Barbara Breen, age 13, of Jackson, Fla., for her question:
CAN GIRLS GO TO THE MERCHANT MARINE ACADEMY?
The United States Merchant Marine Academy receives equal status with the academies of the armed forces. Originally a male only organization, the academy accepted its first women students in 1974.
Candidates for the excellent school must be citizens of the United States and not less than 17 and not more than 22 years of age by July 1 of the year in which they seek admission. The young people must be of good moral character.
To be considered for the Merchant Marine Academy, a person must have 15 high school credits, including three units in mathematics, one unit in science and three units in English.
Competitive examinations are held each year among candidates nominated by United States senators or representatives. The academy, often called Kings Point, is located on 65 acres of land on the north shore of Long Island at Kings Point, N.Y. It is just 20 miles from New York City.
The United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps was established in 1938, and the academy was founded in 1942. In 1956 it became a permanent, government sponsored school and received equal status with the Army and Navy academies.
Appointments of young men and women to the academy are governed by a state and territory quota system based on population. The academy has an authorized strength of only 1,000 midshipmen. They represent 40 states, the District of Columbia, the Panama Canal Zone, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands.
The academy may also admit not more than 12 candidates from Central and South America.
At the academy, a four year course of undergraduate study is designed to prepare its graduates for the many problems that may confront merchant marine officers during their careers. Midshipmen study and gain practical experience in an atmosphere of order and discipline.
At the United States Merchant Marine Academy, young men and women study academic subjects that deal with marine, engineering, navigation, electricity, ship construction, naval science and tactics, economics, business, languages and history.
Midshipmen spend their first year as Fourth Classmen at the academy. Their second year, as Third Classmen, is spent aboard a merchant ship. Their third year, as Second Classmen, and fourth year, as First Classmen, are both spent at the academy.
When a person has completed his four year program, he is examined for his original license as third deck engineer, third assistant engineer, or dual license officer.in the merchant marine.
Graduates of the academy also receive bachelor's degrees and commissions as ensigns in the naval reserve.