SCCS alumnus finishes training at USMMA

Graduates of the academy earn a bachelor of science degree, merchant marine officer license

Thomas Curry, a Santa Clarita Christian School graduate, recently completed his Sea Year training at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, or USMMA, in Kings Point, New York.

Sea Year is the USMMA’s signature training program where midshipmen — officers of the junior-most rank in the United States Navy — spend one year training aboard ocean-going vessels, including container ships, roll-on-roll-off ships, bulk grain ships, ore ships and oil tankers.

The immersive program, in which midshipmen are assigned to commercial vessels as officers in training, aims to teach maritime skills in a real-world environment.

Midshipman Curry was nominated to the elite federal service academy by Rep. Steve Knight, R-Antelope Valley, according to a USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation news release.

“(The Sea Year program is) an opportunity experienced by no other 18- to 24-year-old at any other school in the country and an immense opportunity for success,” Curry said in a news release.

Curry traveled to Malta, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Alaska aboard the Matson Anchorage, USS Frank Cable and the USS Ponce.

Sea Year is fundamental to the world-class maritime education provided by USMMA, which is mandated by Congress, according to the news release.

The USMMA is a federal service academy that educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers. Applicants must be nominated by their congressman or senator.

All USMMA graduates earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Merchant Marine Officer license, and incur an obligation to serve the country as an active or reserve officer in the U.S. armed forces.

For more information about the Academy, visit https://wearetheusmma.com.