Worn by Midshipmen who have earned the Gold award while a member of the Girl Scouts. Medal shall only be worn during scout functions. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
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After the reorganization of the education program and alignment of the Cadet Corps into a Naval-style Regiment in January 1943, the U.S. Maritime Commission ribbons denoting academic honors fell by the wayside and cadet-midshipmen began adopting uniform notions from the U.S. Naval Academy. After the Second World War, the Academy became the recipient of a legacy of Admiral Emory S. Land – ex-chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration – a champion and supporter of both the Academy and a strong United States Merchant Marine in the form of an academic medal. Academic Stars and the Admiral Land Medal are markers of the long importance the Academy has held academics in its dual program of training learned and skilled merchant marine and military officers.
In 2017, Midshipmen are awarded Academic Stars on the following basis:
Gold Star: a QPA of at least 3.50 with no course failures in the term. (left)
Silver Star: a QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49 with no course failures in the term. (right)
They are awarded on a term basis; for Term 1, the award ceremony takes place in February.
If a midshipman falls below the requisite QPA, the Academic Star is removed from the midshipman’s uniform. It is worn below the U.S.N.R. badge (known as the “Eagle Pin”) and above the left breast pocket; if the midshipman is wearing a ribbon rack (“Glory bars”), the star is placed above the ribbons.
Since Academic Stars were awarded each term, midshipmen once had the option of wearing each awarded Star on their uniform; I note the most worn was eight in 1971. Unlike their counterparts across the Long Island Sound at SUNY Maritime, Kings Pointers only now wear one Academic Star at a time; they abandoned this practice at the close of the 1970s.
Is worn for two academic quarters after the quarter for which it is awarded. This is irrespective of when the star is actually physically awarded. Only one star may be worn either a Silver Star for a GPA of 3.25 to 3.49 or a Gold Star for GPA of 3.5 and above. This device is worn above the left pocket, but below the eagle. The Regimental Academic Officer (RAO) is recognized to be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
The first published Regulations Governing Appointments to Cadetships in the Merchant Marine of the United States in 1939 has a short section on Awards; it notes:
16. (a) Cadets receiving average grades of 85 percent or higher in annual examinations shall be permitted to wear a blue and white ribboned pin with a small gold anchor or propeller, as appropriate, in the white center. If a cadet receives a grade of 85 percent or higher in subsequent annual examinations additional small gold anchors or propellers shall be place on the pin.
(b) Steamship company employers may select one cadet (D) and one cadet (E) on January 1st of each year, as outstanding cadets in their service. The reports of the District Cadet Training Instructor may be consulted for the purpose of comparison or the employers may make awards based in their own records. Cadets selected by employer shall be permitted to wear a gold and blue ribboned pin with gold anchors or propellers, as appropriate, on the blue center. This pin shall not be awarded more than once to any cadet. If an outstanding cadet also has won a pin for high scholastic grades such pin shall be work as a continuation of the other.
However, with the issuance of Executive Order 9083 dated February 28, 1942 “Redistribution of Maritime Function” per “Section 5. Transfer of Training Functions from Maritime Commission,” the training of cadet-midshipmen came under the purview of the Coast Guard. With this change, previous awards to cadet-midshipmen ceased. Shortly thereafter, when the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy recruited Captain James H. Tomb as Superintendent in April 1942, the award structure re-visited. By 1943 came the “Scholastic Star.” Due to the nature of the instruction at the Academy, during the Second World War, the Star was only found on the uniforms of Second and First-Class Midshipmen. Unlike the present QPA qualifications determining which star could be worn, the Scholastic Star was awarded by the Academy’s Academic Board to midshipmen in the top 10% of their class. So as long as a midshipman remained in the top 10%, they rated the wear of the Star. It was available to midshipmen beginning the second quarter of their first year.
It took another twenty years before the “Outstanding Cadet” pin was re-introduced as the “Sea Year” ribbon.
The Academy has awarded midshipmen the Admiral Emory S. Land Medal for Excellence in Naval Architecture (also known as the abbreviated “The Admiral Land Medal”) at graduation since the class of 1950 up until the present day. At its outset, the medal was only one of ten awards available at graduation, The original qualifications are hazy; however, its past recipients often graduated Cum Laude. Its existence first appeared in print in the June 1950 issue of Polaris:
Unlike the other awards and decorations granted to midshipmen, this medal was only worn by the recipient in their last moments as a member of the Cadet Corps. In less than a couple of hours after the award’s announcement, the midshipman became a Kings Point alumnus. This has changed in recent decades as the number of awards granted to midshipmen at graduation has increased
Today, the medal is awarded a day prior to final exercises at a two-hour-long ceremony called “Awards Convocation” during the Academy’s “June Week.” The medal is one among 91 academic and service-oriented and 10 athletic awards granted to graduating midshipmen; and, it is one of the two medals sponsored by the Superintendent’s office. Along with the engraved medal comes a cash prize of $500 and the placement of one’s name on a perpetual plaque outside the Academy’s main space for public events, Ackerman Auditorium. The criteria for the medal are simply for a midshipman “outstanding in Naval Architecture” as selected by faculty who teach Naval Architecture. A noted change in the past decade is the medal is now known as “The Admiral Land Medal and Award.”
