within its "Sea Year" program. The program, which places students on commercial vessels, was temporarily suspended in 2016 and again in 2021 for multiple allegations of sexual assault in the program. Following both suspensions, the Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration implemented new safety standards and reforms.
In 2022, President Joe Biden awarded the Secretary of Transportation Outstanding Unit Award, for a second time, to Academy midshipmen who were in attendance between March 13, 2020 and June 18, 2022 based on the Regiment of Midshipmen’s leadership and relentless efforts to excel on campus, but more importantly for manning the ships during the logistical crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
== Admissions ==
In addition to requiring strong GPA and SAT/ACT scores, to be eligible to enter the academy a candidate must:
Be of good moral character.
Be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed his or her 25th birthday before 1 July in the year of entrance.
Be a citizen of …
