SCHEDULED MAJOR NETWORK MAINTENANCE
The USMMA computer network is scheduled for major electrical work on Saturday, 21 January 2012, from 0800-1600 EST. During this time, normal telephone, email and network service will be unavailable. In the event you need to contact a midshipman or a USMMA official in an emergency, please use one of the following numbers:
Midshipman Watch-516-773-5282 (to contact a midshipman)
Command Duty Officer-516-322-3069 (to contact an Academy official to report an emergency)
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
The USMMA facilities staff and contractors will be performing critical electrical work associated with the installation of a permanent back-up power system designed to provide continuous electrical service to the USMMA computer network.
During the time that this work is being conducted, the USMMA’s back-up network site in Atlanta, Georgia will be activated, which will allow uninterrupted access to the USMMA website by the general public. The back-up site will also permit midshipmen, faculty and staff access to their email, files, and other programs from any location off-campus where internet access is available, using software installed on their computers.
USMMA has made provisions for emergency telephone coverage and network access, to ensure communications with Academy officials and Emergency Services.
Your cooperation and understanding is appreciated, as we take this important step towards improving network reliability.
AMERILERT Emergency Notification System
AMERILERT is an emergency notification system capable of quickly communicating short, time-sensitive, text messages to a wide audience. It is one of the methods by which USMMA can communicate emergency information and critical instructions to its internal audience of cadets and staff, and to its external audience of friends and family. For more information on how AMERILERT works, please see the company’s website. To join the Academy’s external AMERILERT audience, please visit our Sign Up Page or see the following instructions.
Statement on USMMA Evacuation of Barry and Jones Halls
On Sunday evening (January 8, 2012) a gas leak was discovered in a hot water system servicing Barry and Jones Halls at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. Midshipmen and staff on duty immediately evacuated Barry and Jones Halls, which share mechanical systems, and two adjacent barracks.
Emergency responders transported thirty-nine midshipmen to local hospitals for evaluation, however no one was admitted.
The barracks buildings were ventilated, and a hazardous materials team from the Nassau County Police Department tested the air in the barracks to ensure it was free of carbon monoxide, and that the buildings were safe to reoccupy. Midshipmen were permitted to return to their rooms by approximately 10:30 p.m. Sunday evening.
All midshipmen were able to attend regularly scheduled classes on Monday morning.
Sea Year
Sea time requirements for midshipmen are governed by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations ("CFR"), and a USCG Approval letter under which the Academy conducts its academic programs.
Every engine cadet must acquire 300 days of sailing aboard a vessel whose propulsion plant is rated at least 2,500 HP. Every deck cadet must acquire 360 days, 300 of which must be aboard a vessel of at least 500 gross tons.
October November (the time between 1st and 2nd trimesters) is the busiest time of the year for the Department of Professional Development Career Services ("PDCS"), also known as Shipboard Training ("SBT"). Only three Academy Training Representatives ("ATR"), each working with an assistant, concurrently arrange ALL detachments and travel for 245 returning midshipmen AND all assignments and travel for an additional 285 midshipmen heading to sea.
In the 1980s, only 3 documents were required to go to sea: Merchant Mariners Document (MMD), a vaccination card, and ATR orders. Today, each departing midshipman must have:
1. Passport (expiring no earlier than one month after the conclusion of the sailing period)
2. TWIC (Transportation Worker's Identity Card), valid for 5 years
3. MMC (Merchant Mariners Credential)
4. Drug Free Certificate, valid for only 6 months
5. Successful Physical Examination
6. Test to confirm no prior exposure to Benzene
7. Vaccination Card reflecting 10 required vaccinations plus a Flu Shot
8. Basic Safety Training Certification
9. Biographic Data Sheet
10. Immigration and Naturalization Service, I-9 Card
11. Verification of Employment Eligibility
12. Successful Completion of Security Awareness Training
13. Successful Completion of SERE Training - Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape.
A midshipman is not cleared for sea duty, if any one of these 13 items is incomplete. In addition, the Commandant of Midshipmen can delay a midshipman's departure for Sea Year duty for serious infractions of academy's disciplinary system, nonpayment of Midshipman Fees, failure to meet the standards adopted by the U.S. Navy for physical fitness, violations of the Midshipman Regulations regarding Information Technology, and of course, failure to meet academic standards.
Most delays in preparing for departure are medical in nature: midshipmen fail to report for scheduled medical appointments, health issues are identified by the medical staff or time is required to adequately recover from a prior injury or medical procedure. Delays are also common due to MMC issuance, which are all processed by USCG at the National Maritime Center. Midshipmen whose MMC applications are incomplete, or in error, or who have failed to previously disclose traffic violations, and in particular, DUI/DWI infractions, may be substantially delayed. A lost MMC will cost about 3 weeks until replacement.
Fiscal Year 2012 Budget News
On November 18, 2011 President Obama signed into law the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2012. This legislation included $85.2 million in FY 2012 funding for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Please see Secretary LaHood's Fast Lane Blog for additional information.
Midshipman Fee Reimbursement
United States Merchant Marine Academy Students
An extensive review of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy accounting records for the academic years 2003/2004 through 2008/2009 indicates that some Academy midshipmen were overcharged for midshipman fees. The current and former students who were overcharged during the six-year period are eligible to receive a reimbursement. Individuals eligible to receive a reimbursement will be notified by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
Midshipman Fee Reimbursement
For inquiries about U.S. Merchant Marine Academy midshipman fee reimbursements, please email MNFeeReimbursement@dot.gov or call toll free 888-719-9213 (or local 202-493-0263) Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST.
The Class of 2015
At the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, the student diversity of the new Class of 2015 strongly suggests that the Academy is navigating a true glide path in striving to achieve a national demographic balance.
Diversity begins with the national and international origins of its students, who come from 41 States, as well as the territories of Puerto Rico and Guam, and from Panama and Malaysia. The representation of both women and minorities also reflects the diversity of the class.
Of the two hundred ninety-two candidates—285 new members and 7 setbacks— who reported for Indoctrination Training on 7 July, women comprised more than 14% of the class(the highest percentage in the past eight years), while more than 16% of the class (the highest percentage over the past 10 years) were from racial/ethnic minority groups.
Aside from its notable diversity, the class is also academically high-performing, distinguishing itself with the highest mean SAT scores of any other class over the past 10 years in Critical Reading(596)) and in Math(635).
The Academy has just over 1,050 midshipmen enrolled in its four-year program, with approximately 800 students in residence at any given time; the remainder are sailing on various merchant vessels during their Sophomore and Junior years at the Academy as part of "the Sea Year," when a midshipman must sail between 300-360 days to be eligible to obtain a Coast Guard License.
Having completed Indoctrination Training and started academic classes on 25 July, the candidates who reported on 7 July are now looking forward to 5 September when they will be accepted into the Regiment of Midshipmen.
Students graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, a Coast Guard License as a Third-Mate or Third-Assistant Engineer, and a commission in the Navy Reserve or an active-duty commission in any of the five service branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard). They can also receive a commission into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Convocation Class Of 2011
2011 USMMA Awards Convocation
On Friday 17 Jun 2011, the United States Merchant Marine Academy officially enters into Graduation Weekend for the Class of 2011; starting with the Awards Convocation being held in Ackerman Auditorium. The Awards Convocation is a chance for the men and women who have been selected to receive an award to meet the award's sponsor and be recognized by the Midshipman's faculty, staff and peers. Several of these awards were established during the early years of USMMA's history with many more being included in later years. Today there are 91 academic awards, 10 athletic awards and 3 faculty awards for a total 70 1st Classmen recipients.
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