Class of 2024

Not many weeks ago, the US Merchant Marine Academy celebrated its commencement for the Class of 2024. Each year, there are around 200 graduates receiving their bachelors degrees, and an start to life as officers at sea (with a few going into the Army and Air Force). There are also a handful of masters degrees in Engineering, with one of my Class of 2015 classmates commencing again in 2024. I may not be a diploma-winning part of this pomp and circumstance, but I do feel something in common with these fresh graduates. In the past year, I earned my Chief Engineer's license. While I had done the studying and exams back in 2018, the final step- acquiring sea time as second-in-charge of the engineering department, eluded me for a while. It involved a job and lifesytle change (from office-based electrical engineer to at-sea First Assistant Engineer), as well as learning my new shipboard role in a fly. As someone else mentioned, they have books telling you how to be a new officer or a captain, but nothing for the roles in-between. There is a bit of foolish pride: a wall by the dining hall lists every graduate who became a Chief Engineer or Captain. At least it used to be there. As I analyzed previously on this blog, some classes graduated many who achieved this license, and some graduated few, depending on strong advancement opportunities in early career. My class was fortunate in this way. Literally having their name scratched on the wall, the maritime officer comes full circle from their classroom education. Other careers may require a masters degree or doctorate, but working through the ranks of shipboard positions is an indispensable part of educating those who lead onboard ships.