Western Pennsylvania All Service Academies' Ball

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is charged with training officers for the United States Merchant Marine, branches of the military, or the transportation industry. Midshipmen are trained in navigation, ship's administration, maritime law, personnel management, international law, Customs, electrical and mechanical systems, and many other subjects important to the task of running a large ship.

During the 1990's, the academy's future seemed in doubt, as its elimination was recommended by the National Performance Review efforts of the Clinton administration, chaired by then-Vice President Albert Gore Jr.

Most recently, Academy midshipmen and graduates have been involved in many facets of the War in Iraq. Many graduates were involved in the transportation of supplies during the buildup to the war in 2003. Many graduates in the Naval Reserve have been called to serve supporting Naval roles in ports in Iraq and Kuwait. Graduates who have entered other branches of the service have had more direct roles in Iraq. Aaron Seesan, a 2003 graduate and Army Lieutenant, was the first graduate to give his life for his country during a war since Vietnam.