KINGS POINT, N.Y., April 25, 2018 – On Friday, April 13, 2018, Admiral Kurt W. Tidd, Commander United Southern Command visited the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point.

Admiral Tidd was the guest speaker at the 2018 Battle Standard Dinner, an annual event at USMMA that honors the memories of the 142 Cadet-Midshipmen who lost their lives during World War II. The program also took time to remember recent graduates who lost their lives serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Admiral Tidd began the evening, saying, “Your role as a service academy is well-known in both the maritime industry and defense realms. Kings Point graduates are serving all over the world, commanding naval ships, Coast Guard cutters, serving in space or as one of Uncle Sam's misguided children, and working as merchant vessel masters, harbor pilots and the like.”  Adding, “the uniqueness of your experience at Kings Point lies within this variety of leadership roles that you're being prepared to assume.”

Tidd went on to share, what he referred to as “your standing orders:

• Do the right thing
• Cross boundaries
• Take care of and rely on your team
• Respect yourself and your teammates”

 He then added “a final one, that's for everyone in the audience, not just our midshipman. And that's to find a way to serve, and to become part of what I call the 'good guys network.'”

 “It was a great honor to host Admiral Tidd at the US Merchant Marine Academy,” said Rear Admiral James A. Helis, Superintendent. “His four 'life hacks' are words to live by.”

 To see Admiral Tidd’s speech in its entirety, please click: Adm. Tidd Opening Remarks: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy