Excuse my ignorance - but my son is "applying" ( is a candidate) to USNA, USMA & USMMA. I want to provide helpful advice as a parent but I am not familiar with the difference in "service assignments" respective to each of these three academies which I feel is a very important. Where can I find information detailing USMMA "service assignments" and what the differences are between the academies? Again, I don't know enough to be helpful to him, but realize the significance of these choices. What I do know is my son is a D1 wrestling prospect who has multiple opportunities outside of the academies ( we have 5 - D1 opportunities+20 D2,D3), but he is set on this path from what I can tell . So far the USMMA coach (D3) has had a positive influence on him and he appears to be more inclined to join a service academy than a "traditional" college. I don't know what to make of this, am not opposed at all, just wish I was a little more informed of what he could be getting into. Any links, insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
USMMA - Service Assignment
- Thread starter VF81
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Read all the pages, links and menu items on the SA websites. Most answers are there. USMMA is unique among the Federal academies for the various paths it offers after graduation. The other 4 SA graduate usually go direct to active duty in their service after graduation and commissioning. The USMMA obligation plays out differently, though a percentage of the class usually elects to go active duty in various service branches as an officer.
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Welcome aboard. Some will call the USMMA one of the “best kept secrets” of the service academies.
One of the key considerations for service is at the USMMA, midshipman can fulfill their obligations either in the Commercial shipping industry with reserve duty in SSO OR they can commission in any other military branches. We have known mids graduating with flight billets in Air Force and Navy. The school website has some good information regarding profiles of classes and their careers post graduation.
The school is unique that they are on a trimester system and as a requirement to graduate they must sit for coast guard license exams. The license requires significant sea year days that the midshipmen between their 2nd and 3rd year at academy they will have sea year assignments (think internships) for 3 trimesters. This makes the academics challenging in they are completing 4 yr degree in 3 years of courses. There aren’t as many major choices as the other academies.
There are many pluses and minuses to any of the academies and I recommend your DS and you all read up on all you can find on website, this forum, and look into visits to the academies. Good luck!
One of the key considerations for service is at the USMMA, midshipman can fulfill their obligations either in the Commercial shipping industry with reserve duty in SSO OR they can commission in any other military branches. We have known mids graduating with flight billets in Air Force and Navy. The school website has some good information regarding profiles of classes and their careers post graduation.
The school is unique that they are on a trimester system and as a requirement to graduate they must sit for coast guard license exams. The license requires significant sea year days that the midshipmen between their 2nd and 3rd year at academy they will have sea year assignments (think internships) for 3 trimesters. This makes the academics challenging in they are completing 4 yr degree in 3 years of courses. There aren’t as many major choices as the other academies.
There are many pluses and minuses to any of the academies and I recommend your DS and you all read up on all you can find on website, this forum, and look into visits to the academies. Good luck!
First, spend hours reading the web sites, every nook and cranny. Graduate from 4 of the service academies and there is no doubt what uniform one will wear for at least 5 years. There are many sites to explain the pathways in each service. USMMA is different in this regard. About 2/3 of each class sail commercially as deck officers or engineers for at least 5 years. And I can assure you that the education and experience one gains in this 9 year period prepares people to transition into non-maritime fields if this is desired. The rest of the class take commissions ( if available and this has not been a problem) in any one of the 10 uniformed services. They become pilots, tankers, Rangers and SEALS, SWOs, Marines, paratroopers, etc. For one who truly wants a SA experience but isn't sure of which one, KP provides 4 years to research all the options as well as an excellent STEM education. USMMA and USCGA are D3. I can tell you from personal experience that the coaches and alumni realize that athletics are a significant part of the process, not the raison d'etre. At KP, Sea Term fills that roll. As a previously unprepared an uninformed parent I can only stress to the OP that this process belongs to DS. Watch, listen, and support his decisions. It is a long and drawn out road.
So from USMMA there is an opportunity to serve as a commissioned officer in other branches if so desired? Thank you.
