KINGS POINT, N.Y., July 18, 2018 – Plebe candidates at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point completed Indoctrination Training over the weekend. The Class of 2022 began the 17-day orientation period known as Indoctrination, or Indoc, on June 29, and overnight went from plebe candidate to Plebe and were accepted into the Regiment of Midshipmen.

On the final night of Indoc, plebe candidates were summoned from their quarters at close to midnight by a lone drummer. They quietly formed up on the Barney Square and reported to a single Midshipman. Slowly and quietly they marched across campus to Wiley Hall, in front of the USMMA War Memorial. There they were met by the leaders of their indoctrination cadre, the Honor Staff, the Superintendent and the Commandant. The Superintendent spoke to them about honor and service, then he congratulated the Class on completing indoctrination.

Then, under moonless New York sky, the Honor Staff administered the Honor Oath to the class. They quietly sang the Alma Mater before marching back to the barracks where they received their honor coins. And with that, the Class of 2022 completed Indoc.

The candidates spent the training period learning the basics of maritime and regimental life at USMMA. The training emphasized military discipline, teamwork, physical fitness, basic seamanship, and an introduction to college-level academics. They experienced weapons familiarization firing, Waterfront safety, Sexual Assault Response and Prevention training, Honor training and an introduction to U.S. Coast Guard Standards of Training in Crew Watchstanding, just to name a few.

Now the Regiment reforms and prepares to start Academic Year 2018-2019. Good luck Class of 2022 and welcome back to the rest of the Regiment.

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