United States Merchant Marine Academy infrastructure and facilities modernization

Congress finds the following: (1) The United States Merchant Marine Academy plays a critical role in training service-obligated licensed merchant mariners to operate commercial vessels, in peacetime and during times of conflict. (2) The United States Merchant Marine Academy is 1 of the 5 Federal service academies and plays a critical role in maintaining a domestic, commercial maritime industry, with each graduate having a commitment to serve not less than 8 years in the foreign and domestic commerce and the national defense of the United States, which may include service on a merchant vessel documented under chapter 121 of title 46, and graduates make up more than 80 percent of the United States Navy’s Strategic Sealift Officer Program. (3) The United States defense readiness and economic security relies on a strong investment in training and cultivating United States Merchant Marine officers at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. (4) Most of the facilities at the United States Merchant Marine Academy date back to the Academy’s founding, have not been modernized since, and are not conducive to the immersive training and demanding coursework today’s Midshipmen are required to complete. (5) Rehabilitating and modernizing the campus infrastructure at the United States Merchant Marine Academy is necessary to ensuring current and future generations of Midshipmen receive a first-class education.