By Karen Rubin, editor@news-photos-features.com, news-photos-features.com
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy became the latest commencement speaker promising to fund long-needed improvements to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
“For years, [the Merchant Marine Academy] has been allowed to fall into disrepair – unworthy of the greatest country that has ever existed in history. You’re the class of COVID shutdowns, no hot water for months, not enough food, paper plates and plastic forks, dorms with mold, dilapidated library. Congratulations, you have perseverance.
“Your commitment to service despite hardship inspired everyone at the Department of Transportation to work harder to fix this place to make sure no one else has to go through what you went through for the last four years.
“Your frustrations, sacrifices, call for change have been heard – not just by me, but the president, Donald Trump. This administration understands the storied maritime dominance is critical to national security. We need more brave men and women to not only sail the ships we have now, but also the great ships of future.”
Duffy added, ”This mission could not be more important when the nation stands on precipice of potential conflict in Middle East. Whether the Suez Canal or the South China Sea, there are rough waters ahead.”
Indeed, unlike speakers of the last several years, these graduates who immediately go into the military or the National Guard, have seen their world turned upside down in a matter of days, as the Trump administration has embroiled the U.S. in the Israel-Iran War.
Duffy’s words were a reminder that the U.S. Merchant Marine was founded in 1942 by President Franklin Roosevelt to staff the merchant marine vessels supplying the troops. It is the only one of the service academies that carries a battle standard, a constant memorial to the 142 Cadet Midshipmen who shipped out on those missions but never returned.
As part of their arduous training – the hardest of any service academy – the cadets spend a year at sea. Some served on unarmed commercial ships that came under missile attack from the Houthis.
Vice Admiral Joanna M. Nunan, the USMMA’s 14th Superintendent reflected on the challenges the class of 2025 have faced, calling them “heroes and leaders,” their character forged by their experience.
“Heroes are known for epic deeds that ordinary people cannot or will not attempt…America will need heroes, hardened by experience, who have performed deeds that few others would attempt. We need mariners who have sailed to the furthest corners of the globe, plotted courses through blinding storms, … turned heat and horsepower into forward motion. America needs young military officers who know America cannot just be ready for battle but ready for war. America needs leaders who can turn ideas into reality, [who can manage] a sprawling maritime enterprise with political, economic, cultural goals that will be many and varied..
“You are among America’s greatest hopes…America’s national security will bear the stamp, ‘Acta Non Verba’” – action, not words, the USMMA motto.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, Long Island, NY, is recognized as vital to national security and the economic prosperity: 95 percent of the world’s products are transported over water, and the Academy educates and trains those who are vital to the effective operation of the nation’s merchant fleet for both commercial and military transport, in peace as well as in war. Merchant ships can be ordered into national service, delivering military troops, supplies and equipment overseas, and operating as an auxiliary unit of the Navy.
The United States imports about 85 percent of 77 strategic commodities critical to America’s industry and defense. And while Americans account for only six percent of the world population, we purchase nearly a third of the world’s output of raw materials (that is, before Trump’s tariffs); 99 percent of those materials are transported by merchant vessels.
The USMMA requires more credit hours for a Baccalaureate degree than any other federal service academy – the equivalent of a Masters completed in three-years’ time. The challenging coursework is augmented by the Academy’s Sea Year, which affords midshipmen hands-on, real world experience aboard working commercial or military vessels sailing around the world.
At graduation, the Kings Pointers are awarded the Bachelor of Science degree, a U.S. Coast Guard license, a merchant mariner’s license and an officer’s commission in the U.S. armed forces of their choosing. Graduates can choose to work five years in the U.S. maritime industry with eight years of service as an officer in any reserve unit of the Armed Forces, or five years on active duty.
Of the 124 graduates, all of whom earned Merchant Marine licenses, 44 are going into active dutyin the U.S. Navy; 13 into the U.S. 77Coast Guard; 4 into the U.S. Army; 14 into the U.S. Marine Corps; 9 into the U.S.Air Force and 1 into the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
“You are dedicating your life to maritime tradition, giving America the seapower… to assure our prosperity and security – keep shores, borders, ports secure, safeguarding homeland, keep shipping lanes open, commerce flowing, and combat threats – as sailors defeat hundreds of drones… and missile attacks,” declared Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe, Jr., USN and Director for Strategic Systems Programs for the U.S. Navy and a USMMA graduate (’89).
“We are a global maritime nation. ..You are the reason our nation is postured and ready to insure prosperity, to fight wherever the fight, wherever the battle…Deeds not words.”
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