College of the Day: United States Merchant Marine Academy

The most important element in a productive merchant fleet and a strong transportation industry is people - men and women who are intelligent, dedicated, well-educated and competent. The purpose of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is to ensure that such people are available to the nation as shipboard officers and as leaders in the transportation field who will meet the challenges of the present and the future. This industry includes companies which own and manage the vessels; ports and terminals where cargo is handled; yards for ship repair; services like marine insurance underwriters, ship chartering firms, admiralty lawyers, engineering and research companies; and increasingly today, intermodal systems of trucks and railroads to distribute goods around the country. What is the United States Merchant Marine Academy? The Merchant Marine Academy is where young people who long for the sea go to learn about the leadership skills necessary to run a ship, or a fleet of ships, in the thriving business of marine trade. Because it is a United States academy, you must secure a nomination from an elected official, which is not impossible, and demonstrate strong academics and be in good physical health. USMMA is in King's Point, Queens, New York. (Thank you College Week Live for the following interview video)