Hello shipmates,

The time is now to learn everything you can about how valuable your Navy sea time is to the maritime community.  Since we all have sailed on what the maritime world calls unlimited tonnage, we don’t have to worry about that part.  Documenting your sea time, dates on board and, your primary duties on-board each ship is everything.  Here at Mid Atlantic Maritime Academy we have everything you need to getting started. Professional knowledge, experience, many former Navy / Merchant instructors are here to navigate you through all the pitfalls sailors normally fall into when they file with the Coast Guard on their own.  Please take the time to give us a call and let’s start documenting your sea experience well before you get out of the Navy.  Also please remember this for all your junior personal, the earlier that start this process, the higher up there pay will be when they get out or retire.

Military to Merchant Mariner Transition Advice

If you’re a sailor in the military, you can register for your Merchant Mariner Credential and begun to accrue sea time on large vessels before you even leave the Navy.  We’ve talked with a number of people who wish they’d done that.  Those who do can step from a military career to a merchant career with relative ease.

Knowing the process is important. The transition process can be greatly delayed because of small mistakes.  If you are even considering this career before you get out of the Military, there are several steps to be taken prior to transitioning out.  These steps can save you time and money:

Step 1.

Obtain your Transportation Workers Identification Card (TWIC).  This card costs $132.50.  You are required to have this card before the U.S. Coast Guard will even accept your application.  This process takes roughly 2-5 weeks.

Step 2.

MAMA has provided examples of letters you’ll need to obtain from your current command that will help smooth your process.  Prior to submitting your Service Record, make extra copies of your 1605/4 and 1605/5 pages - also known as your Page 4 (Qualification) and Page 5 (Assignment History) as well as all of your Evaluation/Fitrep reports.  Basically, anything that shows proof of Deck or Engineering watch’s you have stood and qualifications that you have obtained.  PSD also does Sea Service Transcript Letters, get one.   Recommendation letters from prior Chiefs, Officers and CO’s will be a lot easier to get while you are still in.  You should gather at least three recommendation letters whether or not you need them.

Step 3.

Courses at MAMA.  Transitioning Military personnel do not need to take the full Basic Safety Training Course.  The course normally costs $1000.  For transitioning military, you will only have to take the Immersion Suit and First Aid/CPR components of the class.  The cost for those two is $175.00.  We will help you consider which other classes you need to obtain your credentials.  The classes you need will depend on your former level of experience.

Step 4.

Obtain your Merchant Mariners Credentials.  The paper work for this is extensive, but you can’t miss filling in any of the information.  It can hold you back even if you miss one question.  We will look over it and help you through the process.  We can also fax your package to the Regional Exam Center if you’d like.