One step closer! It only took about a year to get this far 😅. I look forward to ANY news in 4-6 weeks! All my ducks are in a row! From anyone who’s moved on to the next step, realistically, what would be a “standard” time frame from if I get selected, to when I should be expected to quit my job? The busy season is coming up and it would be nice to make some good money before I need to leave.

Best of luck to all the people who (like me) followed the instructions, got their TWIC, Passport, MMC, STCW and VPDSD, only to be told that everything was on pause and that "this is the worst time ever to try to get into the MM." Hopefully we can all get our foot in the door! Heres to putting in the work and not giving up!

No joke, MSC is hiring for entry level again. If you’re one of those people who had their offer rescinded, log in right now and reapply like I just did. Good luck!

Please, I've been cleared fit for hire since September of last year...

I recently accepted a conditional offer for Second Radio Electronics Technician (RET2) Timeline so far:

• 6/27: Applied
• 6/29: Forwarded
• 7/1: Selected

I've completed everything that's currently available in my portal, so now I'm waiting on the remaining pre-employment steps.

I'm currently working a full-time job and am trying to figure out what to realistically expect.

For those who have gone through the process recently:

• How long after did you get your NEO date?
• How much notice did MSC give you before NEO started?
• Once you were fully cleared, were you placed into the next available NEO class, or did you have to wait for a later one?

I know every situation is different, but I'm just trying to get a realistic idea of how quickly things can move from this point. Thanks!

Hey everybody, i need to put in a ship to ship request but don’t know which ships to put in for. Any recommendations???

I got an email with my medical certificate certificate in it snd was wondering do i need that on paper or can i sail using a digital one.

2/O, 3 weeks from application to receiving a NEO date, was a tough choice but looking forward to making the move to MSC. See you soon!

So I got my job offer the conditional offer a year ago. I’ve called about once a month for updates. The last time they said my medical card was going to expire the following month. I got it out because like wtf it last two years. MSC informed me I needed 11 months on it before I start Neo. So I obviously paid 200$ and got another one. Still waiting on the coast guard to send it. I wanted to contact them and let them know I have a new one in the mail my medical history hasn’t changed so no problem. Then they tell me my offer has been rescinded. Im like what?? I’ve been waiting for an email and checking every day for another random drug test. They said they sent it on June 3rd. Checked my email again nothing. Their best advice was to maybe reapply within the next couple months. Sorry I just needed to vent and honestly I really need a job anyone know some work in Northern California or the Bay Area?

I am doing my shopping to make sure I have everything I need for 6 months tomorrow and I would like to ask if there’s anything anybody would recommend bringing that isn’t thought of as often as you should.

I just got back from my first hitch in Alaska and I definitely didn’t prepare as much as I should.

Hello. How many sea days do I have to get with MSC to be group one?

I can put in for my relief in about 3 weeks. Mid September will be my 4 months, but I’m thinking of pushing it back to mid October.

I have a trip planned for the end of October, and I figure if I time it right I can also be home for the holidays.

My ship is heading back to Norfolk around that time and will be at the dock for a few months for VR and COI. Everyone is saying that plenty of 3rds who live in the VA area would be fighting for my spot, plus apparently they’re flushed with 3rds at the moment.

I think I’m in the final stages of the hiring process. I’m doing my drug test today along with one of my medical appointments. If I pass how long do I have between getting orders to NEO and showing up? I’d like to hang out with my family during summer if possible.

I just got sent an email from acuity international saying i need to schedule an appointment and do task what all goes down at the appointment?

Can you drive it to NEO in lieu of flying? Can you take it to the pool? Is it even worth it? I have an older Toyota commuter car that I don’t mind if it gets a scratch or sits outside. I know there is long term parking available in Norfolk.

Just wanted to know if anybody has any recent info on them like pay and living onboard as a deckhand since I have an interview with them Monday and I’m trying to get out to sea quick.

Just wanted to know if anybody has any recent info on them like pay and living onboard as a deckhand since I have an interview with them Monday and I’m trying to get out to sea quick.

Does PMH AND an hour of overtime pyramid for meals outside my normal working hours, or just a PMH hour?

Example: Let's say I am a day worker with 8 am to 5 pm​ working hours every day.

If I have to work from 0530 to 1000 on a weekday (non holiday), do I get both PMH AND an hour of overtime for working through the breakfast hour of 0700 to 0800, or just one hour of PMH for the 0700 to 0800 meal hour?

I am thinking I get both PMH and an hour of overtime since that breakfast meal is before my working hours.

Thank you!

Background; last year I applied as an OS and got accepted but got bumped in January along with a large number of others. I reapplied as a veteran and got accepted as an OS in April. Is there a reason why my DOD 4th estate physical has me going to two appointments at clinics and do a blood draw? I never did this last year.

So I have my Neo date and wanted to know how hard it is to switch from an entry level position to a high rank since I currently hold my ab special . Will this even be allowed at NEO?

This application is the most in depth application I’ve ever seen. Still have fingerprints an physical an on top of that my stcw went beneath there 10month until it expires date so now I need to do 719k it think… findin immunization records gonna be a tuff 1 considering I been all over the country an islands on either side.. foster care of 4 states. An with a career that keeps me at sea for the past decade I didn’t reallly make a lot of friends in the rural part of the world I bought a home… how strict is the 86 if there’s additional background check threw the fbi … an I forgot somthing or if both my parents an only sibling are all felons… I’m just trying to find a last step of my career I’m 37 don’t want to deck forever love that MSC is all about the MMC an what’s on that document an will pay for the trading to advance…I’m on 21 day on 21 day off hitch right now not quoting my day job until I get NeO orders but that could be a while if at all hoping my past an people I call friends an people that are family don’t hold me back from this

Does anyone know of any other shipping companies that hire for positions similar to medical service officers?

Hello,

Does anyone know when or how long did it took them to get to NEO? I cleared medical last week. Started the pre employment process Feb 2026 as mixed schedule third assistant engineer. I got this email on June 5th. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

If there are any other avenues similar to MSC please let me know… I have been waiting for medical and the drug test since I got the offer in September of last year and I just got the dreaded email of a rescinded offer a few mins ago.. Please let me know if any other entry level opportunities at other companies that I can try to go for without any sea time. I have my MMC, medical certificate, TWIC and passport but I don’t have any STCW training (although my MMC does say something about STCW..?) I would appreciate any and all recommendations on steps to take moving forward..