Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:24
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:USMMA is a fine option - with less "rat" style hazing - for folks who want to become ship drivers. I knew several folks who did their USMMA service obligation as USNR, and then switched to become a civil service mariner for MSC. A few went to USCGR for their service obligation and then either got a regular USCG commission or switched to being civil service mariners with MSC.
The actual US-flag shipping fleet outside of MSC is small. I think maybe Matson is the biggest commercial US flag operator left - largely with cargo runs between Guam, Hawaii, and California.
USMMA is not the optimal path if one wants to fly, to serve in submarines, do intel work, or go into certain other specialties.
At least NY State and California have Maritime academies with 4-year degrees that are similar to USMMA. Their grads often have a similar career path to the above.
I am not sure about that, as grads can join any military branch if they opt to do so and the availability is there.
Yes. Quoted text stands as originally written. The key word in the text quoted was "optimal".
USMMA does not offer AeroE (and certain other kinds of courses) unlike other service academies (e.g., USNA or USAFA which do).
Anonymous
04/21/2026 13:12
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:USMMA is a fine option - with less "rat" style hazing - for folks who want to become ship drivers. I knew several folks who did their USMMA service obligation as USNR, and then switched to become a civil service mariner for MSC. A few went to USCGR for their service obligation and then either got a regular USCG commission or switched to being civil service mariners with MSC.
The actual US-flag shipping fleet outside of MSC is small. I think maybe Matson is the biggest commercial US flag operator left - largely with cargo runs between Guam, Hawaii, and California.
USMMA is not the optimal path if one wants to fly, to serve in submarines, do intel work, or go into certain other specialties.
At least NY State and California have Maritime academies with 4-year degrees that are similar to USMMA. Their grads often have a similar career path to the above.
I am not sure about that, as grads can join any military branch if they opt to do so and the availability is there.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 09:34
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
USMMA is a fine option - with less "rat" style hazing - for folks who want to become ship drivers. I knew several folks who did their USMMA service obligation as USNR, and then switched to become a civil service mariner for MSC. A few went to USCGR for their service obligation and then either got a regular USCG commission or switched to being civil service mariners with MSC.
The actual US-flag shipping fleet outside of MSC is small. I think maybe Matson is the biggest commercial US flag operator left - largely with cargo runs between Guam, Hawaii, and California.
USMMA is not the optimal path if one wants to fly, to serve in submarines, do intel work, or go into certain other specialties.
At least NY State and California have Maritime academies with 4-year degrees that are similar to USMMA. Their grads often have a similar career path to the above.
The actual US-flag shipping fleet outside of MSC is small. I think maybe Matson is the biggest commercial US flag operator left - largely with cargo runs between Guam, Hawaii, and California.
USMMA is not the optimal path if one wants to fly, to serve in submarines, do intel work, or go into certain other specialties.
At least NY State and California have Maritime academies with 4-year degrees that are similar to USMMA. Their grads often have a similar career path to the above.
Anonymous
04/21/2026 07:00
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Depends on if I wanted to lock myself into a 5-year active duty military obligation (USNA).
Anonymous
04/21/2026 06:47
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:USMMA is a great path for kids who can't get into the Naval Academy. I agree with others that no one would turn USNA down for USMMA.
Disagree, unless kid knows they definitely want to be in the Navy after graduating. The post-grad options, opportunities, and obligations are different at USMMA.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 16:04
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I would be pretty wary about pursuing military service at this particular time. I don't think I've ever seen it be so extremely politicized and that is very concerning.
Not Chicken Little again!
reminds me of the U Chicago hater.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 15:54
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:I would be pretty wary about pursuing military service at this particular time. I don't think I've ever seen it be so extremely politicized and that is very concerning.
Not Chicken Little again!
Anonymous
02/20/2026 14:37
Subject: Re:Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:I met Merchant Marines and USNA grads - besides being on the ocean they seem to have different career goals and personalities. For former Merchant Marines - they talk endlessly about their adventures and how they did this at the date line or that at the panama canal. USNA don't talk much - no adventures nothing. These are people who served on submarines, intelligence, and one described his job as "drive big boats". Even going on base - USNA people are relatively silent - you have to drag a story out of them. Just looks like more parties are happening on Merchant Marine boats.
BTW. former Green Berets are the same silent way - didn't know two of them served in Vietnam till 10 months of working with them. They are entirely two different types of people.
One thing they did tell me: you have no obligation - if you quit before 2 years. Don't do 1 day more or you need to serve. For USMMA this is ok because you will end up on merchant ship and that's what they want you to do anyways.
This really captures the USNA vs Kings Pointers I know. I chuckled at the mention of the date line / panama canal because I have heard the stories.
I do think a part of the difference in the adventures is from being on a merchant vessel where 99% of the people you are interacting with are not concerned about their clearance.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 13:42
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:USMMA is a great path for kids who can't get into the Naval Academy. I agree with others that no one would turn USNA down for USMMA.
This.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 13:30
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
How is this even a question? USNA of course
Anonymous
02/20/2026 13:07
Subject: Re:Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
I met Merchant Marines and USNA grads - besides being on the ocean they seem to have different career goals and personalities. For former Merchant Marines - they talk endlessly about their adventures and how they did this at the date line or that at the panama canal. USNA don't talk much - no adventures nothing. These are people who served on submarines, intelligence, and one described his job as "drive big boats". Even going on base - USNA people are relatively silent - you have to drag a story out of them. Just looks like more parties are happening on Merchant Marine boats.
BTW. former Green Berets are the same silent way - didn't know two of them served in Vietnam till 10 months of working with them. They are entirely two different types of people.
One thing they did tell me: you have no obligation - if you quit before 2 years. Don't do 1 day more or you need to serve. For USMMA this is ok because you will end up on merchant ship and that's what they want you to do anyways.
BTW. former Green Berets are the same silent way - didn't know two of them served in Vietnam till 10 months of working with them. They are entirely two different types of people.
One thing they did tell me: you have no obligation - if you quit before 2 years. Don't do 1 day more or you need to serve. For USMMA this is ok because you will end up on merchant ship and that's what they want you to do anyways.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 12:46
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:USMMA is a great path for kids who can't get into the Naval Academy. I agree with others that no one would turn USNA down for USMMA.
To follow up, DC is in at USNA and didn't apply to USMMA.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 12:45
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
USMMA is a great path for kids who can't get into the Naval Academy. I agree with others that no one would turn USNA down for USMMA.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 11:30
Subject: Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
I have family members who attended both.
These 2 schools have similarities and both being free and a path to an officer in the Navy - but my family members who went to USMMA, would never have been accepted into Annapolis and the ones who went to USNA, did not consider USMMA.
The USMMA Sea Year is a unique experience - but if you have a daughter make sure you dig into what changes have been made tor their safety during this experience.
These 2 schools have similarities and both being free and a path to an officer in the Navy - but my family members who went to USMMA, would never have been accepted into Annapolis and the ones who went to USNA, did not consider USMMA.
The USMMA Sea Year is a unique experience - but if you have a daughter make sure you dig into what changes have been made tor their safety during this experience.
Anonymous
02/20/2026 09:23
Subject: Re:Any Thoughts On US Naval Academy V.S US Merchant Marine Academy
Anonymous wrote:Ask yourself, do these people look ready for battle
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBl21LBlh-b/?hl=en&img_index=2
He looks pretty much like my high school classmate who went the USMMA and he ended up a career naval officer, so yeah, I think so.