US mercantile marine / naval training ship in Cork Harbour

by Larry White Thu Jun 08, 2006 12:47

Many Colleges including Yale, Harvard, MIT, CALTECH have ROT programmes. That does not mean they are Military Academies.

by Slightly Confused Thu Jun 08, 2006 13:19

Is the non-IAWM Cork Anti-War Campaign orgainsing this? What's the story with the newly formed IAWM group in Cork?

Well done on the initiative.

by Joey Thu Jun 08, 2006 14:59

Larry White says that colleges like Maine Maritime Academy are not military academies. To be fair the author of the article never said they were, he said they were involved in training members of the US navy and army. So I suppose that makes them paramilitary academies. In any case they're part and parcel of the US military establishment, so the protest is justified on those grounds. Well done Cork.

by Larry White Thu Jun 08, 2006 15:31

The Cork Maritime College mostly trains Civilian Ship Cadets but it also trains a number of Irish Naval Corps Cadets each year. Does that make it a Paramilitary Academy?

by Mr. T. Fri Jun 09, 2006 03:16

In the US the maritime marine is automatically deputised as officers during national security emergencies. In maritime college these chaps are drilled and trained in military and naval skills. The maritime marine are reponsible for maintaining the lines of supply during wartime Tens of thousands maritime marines died fighting the nazi's and japanese forces during world war 2 as U-boats sank thousands of supply ships. It's an extremely dangerous job during wartime.

by Mr B Fri Jun 09, 2006 14:53

actaully these chaps are not military and none have signed any DOD papers. the men you are speaking of MR T graduate from kings point not MMA. . look it up if u want. www.usmma.edu

by Anonymous Fri Jun 09, 2006 14:54

First things first. The picture above is NOT from the mma.edu website. Maine Maritime offers sailing and engineering programs to young men and women who want to ship in the CIVIALLIAN business. They do offer ROTC programs, but many other public colleges and high schools offer the same programs. Few actually participate in the ROTC programs and the ones that do attend their own ROTC training cruise with the United States Navy as do other people in ROTC programs from public schools. The uniforms that you see are required by the school. They are simply a school uniform- NOT MILITARY. The uniforms are molded after service personnel; however Maine Maritime chose the uniforms specifically as a professional look for sea going sailors- Not to imitate Navy personnel.

by anon Fri Jun 09, 2006 15:04

http://images.google.com/images?q=%22rifles.jpg%22+mari...e=off

by Mr. T. Fri Jun 09, 2006 15:11

Straight from the US Merchant Marine FAQ:

What is the Merchant Marine?
The Merchant Marine is the fleet of ships which carries imports and exports during peacetime and becomes a naval auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war materiel. According to the Merchant Marine Act of 1936: "It is necessary for the national defense... that the United States shall have a merchant marine of the best equipped and most suitable types of vessels sufficient to carry the greater portion of its commerce and serve as a naval or military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency..." During World War II the fleet was in effect nationalized, that is, the U.S. Government controlled the cargo and the destinations, contracted with private companies to operate the ships, put guns and Navy personnel (Armed Guard) on board. The Government trained the men to operate the ships and assist in manning the guns through the U.S. Maritime Service.

Have I misunderstood something?

by MR B Fri Jun 09, 2006 16:43

i know what the merhcant marine is but we are not them. trust me i know. im part of it, the academies dont do anthing for war . unless u as a person sign up for mmr (merhcant marine reserve). the studetns on board are civilians and owe nothing to the government. war or no war. theat rule u mentioned only applies to kings point graduates. beleive me your wrong. i think theyd know if they were serving in the military. they are not merchant mariners. their sailors, but im sure theyd enjoy the show if u would to protest anyway

by beatpeace Fri Jun 09, 2006 19:37

Dear protesters,

PLEASE, check your facts and alter this article. The training ship State of Maine is just that, a MARITIME training ship. These ships are all over the world in many different forms! The photo you show IS NOT from Maine Maritime Academy!! I appericate that you want be active in making your voice heard for peace.... but protesting this ship will only be a waste of your time and an embarrassment to your organization. I am a graduate of this academy. I did not wear a uniform in school and I do not now. This is a training platform for students who will some day deliver goods all over the world aboard large ships. Yes, some students may choose to enter the Merchant Marine Reserve and MAY end up supporting a war effort, but not the majority of them. Please, leave the TS State of Maine and her crew alone, they mean no harm to anyone.
Thank You

by Torrey Tue Jun 13, 2006 20:53

For many of them, visiting Ireland is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Organising a welcome party of spite will leave a lasting impression of Ireland that will not soon be forgotten. Why not welcome the sailors with Guiness instead of hatred? What is it exactly that causes a reaction such as this?

by Peter Mann - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Thu Jun 15, 2006 14:58

Wow. I always knew the rest of the world didn't think too fondly of Americans, but this is the most rediculous and asinine thing I have ever read. in fact, it's almost funny. They were wearing uniforms? No kidding. . . most MERCHANT ship crews wear uniforms. It's called professionalism. These are kids being trained how to run ships - they're not commandos. You obviously have no understanding of shipping, ships or their crews. Maine Maritime is a state school - not a military institution. They graduate with Bachelor of Science or Engineering degrees - not "hoorah-gear" and rifles. Yes, they have a ROTC program there, but so do a bunch of other colleges in the U.S.. Most cadets that graduate go on to lead successful careers, both at sea on merhcant ships, and shoreside. You need to brush up on how the world works and find something better to do than protest a former Navy ship that is now being used to train those who keep the world's economy running.

MIDN Peter Mann
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, New York