In 1933, Congress set aside May 22 as an annual observance in honor of the United States Merchant Marine. Each year the Academy puts its own spin on National Maritime Day and pays tribute to all mariners past, present, and future and showcases the regiment of cadets at the annual Change of Command ceremony.
While it is always a thrilling spectacle to see the entire Regiment of Cadets march, the sight is even more moving on Maritime Day. This day with flags flying, the MMA campus was dressed to impress as more than one thousand MMA cadets marched into Clean Harbors Athletic Stadium to honor their own.
The 2012 mariner of the year recipient, Joel Voss ’02, was on hand to accept his award and address the Corps of Cadets. With over ten years as a Navy pilot, LT Voss has experience analyzing flight-training curricula, helped develop multi-million dollar pilot training programs, plus train and supervise both helicopter pilots and those who keep the helicopters in the air. In addition Voss has coordinated international search and rescue exercises to support NATO and flown multiple combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a member of the Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 (HSC-85) Firehawks, he has flown numerous missions in support of U.S. Special Operations Forces, inserting and recovering the world’s most highly trained fighting forces into some of the most dangerous places on the globe under some of the most hazardous flight conditions imaginable. In 2008, Voss was named Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight Pilot of the Year – the best of the best!
The days ceremonies concluded with the annual Regimental Change of Command during which the leadership baton was passed from the Class of 2012 to the Class of 2013. Congratulations to the Class of 2012 for their steady course while at the helm and we look forward to a bright future for the Class of 2013.
2012-2013 Regimental Staff Regimental Commander: Kevin Manning - Hanover, MA
Regimental Executive Officer: Adam LaBranche - Bellport, NY
Regimental Operations Officer: Joshua Lamm - North Andover, MA
Regimental Adjutant: Rachel Johnson - South Chatham, MA
Regimental Training & Retention Officer: Lauren DeNapoli - Boston, MA
Cadet Chief Mate: Sean Baggett - Braintree, MA
Cadet Chief Engineer: Robert Lowell - Dennisport, MA
IMBU Operations Officer: Zachary Cushman - East Longmeadow, MA
MSEP Operations Officer: Richard Lutter - Lunenburg, MA
EMGT Operations Officer: Kimberly Courcy - Warwick, RI
FENG Operations Officer: Kaylin Korejwa - Charlotte, VT
Student Government President: Douglas Neal - Hampstead, MD
First Class President: Stephen Moore - Andover, MA
2012-2013 Company Staffs First Company
CC Sean Kiely - Weymouth, MA
XO Paul Furtado - Dartmouth, MA
Second Company
CC Anna Whittemore - Weatogue, CT
XO Adam Rabesa - Teaticket, MA
Third Company
CC Daniel McSheffrey - Dedham, MA
XO Matthew Marchant - Wakefield, MA Fourth Company
CC Boris Kristof - South Riding, VA
XO Patrick Kirkland - Plymouth, MA
Fifth Company
CC Richard Losi - Milton, MA
XO Michael Temple - Weymouth, MA Sixth Company
CC Sean McNamara - Braintree, MA
XO Joseph Renehan - Milton, MA
Seventh Company
CC Christopher Lane - Canton, MA
XO Arthur Patsios - Watertown, MA
