East Meadow brothers become Midshipmen at USMMA

Andrew and Anthony Suarez, brothers from East Meadow, were recently honored when they were sworn in as Midshipmen in the US Naval Reserve at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers. In addition to the rigorous academic and physical requirements for admission, applicants must be nominated by their Congressman or Senator and the Suarez brothers were nominated by U.S. Representative Kathleen Rice.

It is one of five federal service academies, which include 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.

All USMMA graduates earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Merchant Marine Officer license, and incur an obligation to serve the country as an active or reserve officer in the U.S. armed forces.

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 majority of "Kings Pointers" will serve as Navy reservists in the Strategic Sealift Officer Program while working aboard U.S. flag vessels; others will serve on active duty in our nation's armed forces.

As part of their four-year education, they 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.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1943-2018). Dedicated in wartime, USMMA has served the nation in both peace and war. As the first federal academy to admit women, USMMA will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first women to graduate from any federal service academy. Learn more about the 75th Anniversary at www.WeAreTheUSMMA.com.