Many USMMA alumni stood in the same shoes as many of our fellow Kings Point midshipmen do now. This 2026 Commencement, we watched friends and classmates enter the Commencement ceremony to celebrate years of perseverance and hard work, while some of our respected peers were excluded solely because of having to retake the licensing exam. It's a moment and a memory many believe they deserved, and one they can never get back.

Kings Point is unique among maritime academies; it schedules licensing exams just two weeks before our graduation. Throughout the decades, this unique timing has meant several midshipmen found themselves having to retake the exam. Yet historically, following tradition and precedent, they were still allowed to participate in the ceremony along with their class, pending their exams being passed in September.

This policy needs urgent attention and change because the data does not support its necessity, and there have been no benefits outlined thus far to implementing this new policy. Many of our alumni—who once faced similar challenges—were allowed to walk with their peers. They went on to build distinguished careers in the maritime industry and armed forces, proving that having to retake an exam does not define our potential or our success. Furthermore, the administration has stated that they will allow these midshipmen to participate in all other graduation activities such as the cruise, pool, and ball, which can cost a family $8-10k to travel to NY only not to see their son or daughter walk in the

These midshipmen meet all other graduation requirements and deserve to be honored and celebrated with their peers. This policy will adversely affect all future midshipmen, their classmates, and families. It could also negatively affect recruitment. 

We call on the administration of the US Merchant Marine Academy to reinstate the policy that allows all graduating midshipmen, who have met their graduation criteria aside from the retaken licensing exam, to partake in their well-deserved moment of celebration. Let us honor those who have contributed greatly to the rich history and tradition of Kings Point, and ensure that future classes can celebrate their successes without exclusion.

Join us in urging the Academy to uphold this tradition and ensure no midshipman misses out on their Commencement ceremony celebrations. As alumni, parents and midshipmen, please sign this petition to make a meaningful change for our Kings Point community.