News
See below for the latest stories on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and its midshipmen.
Merchant Mariner Shortage Has Gotten Worse, but a Partial Solution Is Available
A mariner shortfall in 2018 was a grave concern. Today, with an escalating conflict in Europe and an increasingly bellicose China, the lack of seasoned merchant mariners is a clear and present danger to our national security…
Start Solving the Mariner Shortage Before War Breaks Out
Rear Adm. Mark Buzby (USN-Ret) calls attention to the acute shortage of U.S. Mariners. Adm. Buzby, served as Commander of the Military Sealift Command and as Maritime Administrator, lays out a partial solution: Immediately increase the enrollment at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), the primary source of the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Sealift Officers (SSOs)…
Addressing Merchant Mariner Shortfall – Shoring Up Sealift Capacity
This timely article highlights the ongoing shortage of Merchant Mariners facing this country at an especially crucial time. One readily implementable, tried-and-true solution would be to increase the class size at the nation’s federal maritime academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)…
Countering China’s Maritime Might: Time to Rebuild?
This important New York Times essay by Michael Roberts highlights the increasing danger of ignoring China’s growing maritime influence. Mr. Roberts reminds us that we cannot ignore the personnel side of the ledger…
China’s Fleet Strength Stresses Value of USMMA Pipeline for SSO Force
China’s maritime buildup, both military and commercial, is an increasingly major concern for U.S. policymakers…
Meet the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Class of 2026
On Sept. 2, a total of 253 new Midshipmen were sworn into the U.S. Naval Reserve at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, N.Y…
The Importance of the U.S. Military Sealift
This timely Stars & Stripes article highlights the importance of America’s military sealift to protecting our nation and the consequences if we are not prepared. In light of Russia’s logistical failures in its invasion of Ukraine, including an inability to supply sufficient fuel to its forces, the Department of Defense is taking a serious look at its sealift capacity and its impact on our ability to supply our troops with weapons, food, fuel, and materiel in a future conflict.
Looking Back to Move Forward: Celebrating Women Mariners on National Maritime Day
In a year in which much attention is rightly being paid to improving the shipboard workplace environment for women, it’s easy to lose sight of the many…
Our Military Sealift Success Depends on Qualified Mariners. Where are They?
Russia’s failure to secure and maintain its Ukrainian supply lines will be a topic of exhaustive study for generations of future historians…
Midshipman X – Candid Interview With A Merchant Marine Academy Leader
We recently had a chat with Jim Tobin, President, and CEO of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AAF) about the latest Midshipman X controversy concerning the sexual assault of students interning as cadets during the US Merchant Marine Academy’s Sea Year…