THE ACADEMY

A Dinner to Honor

2010-05-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a special day here on campus. We had the author of "SEAL of Honor, and parents of Lt. Micahel Murphy - a Navy SEAL, on campus today. They were here to sign the newly released book, which is already one of the best sellers. Lt. Micheal Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor for putting his life on the line for his country and ultimately making that sacrifice while trying to save his men during an attach in Afghanistan. Both the father and the author spoke tonight at a dinner to explain leadership and what it means to fight for your country. It was both a moving and motivating speech and glad the i got the opportunity to meet the family.

The following is the story of what happened and why he was awarded the medal. This brings to light the realities of war, and reminds us that each soldier is fighting for our freedom.

On 28 June 2005, Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy led a four man special reconnaissance SEAL team consisting of Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Danny Dietz, Sonar Technician 2nd Class Matthew Axelson and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcus Luttrell to locate Ahmad Shah, a notorious Taliban leader in the remote Hindu Kush Mountains of eastern Afghanistan. After an initial infiltration to begin Operation Red Wings, local goat herders stumbled upon the team's hiding place. Unable to verify any hostile intent from the herders, Murphy ordered them released. Shortly after the herders left, the team was surrounded by a large force of Taliban fighters. After about an hour and engaged in the most fierce fire fight since World War II and the most fierce in SEAL team history, LT Michael Patrick Murphy, in a last ditch effort to save his men knowingly stepped into the line of fire to obtain reception for his cell phone in order to call for reinforcements. One of the two rescue helicopters sent in response to Murphy's call was shot down killing 8 navy SEALS and 8 Army "Night Stalkers". Marcus Luttrell was the lone survivor and gave a detailed briefing to military leaders that resulted in LT Michael Patrick Murphy being awarded this nation's highest military award, the Medal of Honor.

Another Day

2010-05-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

**PICTURES COURTESY OF ERIC HEINEMANN, NJ

Spring is here, and the campus is looking better than ever. Its almost like a jungle on campus with all the trees, flowers, and plants... just being outside puts you in a good mood. Nothing new to update you on up here, except to say that another week is about to cloose.

One cool thing that we did get to do today is go up the Houston Ship Channel... on a simulator. The one pictured above isn't exactly what i used, it has a couple more items in it, but it is all pretty much the same. It is so realistic; its very cool to actually be in charge of a ship, even if it is on a computer! haha

I'm Back

2010-05-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between coming back from sea, focusing on sea year exams, and sharing the coveted sea stories with friends, updating the blog got lost in translation; but i'm finally back.
Things are again back to normal and the last trimester of 3/c year is going pretty well for the most part. All the basic classes are done and we are now begining to learn a lot about the field we will be entering after the next two years. I am taking a logistics management class, tankers class, cargo operations/ship stability class, and ship handling. It is all pretty neat stuff, and includes playing with simulators once a week.
The weather is finally getting beautiful up here in the North East, winter has left the building - at least for now.
So far that is what i have been up to, here is a vide to leave you with, it includes man pictures taken from around the world! ENJOY!

Goodbye School, Hello World

2009-11-03T22:07:00.001-08:00

Today was my last day at home... I got to do so many incredible things while spending a short vacation back home in Texas. Flying with an awesome friend for some to kill for BBQ, taking a grandma flying for the first time in a long time, eating with a gingall in her halloween costume when nobody else was dressed up! haha There was so much to do and so many people to see. But i think that i got to see everyone (at least i hope i did).

Everyone is asking what i am feeling? What thoughts are going through my head? Am I excited? To answer these questions... yes, I am SO excited, but at the same time I am feeling nervous with a little anxiety thrown in the mix! haha What is there not to be excited about. I'm heading off to go around the globe (LITERALLY) and get paid... who else gets that opportunity. The moment that i have waited for, for a year and a half, has finally made its approach and has arrived. There is nothing that I or anyone else can do to stop it.

I am going to miss my family, the support system, and all of my friends who somehow seem to make me laugh every hour of the day at the #1 school in the nation for unhappiest students. There is so much to miss, that's what makes this the hardest.

So when 8 am arrives thursday morning, after one look at my sea partner and a nod of approval, I am going to take a bold step and lead one foot behind the other... I am going to walk up that gangway and make my presence known... KEEGAN farley has arrived. Go ahead world, throw what you can at me, nothing is stopping me now, there is nothing in this world that I or anyone else in this world can't achieve. Dream it, Believe it, Do it.

Thanks to everyone who believed in me, kept pushing me to go forward and not give up. This trip is for you!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2009-10-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the last day that i will be spending here in Kings Point for the next 4 -5 months. Its soooo nice to finally walk through the gate out front that has kept me locked inside for so long. It is going to be a nice break and one that i have definitely needed. So far I think that everything has gone farely well this week. I still do not know my economics grade which is the one that i am worried about the most.

Its time to raise the sails and let them fly!

Hopefully i get to see everyone back home!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!! thought this was a pretty fitting picture for this blog.

SOLAS

2009-10-26T20:22:00.000-07:00

I completed two of the hardest finals of the week, whether i did good on them... i don't know. we won't get the grades for a little bit. It was definitely stressful and made for a long day. tomorrow i a have SOLAS - Safety of Life at Sea - what to do if my ship sinks; how to surivev, you know the basic stuff. It is a pretty simple class.

So i checked the forecast and it looks like when i come home your weather turns to sunny. Maybe i'm just good luck or something because i don't think you guys have gotten any sunshine in Texas for the past month or two.

t-4 days until headed towards the west! Texas i'm almost home...

Finals Week

2009-10-25T18:57:00.000-07:00

Alright, this week happens to be my most important week of the trimester, it is FINALS week. This is where one test happens to be half or 25% of your grade. Its crazy, you have worked soooo hard for the last 12 weeks and now it all comes down to one test! thats a major portion of your grade. So what i need from you is a prayer and good luck.

This is the most stressful week for any midshipman up here at USMMA! if only i did not have to go through weeks like this things would great up here in NY.

