<p>I believe graduates of USMMA should be required to serve eight years afloat in the US maritime industry AND simultaneously serve eight years in a drilling Reserve or the Guard unit; OR serve five years active duty in any of the services or the NOAA Corps. </p>
<p>That is the collective wisdom of Congress (which authorizes and funds USMMA) and the Commander in Chief (who signs the legislation). Far be it from me to suggest I am smarter than they are.</p>
<p>BTW, there are no private maritime schools. After the Morro Castle incident, in which 134 lives were lost, Congress decided that direct Federal involvement, and standardized training was needed. The Merchant Marine Act of 1936 was passed and two years later the U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was established. That was the end of private maritime schools.</p>
<p>There are six state maritime schools which are also federally funded, but unlike USMMA, their graduates have no commitment to serve.</p>