Midshipman Ian Antoine of South Lake Tahoe was selected as the Regimental Commander at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., effective June 17.

The son of Steve and June Antoine of South Lake Tahoe, he is a graduate of South Tahoe High School and was nominated to the Academy by Congressman John Doolittle. He is a marine engineering systems major at the Academy and spent a post graduate semester at Northwestern Prep School, a military academy prep school in San Bernardino, Calif.

As the Regimental Commander, the Academy’s highest ranking officer, Antoine is responsible for the daily operations, schedule, and morale of the Academy’s Regiment of Midshipmen.

“In order to maintain morale, I hope to be the best role model I can be,” Antoine said. “Those of us who lead must be great followers, and great leaders are only as successful as those they lead.”

Antoine’s duties include supervising his fellow midshipmen officers, training the regiment, setting policies and assuming responsibility for his classmates as they fulfill the Academy’s rigorous regimental requirements.

In his new position, Antoine plans to maintain an active line of communication among the various departments of the Academy to help preserve a worthwhile learning experience for the midshipmen. He attributes his success as a leader to his experiences during the Sea Year component of the Academy’s curriculum and his participation in collegiate athletics. During his freshman year he was a member of the Academy’s swimming and diving team and wrestled during his sophomore year. Currently, he has been independently training for triathlons.

“After a year spent at sea as an engineering cadet, I have become better at managing my time and prioritizing, while analyzing the leadership of the officers and the crew dynamics,” Antoine said. “Participating in the athletic program my freshman and sophomore year stressed the benefit of team efforts, camaraderie and being physically fit.”

Earlier this year, Antoine represented the Academy as a member of the Society for Naval Architects and Marine Engineering at the Naval Leadership Conference in Annapolis, Md., where he learned the necessary qualities a leader must personify in positions of authority.