Tomorrow happens to be my hardest day with an economics test worth 50% of my grade, that is my hardest class this try!! please wish me luck!!!!

I'll try to update this as much as i can this week but i can't make any guarantees. HAPPY MONDAY... :-(

Sea Projects

2009-10-20T21:12:00.000-07:00

I thought i would make this post a little more informational. Most of you know that i will be going out to sea in just a few weeks time, but what you may not know is that i have to do what is called Sea Year Projects... and is a lot of what seperates this maritime academy from the rest. It is very rigerous and difficult, its truly to be completed after 4 months and no less.

The reason why i tell you this is that its not all fun and games or a vacation, also today we had a lecture over how to deal with the projects and the stress it brings on. Although i will be traveling around the world, i will still be doing school stuff too! stinks, i know.

Just a side note, i just found out i could be stopping in Pakistan too.

Almost There

2009-10-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

Well, here we go another week to get through! Sorrry i was not able to post for much of this past week, i had much going on up here at school. We had four major exams in span of two days, therefore i was doing my best to get through it studying pretty hard for most of the week.

For the most part the exams went by ok, except for my economics exam... but we'll save that conversation for a rainy day! haha

It's beginning to get really cold up here, with highs in yhe 40's. I'm just glad that i am out of here in a matter of two weeks. This is our last week of classes, followed by finals week. I'll keep you posted.

Awesome Quote

2009-10-08T09:50:00.001-07:00

Throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

~ Mark Twain.

Coming Home

2009-10-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

For all who are interested I will be coming home October 30 - November 4... i am pretty excited, this is the time off i get before catching my ship up here in the Port of NY! Things have been pretty busy up here at the academy... lots of test and homework and that sort of stuff, its all so much fun! NOT. it's definitely a lot of work and i can't wait to get out of here for a change.

So i hope everyone is having a great time back home and enjoying the fall weather. Up here it has been reallllly nice, fall up here in the north has been great, i am just glad that i am not going to have to be here in the winter.

Homecoming

2009-10-05T03:53:00.000-07:00

It was Homecoming weekend this weekend, there were many alumni that came to celebrate. Even member from the class of of 1944, which is the second year that the academy was open, was in attendence. As always here, whenever there is a big event a major thunderstorm seems to always roll on through. At half time of the football game, the skies opened up and the rain came down. That ended the football game pretty quickly. We all went back to our rooms, and made new plans.

I decided to enjoy the night life with some of my in NYC. It turned out to be a fun night and the rain made it for a nice evening out.

Busy Week

2009-10-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Well guys, sorry i haven't been able to write in a few days. It has been a very busy week for me with lots of tests... hopefully i did okay on them, but you never know, i am always so nervous about tests.

Everything has been going great up here. I really think that we skipped fall and hit winter, boy it has been really cold up here. The highs have been in the 50's for the last few days. I officially have four weeks left until the trimester is over, boy how time flies. Nothing too new or exciting for me. This weekend is homecoming weekend, so many of the alumni will be arriving tomorrow. Thats always a good time and its fun to hear the sea stories that they all tell.

enjoy your day!

Another Day in NY

2009-09-28T19:08:00.001-07:00

Only 5 weeks until i am out of NY for 4 months, i can't wait... it's going to be so nice to be gone from this place for a while!! Not much is really going on up here right now, winter is definitely approaching fast. it's starting to get pretty chilly up here, with highs of about 65 or 70, which is really nice. Besides school i'm just trying to figure out how one prepares for such a long time at sea?

well, i won't keep you too long... hope everyone is having fun back home!!!

What I Have Been Waiting for Since Arriving July 9, 2008

2009-09-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

I officially found out what ship i will be spending the next four months on!! I am going to be on the APL President Jackson, a container ship that is 902 ft. long, which is about three football fields long.

So where will i be going? I depart NY on November 5 and will travel to Dubai, Sri Lanka - India, Port Kelan - Malaysia, Singapore, the Suez Canal, The Straits of Gibralter, and the Gulf of Aden... to go to Singapore and back will take around 60 days... i will do two runs, which equals to 112 days out at sea. This is about the closest you can come to taking a ship, who has a scheduled route, around the world. Lots of picture opportunities!!

This is the Route to Singapore via the Atlantic Ocean. (Click to see bigger)

This is the route from singapore back to U.S. via Atlantic Ocean. (click to see bigger)

I am so excited and can't wait to get out there and see the world.

Did Somebody Say FIRE!?

2009-09-21T16:15:00.000-07:00

Today was a jam packed day... the day began at 5:30 am, the time i woke up, to prepare for our Firefighting field trip. In order to go out to sea you must be qualified in basic firefighting skills. We have already taken the class and now it was time to do the practical skills.
Me and my 17 section mates of 3T1 took a charter bus to a small town in rural New Jersey. They have a firefighting school there that specializes in maritime fire safety. Once arriving we sat through about a 20 minute class and then it was time to pick out our safety gear.

In no time we were out on the hoses spraying things down to get used to the pressure in the hoses and the types of sprays. As soon as we felt comfortable, a fire was lit in the engine room of the mock ship. With our full gear and air devices (SCBA, which is the mask we are wearing in the picture below) we took turns entering into the engine room (2 at a time) to put out the fire. Man it was hot in there, it was pretty neat go in and see what big fire is like. Once this activity was done we practiced in spraying foam on oil fires, using fire extinguishers to put out kitchen fires, and much more. It was a very educational day and definitely a lot of fun... I can thank all of you taxpayers for all of the fun we had!!! haha

What a Weekend

2009-09-20T20:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend was absolutely B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, we just had to get out and enjoy it. Saturday we had inspection followed by a football game. We decided once liberty commenced to go to Roosevelt Field Mall about 20 minutes from Great Neck. It is a HUGE mall and has every store known to man. I had a good time with my friends and got a new pair of tennis shoes.

Sunday i slept in then went to TGI Fridays later in the day... which is always a nice way to end the weekend. Thats about it. Tomorrow its off to Firefighting school in NJ!!! I'll let you know how it goes.

to be cont'd

THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY

2009-09-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

As lovely as this academy is (sarcasm) they somehow always seem to have trouble with their internet systems... it has been so slow lately, but hopefully its back and working fine now.

