HUNTINGTOWN, Md. – Two Calvert County brothers were recently sworn in together as Midshipmen at United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and as members of the U.S. Naval Reserve.
Ethan and Seth Williams were nominated for the honor by Congressman Steny Hoyer. The Williams brother join 280 other Midshipmen at the academy in Kings Point, New York.
The USMMA is not as well-known as the four other service academies, the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
However, they provide a vital service by graduating licensed Merchant Marine officers. The U.S. Flag Merchant Marine – manned by U.S. merchant mariners – is essential for securing the country’s commerce in peacetime and delivering warfighters, weapons and military supplies in times of conflict.
The academy has strict academic and physical requirements. All applicants must be nominated by their Congressman or Senator.
USMMA graduates earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Merchant Marine Officer license, and serve the country as active or reserve officers in the U.S. armed forces.
As part of their four-year education, Seth and Ethan will spend one year training as cadets aboard ocean going vessels. USMMA is the only federal academy where students train on commercial vessels traveling around the globe.