United States Merchant Marine Academy The United States Merchant Marine Academy ( also known as USMMA or Kings Point ) is one of the five United States service academies . It is charged with training officers for the United States Merchant Marine , branches of the military , or the transportation industry . Midshipmen ( as students at the Academy are called ) are trained in marine engineering , navigation , ship ' s administration , maritime law , personnel management , international law , customs , and many other subjects important to the task of running a large ship . History . Between 1874 and 1936 , diverse federal legislation supported maritime training through schoolships , internships at sea and other methods . A disastrous fire in 1934 aboard the passenger ship SS " Morro Castle " , in which 134 lives were lost , convinced the U . S . Congress that direct federal involvement in efficient and standardized training was needed . Originally — and in cooperation with the State of New York ( which donated the land ) — the U . S . government planned to establish a large - scale Merchant Marine Academy at Fort Schuyler , New York ; but nothing came of these plans . Congress passed the landmark Merchant Marine Act in 1936 , and two years later , the U . S . Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was established . In that year , the USTS " Nantucket " ( ex - USS " Ranger " ) was transferred from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to Kings Point and renamed the USTS " Emory Rice " . The first training was given at temporary facilities until the Academy ' s permanent site in Kings Point , New York was acquired in early 1942 . The Kings Point campus was originally Walter Chrysler ' s twelve - acre waterfront estate , named " Forker House " ( now known as the USMMA ' s Wiley Hall ) . Construction of the Academy began immediately , and 15 months later the task was virtually completed . The Academy was dedicated on September 30 , 1943 , by President Franklin D . Roosevelt , who noted that " the Academy serves the Merchant Marine as West Point serves the Army and Annapolis the Navy . " World War II required the Academy to forgo its normal operation and to devote all of its resources toward meeting the emergency need for Merchant Marine officers . Its enrollment rose to 2 , 700 men , and the planned course of instruction was reduced in length from four years to 18 months . To meet the wartime needs for qualified merchant marine officers two additional merchant marine cadet training school sites were established , one located in Pass Christian , Mississippi and the other in San Mateo , California . The San Mateo location was closed in September 1947 and the students transferred to Kings Point . The location in Pass Christian was similarly closed in 1950 . In spite of the war , shipboard training continued to be an integral part of the Academy curriculum , and midshipmen served at sea in combat zones the world over . One hundred and forty - two midshipmen gave their lives in service to their country , and many others survived torpedo and aerial attacks . From 1942 – 1945 , the Academy graduated 6 , 895 officers . As the war drew to a close , plans were made to convert the Academy ' s wartime curriculum to a four - year , college - level program to meet the peacetime requirements of the merchant marine . In 1948 , such a course was instituted . Authorization for awarding the degree of bachelor of science to graduates was granted by Congress in 1949 . The Academy became fully accredited as a degree - granting institution in the same year . It was made a permanent institution by an Act of Congress in 1956 . The Academy accelerated graduating classes during the Korean War and the Vietnam War . It was involved in such programs as training U . S . officers for the nuclear - powered merchant ship , the " NS Savannah " . Admission requirements were amended in 1974 , and this Academy became the first federal service academy to enroll female students , two years before the Military , Naval , Air Force , and Coast Guard Academies . During the Persian Gulf War in early 1991 , and for many months prior to the war , both Academy graduates and midshipmen played important roles in the large sealift of military supplies to the Middle East . Midshipmen training at sea also participated in the humanitarian sealift to Somalia during Operation Restore Hope . In 1990 , the Academy acquired its largest campus - based training vessel , the T / V " Kings Pointer " . The ship was then removed by the Maritime Administration in 2012 . In 1990s , the Academy ' s future seemed to be in doubt , since its elimination was recommended by the " National Performance Review " efforts of the Clinton presidential Administration , whose chairman was Vice President Albert Gore , Jr . During the events of 9 / 11 , the Merchant Marine Academy assisted in the evacuation of civilians from Lower Manhattan as well as the transportation of first responders and supplies to and from Ground Zero . Midshipman , faculty and staff from the academy , within hours of the attack , were using boats from the waterfront and sending them to the city . Members of the Merchant Marine Academy participated in the relief efforts for nine days . Most recently , Merchant Marine Academy midshipmen and graduates have been involved in many facets of the war in Iraq . Many graduates were involved in the transportation of supplies during the buildup to the war in 2003 . Many graduates in the Naval Reserve have been called to serve supporting naval roles in ports in Iraq and Kuwait . Graduates who have entered other branches of the service have had more direct roles in Iraq . Aaron Seesan , a 2003 graduate and Army First Lieutenant , was the first graduate to give his life for his country during a war since the Vietnam War . Because of the service of midshipmen in every major conflict the country has been involved in since World War II , the regiment is privileged to carry a regimental battle standard . The Merchant Marine Academy is the only Federal Service Academy granted the right to do so , and the standard is carried with the colors at all