It was "Cookie Cafe" day, the first one of the year at that!! Cookie Cafe is always nice, its a little reminder of home with all kinds of homemande cookies sent from the parents associations. Sometimes there are parents there to help cook too. Yesterday USMMA had a celebrity family here, the Heinemann family. They cooked lots of cookies and brought milk for the M/N at the academy. The number cookies that cooke cafe had for the day, around 14,000!! crazy, but boy were they good.

The picture above is just one example of a batch of cookies sent by one family!

Thank God its friday, and the week is finally over! Boy what a long week

A Good Day

2009-09-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today turned out to be a great day. A test i didn't do too well was curved to a better grade, lunch was good (tacos), and it was a beautiful day outside.

There isn't too much to talk about today, so i'll just leave you with some pictures.

The car was my friend Heinemann's mustang, one of the nicest i have seen... since he's on the volunteer fire department his car is equipped with emergency lights. we got bored and took some pictures.

A Night Away

2009-09-14T14:10:00.000-07:00

I got the opportunity to go with one of my best friends, Heinemann, to New Jersey... and let me tell you NJ is a lot prettier than they ever get credit for. Within 15 minutes we were in the moutains in a state park while 15 minutes in the other direction gives you the urban life. Its a very neat place. We ate dinner saturday night at a very good italian food restaurant. Then on sunday morning i had my first North East bagel... apparently i haven't lived unless i have eaten a bagel and it was very good. We spent much of the day driving around and also at the Firehouse that Heinemann is a part of. There was a great group of people there that i was fortunate enough. Just before having to come back the Heinemann family treated me with steak, fries, and homemade cookies. They were SPECTACULAR! thanks to Heinemann for a really great weekend!!!!

Also i would like to say thanks to him for many of the pictures of his that i have used on this blog.

This weekend happened to be a very awesome weekend. It was parents weekend and Coast Guard weekend. Our football played the USCG Academy, their academy bussed in about 700 cadets and we had all of our school plus the parents. It was a very packed game and one of the best i have seen here. It went into double overtime and we won!!! GO USMMA

Parents Weekend

2009-09-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

This upcoming weekend is parents weekend for the class of 2013, i just can't beleive it has been one entire year since it was my parents weekend. Parents weekend means that 2013 will be sworn in by the Commandant of the Coast Guard into the Naval Reserve, they will get a little more freedom, but not a whole lot.

Not much is going on today, we had very beautiful weather today, which is always nice. And the Regiment had a BBQ while the soccer team played a game, so thats always a nice change.

As i write this blog, a song came on "Taking Chances" by Celine Dion, and i think that it perfectly describes what many Mishipman have done at the this academy. We are all taking a chance, and hopefully it all works out!

I put some pictures of from Parents Weekend of last year. Enjoy!

Trip To Virginia

2009-09-07T17:45:00.000-07:00

I'm back at the Academy now, after a nice three day weekend in Reston, Virginia. Reston is about 30 minutes outside of Washington D.C.. I went down there with Adam Wise, a good friend of mine and my sea year partner. We rode the bus down there, which was supposed to take about 4 hours... but, due to one of the NYC's tunnels being closed we had to travel 1.5 miles south which in NYC traffic took 2.5 hours!! and then just when we were about to go in the tunnel, we hit a car, then we got back in line for the tunnel. Luckily that was the only bad luck we had.

On Saturday we went canoeing down the Patomac River. We went down the river for about 7 miles. We saw some deer and other wildlife, it was a very pretty scene with all of the trees and bends in the river. It would have helped if we would have had a little more current though.

On Sunday, i got to go to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum!!! Something i have wanted to do for a long time now. It was AMAZING, to say it in simple terms. It was a large hangar filled to the brim, literally with airplanes... they even had an actual retired Space Shuttle, along with a 164-ft mock control tower which over looked Dulles airport.

The weekend was also filled with some good home baked meals, relaxing, movie watching, and talking with the Wise Family. They are great people and I am glad i got the opportunity to spend Labor Day Weekend with them.

Now I got to get back in gear for school. Here we go...

Virginia

2009-09-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

It's off to Virginia for the Labor Day weekend. I am heading down there with a good friend of mine. It's going to be a nice needed break away from the Academy. I hope everyone has a good weekend off of work and gets a chance to have fun and relax a little.

HAPPY LABOR DAY

We Will NEVER Forget

2009-09-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

Today was rather different than any average day at Kings Point. Me and 11 other guys had to go to the City this morning to pick up our TWIC card, it is a Transportation Worker ID card which allows me access to any U.S. port. A pretty important card.

We went to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal to do this, which on the very southern part of Manhatten. That didn't take long, so we spent some extra time in this area. The World Trade Center was only a few blocks a way. So a few of us decided to visit the 9/11 Museum and Memorial. It was such a touching museum, one of the best I have ever been to. It is next to the World Trade Center fire station. It had all of the missing people posters on a wall, and 1000's of pictures of people who died in the tragedy, along with many quotes from that day. Many artifacts were there, it was just overwhelming to see all of this. It really makes an impact on your life and why you should cherish every moment. I recommend that if you ever get the chance to come to NYC you visit this museum.

"WE WILL NEVER FORGET"

Goodbye Crossfire

2009-09-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

It is September 1, and up here in New York it is almost as if summer completely went away for this first day of the month. Most of the day it was around 70 degrees, seemingly perfect weather. It always puts me in a good mood when there is good weather up here, because it doesn't happen all too often.

Today my car was sold, i no longer have the Crossfire that carried me for so many miles around Texas. It's pretty sad to see it go, but it would be pointless to keep it for the next two years with no one to drive. It was a great car... goodbye Crossfire.

