Presidential Graduation Speaker

Meeting the Critical Shortage of Mariners

NCDSDad said:
Because, while most KP grads will work in the merchant marines (private sector), they will also concurrently serve our country in the US Naval Reserves. So, if all KP grads serve our country, how can USMMA be considered anything other than a Service Academy?
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I don't think we are debating whether KP is a Service Academy are we? The problem is that the word service equates to military to most folks.....heck, in my part of the country, we say " so, how much longer is John going to be in The Service? Or, John joined The Service, or John went into The Service after high school....." But, KP is not a military academy even if they do serve in the US Naval Reserves.......

The issue remains that KP is treated differently than the other Service Academies. All the way up to the president.....this thread...... .......

Why? I don't have a clue. I don't have a clue because all the answers I have been given seem like poor excuses and don't satisfy me.....the more I stir it the more it smells.....like a lot of things in life.
 
Not Missed

The President will not be missed.....security .... and not all support this administration's policies............MY OPINION ONLY, please no attacks!

After 4 years of HARD work, I do NOT want one thing to distract from my DD's
graduation!! :cool:

HOWEVER, USMMA should get the recognition that it soooooo justly deserves by at least being a viable option as well as the rest of the Academies. :mad:

At this time, I would rather have a speaker who KNOWS the accomplishment of the grads and/or who knows the Maritime Industry, who can effectively challenge and congratulate the grads.
 
Sea Faring Moose Mom said:
The President will not be missed.....security .... and not all support this administration's policies............MY OPINION ONLY, please no attacks!

After 4 years of HARD work, I do NOT want one thing to distract from my DD's
graduation!! :cool:

HOWEVER, USMMA should get the recognition that it soooooo justly deserves by at least being a viable option as well as the rest of the Academies. :mad:

At this time, I would rather have a speaker who KNOWS the accomplishment of the grads and/or who knows the Maritime Industry, who can effectively challenge and congratulate the grads.
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Totally understand and 100% agree.
 
NCDSDad said:
Because, while most KP grads will work in the merchant marines (private sector), they will also concurrently serve our country in the US Naval Reserves. So, if all KP grads serve our country, how can USMMA be considered anything other than a Service Academy?
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The Merchant Marine (no "s") us the private sector, however the Academy is part or the the United States Merchant Service (USMS), founded to train merchant mariners. It is really a silly argument, especially for this day. Whether there are armed conflicts or not, part of the training regime is to send midshipmen directly into harm's way. There are perils at sea whether or not there are pirates, terrorists, war zones, etc.
 
Wow. You guys play rough. Proud Parent of Mass Maritime.:biggrin:
 
Bigger fish to fry

As a graduate from long ago, it never dawned on us to wonder or worry about being snubbed by presidential speaking at the graduations. In 2006 I was well aware how unique the event was. No matter what was said then, so much else has happened since:

I would still focus more energy on why the "ship" still has no one to steer it after so many months instead of why the president is not the guest speaker.

I would focus more energy on a "strategic plan" development process that is very sweetly all-but-ignoring the alumni.

I would focus more energy on the extremely dilapidated facilities that resulted in (among other things) CO poisoning of midshipmen - and by the way - midshipmen are STILL walking to and from the gym in their bathrobes in order to get a hot shower.

Yeah - I think there are bigger fish to fry.
 
The United States Merchant Marine Academy has confirmed that Capt. Mark Kelly ’86, USN (Ret) will be the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony on Monday, June 18th. Capt. Kelly was named Kings Pointer of the Year in 2006 and received an Outstanding Professional Achievement Award from the Alumni Association & Foundation in 2001. He recently returned to the Academy for his 25th Reunion and performed the coin toss before the USMMA football game.

Mark Kelly is an American astronaut, retired US Navy Captain, best selling-author, prostate cancer survivor, and an experienced naval aviator who flew combat missions during the Gulf War. The winner of many awards, including the Legion of Merit, two Defense Superior Service Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Kelly was selected as an astronaut in 1996. He flew his first of four missions in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, the same space shuttle that he commanded on its final flight in May 2011. He has also commanded Space Shuttle Discovery and is one of only two individuals who have visited the International Space Station on four different occasions.

