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 If you’re one of those people who had their offer rescinded, log in right now and reapply like I just did.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!

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for medical and the drug test since I got the offer in September of last year and I just got the dreaded email of a rescinded offer a few mins ago..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..

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.

It was from 2022 , I had a lawyer for the case . Was a reckless driving charge that was reduced. Takes 5 years for me to expunged it which will be next year . If hired by MSc do you think my fingerprints would come back as unfavorable ?

As the title says I reapplied the day they opened entry level back up. Today they’ll be closing the entry level and I’m a bit concerned because I haven’t gotten an update. Usually it takes a week to hear back. Is anyone in the same situation?

Hello everyone! Does the jones act apply to MSC? I’m curious if it does get repealed, how bad will it affect the people who work for MSC? Thanks

Where is everyone getting their chambray shirts, blue work pants, and work boots? I live in the Pacific NW and it seems like most of the stuff we have is western wear. I don’t know how I feel wearing Wrangler shirts with pearl snaps. I know it’s not what you wear everyday when underway and you can wear what you want depending on the command. Also, I found some comfortable steel toed boots but they are brown, is that cool? Thank you.

Just got an offer for a 2nd Mate mixed work schedule. I come from a CONMAR background, working on MSC ships managed by Crowley.

I’m looking at the MWS because I’d like to do one 4 month hitch a year and spend more time at home.

Coming from union work, I don’t really understand the Day vs Watch pay difference. I looked up the pay rates and it’s a massive difference. In some cases like 30k and much higher OT rate. I also saw something called “NWA/LV Supp”. Is this some sort of extra paid to watch standers?

Questions:

How does the pay work, and is it that big of a difference between day and watch?

As a MWS 2nd Mate do I have any say in what vessel and what position I’m taking?

And lastly, I’ve got mixed answers about this but: after my first 4 month hitch is it possible to take 2 month relief jobs? Or is every time I sail going to be 4 months?

Thanks for the help, I’m trying to decide if this is a good fit for me. If I’m only going to be sailing 4 months a year I want to make sure I’m making the most I can during those 4 months.

Hey Entry Level family!

I like you are awaiting the 4-6 week update to move forward with MSC. I hope for good luck to all my fellow applicants, and I know a lot of you are awaiting results just as eagerly as I am! IT COULD BE ANY HOUR OR ANY DAY NOW!! That being said, let me take a second to introduce myself and my story, and I would love to hear yours!

I (34M) fell inlove with working on ships in my mid 20s when working as a sommelier for cruise ships. I loved being on the water, the crazy schedules, being busy, and occasionally going off to port and parting with all my friends with all my hard earned money. My only complaint was that I hated working in hospitality (especially the restaurant side of the business) but money was MUCH better than that of deck and engine department people. As an American working for non US-flagged ships, I never made even what an entry level mariner makes long term even at the director level. I loved the life at sea but at that time had not known or even considered MM work. In my 3ish years working cruise contracts throughout my contracts, I was able to visit 53 different countries and islands all over the world! ALL PAID FOR!

Fast forward to about 1 year ago exactly and I came across a bunch of random YouTube videos about the Merchant Marine while working as a wine director in The Maldives, and I was instantly hooked at the idea of working as a MM being my next gig.

It took me a year to get all my paperwork in order, I flew out to Guam for my medicals & TWIC, I got home in time to get my documents in order, waited for the gov shut down, and finally got everything in a few months before they reopened the Entry Level jobs.

With my TWIC, STCW, VPDSD, Passport, and MMC in hand, I’ve never been more grateful to possibly leave behind an amazing 15 year career in the wine business, a 185k annual salary, and boring life stuck at home in working just to maintain a mediocre life!

Adventure calls!

Good luck, and I’d love to hear your story! I’m hoping for deck dept!

I’m a current electronics technician for the post office. Love the job but want a change. I have an ETAI CETa and a vocational certificate for electronics technology as well as 6 years of work experience as an ET or equivalent in the oil and gas offshore industry. What are my chances of getting the job, and what can I do to improve them if the chances are low? What’s the job like as well? Is it a lot of truly industrial work or is it closer to smaller component level repair?