Special Guest

2009-08-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

Today we had the assistant engineer who was held hostage on the Maersk Alabama speak to us this evening. He is a graduate of Kings Point and knows first hand what it was like to be captured by pirates. He showed us pictures and told us how he felt while onboard the ship. He also showed us pictures of the lifeboat which where the pirates were taken out by "3 shots." The engineer told us he was quite amused that the media said it was three shots when there were about 30 bullet holes in lifeboat.

It was pretty interesting and a situation that i hope i never have to be in. Did good on the tests that i took last week, so that made my day pretty good.

Hurricane... Think Again

2009-08-29T18:02:00.000-07:00

It rained off and on all day but at least it was cool. Hurricane Danny didn't quite make it the storm everyone thought it would be, not even a thunderstorm resulted from, just strictly a steady rain.

I spent my day at the Vigilant Fire Company. we responded to several ambulance calls today, and i stepped it up a notch and was the EMT tech (person in charge) of every call we went on. I wasn't so confident about it if you would have asked me yesterday, but i'm finally getting it.

It's nice to be able to help people out, and boy did we get to today. We had some pretty serious calls and we were able to help the patients out.

Do you know what the best thing about today was... there was no school, and that is always the best!! =)

"IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BECOME WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN."

-George Eliot

Thank God It's Friday

2009-08-28T09:53:00.000-07:00

NOT TOO MUCH LONGER!

I just wanted to let everyone know that i think the test that i was sooo worried about yesterday, actually went well. Although i do not yet know my grade, i feel that i had the confidence needed to get through it.

Its finally the end to a long week, although now everyone in the northeast gets to focus their attention on Hurricane Danny.... is it going to hit us or miss us!!

My family is currently on a cruise, hopefully they are enjoying the time out on the open seas!!

Hope everyone is doing good back home!

Thanks to everyone for keeping up to date on my blog and thanks for all of your supportive comments.

The Unknown

2009-08-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

Right now i am studying for a world history test that will be taken tomorrow morning. I am freaking out because i have no clue what to study or how to study for the test. It's a humanities class, it shouldn't be that hard, right??

Well, wish me luck, because i am definitely going to need it. Lets really hope it doesn't end up like the picture above.

Ring Dance

2009-08-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, i have a test in management and then thursday i have a test in world history. It's kind of a big week for me, this are really the first test i have had in any class this trimester. So WISH me luck!!

I forgot to mention, last friday the Seniors (Class of 2010) had their ring dance. The ring dance is an annual event, this is when the seniors receive their class ring that was designed by members of the class. The date wears the ring attached to a ribon as a necklace. Then each senior's name is called and the Admiral (superintendent) dips the ring into a bowl containing waters from the Seven Seas. Its a lot of tradition. Above is pictures form the Class of 2009 ring dance.

Oh yeah, this year's ring dance cost approx. $90,000.

Today not much happenend... I can't beleive August is already coming close to an end, time flies when your having fun, if FUN is what you want to call it!!

Life Soundtrack

2009-08-24T14:54:00.000-07:00

A friend gave me the idea of creating my own life's soundtrack before she went out to sea. It must include songs that describe a moment in your life or have a meaning in your life, you cannot just choose a song becuase you like how it goes, but because it describes you. I thought it was a cool idea, and sat on it for a while, thinking about what songs would describe me... and this is what i came up with.

If you want to listen to the songs, just go to youtube and search the song.

1. The Climb -Miley Cyrus The Climb

2. Something to Be Proud Of - Montgomery Gentry

3. If I Could Turn Back Time - Cher

4. The Time of My Life -David Cook

5. Learning To Fly - Tom Petty

6. Before It's Too Late - Goo Goo Dolls Transformers

7. Be Good To Yourself - Journey

8. Rocket Man - Elton John

9. Livin On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

10. Days Go By - Keith Urban Be Here

11. Danger Zone (From "Top Gun") - Kenny Loggins

12. When I Get Where I'm Going - Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton

13. Beautiful Day - U2

The Path Ahead

2009-08-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

It is sunday and i just finished my EMT watch. We responded to a significant number of calls, i don't know what it was but it seemed to be a rather bad weekend for many people here on campus, they just kept getting hurt. But it was fun and i enjoyed responding to all of the different cases.

I like the picture above becuase i think it shows where each of us are in our lives. No matter if you are young or feel older, your just at the beginning of the road, there is a long ways to go, theres so many things to do and see along that path that seems so infinitely long when looking at the whole picture, but so short when you are traveling 60 mph down it.

So slow down and enjoy the stops along the way!!!

just my 2 cents

EMS

2009-08-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

It's friday and i am stuck on campus this weekend due to EMT watch on campus. EMT watch is a four day watch and we take care of any medical calls that are needed. So far we have had two, so they are keeping us pretty busy. Thunderstorms rolled in today so it has been raining pretty hard for a few hours. TGIF

2009-08-20T17:08:00.001-07:00

Today i took my first accounting quiz of the trimester and i am proud to say it went really well, now if only it can stay that way. Today we worked the davit, which is the machinery that holds, raises, and lowers the lifeboat on a ship. Its actually pretty fun. I tested out on it today and i am now a certified LIFEBOATMAN!! haha you never know when your going to need it.

2009-08-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

It looks like the hot days are over and a tropical storm is on the way... yep that's right - a Tropical Storm. Looks like we are in for a lot of rain over the next few days. Last night a thunderstorm blew through, and i have to say it was the most intense storm i have seen here in NY. The lightning put on a good show and the wind was blowing about 80 knots.

My hardest classes are over for the week, thursday and fridays are pretty much down days for me, not a whole lot of classes those days. Makes for quite a nice long weekend. This weekend i will not be able to leave because i have to stand an EMT watch from thursday to sunday here on campus. Not looking forward to that. That's it for today, hope each of you are having an extraordinary day!!!!

Persevere

2009-08-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

From time to time you need a little refresher about the final goal - GRADUATION!! I'm starting to lose a little of that focus. i have been here for 5 trimesters in a row, which includes summer school. School is completely wearing me down, especially with some of the teachers i have to deal with on a daily basis.

I figured looking at what the reward is would motivate me a little.

Today was pretty boring, it was 96 degrees up here... pretty hot for NY.

