Class of 2014 Reports to USMMA
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s newest students, the Class of 2014, reported to the federal maritime school in Kings Point, Long Island, NY on July 8. These “plebe candidates” are now embarked on a rigorous Indoctrination period until they begin regular classes with the other members of the Regiment of Midshipmen at the end of July.
Indoctrination is a challenging 16-day program of intense physical and regimental training coupled with strict discipline. Indoctrination prepares the new students, called plebe candidates, for the rigors of life at the Academy – in the classroom, on the parade and athletic fields, and at sea. Among of the most important skills imparted to the plebe candidates during this early training are the concepts of time management and teamwork.
The Class of 2014 numbers 342 plebe candidates. Its members represent 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and the Northern Mariana Islands. Included in the class are 43 women, 51 students from minority groups, and six foreign students hailing from Panama, South Korea and Malaysia.
Twenty percent of the Class of 2014 finished in the top 10 percent of their high school class. Forty-two percent finished in the top 20 percent. Their average College Test scores were 587 in Verbal/English and 629 in Math.
The next milestone for the Class of 2014 is Acceptance Day on Sept.4. The plebe candidates will be sworn in as official members of the Academy’s Regiment of Midshipmen and into the U.S. Navy Reserve. The word “candidate” will be dropped from their designation and they will be subsequently known simply as “plebes.”
When this class graduates in June 2014, its members will receive bachelor of science degrees, U.S. merchant marine licenses as third mates and third assistant engineers, and commissions in the U.S. Navy Reserve or other branches of the Armed Forces.
The USMMA is part of the Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation.