What's the role of the Merchant Marine Academy?

I'm trying to figure out what exactly the Merchant Marine Academy focuses on. How does it prepare students, and what mission or purpose does it serve in education or industry? Just exploring my potential post-high school options.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy, or USMMA, is one of five U.S. service academies, and it distinctively prepares students for careers in a variety of roles within marine and transportation industries.

Students at USMMA pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, a merchant mariner's license from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and a commission in any branch of the uniformed services. They're commonly referred to as "Midshipmen" during the course of their studies.

The Academy serves a dual purpose. First, it works to contribute trained personnel to the country's merchant marine. The merchant marine is the fleet of U.S. civilian-owned merchant vessels—operated by either the government or the private sector—that engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services. Merchant mariners support the nation's economic and security objectives in peacetime and serve as a naval auxiliary in times of war.

Second, the Academy is intended to provide the nation with leaders who are educated and ready to perform the duties of licensed officers at sea and to fill leadership positions in maritime, military and transportation career fields ashore.

USMMA’s curriculum is structured into two main parts. First, students take classes just like any other college student would, with four years of academics in a choice of six majors: Marine Engineering, Marine Transportation, Logistics and Intermodal Transportation, Marine Engineering Systems, Marine Engineering and Shipyard Management, and Maritime Logistics and Security. These majors cover different aspects of the operation and management of the marine vessels and the industry as a whole.

The second part is the Sea Year, an essential part of the education where Midshipmen spend painful months on commercial vessels. This direct experience at sea offers an unparalleled immersion into the realities of marine operations and supports the classroom knowledge with practical application.

Upon graduation, students have a five-year service obligation. The specifics of this commitment can vary, but generally graduates are expected to maintain their merchant mariner’s license for six years, spend five years in the maritime industry or another role approved by the Secretary of Transportation, and serve eight years in any branch of the military reserve unit.

Overall, the Academy's mission is to educate and graduate licensed merchant marine officers who serve America's maritime transportation and defense needs.