( CNN ) -- Concerned parents of students at the U.S . Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point , New York say their children were told to go on fall break several weeks early and no one knows when they 'll be going back to school , thanks to the federal shutdown . Meanwhile , it 's business as usual at the other four U.S. federal academies . The Merchant Marine Academy is operated under the U.S. Department of Transportation , while those for the Air Force , Navy , Army and Coast Guard operate under the Department of Defense . And in this case , that makes all the difference . Almost all of the academy 's faculty and staff are civilians who are subject to shutdown furloughs , while the majority of the staffs at the other military academies are active-duty military and are not subject to furlough , according to the academy 's website . Some parents of USMMA students worry that the shutdown could eventually delay careers , because of the academy 's unique scheduling . Adam Feinberg 's son is in his second year at the academy . `` It is very tough because Kings Point has a compact curriculum . You spend three trimesters out at sea after two years of taking classes . These shutdown days cut into the sea days , '' Feinberg told CNN . In a statement released last Thursday , Rear Admiral James Helis , the academy 's superintendent , stated that by `` swapping '' the fall break , it will minimize the impact the shutdown has on students and on the academic calendar . The academy 's website says fall break was originally scheduled for November 1-11 . The rescheduled break started Friday and will last until October 14 . So what is the plan if the federal shutdown lasts past that date ? `` While we hope the shutdown will be resolved by the end of the newly-scheduled break , if the shutdown is still in place , we will be forced to shut down the Academy on October 15 , '' the website stated . In his statement , Helis said the leadership of the academy and the DOT are working on options to address a long-term federal shutdown in the event that happens . According to the academy 's website , 225 midshipmen are currently at sea and will be allowed to continue their training . When those sailors complete their sea training , the academy will bring them back to campus , or to their homes , depending on the status of the government shutdown at that time . Calls to the Merchant Marine Academy were not immediately returned on Saturday . The Merchant Marine transports cargo and passengers in domestic waters during peace time , and during war is an auxiliary of the U.S. Navy and can be called to transport military cargo and supplies . CNN 's Jareen Imam contributed to this report .
2 . The Marine Academy starts its fall semester early . Staff subject to change , the academy 's website says . Some parents are concerned their students ' lives will be affected due to the shutdown .