When I was initially approached to share my start (and let's be serious, this is the very start) in the Maritime industry, I was hesitant. I didn’t feel like I had that much to say yet, still being in school. But I was encouraged to share an academy cadet’s perspective with a really great community of seafaring women, so I hope I do it justice!
Chasing the Dream
When I was looking at college, I knew there were a few things I wanted from a job in the future. I knew I wasn't ready to work in an office, and I knew I wanted a job that was dynamic and changed daily. I wanted something that could satisfy my craving for an adventure as well as challenge me.
There are six Maritime Academies in the United States where you can earn your license while studying in Maritime-focused majors: California Maritime, Maine Maritime, State University of New York Maritime, Texas A&M, Great Lakes, Massachusetts Maritime and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, which is also referred to as “Kings Point” due to its location Kings Point, NY.
USMMA is also one of the five federal services academies, such as the Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy. In return for your education being funded by the taxpayer, you are required to fulfill a few obligations upon graduation: you are expected to sail on your license for five years, serve in the Naval Reserve for 8 years and maintain your license for 6 years, or you can choose to serve in any active duty branch for five years. Kings Point also requires you to spend 330 days at sea for a deck major or 300 days for an engine major on commercial ships for what is called “Sea Year”. This is done within the four years you spend attending school. Upon graduation, you receive a bachelor of science degree, a 3rd mates unlimited tonnage license, and a commission in the United States Naval Reserve Strategic Sealift Officer Program.
My parents, both graduates of USMMA, were incredibly supportive in their guidance. I had grown up on sea stories of traveling all over the world and carrying the responsibility for maintaining the engines of a ship, or conning a ship full of cargo. They encouraged me to look at the school and see if it offered what I was looking for. I knew that going to Kings Point was not going to be a typical college experience. I knew that while it offered me that sense of adventure I craved, it would also require a regimented lifestyle (we wear uniforms, for instance) as well as a high credit load that is accomplished by going to school from July to June. Despite this I knew that going to the academy would provide unique hands-on training by giving me a full year of sea time.
In the last 2 years I have to say it's been a crazy adventure. I feel extremely fortunate to have had incredibly supportive and encouraging parents who gave me an inside look at an industry so many people don't know about, and who truly "get it" when I just need to vent about a tough day at school or work! In addition to my parents, my older brother also found his way on the water and currently sails as a 3/M, and my sister is studying for her third mates license at this time and sailing as a deck cadet as well.
I am currently a Marine Transportation and Intermodal and Logistics Major. The intermodal and logistics concentration requires a few more business and logistics classes than just the deckie route. Kings Point breaks up the Sea Year into 4-month and 8-month periods. My first sailing was spent on a Military Sealift Command Oiler (T-AO). The MSC tanker’s mission was to carry fuel, including diesel and jet fuel, for navy ships. I operated in the 7th fleet supplying the Navy during UnReps, or Underway Replenishments, refueling at sea. The operation was very cool to see. My second sailing I spent on a RO/RO (Roll-on-Roll-off) car carrier traveling from the east and gulf coast of the USA to Northern Europe. And I just completed my cadet shipping on a coastwise tanker to obtain my Tankerman Person-In-Charge (PIC). A Tankerman PIC is an endorsement added to a license to transfer liquid cargo. In order to obtain this endorsement you must sail 90 days on a tanker, as well as be present for at least five loads and five discharges. You are also required to be present for the commencement and completion of cargo.
My hope in becoming a part of the Sea Sisters community is to provide insight into cadet shipping and the Academy approach to obtaining your license, and to add another story to the collection to encourage any young women who are wondering whether the maritime industry is the adventure they are looking for!
I would be lying if I said every day at school has been sunshine and unicorns because that is just not the case. School certainly has it challenges. I would also be lying if I said every day at sea has been pretty sunsets and rainbows (though there have been many of those). As in all things, there are challenging tasks - as well as challenging coworkers. But I can say without a doubt that I have found a career that allows me to be financially stable right out of college, and the vacation-to-work ratio allows me to not be a slave to the office.
For me right now, the maritime industry is full of open doors and paths to choose from!
*Please note, this post does not represent the official view of the United States Merchant Marine Academy or the US Navy