After Graduating Can Son Join Any Military and Be an Officer

Dear Coloradomom,

Before your DS decides on active duty in other branches of the military, check out the payscale of USMMA after 10 year as a ship's captain/chief engineer, vs 10 as a military officer. Paygrade will always be limited to your rank.....pay scale in maritime indurstry is limited by ones own ability to perform! My DS is 18, just mailed back his acceptance to the class of 2015 and looking forward to college, athletics, sea year, graduation and making money!

We too are from Colorado and it is amazing what opportunities are out in the world!
 
I was originally just asking about active duty because I didn't understand what his service requirements would be. I'm hoping first of all, he gets accepted, then second, can get a job on a ship. I think he's going to love the whole experience and learn so much, I just hope he gets in.

I know the service obligations said he'd have to serve in the military and I was confused which military that meant and what he could do in the military. It's very confusing for me because neither I nor my husband are military.

That's good your son got accepted already. Hopefully our son will too. The world is his oyster and I'm sure the USMMA will teach him everything about the different jobs so he can make his choice. His heart is in the right place. :smile:
 
KPEngineer said:
I can tell you that this alumni doesn't much care what career paths graduating midshipman choose to take. Everyone has their own paths to take and even my own journey through KP took many twists and turns from what I fully intended. I think where many alumni have issue is when the school itself starts to become "Annapolis lite" if you will. I can recall some of my classmates who knew nothing about the maritime industry and only came to KP because they couldn't get into another service academy. Some even said they never heard of KP until their Congressman suggested it since said Congressman had nominations left unused.

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As I just responded on another thread, I am one of those that was trying for another academy who had never even heard of KP (Although I had heard about Cal Maritime). To be honest, my mind was made up by the time I got to Indoc. KP and Sea Year just reinforced it.
 
Has there been any USMMA graduate who is commissioned in the Air Force and received a pilot slot? If so, what determines their level of qualification/competitiveness other than having a PPL, physically qualify, and high class rank.
 
teddybear97 said:
Has there been any USMMA graduate who is commissioned in the Air Force and received a pilot slot? If so, what determines their level of qualification/competitiveness other than having a PPL, physically qualify, and high class rank.
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Several ... one of my classmates is a B1 Pilot and is/was a squadron commander. There was a blurb once, I think it was in the KP mag where they had a plane where the pilot/co-pilot and navigator were all KPers.

Needs of the service come first ... if your graduation year, the AF happens to need zero pilots then you are not getting a slot no matter what your class rank is. I have heard that, but can't say for certain, that having a PPL doesn't necessarily help you. They would rather teach you everything from scratch the "Air Force way" then have to re-teach you and break any potential bad habits.
 
The Air Force commissioning program at KP actually just changed. the USAF is beginning to contract kids out of KP in their junior year, and paying stipend/book money just like they would to a AFROTC mid. They seem to be contracting a lot of kids. I know one that just got a rated slot, actually. But who knows.
 
jasperdog said:
coloradomom: As a taxpayer, alumnus and proud parent of the USMMA Class of 2012 let first congratulate you and your son on obtaining his nomination and wish you well in his attendance at the U.S.Merchant Marine Academy.

It is indeed a fine institution, of course in your son's case, as with many cases of young men and women who seem to be coming to Kings Point these days I, as an alumnus, am disappointed they are not doing so with a primary goal of attending to graduate and pursue careers in the Maritime Industry - the primary purpose for having a Merchant Marine Academy and not fund larger classes at the other Service Academies and/or more funding for ROTC programs. Of course who knows maybe he "won't like it" and then who knows he could leave and pursue something else, or maybe during his sea year he'll see the light, change his mind and go on to become one of our future Maritime Industry leaders.
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I too am a USMMA grad, and as such I share jasperdog's disappointment. Young men and women who sincerely intend to pursue a military career after graduation (never mind becoming a SEAL ... ???) should attend one of the 3 military academies, i.e. USMA, USNA, or USAFA. Although USMMA has a regimental governing and operating structure, it is not a military academy. It is one of the five service academies, but it's primary mission is to graduate men and women intending to exceed in the maritime industry (either at sea or ashore) and related transportation fields.
 
teddybear97 said:
Has there been any USMMA graduate who is commissioned in the Air Force and received a pilot slot? If so, what determines their level of qualification/competitiveness other than having a PPL, physically qualify, and high class rank.
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As stated before, the AF program here has recently changed and is becoming a less ambiguous option. The you can contract with the AF as early as 2/c year and the begin the process to be a rated pilot. Obtaining that billet is based off GPA, courses taken, needs of the AF, a battery of testing (for the AF and then for pilot specifically), medical and physical quals, and obviously graduation and completion of AF training post graduation. At least 2 2017ers have obtained pilot billets through the AF.
 
KenJ said:
I too am a USMMA grad, and as such I share jasperdog's disappointment. Young men and women who sincerely intend to pursue a military career after graduation (never mind becoming a SEAL ... ???) should attend one of the 3 military academies, i.e. USMA, USNA, or USAFA. Although USMMA has a regimental governing and operating structure, it is not a military academy. It is one of the five service academies, but it's primary mission is to graduate men and women intending to exceed in the maritime industry (either at sea or ashore) and related transportation fields.
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I agree with you, Ken. But it seems more and more people are wanting the military route these days. It really is a waste of the taxpayers money. The only way I would go military is if I go out to second sailing and I can't stand it. Who knows, but those who come on day zero hell bent on being a military is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
 
Jmoney457 said:
I agree with you, Ken. But it seems more and more people are wanting the military route these days. It really is a waste of the taxpayers money. The only way I would go military is if I go out to second sailing and I can't stand it. Who knows, but those who come on day zero hell bent on being a military is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
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At the April Open House, Admiral Helis mentioned that about 75% of incoming classes indicate they want an Active Duty Commission with one of the services. The remaining 25% indicate they want to sail on their license. After 4 years, that percentage reverses. The education and experiences can and does change minds. Those that want to serve their country in a military capacity still have the Commission in the Navy Reserves ( or any reserve component).

My son (2021) initially wanted AD Navy SWO. Now that he has accepted the appointment, he is currently more interested in sailing on his license...even decided to go Deck instead of Engineering. That was a change in just a few months. No telling what will change in the next four years.
 
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