On March 3, 2022 Jack Buono was fired from his job as Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Buono was notified of his termination only hours before being forced into submitting a hastily prepared notice of resignation. Buono’s humiliating firing and forced-resignation came after Senator Maria Cantwell (Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee), along with the chairpersons of 5 additional powerful Congressional committees with oversight of the USMMA, called for Buono to thrown out of his job. The 6 powerful committee chairs wrote: “Furthermore, we believe there needs to be a change in the leadership of the USMMA. Vice Admiral Joachim Buono, USMMA Superintendent, has failed to take seriously the safety of his students and has not demonstrated a commitment to change the toxic culture at the Academy and during Sea Year. Superintendent Buono must be removed from his position.”

Links to MLAA stories and documents about Jack Buono:

1. Maritime Crusader Senator Maria Cantwell & 5 Powerful Congressmen Call Maritime Industry “Toxic,” Demand Firing of USMMA Leader Jack Buono, & Demand Suspension of Cadet Commercial Shipping

2. YouTube Personality Sal Mercogliano (former merchant marine and current maritime historian) Explains Why Jack Buono Was Fired

3. USMMA Superintendent Jack Buono Fired Because He Did Not Take Seriously The Safety of His Students and Did Not Demonstrate a Genuine Commitment to Change the Toxic Culture of the USMMA