Two hundred and twenty-nine midshipmen from the United States Merchant Marine Academy graduated from the academy on Saturday and will move on to various positions serving the country.
Merchant Marine Academy Superintendent Rear Admiral James A. Helis said the graduates should “lead with courage” as they head towards their next life challenges.
“The American people will look to you, from this day forward, to protect and advance the nation’s marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war,” Helis said. “As officers in the Merchant Marine and the Armed Forces, you will be responsible for the safety, the wellbeing and the very lives of those with whom you sail and serve.”
Graduates from the academy’s class of 2016 come from 42 states, the District of Columbia, South Korea, Panama and Malaysia.
The graduates received a bachelor’s degree, a merchant marine officer license from the U.S. Coast Guard and an Officer’s Commission in the U.S. Navy or other branch of the military, academy officials said.
Each graduate, academy officials said, can choose to work five years in the maritime industry and serve eight years in any reserve unit of the armed forces or serve five years of active duty in any branch of the armed forces.
The graduation’s keynote speaker was Gen. Darren W. McDew, who serves as Commander of the United States Transportation Command.
McDew congratulated the midshipmen and welcomed them to their new lives of service in front of a crowd of about 2,200 people, which included family members and representatives from the federal government, U.S. military and maritime industry, academy officials said.
“Your craft now is leadership,” he said. “On behalf of the men and women of Transportation Command, and the men and women of our nation’s armed forces, ‘Bravo Zulu’ on a job well done, welcome aboard and welcome to the team.”
“Bravo Zulu” is a naval signal meaning “well done.”
During the commencement exercises, 38 graduates were sworn in as active duty officers in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
Another 25 graduates will be sworn in to the Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard at a later date, academy officials said.
Academy officials said the remaining graduates will serve as Navy reservists in the Strategic Sealift Officer Program while working aboard deep sea vessels, offshore supply vessels, tugs, towing vessels and international flag vessels.
Valedictorian Thomas Kloepfer, of Amityville, quoted musician Tim McGraw and said his classmates should “always stay humble and kind.”
“There is one thing we are all guaranteed to miss: our classmates,” Kloepfer said.