times . Campaign ribbons from all the conflicts midshipmen have taken part in help to dress the battle standard , and bring honor to the academy and her midshipmen . On 19 June 2006 , President George W . Bush gave the commencement address at the Academy , becoming the first sitting president to visit the academy . Admissions . In addition to requiring strong GPA and SAT / ACT scores , to be eligible to enter the Academy a candidate must : Medical / Physical Clearance - Candidates are required to pass a DoDMERB ( Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board ) physical , and take the Candidate Fitness Assessment ( CFA ) to assess physical fitness . Security Clearance - In order to receive a commission at graduation as an officer in the U . S . Armed Forces , candidates are required to complete a security clearance upon enrollment at the Academy . Organization . The Academy operates on an $ 85 million annual budget funded by the US Department of Transportation and is administered by the U . S . Maritime Administration ( “ MARAD ” ) The entire student body is referred to as the Regiment of Midshipmen . The Regiment is subdivided into two battalions and five companies : First , Second , Third , Fourth , and Band , with First and Second Companies making up First Battalion and Third and Fourth Companies making up Second Battalion . Company assignment is random , although candidates who have experience playing a musical instrument are highly considered for joining Band Company . Department of Public Safety . The United States Merchant Marine Academy Department of Public Safety is responsible for campus safety and security . Staffed by federal police officers and federal security guards , supplemented by contract personnel as necessary , the force operates the gatehouse on Steamboat Road and provides patrols on foot , and in marked and unmarked vehicles . The Department is a full - service law enforcement agency and has mutual — aid agreements with the police and fire departments of the Village of Kings Point Police Department and Nassau County Police Department , and receives investigative support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation . The Department ' s primary mission is " to provide a safe and secure environment ensuring the successful completion of the Academy ' s mission " . The Department currently has a Department Head , two federal police officers and two federal guards , with contract security guards utilized to meet minimum manning requirements . During special events , the Department is augmented with additional contract guards that perform access control and crowd control duties . Federal guards have no arrest authority , other than that of an ordinary citizen . Police personnel are sworn officers with full arrest authority under federal law ( under Title 40 United States Code section 1315 ) , and may also issue federal and state of New York summonses , protect persons and property , prevent breaches of the peace and to enforce rules and regulations for the protection of properties at the Academy for which the Academy has exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction . Federal police officers , federal guards and contract guards wear distinct uniforms and perform access control , foot and motor patrols , respond to transmitted fire and security alarms , address safety and security matters , direct traffic and enforce parking and traffic regulations . Federal and State of New York laws are enforced on campus . Curriculum . Freshmen , known as plebe s , start in early July where they begin a two and a half week indoctrination period , also known as " indoc . " Indoc is functionally run by upperclassmen but is overseen by officers of the United States Maritime Service who are part of the Commandant of Midshipman ' s staff . This high stress period involves physical training , marching , and an intensive introduction to regimental life at the academy . After the indoctrination period is completed , the academic year begins . In September , first - year students officially become part of the regiment upon taking the oath of office into the U . S . Navy Reserve on Acceptance Day . Until " recognized " later in the academic year , plebes continue to be required to adhere to stringent rules affecting most aspects of their daily life . After earning it , the plebes are recognized giving them the title of Midshipmen , which gives them more privileges , known as rates . Academy students , known as midshipmen , focus on one of two different ship transport areas of education : marine transportation or marine engineering . Transportation students learn about ship navigation , cargo handling , navigation rules and maritime law . Engineering students learn about the function of the ship ' s engines and its supporting systems . There are currently six different academic majors available to midshipmen . Three of them are referred to as " Deck Majors " because in addition to a Bachelor of Science degree in the major field of study : Marine Transportation , Logistics and Intermodal Transportation , and Maritime Operations and Technology ; they sit for and upon successful completion of the examination are issued a Third Mate ( Deck Officer ) License of Steam or Motor Vessels , Unlimited Tonnage , Upon Oceans . The other three available curricula are referred to as " Engine Majors " ; they are : Marine Engineering , Marine Engineering Systems , and Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management . " Engine Majors " sit for and upon successful completion of the examination are issued Third Assistant Engineer ( 3 A / E – Engineering Officer ) Licenses Steam and Motor Vessels , Any Horsepower . Maritime Operations and Technology majors , also referred to as " Shoppers " , are eligible to seek and obtain certification as " Qualified Members of Engine Department " ( QMED ) — the highest unlicensed rating in the engine department . Marine Engineering Systems and Marine Engineering Systems & Shipyard Management graduates are also qualified to sit for the Engineer In Training ( EIT ) examination administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying ( NCEES ) . For part of sophomore and junior years , known at the Academy as third class and second class years respectively , students work as cadet s on regular American merchant ships . Midshipmen are typically paired two to a ship , one engineering cadet and one deck cadet . Midshipmen work and function as part of the crew and gain an opportunity for generous amounts of hands - on experience as well as the opportunity to travel abroad to many different foreign ports . The average midshipman travels to 18 countries during this period , which totals a minimum of 300 days . Due to this absence from the Academy , the remaining three academic years span from late July , through mid - June . Toward the end of 1st class ( senior ) year , midshipmen prepare for exams to be licensed as either Third Assistant Engineer s ( steam and motor unlimited HP ) or Third Mate s ( any gross tons , oceans ) . All American merchant marine officers must be licensed by the U . S . Coast Guard . Following Academic programs ( Bachelor of Science 4 year degree programs ) are offered at USMMA Athletics . The USMMA Mariners compete in Division III of the NCAA , as a charter member of the Landmark Conference in all sports ( men ' s sports include baseball , basketball , cross country , lacrosse , soccer , swimming & diving , tennis and track & field ; while women ' s sports include basketball , cross country , swimming & diving , track & field and volleyball ) except in football , where they are an associate member of the Liberty League , and collegiate wrestling , where they are a member of the Centennial Conference . The USMMA formerly was a member of the Skyline Conference until the 2006 - 07 season . In Rugby , the USMMA competes in the MetNy Rugby Football Union where the team was the first division champion from 2005 - 2006 . The USMMA Varsity Intercollegiate Sailing Team competes at the Division I level and is a member of the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association ( MAISA ) and has fifteen Intercollegiate Sailing Association ( ICSA ) national championships to its credit , as well as nearly two dozen district titles . The Mariners won their first ICSA National ( now " North American " ) Championship in 1979 . The Mariners have four dinghy championships in 1979 , 1983 , 1984 , and 1987 . Six sailors have received College Sailor of the Year recognition , Jonathan Wright 1971 , Alex Smigelski 1979 , Morgan Reeser , 1983 & 1984 , Jay Renehan 1985 , William Hardesty III , 1998 . The school has had 32 All American Skippers , 11 Honorable mention skippers , and 10 All American crews . Distinguished midshipmen . The Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal is the highest award which can be bestowed upon members of the United States Merchant Marine and is the service ’ s equivalent of the Medal of Honor . Since mariners serving in the U . S . Merchant Marine are not employed by the Department of Defense , they are not eligible for the Medal of Honor . Since USMMA opened in 1943 , eight midshipmen have been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal . Life after graduation . Midshipmen at Kings Point have a wide variety of options upon graduation . Unlike the nation ' s other Federal Service Academies , graduates of USMMA are required to fulfill their service obligation on their own by providing annual proof of employment in a wide variety of occupations as approved by MARAD for a specified period of time . Graduates may elect to fulfill their service obligation by working as licensed officers on U . S . flagged merchant vessels , as civilians in the maritime industry , or as active duty officers in any branch of the armed forces of the United States . Regardless , graduates are required to maintain their US Coast Guard issued merchant marine officer ' s license for a period of at least 6 years . Those graduates electing to enter the civilian work force in the Maritime Industry , and those sailing in the Merchant Marine , are also required to maintain their Naval Reserve commission ( or another reserve component commission ) for a period of at least 8 years and are required to serve in the maritime industry for at least 5 years following graduation . A graduate from USMMA will receive upon graduation : American Merchant Marine Museum . The USMMA in Kings Point , New York is also the home of the American Merchant Marine Museum . The museum houses the Academy ' s collection of maritime art and artifacts . The museum contains a learning center which is open to the regiment and the public , as well as a number of exhibits including the only known back - acting engine still in existence , that of the former gunboat . The museum also houses the National Maritime Hall of Fame . The only permanent exhibit of its kind in the nation , the Hall of Fame honors people and ships important to American oceanic , coastal , inland waterway and Great Lakes shipping . Inductees into the Hall of Fame must have been deceased , or sunk or scrapped , for at least five years . Only one person and one ship are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year . The hall inducted its first set of members in or about 1982 . Among the museum ' s many items are the world ' s largest collection of navigation and nautical instruments , and the only extensive selection of ship ' s china , on display anywhere in the world . In addition , one of the five surrender swords presented by the Japanese to Douglas MacArthur at the conclusion of World War II is housed there . Images from the Museum and from the Academy can be seen at this website - Photographic Catalog of the US Merchant Marine Academy Congressional Board of Visitors . In accordance with 46 USC § 51312 — A Board of Visitors to the United States Merchant Marine Academy shall be established , for a term of 2 years commencing at the beginning of each Congress , to visit the Academy annually on a date determined by the Secretary of Transportation and to make recommendations on the operation of the Academy . Members of the 113th Congress Ex Officio Members : Members of the United States Senate Members of the House of Representatives