- 5 minutes ago
We got an inside look at what it's like on the first day for new plebes at the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
287 plebe candidates arrived on campus for the beginning of "indoctrination," a 16-day period full of intense mental and physical tests. During our visit, we saw plebe candidates getting their heads shaved, learning proper movements and responses, and enduring an event known as "the Grinder," where their instructional cadre commands and corrects them with loud intensity. After an emotional farewell to their families, the plebe candidates take their first steps toward becoming licensed officers in the US Merchant Marine.
Most graduates go on to work as licensed officers aboard commercial and government ships, either navigating and managing the vessel or operating its engines and machinery. But during wartime, these civilian mariners can become a critical part of the military supply chain, operating ships that carry weapons, vehicles, fuel, ammunition, and other supplies to US forces overseas.
287 plebe candidates arrived on campus for the beginning of "indoctrination," a 16-day period full of intense mental and physical tests. During our visit, we saw plebe candidates getting their heads shaved, learning proper movements and responses, and enduring an event known as "the Grinder," where their instructional cadre commands and corrects them with loud intensity. After an emotional farewell to their families, the plebe candidates take their first steps toward becoming licensed officers in the US Merchant Marine.
Most graduates go on to work as licensed officers aboard commercial and government ships, either navigating and managing the vessel or operating its engines and machinery. But during wartime, these civilian mariners can become a critical part of the military supply chain, operating ships that carry weapons, vehicles, fuel, ammunition, and other supplies to US forces overseas.
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00:00Why are you looking around? Your eyes should be straight in at all times!
00:07Oh my god!
00:09On a muggy Thursday in July, 287 incoming freshmen, known as Plead Candidates,
00:17arrive at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
00:24We were there for day zero, the beginning of an intense 16-day introduction to life at the academy,
00:32Stop looking at me!
00:33known as Indoctrination.
00:35Ma'am, yes ma'am!
00:37Here, they'll train to become officers in the Merchant Marine.
00:42No! No!
00:44Sir, I'm Superman!
00:46Do it, ma'am!
00:47No!
00:49Step back!
00:50Step up!
00:51No!
00:51Come on, come on, come on!
00:54It's 7.30 a.m.
00:56Upon arrival, all candidates must turn over their phones.
01:00Phone, launch charger, any electronics?
01:02They won't get them back for 16 days.
01:05The Merchant Marine is not a U.S. military branch.
01:08Its mariners are civilians, but they can play a critical role in supporting the military during wartime.
01:15That's why the academy follows a military-style structure, similar to service academies like
01:21those at West Point and Annapolis.
01:23Most graduates go on to work as licensed officers aboard commercial and government ships, either
01:29navigating and managing the vessel, or operating its engines and machinery.
01:34But during wartime, these civilian mariners can become a critical part of the military supply
01:40chain, operating ships that carry weapons, vehicles, fuel, ammunition, and other supplies
01:47to U.S. forces overseas.
01:49When you're talking about national security, really, it's synonymous with economic security.
01:54If 95% of the world's goods are moving across the ocean, that is critical to our economy and
02:00our Merchant Mariners fill that role and mission.
02:04The academy only accepts about 25% of applicants.
02:09Most candidates have to be nominated by a member of Congress.
02:13Acceptance requires strong grades and test scores, passing a fitness test, and undergoing
02:18a military medical exam to ensure they're physically qualified for the demands of the
02:24academy and a career at sea.
02:28So why would anyone choose this for their college experience?
02:33The thing that definitely jumped out to me the most was the lifestyle of a Merchant Mariner.
02:37You get six months on, six months off, and you make a minimum six figures a year, which
02:43is super nice.
02:44Some of the other colleges that accepted me, I got offered an appointment to the Naval Academy
02:48in Maryland.
02:49MIT accepted me at early decision.
02:51Ultimately, the reason that I chose the Merchant Marine Academy over any of those is because
02:56of the opportunities that this place has.
02:58Sir, yes sir!
02:5921% of the student body are women, and about 25% are minorities.
03:05According to a Government Accountability Office report, it's the least racially diverse among
03:10the U.S. service academies.
03:11Sir, yes sir!
03:12The academy is a four-year university.
03:15Tuition is free, but there are out-of-pocket costs, like about $3,000 for computer and other
03:22academic equipment, and about $900 for a year's worth of laundry service.
03:27After graduating, most alumni spend at least five years working as licensed officers in
03:33the U.S. maritime industry, while also serving as officers in the military reserves.
03:39About 25% of graduates choose to serve at least five years of active duty in the U.S. military.
03:45To see the world and have lots of time off, it sounds like a great deal.
03:51During in-processing, the plebe candidates are weighed, measured, and issued essential
03:56gear they'll need during in-doc.
04:00The academy is located in Kings Point on Long Island's North Shore, about 20 miles east of
04:07Manhattan.
04:08The U.S. government founded the academy in 1943 to create a pipeline of trained merchant
04:15marine officers to move ships and supplies to troops during World War II.