Despite the close similarity in name with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), “The Vice Admiral Emory S. ‘Jerry’ Land Medal for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Marine Field,” the similarity is in name only. The Academy’s medal it is not sponsored by SNAME; in fact, the United States Merchant Marine Academy medal predates the 1952 creation date of the SNAME medal by two years. It is one of three decorations named in the honor of Admiral E. S. Land; the other two are the SNAME award as noted above, and the “Admiral Emory S. Land Trophy” – awarded since 1952 for leadership in athletics by the University of Wyoming to select undergraduate students; Admiral E. S. Land was an alumnus of the University of Wyoming.
Below, please find the sixth awarded Admiral Land Medal and an example of the current medal. The original medal was gilded bronze. As a design note, Admiral E. S. Land has a Maritime Commission “V” pin on his coat lapel. The present medal appears to be a cast in a base metal. (click on images for higher resolution examples)
Col.: IW
Col.: USMMA
Many thanks are due to the tireless efforts of Dr. Joshua Smith at the American Merchant Marine Museum to locate an example of the present medal and to verify the medal is still awarded.
This is an academic honor ribbon.
The ribbon’s award “reflect[s] not only academic excellence but include high marks in shipboard evaluations by their ship’s officers.” The ribbons are an award for both the first and second sea years. The award ceremony for the Sea Year Academic ribbon is coterminous with the Term 1 Academic Stars award ceremony. It is blue and gray, the school colors.
The ribbon has four grades: Honor Ribbon, Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star, with Silver Star, and with Gold Star (2017).
Honor Ribbon: A QPA of at least 3.25 up to and including 3.49 for the first time, during the second sea year, no failing grades, and above average (3.0) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which have been entered in to Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.
Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star: A QPA of at least 3.50 up to and including 3.49 for the second sea year, no failing grades, and above average (3.0) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which have been entered in to Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades.
Honor Ribbon with Silver Star: A QPA of at least 3.25 for the second sea year period, no failing grades, and above average (3.0 or better) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which Evaluations have been entered in to the Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades, and earned any Honor Ribbon during first sea period.
Honor Ribbon with Gold Star: A QPA of at least 3.50 for the second sea year period, no failing grades, and above average (3.0 or better) on Shipboard Performance Evaluations, all of which Evaluations have been entered in to Academy’s Professional Development and Career Services Shipboard Data Base at the time of the initial posting of Sea Project grades, and earned Honor Ribbon with Bronze Star during first sea period.
The ribbon is worn “on all uniforms except the Boiler-suit and Athletic uniforms. When Worn it shall be located on the left side of the last row of ribbons, or, if no other ribbons are worn, it shall be centered with the lower edge ¼” above the left pocket. Ribbon shall be worn with the blue field inboard, and the point of the star upwards (if star applicable).” (USMMA 2012)
N.B.: This ribbon is also called “Scholastic Honor Ribbon” (1978, 2000, 2005, 2015), “Sea Year Honor Ribbon” (1964, 1968, 1985, 2012), “Sea Year Academic Ribbon” (2007, 2017), “Honor Ribbon” (2015, 2017), “Sea Year Ribbon” (2014, 2017, 2018), or “Sea Year Scholastic Ribbon” (2017), depending upon the communication.
Reference:
Professional Development & Career Services, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Sea Year Guide (July 24, 2012). U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, 2012.
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with bronze star (3⁄16“)
with silver star (3⁄16“)
with gold star (5⁄16“)
Changes were made to the both the ribbon and grades in later 2017. The ribbon was changed to blue and white, with blue inboard – matching the traditional colors of the ribbon – along with a re-write of the appurtenances.
Awarded to any midshipman for exemplary academic performance during the Sea Year, in accordance with the criteria set forth in the “Academic Handbook”. A subsequent award shall be indicated by a 3/16 inch bronze star. (Blue stripe is worn inboard). The Regimental Shipboard Training Liaison Officer (RSTLO) will be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
No longer were the silver and bronze stars; it follows that the award henceforth would have a maximum of two bronze stars.
