USMMA vs VMI

[Beach]

USMMA vs VMI- DS was offered an LOA to USMMA and the National NROTC scholorship to VMI. He is an athlete and can do his sport at both schools. He wants to fly post graduation and study aeronautical or aerospace engineering. USMMA only has a marine engineering program. VMI has aerospace engineering. He has visited both schools and is weighing the pros and cons. It really comes down to which school will give him the best shot at becoming a Naval Officer and flying post graduation. He has also applied to USNA and USAFA but hasn't heard from them yet. Any insight as he makes this decision would be really helpful.

 

[NavyHoops]

I would wait until he gets all his offers, final decisions do not have to be made now. He can accept his NROTC scholarship and wait to see if USNA or USAFA come through. Even with NROTC what does the financial impact look like? USMMA’s missions is very specific and their courses and training revolve around this. Does that speak to him? What are his priorities? Major, sport, school, financial impact, many others? Has he visited? What felt like home?

 

[Beach]

I would wait until he gets all his offers, final decisions do not have to be made now. He can accept his NROTC scholarship and wait to see if USNA or USAFA come through. Even with NROTC what does the financial impact look like? USMMA’s missions is very specific and their courses and training revolve around this. Does that speak to him? What are his priorities? Major, sport, school, financial impact, many others? Has he visited? What felt like home?

Becoming a Naval Officer and flying are his top priorities. He has had overnights at both and has formed realtionships at both schools with the coach and team. I've told him it's 100% his decision but I would "ask around" for some insight as to which one has the best path to meeting his post graduation goals of flying.

 

[Ihavenoidea]

The chances or opportunities to be a Naval Officer and SNA are really the same at either school. Where you went to school likely has very little to do with going aviation or not. Academics, PFT scores, and testing results all have much more impact that your DS can control about going aviation. BUT!!!...the ability to go aviation right after school is up to the Navy ultimately. If he wants Aerospace Engineering major and USMMA does not have that as a option. It seems like VMI would be a better fit of school based on major.

One thing to consider also. USMMA provides more opportunities to do something else if your DS does not get aviation. If he goes to VMI, then he is locked into the URL communities. The potential Sub-Draft is a possibility. Ye be warned , but that is a concern that is years in the future really.

Best advice is to concentrate on the school and major. Worry about the service community after getting to school.

 

[Boymomof3]

The chances or opportunities to be a Naval Officer and SNA are really the same at either school. Where you went to school likely has very little to do with going aviation or not. Academics, PFT scores, and testing results all have much more impact that your DS can control about going aviation. BUT!!!...the ability to go aviation right after school is up to the Navy ultimately. If he wants Aerospace Engineering major and USMMA does not have that as a option. It seems like VMI would be a better fit of school based on major.

One thing to consider also. USMMA provides more opportunities to do something else if your DS does not get aviation. If he goes to VMI, then he is locked into the URL communities. The potential Sub-Draft is a possibility. Ye be warned , but that is a concern that is years in the future really.

Best advice is to concentrate on the school and major. Worry about the service community after getting to school.

Great advice above. And, congratulations to your son! His major and school choice are most important. He can continue down the path of a hopeful SNA spot, but it is never guaranteed, even with a perfect score. Many NROTC 1/Cs this year would tell you that (their first choice = SNA but were assigned Subs). Our DS did receive his first choice (SNA) but that seemed more like an anomaly this year.

And, yes, USMMA is a great school but doesn’t offer Aerospace Engineering as a major. If he’s set on that, then VMI is probably better a better choice. Also - is your DS looking for an SA experience or a more traditional college experience?

USMMA does have Navy Pilot spots every year but it’s never guaranteed. It’s an exercise in numbers and the needs of the Navy come first. I do agree, however, that the after graduation opportunities for USMMA are pretty sweet. It sounds like your DS has some tough decisions to make, but some really great options! We have one in each option - it came down to what was best for them. I can’t see either one switching places with the other…. They both ended up where they were meant to be …

 

[StPaulDad]

USMMA can be a hard place to graduate from in four years, especially if you're not completely committed to the sea-going life. The year at sea can be hard, but even if you enjoy that part it compresses the academic years pretty ruthlessly. A four year degree minus a year at sea means you are getting trimesters rather than semesters to cover the same amount of material. As a result there are far more setbacks as USMMA. Be sure you talk this over with someone to be certain you can hack the academic pace.