04:20Help our ships deliver the munitions and supplies to our fighting men.
04:24Register now by wiring collect to Merchant Marine, Washington, D.C.
04:29Today, American merchant mariners crew U.S. flagged commercial ships carrying cargo around
04:35the world.
04:36A large commercial ship can operate with a crew of about 20 to 30 merchant mariners.
04:42Academy graduates usually start as junior officers and can eventually rise to command the entire
04:48vessel.
04:49When the U.S. is at war, the merchant marine transports fuel, vehicles, and other critical
04:55supplies to American forces overseas.
04:59Since the war with Iran began, roughly 100 American merchant mariners aboard five U.S.
05:05flagged ships have at times been stranded inside the Persian Gulf, unable to safely pass through
05:12the Strait of Hormuz.
05:15It's a reminder that the career these candidates are training for comes with real risks.
05:21Right face.
05:23Right face.
05:25Each plebe candidate gets a book called the Bearings Book that introduces them to the academy.
05:30They're expected to memorize hundreds of facts in the book that they'll be tested on at random.
05:36You will rotate 180 degrees on those two pivot points.
05:40For these candidates, learning the basic movements and responses can determine how easy or difficult
05:47the rest of day zero will be.
05:49Four basic responses.
05:51They are ma'am, yes ma'am.
05:52Ma'am, no ma'am.
05:53Ma'am, I ma'am.
05:54Ma'am, this candidate does not know, but will find out.
05:57The students wearing white are upperclassmen at the academy, known as cadre.
06:02What are your four basic responses?
06:03First one.
06:04Ma'am, yes ma'am.
06:05They're charged with instructing the plebe candidates during INDOC.
06:08Do you all understand your instructions?
06:10Ma'am, yes ma'am.
06:11All right, head that direction.
06:12The cordial welcome doesn't last long.
06:15Good morning, everybody.
06:17Good morning, ma'am.
06:19Once the candidates have been taught the correct responses, their cadre turns up the heat.
06:24Come here, just you right here.
06:25Yes ma'am.
06:26Ma'am, yes ma'am.
06:28Ma'am, yes ma'am.
06:28Snap, hop.
06:29Louder, left face.
06:30Snap, hop.
06:31Great face.
06:31Sir, good morning, sir.
06:32Louder.
06:33Sir, good morning, sir.
06:33Left face.
06:34Do you think this is a funny move right here?
06:36No, no, sir.
06:36What's the greeting?
06:38Sir, good morning, sir.
06:39Louder.
06:40Good morning, sir.
06:41Louder.
06:41Good morning, sir.
06:41Good morning, sir.
06:42Left face.
06:43I don't want to see that smile anymore.
06:45You understand me?
06:46Sir, yes sir.
06:46Left face.
06:47The volume of information that they dump on you at once.
06:50If you get it wrong, then you have to, there's consequences for that.
06:54Sir, good morning, sir.
06:54Louder.
06:55Sir, good morning, sir.
06:56Louder.
06:56Sir, good morning, sir.
06:57Yell it.
06:57I know you can yell.
06:58Sir, good morning, sir.
06:59Right face.
06:59Snap, pop.
07:00Yelling it.
07:00We're just trying to get their commands, their movements.
07:03From here, they'll go into zero deck where they'll get their hair cut.
07:07Why are you looking at me?
07:08Why are you looking at me?
07:09Why are you looking at me?
07:09Why are you looking at me?
07:10Why are you looking at me?
07:11Why are you looking at me?
07:13Go!
07:14Get out of my face!
07:15Come on!
07:15Let's go!
07:16Come on!
07:17Come on!
07:17Come on!
07:18Hello!
07:18Sir, good morning, ma'am!
07:20Sir, good morning, ma'am!
07:21Sir, good morning, sir.
07:22Ma'am's always first.
07:23It's just after 9.30.
07:26For the males, that means it's time for their haircuts, and it costs them $15.
07:39Female candidates can keep longer hair as long as it's secured above the collar, but male candidates
07:45must shave their heads. Then, they assemble outside for an event known as the Grinder.
07:53Sir, good morning, sir!
07:54Good morning! Stop!
07:55Stand on the gray tiles!
07:56The candidates are thrown into a tornado of commands and corrections.
08:01Why are you looking around? Your eyes should be straight in!
08:07I'll die!
08:08The purpose of the intensity is to simulate actual emergency scenarios such as on a ship,
08:14like a shipboard fire, flooding, grounding, any other emergencies that they may come across
08:19as leaders.
08:20Why are you smiling?
08:26As soon as they get up there, there's someone in their face yelling at them,
08:29asking what company they are, trying to get them where they need to go.
08:32We pretty much just tear them apart as best we can.
08:35Scream, I'm guttering sergeant!
08:36My guttering sergeant!
08:37Scream, I'm guttering sergeant!
08:39My guttering sergeant!
08:40Scream it!
08:40Do you understand?
