Allison Taylor Schieffer, of Elbert, was recently sworn in as a midshipman in the U.S. Naval Reserve at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. Schieffer was nominated by Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers. In addition to the academic and physical requirements for admission, applicants must be nominated by their congressman or senator.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is one of five federal service academies, which include the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

All Merchant Marine graduates earn a bachelor of science degree and a Merchant Marine Officer license, and incur an obligation to serve the country as an active or reserve officer in the U.S. armed forces.

The U.S. Flag Merchant Marine — manned by U.S. merchant mariners — is essential for securing the country's commerce in peacetime and delivering warfighters, weapons and military supplies in times of conflict. The majority of Kings Pointers will serve as Navy reservists in the Strategic Sealift Officer Program while working aboard U.S. flag vessels; others will serve on active duty in our nation's armed forces.

As part of her four-year education, Schieffer will spend one year training as a cadet aboard ocean going vessels. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is the only federal academy where students train on commercial vessels traveling around the globe.

Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1943-2018). Dedicated in wartime, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy has served the nation in both peace and war. As the first federal academy to admit women, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first women to graduate from any federal service academy.

Learn more about the 75th Anniversary at www.WeAreTheUSMMA.com.