Church in NYC

2009-08-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

Today is considered my day off. I went to church in Manhatten, Morning Star New York, it is a church I have been going to for a while with some friends. It is a great church with tremendous people. It is such a great place to spend my sundays and is a nice break from the academy.

This is the Queens Boro Bridge, it's one of the many that NYC has... this is the bridge that we cross every sunday to get into the city when we go to church. It's definitely an awesome view, you can literally see the hundreds of tall buildings that make up the City.

Just thought i would share what today was like.

Command Inspection

2009-08-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

Me and a couple of friends walked down to the end of the pier today and took these two photos. The Kings Pointer just returned from a trip to Jacksonville, where it was in the shipyard for a couple of months. The first picture is a boat that the Coast Guard gifted to us.... some pretty cool toys that we get to play with.

We had Command Inspection this morning, which is one of the two big inspections of the year, where they inspect our rooms and make sure we are cleaning our rooms. Not very fun but i did good... it's actually a hot day up here in NY, reminds me of Texas a little bit!!

Thanks for the comments

Reach For The Sky

2009-08-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

I created a collage of some of the challenges that i think i face at this academy. I feel that i have learned not only a tremendous amount of knowledge but also many life lessons. Throughout my tenure here at the academy i have been pushed to the limit but i have also been gifted many opportunities that not many get in there lifetime. So here's to the academy and what i feel i have accomplished so far. Thanks to everyone who has helped me get to this point!!!

~here's to another year~

2009-08-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

So i missed another Oshkosh Airventure which plays host to 10,000 airplanes and many plane lovers around the world. It is the world's busiest airport for the one week that the airshow goes on. Although i missed it, i was there in heart!! haha thanks to Jim Huff was able to keep me updated and get me a t-shirt and souvineer.

Update

2009-08-12T18:39:00.001-07:00

HOPE EVERYONE LIKES THE UPDATE!

2009-08-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

And the rain just keeps on coming and coming and coming. Thought this was a pretty cool picture taken down on our waterfront.

2009-08-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I got to visit Ellis Island when i went to the Statue of Liberty... pretty interesting to think how many of our ancestors might have gone through the very island. Not much to do, but a very historical place.

2009-08-11T04:09:00.000-07:00

A view of the academy from above. Not much going on here, spent part of the day at Vigilant F.D. yesterday. We have had a couple of nice days of weather, which boost our attitudes up here. Just can't wait to get out of here and out to sea.

2009-08-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

Me in front of New York Harbor with the Verizano Bridge in the background. Beyond the bridge is the Atlantic Ocean

I'm Back

2009-08-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm back, i know guys, it has been a long time since i have written on this blog. I made this blog more to keep everyone updated while at sea, but will try to update it more while here at the academy.

Since i last posted, the new class of 2013 has arrived, i have become a 3rd classmen, and have no more math classes to deal with!! haha

I also got an opportunity to go up inside the Statue of Liberty, which was just opened to the public two months ago. We were lucky enough to get free tickets and monument access, thanks to Barbara the Park Ranger and her appreciation to the military members!! THANK YOU BARBARA!! The picture above is from inside the base of the monument with the original flame the Lady Liberty once held.

This week i joined the Vigilant Volunteer Fire Department to provide EMS services to the greater Great Neck area. I am very excited to put my newly learned skills to use and think doing this will give me some great experiences. I was sworn in on Monday night at the monthly meeting. I was very exciting for me!! I have posted some pictures of the equipment and fire house.

Now that i am no longer a plebe, i am in charge of two plebes. It feels good to know i have a direct impact on someone's life which falls under considerable amount of responsibility.

That's it for now, i have made it my mission to make a post once a day. If not in words i will at least have a picture.

Recognition and More

2009-05-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... it has been a really long time since a lasted posted something on the this blog. but i'm back and here is the update.

The class of 2012 has finally been recognized and is pretty much considered human beings again. haha We get a lot of the privelages back, that were stripped from upon arriving in july of 2008. Recognition consists of Physical Training, a mudpit, mini seal training (or so it felt like), tug of war, mud slides, ringing of the memorial bell, kissing a statue, getting sprayed down by fire hoses in 40 degree weather, and some other stuff... but it was so worth it.

Also, i am almost a certified EMT in the state of NY. I take the test this month and will pass!! Pretty exciting. Last month i spent one day on an Ambulance in queens, NY which was really fun. Although i can't give you all of the details of what calls i went on, it was definitely a lot of fun. and i also spent one day in an Emergency Room. interesting stuff to say the least.

So for all of you wondering when i will be back? the answer is NEVER!! haha just kidding, but in all reality it is most likely going to be in the march of 2010! i know its pretty sad. But on the bright side of things i will be going to cancun for a week with my family in late June.

I'll keep you updated!!

Night at the Museum

2009-03-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Yesterday we received an overnight liberty, the first one in a long time. I spent most of the day in NYC, and went to the Natural Museum of History. It was a really magnificent place. It is the same museum that the movie "Night at the Museum" was filmed. We spent four hours there and only saw half of what they had to offer. It was a beautiful day up here, and it was very nice to get off campus for a while.

I also got to visit the Washington Square Park. It is th picture of the big monument. It was HUGE!

We are so close to recognition, it should be this week. This will make me a Midshipman and no longer a plebe. I will actually have somewhat of a life now.

Hope you like the pictures.

Spring Break

2009-03-16T07:33:00.000-07:00

Spring Break has come and gone and it is now time to start a new semester. I got to spend plenty of time with family and friends over the past week. It could not have been a better spring break, besides the fact that it rained all week. I tried to see as many of you as I could, but had a very busy week.

After so much good Texas BBQ and food, i was beginning to put on the pounds. Due to the rain i saw several movies. I got to fly one time while i was home, which was nice. And i got to hang out with my sister quite a bit, they also took me on a date to chili's, haha my favorite restaraunt.

Wednesday i start the new trimester, the third and final one of plebe year. It should be a good one, or at least i hope it will be. Unfortunately i will not be able to come home until the latter part of June, but will definitely be looking forward to it.

