Burton Keck was appointed to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, New York, on Long Island Sound, for the Class of 2027. The Merchant Marine Academy is the smallest of the five federal service academies and applicants are required to have a nomination from a Congressman or Senator and pass a physical fitness test and medical tests, in addition to the academic requirements. Graduates are licensed Merchant Marine officers and may commission into any service branch of the armed forces or work in the maritime industry after graduation to fulfill the service requirements. During their four years of study, students spend a full year at sea separated into two segments of four and eight months. Burton plans to major in Marine Transportation. He was homeschooled at home until seventh grade when he began attending CEC.
