Lexington County now has another reason to be proud of its citizens.

Olivia Harris of Lexington was recently sworn in as a Midshipman in the US Naval Reserve at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY.

In addition to the rigorous academic and physical requirements for admission, applicants must be nominated by their Congressman or Senator.

Harris was nominated by Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott and Representative Joe Wilson.

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a federal service academy that graduates licensed Merchant Marine officers.

It is one of 5 federal service academies, including the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

All USMMA graduates earn both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Merchant Marine Officer license, and serve the country as an active or reserve officer in the US armed forces.

The US Flag Merchant Marine secures the country’s commerce in peacetime and delivers warfighters, weapons and military supplies in times of conflict.

Most “Kings Pointers” will serve as Navy reservists in the Strategic Sealift Officer Program while working aboard US flag vessels. Others will serve on active duty in our nation’s armed forces.

Harris will spend one year training as a cadet aboard ocean-going vessels.

USMMA this year will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first women to graduate from any federal service academy. Learn more at www.WeAreTheUSMMA.com .