Applying to the United States Merchant Marine Academy requires a first step of receiving a nomination from a senator or U.S. representative. Only one nomination is necessary, but Boyd-Buchanan senior Jordan Satterfield received two, one from Senator Lamar Alexander and the other from Congressman Chuck Fleischmann. This was quite an honor for this local young man, officials said.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five United States Service academies. Its purpose is to train officers for the United States Merchant Marine, branches of the military, or the transportation industry. During a time of war or national emergency, the U.S. merchant marine becomes vital to national security as a "fourth arm of defense." The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy ensures that men and women who are intelligent, dedicated, well-educated and competent are available to the nation as shipboard officers and as leaders in the transportation field who will meet the challenges of the present and the future.
Jordan Satterfield’s decision to pursue an education at the Merchant Marine Academy stems from a life-long respect for U.S. soldiers. Jordan’s role model has been his P.E. teacher and Boyd-Buchanan’s soccer coach, Dustin Walker, who was an active Marine for six years.
Jordan has been at Boyd-Buchanan School since eighth grade. He has been on the wrestling team for four years, serving as co-captain for two of those years, and has competed with the cross country team for three years, serving as captain during his senior year. Jordan is active in the Boys’ Service Club, Physics Club, and Key Club. He is also active in his church youth group. He plans to major in mechanical engineering and minor in math during his college years.
Jordan is anxiously awaiting his acceptance status from the Merchant Marine Academy. He said he feels that Boyd-Buchanan School has prepared him well for college and for life. “The teachers are the strong points of the school,” he said.