Texas A&M to Reduce Tuition For Merchant Mariner License Students
shortage that has only worsened post-COVID.“The new fee structure demonstrates that we are listening to our industry partners and we are acting — Texas A&M is fully committed to helping recruit and develop qualified and skilled maritime professionals to fill these needs,” said Rear Adm. Michael E. Fossum, vice president of Texas A&M, chief operating officer of the Galveston Campus and superintendent of the Texas A&M Maritime Academy
US Naval Construction Group 2 Welcomes Its First Woman Commander
Jones became the first enlisted woman Seabee when she cross-rated into the community as an equipment operator during the summer of 1972 following former Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt, Jr.’s issuance of Z-gram 116 which authorized limited entry of women into all enlisted ratings.Rear Adm. (ret.) Katherine Gregory was the first woman to command a battalion when she assumed command of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 in 1999. Gregory later rose to the rank of rear admiral before she retired as Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the chief of civil engineers in 2015
Rear Adm Nunan First Woman Appointed USMMA Superintendent
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Joanna M. Nunan (U.S. Coast Guard, Ret.) as the next superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). Nunan, who spent more than three decades in the U.S. Coast Guard, has commanded units at every level both afloat and ashore. She will begin work at the Academy in a few weeks.Rear Admiral Nunan retired earlier this year as the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. In that role, she oversaw the Coast Guard’s entire personnel enterprise, including the recruitment
Workforce Development: Apprenticeship Programs Help Build the Fleet
and repair yards have always been concerned with training new workers, the challenge today is especially acute because senior level workers are retiring, and, as a group, the current workforce lacks the appropriate array of digital skills to fully utilize the next generation of tools, said retired Rear Adm. Brad Williamson, the executive director of the Hampton Roads Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE).“The new workers who will build Columbia-class submarines when that program is at full rate production are in now middle school. These same workers will need to be trained in modern equipment
US Coast Guard Rolls Out New Mentoring Program
and underrepresented minorities. Research has also shown that mentoring plays a vital role in creating a motivated and satisfied workforce.“Mentoring aligns with Commandant Karl Schultz’s number one strategic priority to cultivate an inclusive, mission-ready total workforce,” said Rear Adm. Joanna Nunan, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources. “Improving personal readiness and resilience supports our efforts to protect the American people and our Nation. We also know mentoring is important to our personnel, and this new program will provide our members additional opportunities
Coast Guard Academy to Hold Virtual Graduation
of Homeland Security is scheduled to deliver the keynote address. Adm. Karl Schultz, the Commandant of the Coast Guard will also provide remarks."This decision was made in the best interest of the health and well-being of our entire Academy family and our local community,” said Rear Adm. Bill Kelly, the Academy’s Superintendent.“I'd like to thank our faculty and staff who have made it possible to graduate the Class of 2020 on time, and deliver them to their duty stations prepared to serve our nation. The entire Academy community has come together to match an unprecedente
Roughead Joins Fincantieri Marinette Marine Board
;s interaction with Congress. He also was the deputy commander of U.S. Pacific Command.In addition to serving on corporate and university boards, Roughead is the Robert and Marion Oster Distinguished Military Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.Also joining the Board of Directors is Rear Adm. Kevin M. Sweeney, who retired from the Navy in 2014, and was most recently the chief of staff for Jim Mattis during his tenure as the Secretary of Defense.Sweeny has 32 years of operational experience including commands of multiple strike groups and surface combatants
USMMA Class of 2022 Sworn into USNR
they are joining at a time when their presence is most important to our country. He congratulated them on their progress thus far before administering the oath of a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy Reserve.Once sworn-in, the Plebes joined the Regiment of Midshipmen and marched past the reviewing officers, Rear Adm. James A. Helis, Superintendent of the Academy, Capt. Urwiller, and Cdr. Andrew McCarthy, Deputy Commandant of Cadets.“Today’s event marks another significant milestone at the Academy, but in particular for the Class of 2022,” Helis said. “It’s a great moment in their
SUNY Maritime, Greece Maritime Academy Begin Collaboration
Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis, president of SUNY Maritime College, and Cmdr. H.C.G. Danopoulos Evangelos, of the National Merchant Maritime Academy of Hydra, Greece, recently signed a memorandum of agreement to establish an articulation agreement between the two maritime institutions. It also allows the two institutions to develop further partnerships and find additional areas of cooperation. The agreement, signed earlier this week, will allow the Greek students, upon completion of their program at Hydra, to transfer to SUNY Maritime College to earn a Bachelor of Science in Marine Operations.
