Posted on 10/09/2013 7:05:43 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Edited on 10/09/2013 7:07:41 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Sen. Charles Schumer is asking the federal Department of Transportation to dig deep to find a way to fund the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, the only one of the nation's five service academies closed due to the partial government shutdown.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
With US flag merchant fleet slowly declining and few graduates of Kings Point remain as seagoing officers for more than a couple years, it is time to close down Kings Point for good. The six state maritime academies can graduate all the deck officers and marine engineers that are needed for the US merchant fleet.
“Schumer had planned Wednesday to co-sponsor it but changed his mind later that day... “
LOL!
Because Harry Reid won’t allow ANYTHING to be debated in the Senate- to keep his members from being forced to vote on the House minibills.
Lord, his right hand lackey almost defied him!
The minibill strategy is working better than anbyone could have imagined.
Kind of like asking a police cadet to dismiss your court case.
Old Charlie ought to ask Soros for the money.
Poor little Dingy Harry.....all those Cowboy Poets without an audience.
Certainly the Naval Academy can be expanded graduate enough grads for the Coast Guard too.
There are 3 naval service academies: Annapolis USNA provides officers for the Navy and Marines, USCGA provides officers for the coasties, and USMMA provides officers for the merchant marines.
Your point is valid with less than 300 Navy ships there is no reason that Annapolis or USCGA could not provide for the Merchant Marine. Nor would it be ridiculous for Annapolis to provide for all 3. I’m unsure of class sizes currently, but I’m guessing they are less than when I graduated USNA in ‘89 when we were aiming for a 600 ship navy.
The Army has several service academies also.
West Point is one with which I am somewhat familiar.
Then there are the military colleges.
Norwich
Citadel
VMI
Virginia Tech
Texas A&M
North Georgia
and last but not least,
Mary Baldwin Women’s Institute for Leadership
But all but West Point are state supported correct?
Just thought I’d add, USMMA graduates are commissioned Ensigns in the Naval Reserve.
“there is no reason that Annapolis or USCG could not provide for all 3”
Actually there is a very good reason. Totally different concepts in operation and mission in the merchant marine.
As Maine Mariner said in post 2, let the state academies take up the load. A higher percentage of state academy graduates actually make a career at sea as compared to Kings Point graduates. Although subsidized, state academy students pay tuition whereas Kings Point is paid fully by the federal government.
Too bad, Charlie; it’s always fun and games until your own, personal ox is gored.
Then look out - Katie bar the door, I’m a Senator!
Kind of. New Mexico Military Academy is another but not senior, Norwich gets a lot of money from ROTC which muddies the waters a bit. norwich has a very good masters program on line.
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