Presidents Day Weekend

2009-02-19T04:59:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was a three day weekend due to the federal holiday we had. This gave the plebes and the rest of the regiment an opportunity to get out of Kings Point for a few days. I traveled with a good friend to his house in Sterling, Virgina. Which is about 20 minutes from Washington D.C. I had quite a bit of fun on my visit. His family was excellent and made me feel at home. I met a lot of new people and spent the days relaxing. We went canoeing down the Potomoc River which was a lot of fun. Although I didn't go into D.C. to do the tourist stuff I still got to see a lot.

It was a great break and i can't wait until the next one, spring break!

44th Presidential Inauguration - One for the Books

2009-01-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

I just got back from the inauguration yesterday and it was pretty amazing. I have never before seen so many people crammed into one place. There were so many police, military, and secret service that it was unbelievable. We even got our own security team, if we wanted to go to the bathroom, you had to be escorted. Haha
Monday we left NY and went to the Naval Academy, which was our hotel for the night. That night we attended a pre-inauguration ball Which was a lot of fun, and great food. We left the ball and spent the night at the Naval Academy which was pretty impressive. That school is so much bigger than I thought. Then on Tuesday, jan. 20 we left at 5am to go to DC. A few hours later we arrived in DC. Our buses were escorted by police through security on a closed highway. Our 4 buses were the only vehicles on the highway which looked pretty crazy. We soon at the pentagon to go through security with the secret service. Our rifles were checked, everything was offloaded from the bus, and we were patted down. Once that was done we grabbed a cup of hot chocolate in the 22 degree weather and headed to the ellipse, which is where the White House was located. This time our 4 buses were escorted by about 20 motorcycle cops, which was awesome. All of the tourist were waving and screaming as we drove by. The parade began near the White House. It was really awesome to walk through DC, see all of the spectators and security teams. Then we passed in front of the Obama family and the Biden family. It was really cool, tv cameras were everywhere and people were everywhere.
Once we finished the parade we boarded the buses and headed back. It was a really neat experience, but unfortunately we spent way too much time getting through security. Once I arrived back a lot of people had texted me saying they saw me on cnn, cspan, and a lot of news channels. So that was pretty cool to hear.
And that was my experience at the Presidential Inauguration.

Christmas Break

2009-01-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody,

I hope everyone had as great of a christmas and new year as i did back home in Texas. We could not have asked for any better weather, it was absolutely gorgeous back home. I was fortunate enough to be able to come home for two weeks over the holidays. I spent much time with family and friends, and got to go camping for a few days out at hickory creek park on Lake Lewisville.

Also on my trip home my mom, jeff, and i attended the US Service Academy Ball in North Texas. I had a good time, it was a VERY formal event which played host to each of the five service academies. Throwing a dinner and different events to celebrate the Midshipmen and Cadets. I'm glad we were able to attend this prestigious event.

Nothing beats a good ol' Texas barbeque and watching the Texas sunsets. I got everything i could have wanted for Christmas. I spent a couple of days flying with a couple of good friends, and my best friend Jim Huff. We flew to Ardmore, OK and Stephenville, TX. Both are host to some of the best barbeque around. I miss flying sooooo much, many cannot even begin to understand how much aviation means to me. It was fun to get back in the air.

"The fascination of flight can't be expressed with words. But it really lies beyond the capabilities of human endeavor. Once you've experienced it, you'll never be able to forget it."

Unfortunately all good things come to an end, and i had to come back to the USMMA. The weather here is currently dark and gloomy, raining/snowing...definitely not the weather shorts and t-shirt weather like back home.

American Airlines topped off my break by flying me First Class back to NY LaGuardia airport. Unfortunately i won't be back until March, the count down begins again.

Thanks to everyone who made my break so great! Sorry i didn't get to see EVERYONE. Sorry this was so long!

Radio City Rockettes

2008-12-14T12:06:00.000-08:00

Hey,

Sorry its been a while since i have written a new post, but let me update you. Last weekend i had the opportunity to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the Rockettes. It was awesome! The show could not have been any better. I also got to see the christmas sights around NYC, including the Rockefeller Center Tree. Along with the sights I saw St. Peters Cathedral, walked down 5th avenue, and went to FAO Shwarz, the toy store. Christmas in NYC is a wonderful experience. Its getting pretty cold up here, at least for me since i am not too used to the north.

I've been so loaded with homework these past couple of weeks. Physics is my hardest class. I'm trying really hard to pass the class.

Wish me luck, i only have five days until I am home for Christmas!!!!!

A Week To Give Thanks

2008-12-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

A nice break from the Academy is just what i needed, and what i got over the Thanksgiving holiday. It was so nice to come back home to North Texas, where the weather is warm and the sun is always shining. I departed NY at 2:50 p.m. bound for Dallas, TX. I got through without a hitch and arrived on schedule. Mom was there to greet me and we ate at Macaroni Grill.

Grandma Jackie arrived on wednesday. I also got to spend some time with papa during the day. Thursday was Thanksgiving and a lot of family showed up at our house in Ponder, TX. We celebrated with good food, with my favorite being my mother's Green Been Casserole. All of it was good thought.

Then friday we spent the morning shopping. Waking up at 3am with mom and grandma and getting the door busters. We had lots of fun and laughed quite hard throughout the morning.

Unfortunately i had to leave early saturday morning. Grandma dropped me off at the airport at 5:45 a.m. To cap off such a good trip I rode First Class all of the way back to NY, thanks to American Airlines.

Now it's time to start another countdown, the countdown to christmas break.... only 19 days.

HOME SWEET HOME!!!!

2008-11-10T15:19:00.000-08:00

WOW! Fall break is finally here, i thought i would never see the day. The day that i finish my last final, left the academy, and board an American Airlines flight direct to Dallas, a day that i could only think about for the past four months. The best moment was when the flight arrived at the gate and I could finally step foot back on Texas ground and see the family there to pick me up.

