Inside the US Merchant Marine Academy’s Day Zero for New Plebes

Business Insider got an inside look at the first day for new plebes at the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. The report says 287 plebe candidates arrived on campus to begin “indoctrination,” a 16-day period built around intense mental and physical tests.

The first-day scenes included plebe candidates getting their heads shaved and learning proper movements and responses. They also endured an event known as “the Grinder,” where instructional cadre command and correct them with loud intensity.

After saying goodbye to their families, the plebe candidates begin the path toward becoming licensed officers in the US Merchant Marine. Most graduates go on to serve aboard commercial and government ships, either navigating and managing vessels or operating engines and machinery. In wartime, civilian mariners can become part of the military supply chain by operating ships that carry weapons, vehicles, fuel, ammunition, and other supplies to US forces overseas.