08:42Ma'am, yes, ma'am.
08:42Keep putting it up!
08:43Do you understand?
08:44Ma'am, yes, ma'am.
08:45She goes back up after!
08:47Do you understand?
08:48Ma'am, yes, ma'am.
08:49She's wonderful.
08:50Put it back up!
08:51Do you understand?
08:52Ma'am, yes, ma'am.
08:53It's kind of fun because I was here two years ago.
08:56I don't even remember this.
08:57Like, I think I'm like that.
08:59It's nice to return the favor to them.
09:03Do not hit that cameraman!
09:05Do not hit the cameraman!
09:06Sir, sir, go!
09:07You want the favorite!
09:08Nice to meet you, bleep candidate!
09:09Sir, sir!
09:10He is a sir!
09:11He is not a sir!
09:12He is a candidate right now!
09:13You are a candidate?
09:14Candidate, good morning, candidate!
09:15There you go!
09:16Say it back to him!
09:17Candidate, good morning, candidate!
09:18Amazing!
09:18You guys will be wonderful!
09:19You'll get right along!
09:21Right along in fourth company, all right?
09:23The biggest thing I'm nervous about is just messing up,
09:26which I know will happen, but just trying to keep it to a minimum.
09:29Sir, aye, sir!
09:30Sir, this candidate does not know, but we'll know, sir!
09:32What comes with the struggle is growth.
09:34It makes me better.
09:35If I'm having a hard time, that means I'm going to come out of this stronger and in some way
09:40improved.
09:40Take the bag up higher.
09:42Straight out, 90 degrees.
09:43It's just intense.
09:44Like, you can look at all the pictures and all the YouTube videos,
09:46and it just doesn't prepare you for how intense it is.
09:50We didn't say that you nodded him as well.
09:53Sir, yes, sir!
09:54Sir, yes, sir!
09:55Candidate, motivate your socks!
09:57Bounce!
09:58Move!
09:58Get up, socks!
09:59Get up, socks!
10:01Get up, socks!
10:02Get up, socks!
10:04Motivate your socks!
10:04They don't seem motivated!
10:06Get motivated!
10:07Get up, socks!
10:08Get up!
10:09Keep going!
10:09It's just something we do.
10:11They've got to pull their socks up because nobody pulls their socks up.
10:14It's embarrassing.
10:15Nobody wants it to seem like that.
10:16You were going to look straight right here to stand there.
10:18In their head, they're probably thinking,
10:19what are we doing right now?
10:20But I mean, that's all part of the process.
10:22I'm not getting you!
10:23Greetings!
10:24That was my greeting!
10:25Good morning, sir!
10:26Most of us just got here!
10:27Good morning, gentlemen!
10:29Good morning, gentlemen!
10:30Good morning, gentlemen!
10:31Good morning, gentlemen!
10:33To be honest, this whole day has kind of felt like a fever dream
10:35because I can't really go back now.
10:37This is my life now, and there's no changing that.
10:39Eight ma'am.
10:40Nine ma'am!
10:41Nine ma'am!
10:41Eleven ma'am!
10:42All midshipmen at the Academy spend about 300 days across their second and third years
10:47working and training aboard commercial ships during what's known as Sea Year.
10:54In 2021, that program was rocked by allegations of sexual assault when a female midshipman alleged
11:02that she was raped by an officer unaffiliated with the Merchant Marine while serving aboard a
11:07Maersk cargo ship during her Sea Year. The case was resolved through a confidential settlement.
11:13There have been some significant changes. We have a very robust sexual assault prevention
11:18response program. When every midshipman gets back from their Sea Period, each midshipman is
11:23interviewed individually. Those responses are taken and that data is collected so that we can
11:28continuously improve on our response and coordination.
11:35A little afternoon, family members gather to witness plebe oath marking their transition
11:42from candidates to plebes at the Academy.
11:47Take two big steps to your right. Ready? Move!
11:50One, two.
11:55Ma'am, Fifth Company I'll present your account for.
11:58Very well!
11:59Please raise your right hands and repeat after me and that I will well and faithfully discharge
12:05And that I will well and faithfully discharge
12:07The duties of the office
12:09The duties of the office
12:11On which I am about to enter
12:13On which I am about to enter
12:16So help me God
12:17So help me God
12:18Congratulations, you may lower your hands.
12:21Wave to your parents.
12:24The plebes only have a few seconds
12:26to wave goodbye to their families.
12:32I could see my parents when I waved goodbye
12:34and I think that was worse because I started crying.
12:38But...
12:38I don't know. I'll miss them.
12:40They're proud of me and that's what counts.
12:47Today, there are about 200,000
12:51licensed merchant mariners.
12:52This group of plebes has taken
12:54the first step toward joining them.
12:57After taking the oath, they will
12:58begin 16 days of intense
13:00physical, psychological
13:02and academic challenges
13:04during indoctrination.
13:06Which all plebes must endure
13:08before officially becoming midshipmen
13:11at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.