Career Resources

A veteran’s transition from the military to a maritime career can be a rewarding experience. The maritime industry provides family-waged careers and an opportunity to continue service to our nation. The domestic maritime industry performs a critical role for national and homeland security while providing nearly 500,000 American jobs for our economy.

If you are thinking of transitioning to a merchant mariner after military service, it is highly recommended that you begin accumulating a record of all your training while still in service, if you did not do so from the start of your military career.  As part of the credentialing process, the following documents should be organized as part of a veteran’s military record and readily available to include in the licensing and credentialing application process.

• Navy: History of Assignments) (HOA)
  • Need to submit proof of qualifications, such as a fitness report or designation letters. Qualifications do not carry over from vessel to vessel.
• Coast Guard: Transcript of sea service (TOSS)
  • Need to submit proof of qualifications, such as an officer evaluation report or designation letters. Qualifications do not carry over from vessel to vessel.
• Records or proof of completion of any maritime-related courses taken. Maritime related training must have been approved by the National Maritime Center at time of completion to be accepted.
• Summary of military record, including training, by executing a Request Pertaining to Military Records(SF-180). A paper copy of the form may be requested by contacting the closest VA Vet Center.
• Afloat experience through military service should be noted as “Sea Service Transcript” in Section II, subsection 2 of the SF-180.
• A DD-214 is not acceptable evidence of sea service as it does not have vessel information, position served and dates of vessel assignment.

For Army, Navy and Coast Guard service members and veterans, the U.S. Coast Guard National Maritime Center will evaluate recruit training as meeting most of the requirements for Basic Safety Training, but this is not a constant. Some ratings in the Navy and Coast Guard are evaluated for further training and sea time for merchant marine service; the list of approved ratings is the USCG’s Marine Safety Manual, Volume III. For a complete list of approved and credited training, visit the National Maritime Center Website. The Army has their own credentialing system.

Military evaluations require the applicant to: provide a Transcript of Sea Service (TOSS), History of Assignments (HOA) and/or military tracking software printout to include all information required by 46 Code of Federal Regulations 10.225(a)(2 ) or recommended sea service documented in accordance with 10.232(d): Discharges or other documentary evidence of service indicating the name, tonnage, and propulsion power of the vessels, dates of service, capacity in which the applicant served, and on what waters. Joint Command Langley and Fort Eustis provides letters of sea service for US Army.

However, it is highly recommended that you consult your respective transition assistance program office as the Coast Guard, Navy, and Army have developed programs to advise about becoming a merchant mariner. Additionally, this web information does not replace the credential information provided directly by US Coast Guard.  For additional information on the credential process, click here.

Qualifications

Merchant Mariners are generally divided into two categories: officers and ratings.  Officers can advance to various levels of mate, master, assistant engineer or chief engineer.  Ratings can obtain higher level of Able Seaman, multiple Qualified Member of the Engine Department (QMED) ratings, Lifeboatman and various Tankerman endorsements.  Ratings may also obtain and advance through the officer endorsements.

There are special laws and regulations governing merchant seamen which are enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.  In addition to military service, veterans and active military may need some additional training to augment their military qualifications. More information on training sources can be found here.

Credentialed Mariners

The U.S. Coast Guard credentials Merchant Marine Officers, Radio Officers, Staff Officers and ratings endorsements.   Military sea service must be evaluated sequentially in the order obtained over the course of a career that reflects the same progression as a merchant mariner.

The application process and information about the required fees can be found here (46 CFR 10.219).  Military applicants will often seek the highest credential possible, not knowing where they fit in the commercial shipping industry.  This may delay processing.  You may visit the National Maritime Center website to view checklist with professional qualifications for every credential issued to see the credential best suited for your civilian career path.

After submission of the application and payment of required fees, the Coast Guard will evaluate the experience documented and advise on the eligibility of the applicant for officer or rating endorsement(s).

While attending a maritime academy is not necessary to become a credentialed officer, there are six state or regional maritime academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in the United States.  Graduates from these maritime academies will receive an unlimited Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer credential upon passing the appropriate examinations with an accredited Bachelor’s degree.