The week could not have gone any better, i saw so many people including lots of family, friends, and teachers. The first saturday back I home I went to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. I watched a big 12 football game which ended in success then hung out with my friend Lane Loiselle.

Then during the week i visited the ponder hs, ate lunch with my mom, and got to fly. It was a funfilled week, i wish that i could tell you about every minute of it, but that would take up too much of your time.

Thanks to all of you who i got to share my fall break with, it meant a lot. The best part of fall break was spending time with my family, i wish i could have spent more of it with them, but i'll see them in just a couple of weeks, and i can't wait!!!!!

love you all

2008-10-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

A Day in the REAL WORLD

2008-10-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

Becuase 4th company, my company, is simply the best we got an all expense paid trip to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. While the rest of the plebe class was stuck back at campus, 4th co. plebes along with a few upperclassmen were riding world class roller coasters. Including the worlds largest and fastest roller coaster, Kinda Ka. Reaching a 130 mph in just 3.4 seconds. The ride actually had the same catapult system as seen on aircraft carriers. Not only did i get to ride the rides, but i got to hang out with friends and upperclassmen and enjoy six flags, which was also hosting its annual Frightfest. While it was a very nice trip to get away, it is now time to focus on finals coming up next week. And then I come HOME!!!

A Weekend In Pennsylvania

2008-10-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

It was Columbus Day this past weekend, which meant only one thing for plebes up here in the north, a long weekend, and for many there first chance to go home. Although Texas was a little too far for me to travel for just a couple fo days, I jumped on the opportunity to go to Phillidelphia, PA and then to Lancaster, PA for the weekend. Philly was a pretty nice place, not much was happening and to say the least it was a little bit more dirtier than NYC. I did get the opportunity to enjoy an original Philly Cheese Steak at the world famous "Jim's" on south street, which was pretty good. The next day I arrived at Lancaster, PA with Robert Nolt, a student and friend from the academy via Amtrak. He offered to let me stay at his house with his family. His family was to say the least, some of the best people I have ever met! They treated me so incredibly well, serving me homeade meals and treating me with the utmost respect. Nolt has 5 brothers and one sister, all home schooled and well behaved. They are all in Karate, and one son got third in the world championship. Pennsylvania has some beautiful scenery and the trees were turning colors due to fall. The weekend passed quickly and before I knew it I was on the train back to NYC. Just to top it all off the Amtrak Conductor gave us each a free ticket for the train ride from Philly to NYC Penn Station. I am now once again counting down the days until fall break. It's almost here!!!

Apple Pie and a Campfire

2008-10-06T04:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since a last posted something on here, but nothing huge has really happened. The only major thing is that our Superintendant, VADM Stewart, USMS, has retired from the academy after ten years in this position. VADM Stewart was a two-start general in the Marine Corp before becoming superintendant of the academy.

I have been focusing on grades and am doing pretty good as of now, i just need to keep the grades up, if so i will be pretty happy at the end of the trimester, which is coming up pretty fast.

I just got back from a Christian Fellowship Club "field trip" to northern NY, near Westpoint, for a chance to just get away from the academy. We went and picked apples in an apple orchard, then made homemade apple pie which was great! The host family made chili which i havn't had since i arrived in NY. We then sat around a campfire and talked with students from other colleges who were there.

It's been pretty lax these past couple of weeks, or maybe I am just getting used to things.

Well, gotta go, I'm really looking forward to Columbus Day Weekend!!

The Days Roll By

2008-09-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

Well, there isn't a whole lot happening up here in Kings Point, NY besides the fact that its starting to get really cold. And it's till september! I have a had a busy couple of weeks. Last week I had midterms, so i was stressing out over that, especially the chemestry midterm. I studied about 18-20 hours just for this midterms. But I found out today that I got an 82 on it, which is AWESOME. Big improvement considering how I have been doing in the class.

It's Homecoming Weekend up here starting tonight. Alumni from all over the world come back to the Academy to share stories and catch up on old time. It should be a good weekend, it's always nice to talk to alumni, considering they are the ones that dominate the shipping industry.

Well sorry this is so boring, but I really havn't gotten to do a whole lot these past couple of weeks. On a funny note, our company, shaving creamed the entire campus, decorated the halls for the senior, and hung a huge sign on the cafeteria. Not something they want you doing every day. Needless today it was the talk of the day.

Well I miss everyone, and it won't be too long before I am back at home and get to see everyone!!!

Parents Weekend/ Acceptance Day

2008-09-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

I am now officially in the Navy. The Navy Reserve that is. I had an AWESOME weekend, it was Parents Weekend/Acceptance Day up here at the Academy, which marks a major mile stone for us "plebes" or freshman. Some new privelages: we can talk in the Cafeteria, sit fully in our chairs instead of just six inches, and a few other important things. We're slowly but surely working our way back to being human again. One of the biggest things is that we now are able to get liberty or leave the campus. My mom, grandma, and me went in to the Big Apple, which was absolutely ridiculously cool. Me and my mom dragged poor grandma everywhere in NYC, from Times Square, Empire State Building, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, to Penn Station. We took a crash course through the city with the one day that we had to spend together. The night before Tropical Storm Hanna came through our area, so that kind of put a damper on things, literally.

All is well up at the academy and a could not have a better weekend. Seeing my mom and grandma up here was so great. My mom pinned my eagle on my chest, signifying that I am a member in the US Naval Reserve. It was a special moment. I hope everyone is doing good and all is well back home. Hope you like the pictures

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-01T06:39:00.000-07:00

It's Labor Day weekend here at the Academy and pretty much all is dead around campus. The upperclassmen have left, except for a few officers. But a small group of us plebes, got to take an overnight trip as part of the Christian Fellowship Club. We headed up to Wading River, NY. Which as on the far Northeast side of Long Island. It was absolutely beautiful! We climbed down the cliffs to the beach where the Long Island Sound awaited us. We sang songs, had a bonfire on the beach (with smores), and just pretty much hung out at the camp saturday and sunday. It was such a nice time to just get away from the academy and relax.