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Drum Major Service Ribbon
Is awarded to present or former qualified Drum Majors. To qualify, a member of the Band must be selected to be a Drum Major for their class and lead the Band in at least one performance. The Regimental Band Master (RBM) is authorized to be the recommending official for this award.
Eagle Scout Ribbon
This is an organization ribbon. It is primarily purchased and worn by members of the Eagle Scout Club. To qualify for the ribbon, individuals must either have been Eagle Scouts or Girl Scouts prior to matriculation at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
According to Scouting records, of the 279 midshipmen in the Class of 2020, 58 are Scouts and of those, 34 are Eagle Scouts – making up 20.8% and 12.2% of the total student body, respectively. Taking into consideration that the Class Profile is 19.7% female, the numbers are skewed to 25.9% and 15.2% of all male midshipmen. If the statistics hold for each class, there are 130 Eagle Scouts within the ranks of Kings Pointers. However, any given year, there are 14-15 midshipmen in the Eagle Scout Club.
Statistics on Girl Scouts is not known.
Worn by midshipmen who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout while a member of the Boy Scouts of America. (Red stripe is worn inboard). Medal shall only be worn during scout functions. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
The Academy has authorized the wearing of the EMT Service Ribbon to an individual who serves as a licensed EMT-B, or higher, on the Academy EMS Squad. A Gold Frame ribbon device is authorized to be worn with the EMT Service Ribbon for individuals who serve as an EMS Officer. A Gold Star ribbon device is authorized to be worn with the EMT Service Ribbon for the individuals who have served as an EMS Petty Officer for a complete officer rotation. A Silver Star ribbon device is authorized to be worn with the EMT Service Ribbon for the individuals who have served on the EMS Squad during the Indoctrination Period for Plebe Candidates. The RESCO is authorized to be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
Fanfare Trumpet Squad Ribbon
This is an organization ribbon. The Fanfare Trumpet Squad was a component of the Regimental Band. It was comprised of 10 midshipmen – ranging from Midshipmen Third to Second Class – in two sections: “Fanfare Trumpet” and “Bass Fanfare Trumpet.”
Is awarded to present or former qualified members of the fanfare trumpet squad. To qualify, a member of the Band’s Fanfare Trumpet Squad must have performed at least three times. The Regimental Band Master (RBM) is authorized to be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
Training Vessel Service Ribbon
Is awarded to any midshipman who has completed an extended training cruise aboard the T/V KINGS POINTER. The Department of Waterfront Activities shall establish the criteria for this award, as well as any devices that may be worn to indicate additional service or advanced training. The Regimental Waterfront Officer (RWO) is authorized to be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
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Honor Plebe Ribbon & Honor Plebe Company Ribbon
The upper is a personal commendation ribbon and the below is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.
One Plebe from each platoon who their Drill Instructors feel performed “above and beyond” during Indoctrination is nominated as an Honor Plebes. Only ten Plebes are so honored each year. Each company that shows the best performance is denoted “Honor Plebe Company” and awarded the Honor Plebe Company ribbon. Prior to 2017, three Plebes from each company were given the award since companies were comprised of three platoons.
After the administration of the Naval Oath, Honor Plebes and Honor Plebe Platoon are honored on Acceptance Day. The Honor Plebes are awarded the Honor Plebe ribbon and “Certificate for outstanding performance of duty” and participate in an Honor Plebe Dinner at Melville Hall. The most outstanding of Honor Plebes is chosen to be the “Regimental Bell Ringer” – this individual rings the bell outside of Melville Oval to start school days and as well as football games.
Honor Plebe Ribbon
Is awarded to Midshipmen who have excelled as candidates during the indoctrination program. It is awarded annually by the Commandant during the Acceptance day ceremony. It is based on the Regimental Leadership and Assessment Program (RLEAP) grade during indoctrination. The highest grade in each platoon makes up the two overall winners in each company. The Regimental Evaluations Officer (REO) is authorized to be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)Honor Platoon Ribbon
Awarded to those midshipmen who were members of the Honor Platoon for their class’ Indoctrination. The Regimental Evaluations Officer (REO) is authorized to be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
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Academic Platoon Ribbon
This is a unit commendation ribbon awarded after Indoctrination.
Note: Ribbon orientation in NEX 2017 charts is incorrect; blue is inboard, gold is outboard.
Awarded to those midshipmen who were members of the Academic Platoon for their class’ Indoctrination. The Regimental Evaluations Officer (REO) is authorized to be the recommending official for this award. (USMMA MIDSHIPMAN UNIFORM REGULATIONS, 11 August 2017)
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In August 2017, the ribbon for the award changed.
