Millersville’s Zurlo Brothers Graduate From U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

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Michael Alan Zurlo and Matthew Ryan Zurlo of Millersville recently graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point, New York. The brothers earned Bachelor of Science degrees and commissions in the U. S. armed forces. They also earned Merchant Marine officer licenses, qualifying them to serve as officers on any ship in the U.S. flag merchant marine. Both are graduates of Severna Park High School.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of five U.S. federal service academies. It educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers to serve the nation during peace and war. In addition to the rigorous academic and physical requirements for admission, applicants must be nominated by their congressman or senator. Michael and Matthew were nominated by former Senator Barbara Mikulski.

All USMMA graduates incur an obligation to serve the United States. The U.S. Flag Merchant Marine – manned exclusively by American 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” serve for eight years as Navy reservists in the Strategic Sealift Officer Program while working aboard U.S. flag vessels; others will serve on active duty in the armed forces.

By virtue of their elite training and real-world experience, graduates are ready to go on day one in service of American military strength and economic power. As part of their four-year education, the Zurlo brothers spent one year training as cadets aboard ocean-going vessels. Both brothers will serve on active duty in the U.S. Navy and are attending Navy Flight School in Pensacola, Florida, to become naval aviators.

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a 1986 alumnus of the academy, gave the commencement address and told the graduates, “Your graduation comes at a particularly important inflection point in the United States history. Sea power matters now more than ever. And a big part of that is all of you.”

Dedicated during World War II, USMMA has since served the nation in both peace and war. Learn more at www.wearetheusmma.com. For more information about the academy, visit www.usmma.edu.

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