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Here’s a place to start in USMMA.edu
About USMMA | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
The purpose of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is to ensure that such people are available to the nation as shipboard officers and as leaders in the transportation field who will meet the challenges of the present and the future.
www.usmma.edu
And:
Keep plowing through the website. Your son, of course, should be doing the same, taking copious notes on the application process and requirements. At this point, he should be heavily into preparations for nomination applications from all applicable sources for all service academies he is applying to. Those will have varying due dates, depending on elected officials’ nomination selection process.
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Thank you! This is very helpful. Ok - so I have heard that the academic curriculum at USMMA is actually harder than USNA or USMMA due to the license requirement - the litmus test for struggle or success being AP CALC and PHYSICS? Any truth to this?
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"As a previously unprepared an uninformed parent I can only stress to the OP that this process belongs to DS. Watch, listen, and support his decisions. It is a long and drawn out road." YES - WILL DO - thank you
Thank you - Yes - the reason I "posted" is because his "nomination" sources dictate that he choose a first choice academy....and I felt before he made that decision ( small family argument) and completed those applications I should step in, educate myself and advise. Possible he might be better off without my input, so thank you for the help regardless.
@VF81 Thank you for raising a son who wants to serve. Two of my four kids attended and graduated from USMMA, so I will offer a bit of perspective there. DS attended summer sessions at USNA and USMA and DD at USAFA. They both had offers to other SA's, but chose USMMA because of the huge number of opportunities it offers.
DS (class of '13) is a Navy pilot. He had guaranteed offers for pilot slots in both Navy and Marines and also had good options for commercial shipping. He has never regretted selecting USMMA and still regales everyone with sea stories from the 21 countries he visited during his sea year at USMMA.
DD (class of '21) did not enjoy being on a commercial ship for extended periods of time during sea year, though she did learn a lot. It was nice for her to be able to try out a possible career before having to commit to anything. Upon graduation, she was given the opportunity to work in a shore side position to fulfill her service obligation. She is currently working as a ship broker, basically matching ships with cargo and earning generous commissions in the process. Her USMMA BF is working on a commercial ship as a third mate, and enjoys his schedule of a few months aboard ship followed by a few months off to do whatever he wants.
About a third of each graduating class goes active duty, with the other two thirds working in the shipping industry. The school is pretty small and is D3 for sports. The wrestling program has traditionally been good, with midshipmen regularly being nationally ranked both individually and as a team. Both my kids participated in sports and other activities at KP. DS was on the offshore sailing team which defeated USNA. He had opportunities to sail in several important regattas across the country. DD was in Band Company, on the diving team, and also started and coached the USMMA cheer team, a yoga club, and a ballroom dance club in the off season. USMMA's proximity to NYC was a plus for both my kids when they had liberty because of the great entertainment, sports, museums, restaurants, and you name it close by.
I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about USMMA either here or via private message. Good luck to your DS in making this important decision.
DS (class of '13) is a Navy pilot. He had guaranteed offers for pilot slots in both Navy and Marines and also had good options for commercial shipping. He has never regretted selecting USMMA and still regales everyone with sea stories from the 21 countries he visited during his sea year at USMMA.
DD (class of '21) did not enjoy being on a commercial ship for extended periods of time during sea year, though she did learn a lot. It was nice for her to be able to try out a possible career before having to commit to anything. Upon graduation, she was given the opportunity to work in a shore side position to fulfill her service obligation. She is currently working as a ship broker, basically matching ships with cargo and earning generous commissions in the process. Her USMMA BF is working on a commercial ship as a third mate, and enjoys his schedule of a few months aboard ship followed by a few months off to do whatever he wants.
About a third of each graduating class goes active duty, with the other two thirds working in the shipping industry. The school is pretty small and is D3 for sports. The wrestling program has traditionally been good, with midshipmen regularly being nationally ranked both individually and as a team. Both my kids participated in sports and other activities at KP. DS was on the offshore sailing team which defeated USNA. He had opportunities to sail in several important regattas across the country. DD was in Band Company, on the diving team, and also started and coached the USMMA cheer team, a yoga club, and a ballroom dance club in the off season. USMMA's proximity to NYC was a plus for both my kids when they had liberty because of the great entertainment, sports, museums, restaurants, and you name it close by.
