Acceptance Day at USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy's Class of 2017 – 237 strong – took its Academy oath administrated by Rear Admiral James A. Helis Saturday, part of the King Point institution's Acceptance Day Ceremony.

The plebes were then sworn in as U.S. Navy Reserve midshipmen by Vice Admiral Robin R. Bruan, Chief of Navy Reserve.

“As future leaders in the regiment of midshipmen the opportunity to excel in academics, athletics and leadership will mark your next four years,” Helis said. “For the Academy, you’ll represent our greatest achievement when you graduate as the next generation of American leaders to serve the nation’s marine transportation and defense needs for decades to come.”

Acceptance Day marks the transition of the “plebe candidates” to “plebes.” The class officially arrived on July 2. The congressionally-nominated plebe candidates began a rigorous, 18-day regimen of academic, military, and physical training known as Indoctrination.

The class makes up one of the most diverse classes in Academy history with over a 22 percent minority representation. The 199 men and 38 women were selected from 2,252 applicants in 46 states.

Kings Point graduates must serve five years on active-duty in the military or work in the maritime industry for five years coupled with eight years in the reserves. Sea year is a world classroom for midshipmen who spend 300 days training on U.S. merchant ships traveling to six different continents.