The Maritime Administration also operates the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy located in Kings Point, NY. The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is one of the five Service Academies of the United States and offers a fully accredited Bachelor’s Degree and graduates receive an unlimited officers credential. The Maritime Administration also supports the six state maritime academies through financial assistance and, most importantly, providing these schools their training ships. Students, or cadets, at these schools can receive financial assistance through the Student Incentive Payment Program, also administered by the Maritime Administration.

The GI Bill provides educational assistance to servicemembers, veterans, and their dependents. Additional information about scholarships available to attend a maritime academy can be found here.

Credentialed Mariners for Ratings

Rating members of a merchant vessel’s crew are either entry-level or skilled. Entry-level mariners do not need experience afloat. Skilled rating mariners must have a specified amount of sea-time as well as training. Skilled rating mariners may also be eligible for credentials as a master or mate. Further information is available at the National Maritime Center’s website.

Maritime Administration

Maritime Administration (MARAD), U.S. Department of Transportation, promotes the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced United States merchant marine, sufficient to carry the Nation’s domestic waterborne commerce and a substantial portion of its waterborne foreign commerce, and capable of service as a naval and military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.

The Maritime Administration does not directly hire merchant mariners nor license them but serves as a resource, providing information regarding career opportunities available to those interested in becoming merchant mariners. The Maritime Administration office that distributes information on seafaring employment and training is:

Office of Maritime Labor and Training
U.S. Maritime Administration (MAR 740)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

Phone: (202) 493-0029
Email: [email protected]

U.S. Coast Guard

As a world class credentialing program, the National Maritime Center staff of highly competent and devoted professionals ensures a safe, secure, economically viable and environmentally sound Marine Transportation System manned by fully qualified U.S. mariners. NMC is a headquarters unit under the United States Coast Guard who works under the auspices of the Department of Homeland Security.

National Maritime Center

100 Forbes Dr.
Martinsburg, WV 25404
Phone: 1-888-427-5662
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 1-304-433-3416

Preferred method of contact is through the NMC online chatting system during operational hours. This forum can be found on the left side of the NMC webpage here.

Transportation Security Administration Resources: TWIC^®

The Transportation Worker Identification Credential, also known as TWIC^®, is a DHS security initiative required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002. Jointly administered by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the TWIC^® program requires transportation workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels to complete a TSA Security Threat Assessment. Upon successful adjudication of the assessment, TSA issues a biometric credential to the worker. In accordance with USCG security plans, facility and vessel owners or operators may grant TWIC^® card holders access to secure areas. U.S. citizens and immigrants in certain immigration categories may apply for the credential.  USCG mariner credentials may require applicants to obtain a TWIC^® before submitting a credential application to the USCG.

Transportation Security Administration – Universal Enrollment Services

TSA security threat assessment enrollment services are administered by a provider, Idemia. Universal Enroll provides convenient online and in-person enrollment capabilities, including a network of more than 350 enrollment centers located across the United States and in some U.S. Territories. Enrollment services include the capture of biometric data (photographs/fingerprints), biographic data, and identity documentation required to enroll and register for certain TSA security threat assessment programs, such as the Hazardous Materials Endorsement Threat Assessment Program, TWIC^®, and TSA Pre✓^® Application Program.

Phone/UES Help Center: 855-347-8371 (Hours of Operation: 8am – 10pm Eastern, Monday – Friday.)
Schedule an Appointment
Find an Enrollment Center

Military Funding Opportunities through Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) Progrms

Both the Department of the Navy and Department of the Army have programs in place through their respective Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) Programs to allow Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard personnel to attain approved credentials at military expense. U.S. Coast Guard credentials to include the Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) are available.  Soldiers and Sailors are highly encouraged to pursue these credentials early in their career development as it enhances their knowledge and skills while they are still serving in uniform, and also facilitates their transition into the civilian maritime employment sector upon separation or retirement from the military.

Find out more details by searching for your military occupation code (Rating or MOS) in Navy COOL or Army COOL.

A number of federal agencies operate vessels, which require merchant mariners.  These include Naval Auxiliaries operated by the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command, the Ready Reserve Force operated by the Maritime Administration, the survey and research vessels operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the domestic boats and dredges operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers; and inspection boats operated by Customs and Border Protection.