Jared Walter Wood, a resident of West Valley City, Utah, has recently graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, New York. Wood earned a Bachelor of Science degree, a commission in the U.S. Armed Forces, and a Merchant Marine officer license, qualifying him to serve as an officer on any ship in the U.S. flag merchant marine.
The USMMA is one of five U.S. federal service academies, dedicated to educating and graduating licensed Merchant Marine officers to serve the nation during both peace and war. Admission to the Academy is highly competitive, requiring rigorous academic and physical qualifications, as well as a nomination from a U.S. Congressman or Senator.
Graduates of the USMMA incur a service obligation to the United States. This includes serving for five years in a maritime-related profession, maintaining a U.S. Coast Guard license for six years, and serving as a commissioned officer in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces for eight years. The U.S. flag merchant marine, manned exclusively by American mariners, plays a crucial role in securing the country’s commerce during peacetime and delivering military supplies in times of conflict.
During his four-year education, Wood spent approximately one year training as a cadet aboard ocean-going vessels, gaining practical experience essential for his future role. The Academy’s curriculum is designed to ensure that graduates are professionally competent, trained for leadership and responsibility, and well-rounded intellectually.
At the recent commencement ceremony, Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll addressed the graduates, stating, “All of you on this field are what keep our Army and the joint force moving around the world, and you are more important now than ever before.” Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, whose department oversees the Academy, introduced Secretary Driscoll and reaffirmed his commitment to rebuilding the USMMA’s infrastructure and strengthening America’s broader maritime capabilities.
Dedicated during World War II, the USMMA has since served the nation in both peace and war. Learn more at https://www.WeAreTheUSMMA.com. For more information about the Academy, visit https://www.usmma.edu/.