Articles
The why and how of the Merchant Marine
CASTINE — World War II thrust American communication and commerce to new levels. But even before we were thrown into the war by the Japanese attack, the U.S. was supplying the Allies with means to fight. In the war years, tanks, torpedoes, men and material moved across the North Atlantic, come hell or high seas.
Those pre-school projects
In these last weeks before school, I have been in the throes of paying for college, working a summer job and trying to continue my physical training for Navy ROTC. Our summer projects are due the first week of classes, and I have been cranking on that as well. For the regiment of midshipmen, I
Leaders are made… if they follow this advice
I fear that if I stress the importance of leadership too often in my writing, its impact will wear out. However, leadership is the most important quality for each midshipman at Maine Maritime to develop, besides our actual training as sailors and engineers or businessmen and scientists. Last year, our freshman regiment class was assigned
Leadership in 14 bullet points
Leadership—what a broad, blanket term that is. At Maine Maritime Academy, leadership is an idea we hear about over and over. It makes sense, because each midshipman is training to be an officer in maritime service, and officers by their very definition are leaders. The mission of the regiment is implemented by “providing [men and
Today’s pirates are no Jack Sparrow
Much as it makes me feel as though I’m telling a small child the truth about Santa Claus, piracy in today’s merchant service is no gang of grizzly Geoffery Rush types eating apples and running about with daggers between their teeth. The romantic notion of piracy that Disney and others have built into our minds
Training ourselves to solve problems
In memoriam: At rest with the waves and wind
At Maine Maritime Academy, we are taught to wear our uniform with pride for those who have gone before us—for the men and women whose lives became merchant work in the service of the nation. The school was founded in 1941 to provide officers for one of the most vital and dangerous efforts in World
Murphy’s law ends MMA voyage
The best plans can be laid to waste. A storm can kick up unexpectedly and ruin a good run of fishing, or get somebody hurt. A bit of alcohol can toss a wrench in a plan. In the words used for every great mishap: “stuff” happens. We have a machine on board that regulates the