Overview
Become a part of America’s “fourth arm of defense”: the Merchant Marine. You’ll lead civilian ships used to transport both imports and exports during peacetime and serve as an auxiliary to the Navy during times of war, delivering both troops and supplies.
Description
In an era of global trade and increased interdependency, Merchant Marine Officers are on the forefront of a modern-day arsenal of democracy, ensuring the free flow of goods vital to our national security. They serve in traditional positions on civilian ships everywhere from oceans and lakes to inland rivers. You’ll find Merchant Marine anywhere maritime traffic is present.
The Merchant Marine predates both the United States Coast Guard (1790) and the U.S. Navy (1797). In times of war, Merchant Marine Officers may be designated as military Officers by the Department of Defense.
Specifics
Officer positions in the Merchant Marine include:
Master Mariner — Possesses all the qualifications to command a ship. Candidates must be proficient in the application of a barometer, chronometer and sextant to map a course across the open ocean waters.
Chief Mate — Head the deck department on a merchant vessel and serve as second in command. Primary responsibilities are the vessel’s cargo operations, its stability and supervising the deck crew.
Second Mate — Be in charge of navigation and responsible for maintaining the charts and navigational equipment on the bridge. Duties also entail developing the voyage plans under the direction of the Ship’s Master.
Third Mate — The junior Officer of the ship is usually the safety Officer. Third Mate is also responsible for firefighting equipment, lifeboats and emergency systems and is in charge of a (bridge or cargo) watch.
Training
Merchant Marine Officers are usually trained at a maritime academy, including the federal U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., and six state maritime academies. Each year, the Merchant Marine Academy selects 275 young men and women for entry. They come from every state of the Union as well as from backgrounds reflecting every facet of American life.
Graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are commissioned into the Navy Reserve by default if they do not choose to be commissioned in another service of the Armed Forces.
More Information
- Candidates must:
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- Be of good moral character
- Meet the physical, security and character requirements necessary for appointment as U.S. Navy Reserve, Merchant Marine Reserve Midshipmen
- Be at least 17 years of age and must not have passed their 25th birthday before July 1 in the year of entrance
- Obtain a Congressional nomination to the Academy, submit a completed application and qualify scholastically
- Be citizens of the U.S. either by birth or naturalization, except for a limited number of international Midshipmen specially authorized by Congress
- In addition, the Admissions Office evaluates each candidate’s:
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- High school record and class rank
- SAT or ACT standardized scores
- Recommendations from school officials
- History of extracurricular activities
- Ability to pass a Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA)
- And other evidence of character, leadership and potential for academic achievement
To learn more about becoming a Merchant Marine Officer in the Navy Reserve, visit ways to join or contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter.