Merchant marine reserve program

USMMA is closed to the public until further notice. At the Academy you will receive an excellent education and the skills necessary for a successful career. Since the Federal Government has a substantial investment in your education, you will be required to fulfill the terms of a service obligation after graduation.

Questions regarding the Service Obligation can be directed to the Maritime Administration by email maritime. The U. Department of Transportation, through its Maritime Administration, is primarily responsible for America's merchant marine and the education of merchant marine officers. However, a strong relationship exists as well between the Academy and U. Because of national defense requirements, the Navy is interested in the maintenance of a viable U.

In addition, Academy graduates historically have been a source of active duty naval officers in times of mobilization or during emergency situations. The Navy assists in promoting a strong merchant marine by maintaining a Department of Naval Science at the Academy which indoctrinates midshipmen in the administration and operation of the U.

Navy through formal classroom training in each of the four years of a midshipmen's course of instruction. The Department of Naval Science is staffed by active duty naval officers and enlisted personnel. Any U. Sign up for gCaptain Daily Get the latest gCaptain articles and breaking news. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience. Manage consent.

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You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Licensed mariners fill many of the Merchant Marine's leadership and training positions, directing the organization and making key decisions across the board. Think of them as professionals with advanced training in their field significant maritime-related experience and knowledge that require a special designation a license who provide critical functionality to Merchant Marine Operations.

Like surgeons to their operating room staff or airline pilots to their flight crew. Unlicensed mariners are the backbone of the Merchant Marine workforce, an army of skilled and newly-trained workers with little or no prior experience afloat. These mariners hold "certifications" rather than licenses, though they can and often do advance into the licensed ranks.

After you complete the application process and pay the required fees, the Coast Guard will evaluate your experience and determine which endorsement licensed or unlicensed is appropriate for your skillset. The U. It has leadership heirarchies, codes of conduct, vast support networks, and legislative backing. The key difference is that you remain a civilian who must follow special laws and regulations designed for merchant mariners and enforced by a military body -- the U.

Coast Guard. If posted at sea, you will only serve on commercial vessels, which can share similarities with military vessels, such as position titles and lifestyle. The Merchant Marine is not a government agency or a military service, so there is no central hiring agency.

This means there is not a common pay scale that applies across the agency or industry roles within it. Each vessel owner or operator sets a unique pay scale, especially in the deep-sea industry, and pay is often linked to trade or labor union agreements.

The Department of Labor tracks wages in over industries, including those used in the merchant marine. This DOT page lists the typical wages for waterborne transportation. Step 2a. Visit the NMC Forms page and download:. The NMC has determined that your recruit training meets most of the requirements for U. Merchant Marine Basic Safety Training.

Some Navy and Coast Guard ratings will be evaluted further and potential constitute a higher level of training and sea time for merchant marine service. Step 3a. A list of the 17 RECs is here. Remember, RECs perform evaluations, administer examinations, issue U. Marine Option. Nurse Option. Summer Cruise Training. US Naval Academy. Military Spouse Information.

Training Information. SAT Testing Information. ACT Testing Information. Site Index. Famous Graduates. What is a Strategic Sealift Officer and what do they do? Active U. This can be as a Deck or Engineering Officer.