Brandon Henry Joest of Carmel recently graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, N.Y. Joest earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the U.S. armed forces. He also earned a Merchant Marine officer license, qualifying him to serve as an officer on any ship in the U.S. flag merchant marine.
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.
All USMMA graduates earn both a B.S. degree and a merchant marine license and incur an obligation to serve the United States. 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 the nations’ armed forces. Due to their elite training and real-world experience, graduates are ready to go on Day 1 in service of American military strength and economic power.
As part of his four-year education, Joest spent one year training as a cadet aboard ocean-going vessels.
Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Dedicated in 1943 during World War II, USMMA has served the nation in both peace and war. As the first federal academy to admit women, USMMA also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the first women to graduate from any federal service academy. Learn more at WeAreTheUSMMA.com.
The Academy welcomed a top White House official as the graduation speaker. Dr. Peter Navarro, the Assistant to the President and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy told the graduates, “[M]aritime capability is important to America’s ability both to defend our homeland and project power abroad. Through your hard work and dedication you have prepared yourselves to enter the ranks of a noble profession that is as ancient as the beginning of recorded history but is important and more modern than ever. We are especially proud that you have chosen a career in service to this great nation…helping to support the American military supply chain and the US economy … MARITIME is our national heritage.”
For more information about the Academy, visit usmma.edu.