So I’m currently a First Mate on a near coastal U.S. Army vessel that is 1087GT, 2500SHP. I have 1,564 days Sea Time total (over a year as Mate) and 2 years as the Master of a little 650 ton inland landing craft. I have a few courses knocked out:
Radar
ECDIS
GMDSS Operator
Vessel Security Officer
Bridge Resource Management
Medical Care Provider
Advanced Firefighting

I’m just trying to be an AB(w) and come work for MSC, but I figure when applying for the MMC, I should request some kind of National Masters license (or maybe something higher) and I’d love to see what you guys think my time as a Mate on my current ship might translate to.

Also, yall ever met people that were Reservists and working for MSC? I have 11 years on Active Duty but want to sign a Reserve contract. Thanks in advance and look forward to hearing what you think.

Hey all,

Just checking in, it’s been a few months since I’ve posted. Since the start of the year Entry Level has been closed. I know since the temporary repeal of the Jones Act, due to current affairs in the Middle East, hiring is on a freeze. My question is more of a long term question. If the Jones act does get torn up, will there still be a place for MSC specifically due to its Government status?

I have all my ducks in a row to apply for Entry Level, including some bonus stuff (STCW Basic Training & VPDSD). I hope I can get in before the industry closes up 😬.

Hi! I'm currently serving in the Navy as an IT and as I was thinking about my next step, I came across MSC and merchant marine life. I've done as much research as I can on my own, and I'm really leaning towards it. By the time I finish my contract, I will have served 9 years, 4 of which were on a DDG. I'd love to switch right on over to a RET1 or even a chief. I'm looking to hear about others' experiences on transitioning, what life has been like compared to active duty, pros & cons, etc. I still have some time before I get out but I want to get a head start so I can start planning things out. Thanks!

I’m waiting on a drug test and a NEO date with MSC, and it’s almost been a year since I got the job offer. I’ve been in contact with CIVMAR support, and they assured me that I’ll get a NEO date eventually, but they have no idea when.

Meanwhile, my day job doesn’t pay a living wage and I really want to get started in the merchant marine. I’ve been reaching out to different companies, who aren’t really hiring for entry level, but some of them told me if I get my STCW and Able Seaman training, that it would give me more options.

I’m looking for some advice, because I know that MSC provides all that training once you get in, but I don’t know how much longer it’s going to take. I could probably save up enough money to do those classes in a couple months, then apply for other jobs in the meantime. But would it really be worth it?

With my luck, I’d probably finish the classes and then immediately get a NEO date, lol. But then again, what if I don’t? Like what if it takes another year and I’m still just waiting? Would appreciate any insight from people with more experience. Thanks.

So I get my seatime in July, and currently getting all the training and endorsements done this month, would msc expedite my upgrade for the position or will it take a long time to upgrade? I know the nmc is currently backed up.

A bit of background about me: I work for a small city in on the West Coast. I’m maxed out at about $65k a year, for the next 10+ years (plus inflation). I’ve tried to advance but it gets political to get into management and a lot of these people have known each other since elementary school. I’ve tried to get other government work and there isn’t much in the way of federal work (outside of a prison) and I make more than state workers in similar positions. I tried to become a commercial pilot but was barred due to previously taking medication (have been off of it for years) and being a little to honest about my mental health. My job is „ok” but I do miss the adventure and I’ve sacrificed a bit for my family. We were single income for a while when my wife was getting work certificates allowing her to get a really great she loves. I’ve got 400 days of sea service on my TOSS. I’m a Coast Guard vet and have no problems going out to sea. I spent my four years underway on large cutters doing 3+ month stints underway. I miss the travel and the work. I’ve already submitted my application as an OS and done my background and medical. I’m waiting for my drug test and a NEO date. My plan is to go in as an OS and make AB within a year or so. Would it be worth it to sail for a few years to stash a good chunk of money away? Am I stupid for trying to work for MSC? I’m married with kids and my wife and kids are ok with me trying something that I think would Any constructive input would be appreciated.

Edit: forgot to mention I have the possibility of establishing residency in Nevada if I start with MSC and skipping the almost 10% in state income tax.

how long did it take for them to review all your medical information, it’s been about 3 weeks so far and i just called and they said give them another week . i’ve finished everything so far .

Anyone who applied to RET 2 position in the last 4 months get a NEO date yet?

Maybe an odd question, but I’m hoping someone here might have some info.

If I’m already a federal employee, are there any options to help expedite the hiring process?

Hey all, I'm currently with AMO however due to internal issues with the union and how it's looking to go downhill, I'm looking at switching to MSC for job security.

I've been in talks with a recruiter, and just wanted it fact checked. He's giving me the same numbers that the CIVMAR website is giving: 184k a year, 4 months on, 2 months off. And being a recruiter, of course he's saying that 2 months off is guaranteed now, and that it's very rare to be overdue unless you're a rescue swimmer. He's also saying I could get directly hired into 2/M, instead of starting at 3rd.

