A Graduate So Happy, He Hugged the Speaker (Bush and the Merchant Marine)

New York Times ^ | June 21, 2006 | JULIA C. MEAD

[BadAndy]

General order #1- Do not hug the Commander In Chief.

[PUGACHEV]

I didn't even think we had much of a merchant marine these days. None of the ships I see in the bay have U.S. flags on them unless they're warships. I'm curious, if someone knows, Where do the King's Point graduates serve?

[catholicfreeper]

Well, I have to give credit where credit is due. I was browsing that raunchy wonkette site(lol) and came across it. Of course it will get more out the belt way exposure here lol

[BadAndy]

"Is that the view from the Secret Service sniper? :-)"

A picture with crosshairs would be LOL funny.

[firewalk]

.

[2banana]

Most excellant. Here it first on Free Republic, turn off the MSM.

Ummm...this came from the New York Times...

[1rudeboy]

I think they go on to serve on whatever commercial vessels there are out there, regardless of flag. The "Merchant Marine" itself is sort of like the Naval Reserve.

When you graduate, you get your "ticket" and you can punch it where you wish . . . given gross tonnage restrictions, etc.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

It was on the Daily Dose a couple days ago.

[rahbert]

I think that tankers between US ports have US masters and
mates.

[1rudeboy]

Yeah, I remember hearing something about that . . . whether it was tankers or all "intra-US" shipping, I don't remember.

[paddles]

This guy is probably still doing bends-and-thrusts....

[paddles]

Is this guy's name Whitney or Blutarsky?

[Waverunner]

On the support vessels, such as LTC Calvin Titus a RORO prepositioning ship, or on navy oceanographic vessels as crew. And on the few american flagged ships left.

[rwa265]

My daughter-in-law went there. For a long time I could not figure out what the kp in her e-mail address stood for until she explained it to me.

[rwa265]

From their web site:

http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/lifeafterkp.htm

No other federal service academy offers you the career options of Kings Point. You may choose to seek your opportunity as a ship's officer at sea, ashore in the maritime and intermodal transportation field, or as an active duty officer in one of the Armed Forces.

[pke]

First assignment Antarctica (after some R&R in Iraq.)

[rake]

LOL! Oh man, awesome picture! Look at President Bush's face!

[AJMaXx]

Well, you gotta admit, this guy can get things done, takes awhile, and has made errors, but he is commited to getting things done.
Hope he does well. I look forward to seeing him on the high seas.....and being that I live in NV, that means alot.

[stuartcr]

Military Sealift Command employs lots.

[navyblue]

KP grads serve as licensed deck and engineering officers aboard U.S. merchant ships.

They also receive a commission in the U.S. Naval Reserve upon graduation and have an obligation to serve in the Navy if called.