| Of the elite Military service academies, The United | | | | essay test and source recommendations from |
| States Merchant Academy is charged with the | | | | previous professional or academic contacts and is also |
| responsibilities of training officers for the Merchant | | | | mandated to go through a physical test. |
| Marines, which are basically Auxiliary Navy, which | | | | The Cadets during the course of their training usually |
| support the Navy, especially during a War, transporting | | | | focus on two major study groups: Transportation and |
| supplies and men. Otherwise, they are used basically | | | | Engineering, learning everything possible about ships, |
| for Military transportation services. | | | | the navigation systems, the engines and the steering |
| Its history can be traced back the Marine Merchant | | | | systems, the communication systems and the whole |
| Act, passed by the congress in 1936,following which, 2 | | | | gamut of transportation sciences like reading radars |
| years later, the U.S Merchant Marine Corps, was | | | | and such like. |
| launched. It held on to the legacy of providing for the | | | | Upon Graduation, the cadets are usually rewarded a |
| best of young men and women who join the armed | | | | bachelor of science degree, or a USCG License as a |
| forces after a grueling test at the respective Service | | | | Merchant Marine Officer or as a commissioned ensign |
| Academy, as the case may be. | | | | into the U.S Navy or one of the many branches of the |
| A unique thing about the academy is the fact that it | | | | United States Armed Forces. The opportunities are |
| has always been involving in serving the country | | | | simply endless for the deserving few. |
| ardently in the time of need, especially during the World | | | | Life after graduation is fortunate for cadets graduating |
| War 1 and 2 and also during the Persian Gulf conflict, | | | | out of the USMMA as to the fact that they really have |
| Kuwait Gulf war and recently the Iraq War. | | | | a wide variety of opportunities available for them to |
| Admissions to the Academy is a rather rigorous | | | | choose from. Graduates have the freedom to choose |
| process and calls for a high degree of academic, | | | | to be commissioned as Merchant Officers to provide |
| physical and mental abilities and the candidate also | | | | service on U.S Flagged Vessels, or work in maritime |
| requires to be nominated by an official from the | | | | service and join any other area of the Armed Forces. |
| congress, a senator or other approved officer by the | | | | However, the graduating officers are required to retain |
| federal government. Applicants also ought to take an | | | | their Coast Guard License for at least 6 years. |