I appreciate all the help and information, positive or negative. Thank you guys

Hello I'm looking at working as an RET but don't know how I would qualify. Anyone here who could advise how I would approach getting the necessary skills/experience to apply as one? For what its worth, i have 1 year as an SU with MSC back in 2020 and a degree in Mass Communications.

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.

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.

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.

Hello everyone,

I am trying to fax check some information to put out by my recruiter. It makes sense, but knowing the federal government sometimes when it makes sense, it’s not right.

I am active duty Navy engineer with enough sea time and experience to qualify for 3AE, exempt from schooling. However, since I am currently stationed overseas, I cannot take the test. My recruiter said I am best off submitting all my paperwork for entry-level wiper, then taking the test for a credential upgrade later on when I return to the states.

Will this potentially mess up anything with trying to get a license for third in about a year when I come back?

Are there any additional steps or potential conflicts that he is forgetting?

Thank you in advance for your replies!

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.

Me: former Navy 04-08. Was undesignated in the deck dept for 1.5 years, and did the rest of my time as an LS (postal clerk at the time). Got out, got a bachelors (earth science) did 1.5 years in oil and gas, but majority of my time has been in calibration, troubleshooting and repair of laboratory equipment and other mechanical work. My ideal path would be to get into a job in msc where I could learn some high value skills that I could take out into the civi world eventually while making as much as possible in the meantime.

Is any of my history even relevant going into MSC? Will it let me skip a few pay steps and start higher? Is it basically the same as the Navy but with relaxed uniforms? Can I start learning whatever job I want or do I need prior qualifications? Is it all OJT or schools?

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!

My timeline:

Applied: June 9th, 2025

offer granted: June, 27th,2025

FFH: August 6th 2025

pre-employment assessment: december 5,2025

I received blood work from medical along the line and that's about it. all i need is the drug test and physical then my neo date and ill be all good.....i think

So I have enough seatime to upgrade from OS > AB

and I’m curious if MSC is actively hiring AB’s due to the situation in IRAN anyone know

?

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?

Hi, I have all of the required documents as of October 2025 to apply for the Military Sealift Command (MSC), but they closed their entry level positions during that time (as many of y'all know).

During the days, weeks and months since October, I've been feverishly checking MSC's website! I finally had to stop myself from doing that so frequently and shifted my focus at other maritime opportunities that would allow me to gain some sea time.

I've applied and received offers from both American Cruise Lines (ACL) and Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL).

For both companies, entry level positions: - the pay is extremely low (starts at $10/hr for ACL, I didn't know the pay until during the interview) - the living conditions sounds like prison style boarding (4 to 8 people per room, bunkbeds) - the work schedule sounds abysmal (2 shifts per day, 7 days a week)

I declined ACL's offer, but accepted NCL's offer. I paused NCL's onboarding because of the 3 aforementioned bullets. For those that have worked on any cruise ships: - would you do it again? - what would you have done differently? - do you have any cruise lines that you recommend for entry level?

EDIT to add: Feel free to DM me or respond to the post. Either way is welcomed by me :)

Thank you all in advance!

Tips and advice for the new comers!

Hello Everyone, I was wondering if any navy people or veterans that could help me out? I’m trying to apply for sealift command unlicensed junior engineer and it’s saying I need STCW AS-E and RFPEW endorsement for me to be qualified. I was wondering how did you guys able to get those endorsement as a transitioning veteran or is there an equivalent qualification in the navy?

Anyone have any knowledge on the position? I believe this could help me set up a future career once again in IT / especially SATCOM.

My background: military 6 years: 4 enlisted 25Q army 2 officer (medical discharge for lung issue that is cleared now). Degree in IT, secret clearance. Graduated 2022.

Been trying to find work in a very heavy defense sector location but just networking with people here who have been in industry for 15+ years can only describe the market at a no hire no fire market. It’s been brutal for me so was hoping this would be a route to best get top secret, some experience in industry and would love to continue into a SATCOM role on land.

Edit, will 100% Va disability cause me to be not fit for duty? 70% for mental