Letter: Kings Point needs one of its own at top
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located at Kings Point, graduated 229 merchant marine and military officers at its 80th commencement ceremony on June 18, 2016. Credit: Benjamin Benson
Newsday’s editorial “A tempest rocks King Point” [Sept. 18] brings up many valid points. However, there is much to be proud of when it comes to the Merchant Marine Academy. Graduates have a military obligation and must serve as a commissioned officers in one of our armed forces.
Kings Point is the only service academy where the appointed superintendents are often not graduates of the academy and have no merchant marine experience. The current superintendent is a retired Army officer. To properly run Kings Point, you need a superintendent with merchant marine experience, and preferably a Kings Point graduate.
John J. Tarpey Jr., Massapequa
Editor’s note: The writer is the parent of a Kings Point graduate.