I would be happy to answer any questions you might have about USMMA either here or via private message. Good luck to your DS in making this important decision.
JohnPAKP65
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Positiely! The Class of 2022, 224 midshipmen included 74 entering active duty in the military; five graduates were commissioned into the Army, 58 were commissioned into the Navy, nine were commissioned into the Air Force, 10 were commissioned into the Marine Corps, and 12 were commissioned into the Coast Guard.
Past grads have, within those services have gone on to elite assignments; Seals, Blue Angels, Astronauts, etc.
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That is one of the challenges of more competitive states where the congress and senators ask for candidates to chose before they may know much. My DS had to spread his nomination requests because he applied to all sea going academies. The fortunate thing for USMMA is that you can get a nomination from a congressman anywhere in your state. It is the only academy that you can do that and often times nominations go unused.
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The only thing I would add here s the candidate can request a nom from any candidate in the state, but some may not wish to do so, or their staff has to be gentle educated. No guarantees.
Thank you for all the responses. Extremely helpful & timely. Sounds like almost all service paths are possible after USMMA, and with regards to nominations there is more flexibility than I originally thought , meaning DS can still preserve some optionality after completing all SA applications and nomination packets. It's apparent I did not interpret what DS was communicating to me correctly. HA! Not the first or last time. I'm going to bounce all this off DS & the family and I'm sure I will be back with a new set of questions shortly. Really appreciate all the responses, thanks again.
golfindad
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Yes. USMMA is the toughest of all of the academies due to its limited degree opportunities, heavy math and science requirements, no liberal arts degrees, and a class schedule that is unheard of anywhere else, along with athletics and regiment. Basically, for easy comparison purposes, a graduate will accumulate enough hours for a masters degree, in 4 years time, with one year being at sea. Assume 21-24 hours per trimester until first year comes around.
+1 to golfindad about the difficulty level of the academics, but I would add that you do not have to have taken AP Calc and physics to succeed at USMMA. As long as you have developed good study habits and motivation, there is plenty of extra help at Kings Point to get you through the tough coursework.
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AP Calc and Physics are not a litmus test for struggle or success at USMMA or at USNA/other service academies.
For that matter, that also applies at other STEM heavy tech schools as well. High School guidance counselors and teachers may say it but what I saw at USNA and what I see while teaching at a Tech University says otherwise.
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USMMA ... the easiest academy to get in to, the hardest to stay at.
I will disagree very slightly about what makes it so hard. It's not so much about the limited options and math/science requirements (those are the same for any BS degree). It is 100% about the schedule/pace of classes and sea year. Carrying 20+ credits for 40+ weeks a year when everyone else (including the other service academies) are doing 15-18 credits for 30 weeks a year is a MONSTER difference. Completing said degree in three years vs 4 years is a MONSTER difference.
I had a classmate with straight As in HS, a 1600 SAT, and a bunch of AP classes get disenrolled by Christmas plebe year. I had a 2.9 in HS, less than 1100 on the SAT and no AP classes. I graduated and he didn't ... It's about how bad do you want it and how hard are you willing to work to get it.
I will disagree very slightly about what makes it so hard. It's not so much about the limited options and math/science requirements (those are the same for any BS degree). It is 100% about the schedule/pace of classes and sea year. Carrying 20+ credits for 40+ weeks a year when everyone else (including the other service academies) are doing 15-18 credits for 30 weeks a year is a MONSTER difference. Completing said degree in three years vs 4 years is a MONSTER difference.
I had a classmate with straight As in HS, a 1600 SAT, and a bunch of AP classes get disenrolled by Christmas plebe year. I had a 2.9 in HS, less than 1100 on the SAT and no AP classes. I graduated and he didn't ... It's about how bad do you want it and how hard are you willing to work to get it.