Already a celebrated American, Kelly became the center of international attention after the January 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, former US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. In their best-selling memoir, Gabby, the couple shares their story of hope and resilience with the world. The inspirational memoir has topped multiple best-seller lists, including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon. Kelly and Giffords have captivated the nation with their story, appearing in an exclusive Diane Sawyer interview, and on Nightline and The Daily Show, among others, and have appeared on the covers of People and USA Today. Named on of the Esquire’s 2011 "Americans of the Year,” Kelly was also featured on the cover of and profiled in the magazine. Kelly is currently working on a children’s book titled Mousetronaut: A Partially True Story, which is expected to be released in October 2012.

Kelly’s identical twin brother, Scott, is also an astronaut who served as commander of both the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. They share the distinction of being the only siblings who have traveled in space.

With 6,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft, 375 aircraft carrier landings, 39 combat missions and more than 50 days in space, Astronaut Mark Kelly is one of our country’s most experienced pilots.

A sought-after keynote speaker, Mark Kelly is an American hero who inspires others to be their best while remaining true to their core values. He exemplifies leadership, the importance of teamwork, and courage under pressure.

The Regiment of Midshipmen and the entire Academy family is looking forward to his address.
 
Great choice, now we need to convince him to become the new Superintendent.
 
Dang, I was hoping 2013 would get him. Great choice for 2012, though.
 
Not trying to get anything started, but for me, and I am speaking for myself here, I am 100% glad that our current sitting president WILL NOT darken the doorstep of this great institution. KP will have a far better and appropriate speaker.

That is all.
 
well, you did start something...

Kram1, your vote for President is your business. As a retired soldier and native Texan, I found your comment childish. Not all the President's I served under were my favorites, but they still deserved my respect.

"darken the doorstep"? -- nice bit of racial innuendo there.
 
This keeps coming up over the years. It would be a great honor for any sitting President to give a commencement speech. No matter what your politics are, he is still the commander in chief. George Bush gave the address in 07 and while not everyone's favorite President, he was given the respect the office deserves.
 
You are correct, Sir.

He is the Commander-in-Chief, and elected by the citizens.

And after all these years of seeing that photo, now I know who it is:wink:
 
Kram1:

I am a rabid conservative leaning populist and as such like you not likely to vote "blue". That said I agree with others, it is and always will be an honor to receive your degree and commencement address from the sitting President. You don't have to honor the man to honor the office and the nation it leads. Also the attention that having the President come anywhere for anything let alone the Nation's only non-Military Federal Service Academy, would be a good thing, regardless of who that President is or what his or her views are.

ANV,
J-Dog
 
jasperdog said:
Kram1:

I am a rabid conservative leaning populist and as such like you not likely to vote "blue". That said I agree with others, it is and always will be an honor to receive your degree and commencement address from the sitting President. You don't have to honor the man to honor the office and the nation it leads. Also the attention that having the President come anywhere for anything let alone the Nation's only non-Military Federal Service Academy, would be a good thing, regardless of who that President is or what his or her views are.

ANV,
J-Dog
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+1

Oh, and by the way 5SF; there's nothing racist about Kram1's comment. Only a person who cherishes political correctness and wants to find racism in a comment, will find it in Kram's post.
 
5SF said:
Kram1, your vote for President is your business. As a retired soldier and native Texan, I found your comment childish. Not all the President's I served under were my favorites, but they still deserved my respect.

"darken the doorstep"? -- nice bit of racial innuendo there.
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You can find whatever racial tones you wish...talk about childish. I too served this great nation of ours in uniform and am a native Texan as well...so you are welcome to your comments...as I am to mine. And, by the way...the office of the presidents deserves the respect...not so the man! When in his presence I would give the office all the respect it deserves...my opinions are mine...you are welcome you yours and I stand 100% behind my comments. Your "racial innuendo" comments not withstanding. Very happy to have the graduation speaker KP has this time around. That is all......carry on!
 
Kram1, you are absoutely right! Your opinions are your opinions. So please, lets use this forum for its intended purpose and keep our political opinions to ourselves when they either have no relevance to the thread or stray from informative discussion to political grandstanding. I am sure there are forums that are great for that. This is just not the place.
 
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