 

[Just Dad]

DD has a very good friend who graduated from the USMMA. The hearsay have from DD is that USMM service is Faaaar more comfortable than SWO Duty with the USN. I’ve known a couple of USMMA Grads over the years; I hear from them is that USMMA grads are highly sought after in both public and private transportation industries/sectors. Of the three I known, one became a lawyer after completing his service obligation. The other two traveled the world for 5-10 more years…(comfortably)…. before settling down into solid 6 figure jobs based out of Seattle. One engaged in Port of Seattle operations. The other making a regular run up the coast to Alaska.

Boy does USMMA "pencil well" in terms of ROI. This article blows me away: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/colleges-with-the-best-roi
Of the top 25 colleges in terms of ROI there are 5 (yes 5), maritime academies that no one has ever heard of, with reasonable entrance requirements in those top 25 colleges. USMMA comes in at #10 ahead of Penn, Yale, Columbia, Duke, Calif Inst Tech, Etc.. If I had a kid who wanted to be a SWO, I would be leaving USMMA pamphlets all over the house!

I absolutely understand and respect the desire to Fly. Just tossing in a data point address to life-after-service

BTW: has you DS looked at the USCGA? NCAA Div3 I think but a full list of team sports. Coast Guard Aviators fly on mission all the time……and go home for dinner.

Big Congrats to your son.

 

[illq]

USMMA vs VMI- DS was offered an LOA to USMMA and the National NROTC scholorship to VMI. He is an athlete and can do his sport at both schools. He wants to fly post graduation and study aeronautical or aerospace engineering. USMMA only has a marine engineering program. VMI has aerospace engineering. He has visited both schools and is weighing the pros and cons. It really comes down to which school will give him the best shot at becoming a Naval Officer and flying post graduation. He has also applied to USNA and USAFA but hasn't heard from them yet. Any insight as he makes this decision would be really helpful.

USMMA has a lot of Navy Flight pilot slots from what I hear. USMC aviation is practically guaranteed. If he wants to fly USMMA is probably one of the best places to get a spot.

 

[Ivy22]

If he wants to go for SNA, getting a high GPA will matter more to the service selection board than majoring in aerospace engineering or not. That’s where the “poli sci and fly” saying comes in. Additionally, an aerospace engineering major is pretty appealing to get drafted by the nuclear community…

 

[Usnavy2019]

To piggyback on what @Ivy22 (yes, I know I am part of the problem), a major doesn't have too much impact on service assignment. Both schools offer cool opportunities. Plus, plenty of Kings Pointers running around the flight school enterprise and the Fleet. That said, USMMA revolves around the sea (as it should). It is a tough program and while AD options are available, the program is designed to make USMM officers. So, regardless of career desires, every MIDN goes to sea, and their lives center around that.

 

[KPEngnr90]

The one thing that separates USMMA from all the academies and ROTC scholarships is the post grad career flexibility hence your career path isn't governed by NEEDS OF THE SERVICE. What does(Needs of the Service) mean? You can ask for a desired assignment but you go where the military says they need you.

When you graduate from USMMA you graduate with 3 things. A Bachelor of Science, a commission as Ensign USNR designated as a strategic sealift officer(SSO), and a 3rd Officers license in the US Merchant Marine. The last 2 are invaluable, almost like a silver bullet or safety net if for some reason an active duty career choice goes sideways so let me explain in a scenario.

Lets say a USNA or NROTC grad had aspirations of becoming an aviator and opted for flight school but somehow washed out of flight school or just prior to flight school bacame medically/physically disqualified. Because of the "Needs of the Service" he will most likely be sent out to the fleet aboard a surface ship and BAM! his dreams of flying are crushed and he's relegated to a career path he had no desire to pursue in the first place all because of "Needs of the Service" and more than likely he will bide his time till his 5 yr obligation is complete before moving on to begin his civilian career or go on to grad school. Thats essentially a 5 year postponement of your life.

