Here’s Why You Might Catch MMA Cadets Ditching Uniforms

At Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, uniforms are part of everyday life. The school’s military traditions are designed to prepare future merchant mariners for careers built on discipline and teamwork. But every so often, cadets get the chance to swap their everyday work uniforms for jeans and sweatshirts, all for a good cause.

“Because Mass Maritime holds military traditions to foster strong merchant mariners, students are required to wear uniforms every day,” explained Cody Yeomans, Dress Down Committee Chair. “Dress Down Days are an event where each student can pay $5–10 to be able to go about their classes in regular civilian attire on a selected Friday. In turn, this money raised goes directly to a local non-profit organization.”

Supporting Local Homeless Outreach

This past May, the cadets selected Works 4 U, Inc., a SouthCoast nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness through employment. The funds raised were used over the summer and into the fall to sponsor people experiencing homelessness to work at Sharing the Harvest Community Farm in Dartmouth.

The farm’s produce is distributed to local food banks and shelters, creating a ripple effect of community impact. “This donation from the Mass Maritime Cadets has been a win-win for the local community,” said Trey Whalley, President of Works 4 U. “The Cadets have helped people experiencing homelessness, who in turn have helped others like themselves by farming and harvesting the produce for their benefit.”

A Mission of Service

Works 4 U, Inc. has been helping hundreds of local people find stability and purpose for more than five years. Through efforts like these, the partnership between Mass Maritime Academy and community organizations continues to embody the academy’s spirit of leadership, service, and compassion.