Military to Maritime Digital Career Platform Launched
, repair, maintain and modernize the largest and most sophisticated Navy and Coast Guard vessels in the world, and do the same for the nation's 40,000 commercial vessels. The U.S. military, the most powerful military in the world, relies on U.S. flag vessels crewed by U.S. civilian mariners,” said Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby, Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration. “As part of our coordinated effort across the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the commercial maritime industry, the Maritime Administration is working to make it easier for transitioning
Class of ’17 Graduates Ingalls Apprentice Program
; Apprentice School has produced nearly 5,000 graduates trained to fulfill the shipyard’s operational needs. The program offers a comprehensive two- to four-year curriculum, in partnership with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, for students interested in shipbuilding careers. Rear Adm. William Galinis, the U.S. Navy’s program executive officer, ships, was the keynote speaker. “The Navy will soon look to Ingalls Shipbuilding—to you—to restore the USS Fitzgerald and return her to service,” he said. “We will rely on you, on your team, your skill
SUNY Maritime Graduates 17 to US Navy
;s valedictorian and was recognized the next day at the commencement ceremony. He was one of the three Seaman-to-Admiral 21 program selectees graduating from SUNY Maritime College this year to receive his commission. During the ceremony, which was held under sunny skies in St. Mary’s Pentagon, Rear Adm. Dee Mewbourne, commander of Military Sealift Command, addressed the midshipmen and their families. “You are joining an impressive naval heritage. Men and women of courage and commitment have gone before you, making our U.S. Navy the great institution it is today,” Mewbourne said
Frangou to SUNY Maritime Grads: Take Risks
;s degrees. More than 150 of the graduates also earned their U.S. Coast Guard licenses, which qualify them to work on board commercial vessels as third mates or third assistant engineers. “Some of you soon will be sailing on your deck or engine license for the first time,” said Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis, president of the college. “Some will be working in other areas of the maritime industry, others may be pursuing other opportunities outside the maritime industry, and some of you have elected to serve in the armed forces.” The day before commencement, 17 students
Smith Named Director of NOAA Coast Survey
President Barack Obama has approved the promotion of Shepard Smith, from captain to rear admiral (lower half), a prerequisite for Smith to become director of NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, after his selection by Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. Smith's appointment to director will be effective on August 26, 2016. Smith will oversee NOAA's charts and hydrographic surveys, ushering in the next generation of navigational products and services for mariners who need integrated delivery of coastal intelligence data. He succeeds Rear Adm. Gerd Glang, who will retire on September 1
SUNY Maritime among Top Institutions for ROI
according to a similar ranking by CNN Money, after MIT, Cal Tech, Harvey Mudd and Stanford University. “A SUNY Maritime education combines challenging classroom academics with applied learning through our training ship, labs, simulators and internships in the industry,” said Rear Adm. Michael Alfultis, president of SUNY Maritime. “This ranking is a reflection of the demand for the skills and character that our graduates possess.” Both rankings use similar data including graduates’ earnings compared to those without college degrees, time to graduation
USN SAAPM Theme: "Eliminate Sexual Assault"
efforts to eliminate the crime of sexual assault, while making sure all Sailors are treated with dignity and respect. "By sharing stories, ideas, and the resources needed to build awareness, we hope every command and every Sailor takes away something meaningful from this month," said Rear Adm. Ann Burkhardt, director, 21st Century Sailor Office. "Leaders who feel empowered to make a difference and encourage their Sailors to do the same, are the critical link to ensure we end this crime across the fleet." Earlier this year, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson,
SUNY Maritime Among Top Schools for Career Placement
Maritime came in seventh place. The college for years has had nearly 100 percent of its graduates working in careers of their choice after graduation. “SUNY Maritime excels at educating our students to give them the knowledge and skills they need for a strong start in their careers,” said Rear Adm. Michael J. Alfultis, president of the college. “Applied learning has been our mission for 140 years and will continue to be the driving force to ensure our graduates are ready for the professional world.” At No. 21, SUNY Maritime was ranked among the top colleges and universities
