Hello I am a 2023 applicant to USMMA and I have my congressional nomination on Saturday and I know they are going to ask me my career aspects. I want to major in Marine Transportation I have been researching but I just need some more insight from actual people who were in this career field rather than a website. I'm just unsure of what to say when they ask me, I would say ¨I want to major in Marine transportation and be a deck officer¨ but I had a phone interview with my senator's panel and he said that was incorrect. Just curious, I want to be prepared for my congressional interview when I am asked. Thank you
Careers in the Merchant Marines
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I have no idea why you would be told your previous response was "wrong." You are correct that Marine Transportation (commonly known as "straight deck") is one of the two current majors at the academy that lead to a career as a deck officer. The other one is Maritime Logistics and Security. It sounds to me like you know more than the senate panel member doing the interviewing. The only thing I can think of is that it was an engineer (or former engineer) doing the interview. There is a rivalry between engineers and "deckies" at the academy (and after) that might mean an engineer would say you were "wrong" to want to go deck. I think that is the most likely explanation. Good luck with your upcoming interview.
He said that Marine Transportation was his major and he asked me what would I do as a deck officer, and I said ¨I would give commands and insure the safety of the people on the ship as well as make sure we arrive at our destination to make a shipment he said I have been in the service some years and I think you need to research more what a deck officer actually does and then he proceeded to call me out on my academic capabilities which are low stats but I am still a candidate and I have alot of other talents to offer. I'm not trying to bash him at all I'm just telling my experience and how I want to improve my next interview. But thank you kpmom I knew I was on the right track I just wasn't 100% sure
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The correct answer would be "Drink coffee, sunbathe, complain about the air conditioning and rely on engineers and ABs to make you look good"
Seriously though, I'm fairly certain there are a fair number of current midshipmen who showed up at KP knowing as much or less. While your answer may not have been as precise or accurate I frankly wouldn't expect much more from someone unless they have previous industry experience.