KINGS POINT, N.Y., April 23, 2019 – Yesterday, Captain Mike Stroud, Commandant of Midshipmen at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), officially recognized 257 members of the Class of 2022 as midshipmen.

After a scheduled parade practice, the regimental training staff descended on the class dressed in the red shirts they last wore as INDOC cadre. Immediately, 2022 knew that their days as “plebes” were ending. In a driving rainstorm – perhaps the wettest on record according to CAPT Stroud – the upperclassmen directed recognition activities that included the same “motivational PT” that they experienced during INDOC, log PT, a truck pull, and a run through the mud pit, just to name a few. Wet, cold, muddy, but undaunted, the Class of 2022 completed their last tasks as Plebes and emerged as fourth class midshipmen.

Regimental Training Officer Assistant, Maura Malone, 1/c, who mentored and motivated the class all year during spirit missions and service projects, including; Patriot Day Observances, clean-up of Kings Point and Powell Oval, and the Frankie Toner Memorial Run, expressed her pride in the class. “They worked very hard and were very enthusiastic. They taught me a lot about myself as a leader. It was an amazing journey and I am very proud to call them midshipmen,” said Malone.