KINGS POINT, N.Y., July 7, 2023 – Today, 280 young men and women arrived at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point to begin lives of service as plebe candidates. Representing 42 states, the District of Columbia, and two territories (Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands), these candidates embarked on their first day of indoctrination, better known as INDOC. The class is over 17% female and over 25% underrepresented minorities.

INDOC is a 17-day orientation period that teaches plebe candidates the basics of maritime and regimental life at USMMA. Training emphasizes military discipline, daily regimental routine, hygiene, physical fitness, basic seamanship, and an introduction to academic life.

While the plebe candidates experienced fast-paced morning activities that transformed them into well-organized companies, their families met with academy leadership that included Superintendent Vice Admiral Joanna Nunan, Commandant of Midshipmen Captain Mikel Stroud, Deputy Commandant Commander Andrew McCarthy, Associate Dean for Faculty Captain James Zatwarnicki, Command Chaplain LCDR Mark E. Beaudet, CHC, USN, Director of Admissions Commander Keith Watson, Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office Anton Tripolkii, and Director of Health Services Rick Sager. Each explained their role in helping them become “leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces.”

At noon the class mustered on Barney Square where they took the merchant mariner oath, making them candidates in the U.S. Merchant Marine. At the end of indoctrination, they will become plebes in the Regiment of Midshipmen.

###

ABOUT USMMA

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Academy, which was established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943. It is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation.

On the web: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

On Facebook: @USMMAOfficial