Media Center

Honor the legacy. Protect the future.

Learn more about the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

USMMA … NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER

To mark Maritime Day 2023, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AAF) examined the logistics challenges and sealift requirements of a trans-Pacific sealift. We were privileged to hear from TRANSCOM Commander General Jacqueline Van Ovost and former Maritime Administrator Mark Buzby, as well as members of Congress and a former Pentagon official on why the shortfalls in U.S.-flagged vessels and available Merchant Mariners to sail aboard them are so worrisome. This project resulted in a video that incorporates the best of these most interesting conversations, which can be viewed here

USMMA AAF Response to request for public comments on EMBARC

On May 31, the AAF submitted a formal comment in response to the Maritime Administration’s request for comments regarding its “EMBARC” program.   Though this program was intended to be a solution to the concerns that precipitated the Sea Year standdown, as well as the standdown itself, it has had the opposite as our submission points out.  EMBARC unlawfully allows certain commercial vessels to avoid their statutorily mandated training obligations to our midshipmen, while at the same time arbitrarily and capriciously permitting SMA students to take berths formerly assigned to our cadets. USMMA midshipmen are being denied access to the mission-critical training necessary for them to serve as Strategic Sealift Officers, even as it is being offered to other maritime cadets. Ironically – due to its extremely limited application (to USMMA midshipmen only) – EMBARC does little to protect other maritime cadets currently sailing on commercial vessels and nothing at all for the hundreds of women mariners who work aboard U.S.-flag vessels. READ MORE

National Maritime Day 2022 Video: Highlighting USMMA Women at Sea

To commemorate National Maritime Day, the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation commissioned a video that features interviews with seven female Kings Pointers, with graduation dates that range from 2019 to 1978, the first year that women graduated from any of the five federal service academies. View it here.

Read Full Interviews: National Maritime Day 2022: Highlighting USMMA Women at Sea

From the inspiring Maritime Day video, created by the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation for 2022, highlighting women mariners, read their full-length interviews. These 7 interviewees, King’s Pointers who graduated between 1978 – 2019, tell amazing stories about their career successes and highlights, adventures at sea and offer advice for future mariners. READ MORE

The US Merchant Marine Academy’s At-Sea Training

An unparalleled training program, Sea Year produces USMMA graduates, all with an eight-year service commitment, who are able to step on board vessels from day one and serve as officers with the experience, confidence, integrity and the trust of everyone on board. READ MORE

A STATEMENT FROM THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION & FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

During his commencement address to USMMA graduates on June 20, 2020, MARAD Administrator RADM Mark H. Buzby, USN (Ret) challenged graduates to be Good Shipmates and Impactful Leaders by “ensur[ing] that those whom you lead are treated fairly and evenly without regard to their color or creed.” READ MORE

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Release Anthemic Video

Alumni of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) today released an inspiring video to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the institution and memorialize midshipmen who have died in service to the nation. READ MORE

Campaign Launched to Commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Alumni of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) today launched a campaign to mark the federal academy’s 75th year of service and the foundational role it plays in our nation’s security and economic well-being. READ MORE

Why congress funds USMMA and the other federal service academies

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is one of the five Federal Service Academies on which the U.S. Government relies for a steady stream of well-trained young officers dedicated to serving out the nation’s national defense objectives…

Dating back to its establishment in 1943, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has developed a rich and storied legacy over its many years of service to the nation.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Academy’s founding, the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation has put together a variety of historical and news sources to be used for media purposes. READ MORE

Media Resources

Please direct all media inquiries to:

Marissa Bholan
Communications Director
516-482-3097

[email protected]