Say the same unfortunate thing happened to a USAFA/AFROTC grad. Because of needs of the service somebody has to babysit ballistic missile silos in the middle of Nebraska. Not the romantic adventure anyone envisioned for themselves as a career military officer eh?

Now lets say a USMMA grad wanted activate his commission and to go to Navy flight school and the same unfortunate thing happened to him. Because he's not beholden to (Needs of the Service) he could do one of many things. He could accept an assignment to the fleet or he could pull out that silver bullet and go back in the Naval Reserve and be redesignated as a SSO. From there he has quite a few more choices. He can parlay that to working as a civilian in the maritime industry ashore, go to Grad school or Law School with a waiver from MARAD which is always granted or start a career for what he trained to do, sailing as 3rd Officer in the Merchant Marine. With the 6 month on 6 month off rotation sailing commercially you could fit grad school into your schedule and pay for it with the 6 figure paycheck from sailing and keep yourself from going into student debt. Sailing as a commercial ship officer and attending grad school simultaneously is pretty quite common among USMMA grads. Not unheard of to be a Sea Captain with a MBA or JD by their 28th birthday.

On a personal note I went active duty Navy out of USMMA in 1990 as a Surface Warfare Officer and my roommate and close friend on destroyer DD967 was a USNA 90 grad. He called me in the Spring of 2016 to tell me he was dropping his son off at Kings Point that summer. When I asked him why Kings Point and not Annapolis, his answer….”better post grad oppotunities for his boy.”

 

[KPEngnr90]

To piggyback on what @Ivy22 (yes, I know I am part of the problem), a major doesn't have too much impact on service assignment. Both schools offer cool opportunities. Plus, plenty of Kings Pointers running around the flight school enterprise and the Fleet. That said, USMMA revolves around the sea (as it should). It is a tough program and while AD options are available, the program is designed to make USMM officers. So, regardless of career desires, every MIDN goes to sea, and their lives center around that.

Been asked whats the difference between USMMA and USNA since they're both Nautical schools. My answer is Kings Point trains you to be a mariner and a bit of a warrior where the Naval Academy trains you to be a warrior and a bit of a mariner.

 

[KPEngnr90]

Been asked whats the difference between USMMA and USNA since their both Nautical schools. My answer is Kings Point trains you to be a mariner and a bit of a warrior where the Naval Academy trains you to be a warrior and a bit of a mariner.

DD has a very good friend who graduated from the USMMA. The hearsay have from DD is that USMM service is Faaaar more comfortable than SWO Duty with the USN. I’ve known a couple of USMMA Grads over the years; I hear from them is that USMMA grads are highly sought after in both public and private transportation industries/sectors. Of the three I known, one became a lawyer after completing his service obligation. The other two traveled the world for 5-10 more years…(comfortably)…. before settling down into solid 6 figure jobs based out of Seattle. One engaged in Port of Seattle operations. The other making a regular run up the coast to Alaska.

Boy does USMMA "pencil well" in terms of ROI. This article blows me away: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/colleges-with-the-best-roi
Of the top 25 colleges in terms of ROI there are 5 (yes 5), maritime academies that no one has ever heard of, with reasonable entrance requirements in those top 25 colleges. USMMA comes in at #10 ahead of Penn, Yale, Columbia, Duke, Calif Inst Tech, Etc.. If I had a kid who wanted to be a SWO, I would be leaving USMMA pamphlets all over the house!

I absolutely understand and respect the desire to Fly. Just tossing in a data point address to life-after-service

BTW: has you DS looked at the USCGA? NCAA Div3 I think but a full list of team sports. Coast Guard Aviators fly on mission all the time……and go home for dinner.

Big Congrats to your son.

Kings Point is the only academy of the 5 where the freshly minted grads can make 6 figures out the gate. Current starting salary for a 3rd Officer in the MM ranges from $160K to 200K annually.