Cadet Candidates To Participate In Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s Orientation Graduation On August 27

Family and friends will cheer on the Class of 2025

BUZZARDS BAY, MA – Aug. 27, 2021 – Nearly 400 cadets will participate in the Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s (MMA) Orientation Graduation under the lights of Clean Harbors Stadium beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. The young men and women who arrived on the MMA campus Aug. 14 to begin their journey as cadets will participate in the traditional ceremony marking their achievement of successfully completing the Academy’s two-week indoctrination program. Orientation is designed to quickly transform students to a regimented lifestyle, builds teamwork, camaraderie, self-discipline, and time-management skills while immersing them in a culture of maritime customs and traditions.

“Many of our cadets look back at Orientation as one of the best experiences of their lives,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, President of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “It is a time of hard work that truly challenges the individuals that choose the Academy, but it also is a time where cadets learn how physically and mentally strong they are and encourages them to build friendships that will carry them not only through their four years at MMA, but their entire lifetime.”

The program is led by upper class cadet leaders, known as cadre, who instruct, challenge and model the skills and behavior necessary for success. Orientation is a demanding experience that includes physical training, hands-on instruction, and team building activities all utilizing the Academy’s training platforms.

During Orientation, cadets gain skills in basic firefighting, watchkeeping, water survival,  sailing, and rowing. In addition, they learn the Academy’s history, customs and traditions, honor code, drill and ceremony, discipline program, and regimental manual.

Family members are friends are welcome to witness the annual Orientation Graduation ceremony, which includes a marching competition between the seven companies of cadets, graduation ceremonies, and the coveted awarding of the Admiral’s Cup to the company that accrues the most points during the two-week Orientation in the categories of knowledge (25%), esprit de corps (20%), intramurals (20%), physical training (5%), team building (15%), marching (10%), and monomy racing (5%). All campus visitors must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and be prepared to show proof of vaccination. If potential vaccinated visitors have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they must refrain from visiting campus unless they can provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72-hours of their arrival on campus. 

“Orientation Graduation is a milestone that deserves to be celebrated. Achieving graduation isn’t easy, but it truly prepares cadets for life at the Academy and beyond,” McDonald said. “I’m always impressed by the highly motivated, intelligent and inspiring men and women that arrive as freshman. It’s an honor to see them grow, learn and become the leaders that our world needs.” 

The evening’s events will also be live streamed at: https://www.facebook.com/MassMaritime/

After the ceremony, Freshmen will report back to campus on Tuesday, Aug. 31, and upper-class members return on Wednesday, Sept. 1 – MMA will begin the fall academic semester on Thursday, Sept. 2. 

In order to minimize the spread of COVID-19, MMA is requiring all cadets to be vaccinated. Full vaccination is considered 14-days after an individual’s second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. At this time, dormitory visitors are not permitted at the Academy. 

About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA): MMA is the nation’s leader in GWO training, continues to provide innovative insight in maritime responsibly energy initiatives, and is a fully accredited, four-year, co-educational state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, MMA has been preparing women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation’s finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Located on Cape Cod, at the mouth of the scenic Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the ideal college to pursue the love for the ocean, concern for the environment, interest in math and science, and thirst for adventure. Follow MMA on FB: @massmaritime; IG: @massmaritime; Twitter: @MMAadmissions; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy