Reading through the OPNAV instruction referenced by Engineman02, there are two things to note.
- By graduating from Kings Point you are automatically qualified to wear the Strategic Sealift Officer Warfare Insignia (SSOWI).
- The Merchant Marine Naval Reserve insignia (Sea Chicken) is no longer authorized for wear on a Navy uniform.
The following is directly copied from the OPNAV instruction.
12. Strategic Sealift Officer Warfare Insignia (SSOWI) and
Qualification. The SSo warfare qualification recognizes the
demonstrated professional expertise of a select group of
personnel trained in strategic sealift operations. Only those
officers who have completed the requirements outlined herein
shall be eligible for designation as a SSO and wear the SSOWI.
Qualification is mandatory for all 1665 officers. Eligibility
to qualify is limited to commissioned officers in the special
duty restricted line designator of 1665/SS0.
a. Qualification. To qualify for the SSOWI, candidates
shall ,
(1) Obtain a commission as an officer ~n the United
States Navy or Navy Reserve at a minimum rank of ensign through
one of the following sources:
(a) Graduation from the USMMA at Kings Point, NY, or
one of the state maritime academies in Maine, Massachusetts, New
York, Texas, California, or at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy,
and successfully complete the Naval Science curriculum
administered per reference (b) while serving under a TSA.
b. Authorization to Wear the SSOWI
(1) COMSC, through the SSOPM, will formally designate,
in writing, qualified SSOs following the above criteria. Copies
of the designation letter will be forwarded to NAVPERSCOM. Upon
receipt of the designation letter, NAVPERSCOM will assign the
appropriate AQD to those officers designated as SSOs.
(2) Once qualified, relevant comments should be included
in an individual's fitness report.
(3) The SSOWI shall be worn per reference (i).
(4) Personnel qualified to wear the SSOWI who change
designators may continue to wear the insignia per reference (i)
Personnel in a 1665 designator, who qualified as an MMR prior to
the date of this instruction will wear the SSOWI subject to
paragraph 12c of this instruction.
(5) Strategic sealift midshipmen are not authorized to
wear the SSOWI. The Merchant Marine Naval Reserve insignia will
no longer be authorized for wear on the Navy uniform .