Is the Merchant Marine Academy part of the military?

I'm trying to understand the relationship between the Merchant Marine Academy and the military. Is it considered a military academy, and do graduates have military commitments like at other service academies?

The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is one of the five federal service academies, along with West Point (Army), Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, and Coast Guard Academy. These institutions are tasked with training the future leaders for respective branches of service. However, the Merchant Marine Academy is a bit unique compared to the others.

While the training at USMMA does include aspects of military protocol and discipline similar to the other service academies, its primary mission is to prepare students for serving in the merchant marine industry, which involves the sea transportation of cargo and passengers. The academy is administered by the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, not the Department of Defense.

As for post-graduation commitments, yes, graduates of the Merchant Marine Academy do have service obligations but they have a few more options compared to their counterparts at the other service academies. After graduation, Kings Point graduates may choose to work five years in the maritime industry with eight years in the reserves, or they may opt for active duty in any branch of the uniformed services. This gives graduates unique flexibility in determining their career path.

In addition to their service obligation, all graduates also earn a Bachelor of Science degree, a U.S. Coast Guard license, and an officer's commission in the U.S. Armed Forces. This diverse array of qualifications makes them highly sought after in both civilian and military sectors.