - Notice of Privacy Practices

5 - Acknowledgement of Receipt of Notice of Privacy Practices

6 - Consent for Use and Disclosure of Health Information

7 - Authorization to Provide Health Services for Minors

8 - Pre-Admission Immunization Record Summary

9 - Dental Examination for Third Molar Status

10 - Respiratory Protection Medical Questionnaire Form

11 - Plebe Candidate Indoctrination Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: Friday, April 10, 2020 on USMMA.edu

Great information, @cousmma5280 . Thanks for sharing.
 
PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS - Updated
Last Updates for the Class of 2023 (Logging in Book)

It is very important that you keep physically active until INDOC.
Set up your own Calendar of workouts to fit your schedule.
 

Attachments

  • PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS.pdf
    767 KB · Views: 48
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Keep in mind that there are maritime specific scholarships available. Most are available after Plebe year and depend on good academic performance. The financial aid office helped my DS get one that was geographically specific to home of record.
 
All parents/students for the class of 2024 need to read this thread. Very important information. You need to be working on these items NOW.
Thanks for pointing this out @1842 !
 
Will we have any problems for INDOC as we are running into delays for a few things due to shutdowns. DS has an appt for TWIC May 27th, passport working on that too, since he only had a minors passport and that will be taken at applying for the new passport. We did get into see the dentist and are working on only one immunization- The nation wide shutdown is making everything almost impossible to get done before INDOC.
 
Do not worry. TWIC, passport, and any remaining vaccinations are great to have done before INDOC, but will not be a huge problem as long as they are squared away before first sea year. Do your best to get all done now though, because you will have plenty of other things to worry about once you are at KP.
 
Spoke with the Commandant's Office this morning.
  1. TWIC car-Go ahead and apply now if you can. Make sure you check the box EMPLOYED (not pre-employed) as a Merchant Mariner and that the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is your employer.
  2. Passport-If you have a Passport bring it to INDOC to check in and plan on Renewing it later. (ie. Fall Break, Winter Break, Spring Break)
  3. Class of 2024 will have Logging In Book emailed to them.
  4. Related Health Services Documents with the Pre-addressed envelopes and required paperwork will be mailed to you shortly.
 
Do not worry. TWIC, passport, and any remaining vaccinations are great to have done before INDOC, but will not be a huge problem as long as they are squared away before first sea year. Do your best to get all done now though, because you will have plenty of other things to worry about once you are at KP.
Thank you
 
I submitted paperwork for the new passport on March 2. Still nothing yet from the Dept of State. Unfortunately, I had to include my daughter's birth certificate with the passport application (even though it was a renewal!). I cannot get her a TWIC card until the passport arrives. Hopefully the passport and birth cert will arrive soon.
 
Get a duplicate passport. Better yet, get a half dozen of them.
You must mean to get additional birth certificates and not passports since you may not have extra passports! Despite restrictions, I bet that official copies of birth certificates are still available to obtain prior to July 10. We got five additional official birth certificates for our son before Indoc just to have on hand.
 
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