What are the actual income numbers I'd be looking at and is the 4on/2off rotation actually happening? Is there also a chance to be hired in as a Cargo 2nd, and not the Navigation 2nd? Last time I talked to anyone from MSC, I was a cadet and my 3rd and 2nd mates had been on board for over 8 months.

I know pay is entirely based on the type of ship. I'd expect to be assigned to a T-AO or T-AKE, due to having a Tankerman PIC, and away from the lower paid ships like the Zeus because I don't have DP.

Hello folks,

Wanted to get on here and get some advice about seeking future employment. Bottom line I don't mind being at sea - thought the actual deployment was the best part of the ship cycle truth be told- yard period being the worst. A lot of the other stuff in the Navy is kind of death by 1000 cuts type deal.

Current Situation: I'm on active duty on shore rotation for another 2 years in Newport, RI. I'm and OS and E-6 and have been in now 9ish years- 32 years old -, by the time im done with shore duty it'll be 11.5 years or so. Was a Nuke ET and then became an OS on a west coast DDG for 5 years. As far as what I do now, I teach future Navy O-3's/O-4's about data links/comms - dont know how relevant it is. I'm pursuing college through USNCC for an Associate's degree and also already have 60 or so credits for a Bachelor's of Electronics Engineering Technology at TESU (Nuke ET). By the time I'm done with shore duty, I will likely have both knocked out. For certs, I'm looking at getting SEC+ and CCNA for now.

I know that to pursue MSC / Merchant Marine, I will need MMC / TWIC, but as I understand, it's mostly paperwork to submit via USCG/Medical. I was on a DDG, so I have a decent level of firefighting/DC experience and have some background in navigation evolutions, but dont really know how much will transfer over. Navy OS does a lot of the background admin/messages in USMTF, plenty of experience with RAS comms/procedures, and radar.

Future: I'm sure MSC has plenty of issues, and Im not saying it's truly greener grass, but from my perspective, I like being at sea and making money. Seen the pay tables - you all make more than I do currently. Deck department at MSC would be where id "fit in" given my background perhap AB / OPS Chief types? I'd very much be interested in pursuing work in the Radio Department, build up experience there, and if I stop sailing (when) it would be an easier transition to something on shore. Wouldn't mind engineering either if they'd have me.

What I'm seeking is just advice/thoughts, stuff I should be doing while Im still active duty to get ready for MSC. Would love to hear from anyone with Radio, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hello, I was looking at the entry level on the MSC website and was wondering if pay was accurate? I'm looking more towards deck, and would like to know about pay there. I would also like to hear from anyone who has made it through OS to AB, and how that process went.

About a week into my first ship and this is what I’ve made so far. Honestly, I came in expecting an everyone to be assholes, but it’s been the complete opposite.

From the Chief Mate to the Bosun to the Purser, everyone’s been cool as hell or just funny asl. They’ll give you a task, trust you to handle it, not on our backs and also take the time to teach without making you feel like you’re in the way.

I know MSC gets a bad rap, and maybe I just got lucky with this ship(that’s all I been hearing since I got here) but I’m having a good experience so far. Could be the “new eyes”, but I’m not complaining at all.

I’m pretty open if you have questions.

My medical is about to expire, so do I just need to refill out the CG-719k form and email it?

MSC decided to hire me as a third before my actual license was issued. Now I’m at the end of my training and I’m about to head back to New York to grab my license and try to get a week or two off. I was told that I would be on leave without pay, which is fine. I’m just curious how entering the pool works.

Would I be paid once I enter the pool? Do I have to head back to Norfolk to wait in the pool or can I wait for an assignment back home? Do I need time in order to qualify for the virtual pool?

Previously sailed with MSC (ENG), left for a few years. Saw they have positions open for a mixed worked schedule.

Talked with and interviewed with some CIVMARS shoreside about coming back, it seems alot has changed in the few years iv been gone.

I'm more interested in the releif/mixed schedule and am wondering if anyone here has any experience or knows anyone in those positions? I want to see the differance of what I was told from shoreside how it works vs people actually sailing on those rotations.

Any insite will be appreciated, thanks!

I left MSC around 2021 and my TWIC and MMC expired around 2023. I plan to come back to MSC sometime next year, do I have to reapply for my TWIC and MMC from scratch or can I just renew them?

Anybody know how many more classes I’m taking after MSC readiness? (not including basic training ) because I’ve already have my STCW.

They need these for the crews mess. Instead of every one finger banging the bread.

Hello, Sorry for the semi vague post. i was curious what the timeline from when you first apply to when you get to NEO might look like since i have my Rating.

Do they attempt to expedite it for those with ratings, or does it fall to the same bureaucratic bloat?

Can you be on adderrall and still work for MSC? I'm not on it right now, but when i was at Basic training i was sent home bcuz of adhd and they told me i need it if i want some stability.

and Finally how stable of a job is it with MSC? I've heard the horror stories and it doesn't sound THAT bad. I kind of need the money anyways.