Things should return to normal tomorrow once school is back up and running again. Overall it's been a pretty nice weekend, I couldn't have asked for more. Parent's Weekends is getting closer than ever, it's this coming weekend, It's going to be a LOT of fun!

Sports Meets Academics

2008-08-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I found out after 5 weeks of sailing practice, sailing takes up waaaaay too much time. You see time is a very sacred thing around here, and learning time management is one of the key factors in getting through this place. Sailing took up about 4 hours of each day and it took away most of my weekends. So I made a decision that I couldn't take away my academic studying for that much time, I really need it right now. I'm having some trouble in chemistry, so I have been seeking out help with my professor, who has helped me out a lot after only two tutoring sessions.

On the bright side I got to meet my sponsor parents. These sponsors are there for you anytime you need anything, and mine are by far the coolest. They live just a block away and are very artsy people. They go into the city all the time and have two kids. One daugter who attends NYU and a son who is a professional musician. The family is very active with NYC which should make it lot of fun.

The picture above is the ring that we drew on the grinder. Notice the building in the background and that will give you an idea of just how big it is. It was to honor the seniors Ring Dance, called a Spirit Mission. Its one step towards recognition for us plebes.

Well, gotta go to class. I miss everyone and thanks for the comments!!

Counting Down The Days...

2008-08-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Only a couple of weeks until Acceptance Day/Parents Weekend, which you have no idea how big that weekend really is. Havn't seen family in a month and a half, much less been able to leave campus. I'm counting down the days, it's so cloase but yet so far.

I have been getting used to the rhythm of how things are run, been staying on the down low for now. I am apart of the Christian Fellowship Club, The Sailing Team, and Honor Guard, which conducts tours of the campus and houses recruits. I have been staying pretty active, it keep your mind off of things, and you get to miss tattoo, which is a workout session that you have for 20 minutes a day, everyday.

The people you see in this picture are my section mates. Each major has a section of about 20 students, you go to every class with each other and are able to help each other out with things. Kind of like an academic family you could say.

We had our first sailing race, our academy placed in the top three spots out of about 25 other sailboats. Then I got to go on a trip on a ship we have called the TV (Training Vessel) Liberator. It was a pretty cool experience and I even got to drive it for a bit.

Other than that, not a whole lot is happening here at Kings Point, New York.

It Just Keeps On Going...

2008-08-12T03:48:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot has been happening up here New York, but yesterday we got a huge thunderstorm, it hailed golf ball size hail, for about 15-20 minutes, the storm was ridiculous. But it knocked the power out for a while, which was kind of interesting. But classes are still going, I've now been here for a solid month as of yesterday. Its gone by pretty fast.

One cool thing is that students who are far from home get a sponsor family that takes care of them and just gives students a place to get away and hang out if they need to. I just found out who my sponsors are and have been communicating through email. They are an artsy family, pretty neat people I would say. The mom is an artist, the dad works in NYC, their daughter is a junior at NYU major is screenwriting, and their son plays music. Can't wait to meet them in person.

Other than that, i've just been surviving day by day. I go to chapel and biblestudy on sundays, and Christian Fellowship Group on Monday, which is a lot of fun. It's a teen youth group, gives you a chance to meet upperclassmen without breaking the ranks and just a relaxed environment.

Gotta go clean, hope your all doing good!

One Night of Freedom

2008-08-08T04:55:00.001-07:00

It's been almost a month since I arrived and set foot on the United States Merchant Marine Academy and since then I have not set foot outside of the gates until Thursay, August 9, 2008. Dressed in the dress whites, the regimental officers to us to the Mets game, to keep the plebe tradition. We each received $25 spending money, a ticket to the game, and an awesome experience.

Wearing the white in public was the coolest experience, people are so appreciative of the military. Fans cheered us on as we walked into the stadium and also when we left, they wanted to take pictures of us, overall it was so cool.

Although the Mets lost the game to the San Diego Padres, it was still one of the best nights I've had in a while. I got to hang out with my friends all night, which there are some really good ones up here. I hope you like the pictures!!

Class Begins

2008-08-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it's that time, classes have officialy began. So far there's not a whole lot going on around the campus. It's definitely not like it was in indoc. No one there to tell you what to do every second of the day, your kind of on your own.

Classes: History of Seapower, Ethics Primer, Maritime Professional Studies, Chemistry, Lab, Intro to Merchant Marine and Naval Reserve, Math, and Self Defense.

A total of 18 hours for the first trimester, which is 12 weeks long. So that's what's happening up here. Also sailing practice started, tomorrow I go out for a few hours, so that should be a lot of fun.

Thanks for all of your comments Cissy!!!

Indoctrination - COMPLETE

2008-07-27T19:56:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm back in society. Indoctrination period is now over. One goal accomplished but a long road ahead still. Indoc. really pushed to do things I never thought I could push myself to do. I'm actually starting to get in shape for once in my life. Each morning we would wake up at 5:15AM, got used to it. We would drill, get yelled at, eat and drill, class, then go to bed at 9:30pm. Rough first week. But as it got bad it got good, if that makes any sense. I got to do things I would never be able to do back at home. Such as sail a 1800's Schooner, which is a big old battle ship looking sailboat. We got to do safety test in orange gummy suits, drive several types of boats, sail on racing sailboats worth 3-9 million dollars!!! Some pretty cool stuff. It's hard to be this far from home. I really miss everyone and hopefully it will get better here! Classes start wednesday and I'll have an 18 credit hour load for the first trimester. Lots of work to do. Thanks for all of the support I have gotten from everyone back home.

Miss ya and love ya, Keegan

It's Off To The Big Apple

2008-07-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

18 years spent at home, twelve spent in the great town of Ponder, TX, and now four years 2,000 miles away from home. It's a big jump but I think i'm ready for The Academy! I just hope New York City is ready for me. It's been hard to say goodbye to friends and family, but I know it's for the best. I'm going to miss Texas!!!!

My goal is to update this blog as much as possible to let everyone back home know what I'm up to. I won't be able to update this until August because of indoc. Once I am able to update this thing I will post plenty of pictures and comments, so stay tuned....