My Turn - Thoughts On This Thread and How It's Progressed
First - crypto186: I imagine you have been tempted several times to respond "in kind" to the somewhat strange tone of some of the replies you've gotten along with the useful information to your question. I want to thank you for acting with restraint and responding at all times RESPECTFULLY and WITH THE OPEN MIND you have displayed throughout this thread. You sound like an excellent PC and whichever Academy ends up with you as part of their student body should be proud to have you. You should do well if you are as mature as you seem to be from your posts here.
Second: KPEngineer - I've read this entire thread and for the life of me I can't see what prompted your reply to the PC (crypto186) - he asked a question and responded to follow-ups with what seem like genuine questions. Then he got some answers, at all times he was respectful, his responses don't seem at all negative or flippant. It seems to me you are a little defensive and "quick to the trigger" on this one. - Just my opinion.
Third: Navy1987 and tankercaptain USMMA is NOT a Military Academy, it is a service academy but it's not a military academy. No more so than any University with a large ROTC program is. Sorry never was, never will be - as someone earlier said what was it, oh yeah - "embrace it or get out of the way."
Fourth: tankercaptain - most folks really love it when you speak to them like they are newly licensed third mates or deck cadets on a vessel you are Master of <note sarcasm here.> As far as your feelings on the shopper program go, as far as I know there is no reason whatsoever that would prevent a continuation of the program other than some folks in the Marine transportation program seem to share your bias against it, not all of us share that view. Also there are several Western nations where everyone is becoming dual licenses at their federally funded Maritime Academies, I hope for those following in our footsteps, this decision (abandoning the Shopper Program) doesn't put them at a disadvantage going forward. Further a major is a major and there are five not two of them. There are two license tracks but five majors, but then you knew that, didn't you? It's likely hard since by day you a ship's Master and used to being at least a half step above the other human beings in the room with you, it's really probably not your most endearing trait or the thing you are best at but you might try at least checking you response for spelling and grammar even if you aren't willing to count to 100 before hitting send - especially the "snarky" ones.
Fifth: Navy1987: It continues to dumbfound me how a small number of participants here, who don't know much about the history or traditions of the USMMA in particular, or the US Merchant Marine in general make uniformed statements and want this forum to reflect what THEY think or want the USMMA to be instead of what it really is. It is a Federal Service Academy that is the Nation's Maritime Academy. Please pause here for a second. A Maritime Academy whether it's the Federal one (USMMA) or one of the State Maritime Academies, is indeed basically a trade school, all be it, a world class trade school. As noted, when we graduate we don't have to go to any other schooling before we walk on to a ship and to use a term you'll certainly understand "take the conn" if we are third mates or run an engine room if we are 3rd A/Es. That's who we are, that is the defining difference between us and you and your USNA Class of 1987 Classmates or other USNA, USAFA, and/or USMA graduates. We are proud of that fact and it drives a lot of differences between us and you. It's entirely likely that when your DS or DD graduates they too will have embraced it and they will sound a LOT like us on these points. Once again to use your phrase: "embrace it or get out of the way."
Also while we are all hijacking a thread, if you want to talk about something and get us all really going how about we discuss how you and your classmates would feel about an O-6, let alone an Army/Non-Sea Service O-6, being named Super of Annapolis... Yeah we alumni can be real opinionated jerks about some things at times but these days more then a few of us are a little defensive and sensitive on these sorts of topics, especially those who are in fact currently going to sea - which no doubt about it - is the primary mission of the USMMA.
Sixth: In closing I'd reiterate my thoughts to Crypto186 and I wish him/here good luck in their pursuit.
That is all, carry on.