The school should require parents and prospective students to watch a video explaining the regiment, INDOC, and MUG experience before enrolling. It should provide an honest, realistic look at the intensity of the program and what daily life is actually like, so families can make an informed decision.

Video link: https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-merchant-marine-academy-day-zero-2026-9?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=topbar

SUNY Maritime does an excellent job recruiting students and hosting an impressive Accepted Students Day, but there seems to be a disconnect between how the school presents itself and what students actually experience.

The regiment, INDOC, and especially the MUG experience are far more intense and military than we anticipated. I understand the need for discipline and structure, but I don't think families fully understand what they're signing up for until their kids are already there.

Greater transparency would help attract students who are a good fit for the regiment while helping others recognize early on if another university would be a better choice. This could reduce the number of students who leave the regiment, improve retention, and minimize turnover at the school. Ultimately, it’s a win-win for both the students and the institution.

Hi! I’m coming into Maritime next year for the Shipping and Logistics program. Do I get day student status if I did my bachelors in liberal arts with a minor in theatre? I’ve looked into the Maritime industry as a whole and it seems way more lucrative being a “mate” than being an “assistant apprentice”. Please let me know.

P.S: What is this about the ship leaving? How can you be a maritime school with no ship?

Sitting for qualifiers in three weeks. No one seems prepared. Anything we should know beforehand? For anyone who has recently sat for license, any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially anything about Chart Plot.

What should I expect as someone in their early 20s on the lifestyle through the 2.5 years spent at the academy?

I’m not from the city so I’m hoping to spend time visiting the boroughs on my free time and finding some jobs nearby on weekends or evenings.

I understand that after completing indoc I’ll take lots of classroom type classes for the first year then focus on sea terms. On top of classes, I’ll have to do formation and watch. I plan on completing the program as soon as possible starting next fall, I’ve overloaded on credits during my undergrad so I’m not too worried on the course load.

Point being, what could I look forward for outside of getting my deck license? What would my day look like? I’d really not wanna spend the next 3 years trapped at the school, I’d like to at least have time to meet people outside the college.

Maritime College Students, Alumni, Family, and Friends… shes gone, grey…

Source unknown, found on IG via students

This industry is sooooo bad! You are going to suffer so much! The pay will be piss poor awful and the hardships are so enormous! You have no rights at all while aboard as ship!! This job is ridiculous and I despise it!

What's the ballpark amount for the graduate program?

The website is a bit sparse regarding the costs for the license portion

Tuition is about 7k per semester and indoc/uniform is about 5k

What's the cost of other requirements?

I plan on doing a Masters during the fall 2027 semester and want to move into Throggs Neck/Pelham Bay Area over the summer to look for jobs.

I know many students have summer terms ashore and was wondering if anyone sublets over the summer.

Additionally, if anyone else is in my situation and wants to find an off campus rental hit me up. Ideally I’d like to sign a lease for a year so it’ll end by the time I start my first summer sea term.

I’m in my early 20s graduating from a undergrad state school this spring. I like making music on guitar and saxophone. So if anyone makes music that’ll be a plus too.

Jokes aside why would anyone put themselves through this insane 180-credit program for a deck license and BE electrical engineering? Anyone do it? Career paths?

I'm considering SUNY Maritime. I have several questions because I'm not super sure about what I want to do. I'm going to do engineering. Thinking M.E. degree. I want to build things or become a Navy aviator. First question: Will that degree and a 3rd AE license help me land a job at a ship builder, electric boat, defense contractor, etc? I would imagine the license/understanding how ship works would help you get a job. Has anyone taken this path? For those who've done NROTC at Maritime, what are chances of becoming a pilot? I heard it's a very good NROTC program.

This job is dire! It will wreck your mental health and physical health! The work is horrible and sucks! It will strip you of your freedom!

I hate this industry with a passion. I don't know why this academy even exist! This industry is the absolute worst job ever! This job doesn't pay well at all and then the cherry on top is it's really tiny not growing industry! I hope the jones act get repealed and the taxpayers can stop funding this school! I hate this industry with a passion!

I am hoping to use my GI bill for a graduate degree. I can’t find anywhere as to whether or not the Grad programs with the licensing option satisfy the full time student requirement for the GI bill.

I emailed the school and they didn’t have a great answer. I know that Maritime and Naval Studies is all online from what I heard. I think Shipping and logistics can be either online or in person? I just want to know whether or not the grad programs with license count as a full time degree.

Also was wondering what jobs exist for Maritime and Naval Studies on the shore side compared to the shipping and logistics degree. Do grad students go for shoreside options more than undergrad students?

Alright so I’m in my mid 20s (unc status ik) and an airline pilot.

I absolutely love flying, I don’t have any interest in leaving my career. But I’ve lived by the ocean most of my life and maritime is something that just seems interesting to me. I already have my bachelors, would it be a waste of time/money if I got a masters in maritime and naval studies? Just for personal fulfillment and to learn more about the industry? Getting the license alongside it isn’t an option because I’d have to quit my job lol.

Should I be worried about failing tnav and not making it on my mug cruise?

What percentage of mugs don't end up making it on mug cruise? I'm also a little worried about pre-calc because we have to pass pre-Calc to take tnav.

As a civi who failed out of 3rd class year due to it being to hard 😖 I have a friend who knows a classmate who’s in the regiment said:

Allegedly, Rear Admiral Okon failed 51 cadets during Admirals Inspection today just to make a point about fighting for the Ship which is leaving campus.
51 cadets sacrificed for the Empire State VII.

*☝️personally, I think that’s bullshit. I think as a civi my voice matters and I stand by my regiment classmates *✊

This industry is hot garbage and sucks! Fuck this industry! Worst decision of my life!

Empire State Departing campus Sept 30 and I’m FUCKING pissed. Something like it’s going to NSN in Virginia and going to take on troops and get a nice coat of grey hull. My buddy was on ship work and they had him making beds to get ready for sailors and they be tearing shit up on the helo deck welders and grinders to anything above 6 inches… which is a lot but not to some ig…
So, now that it’s leaving how am I going to get my sea says? I know they have been doing ship work and watches but I work on weekends and need my beauty sleep so… WHAT DO I DO?!?!

BREAKING: MARAD has officially stolen Empire State VII.
Apparently they’re taking our floating classroom to Norfolk on September 30 to “support a national mission.”
Meanwhile Maritime College students:
“Hey, where’s the ship?”
“Norfolk.”
“Okay… when is it coming back?”
“Around February 12.”
AROUND??? 😭
What the fuck does that mean? February 12 +- the entire academic year?
Can’t wait to show up for SST and find a fucking picture of Empire State taped to the pier.
“Alright cadets, today we’ll be learning shipboard firefighting.”
“Where’s the ship?”
“National mission.” 🇺🇸
At least the pier security will still be there guarding the empty dock like it contains nuclear launch codes.
Students First. Maritime Always.
SHIP FIRST? APPARENTLY NOT.

anyone in here switch from unlimited deck license to 2 year deck license? i have some questions.

I hate the maritme industry! I want out so badly! This jobs has been a fucking nightmare! I want another line of work so bad. Everyday I do this work is making me hate my life.

I’ve ran into the issue that when people ask what the college is about I go into a 2 minute description about a bunch of different things

If anyone has done this comment your experience and how it was, I am planning on switching from unlimited to limited program due to not wanting to go deep sea and wanting to work on tugs