A few questions...

TrojanNation

5-Year Member
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Feb 10, 2014
Messages
16
Hi there,

I have just a few preliminary questions to start off my interest in USMMA

What does a midshipman at the academy learn to do with regard to their specialty? What are popular fields of study/majors?

What is the obligation for a midshipman upon graduation from the academy?

What types of careers or jobs are popular amongst graduates, as both civilian and military jobs are applicable right?

Lastly, after fulfilling the obligation, what kinds of jobs can you seek that would utilize your skills? Obviously graduating from any of the service academies shows discipline, responsibility, and perseverance, and has a good deal of prestige involved.

Thank you for anyone who can clear up any of these questions. I really look forward to expanding my knowledge of USMMA.

Regards,
Trojan Nation






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Hi there,

Thank you for your reply. I did look at the website (was a little confused by some of the lingo) and decided to post here to see if I could get any suggestions or opinions to clarify/supplement my reading from people who have experienced the academy.

Respectfully,
Trojan nation


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I had a question about some of the wording on the website. Any help understanding it would be greatly appreciated, as I come from a family/community with very limited military experience.

"You may choose to seek your opportunity as a ship's officer at sea, ashore in the maritime and intermodal transportation field, or as an active duty officer in one of the Armed Forces."
- I notice it says "or as an active duty..". What is the distinction between these two choices? I'm having trouble understanding this wording.

"You will have a service obligation when you graduate -- in the maritime and/or transportation industry, and to Armed Forces Reserve duty."
-This is going to sound stupid, but it is a legitimate question; how many years in the maritime/transportation industry, and how long in reserves?
-Also, what is the duty of an armed forces reservist? What are their obligations/when are they called to active duty?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, part of it is because the answers I find online are either very confusing to me, or the answerer is unsure of their facts. This forum is filled with great, experienced, and very helpful people, and I am very thankful for that.

Very Respectfully,
TrojanNation
 
I had a question about some of the wording on the website. Any help understanding it would be greatly appreciated, as I come from a family/community with very limited military experience.

"You may choose to seek your opportunity as a ship's officer at sea, ashore in the maritime and intermodal transportation field, or as an active duty officer in one of the Armed Forces."
- I notice it says "or as an active duty..". What is the distinction between these two choices? I'm having trouble understanding this wording.

"You will have a service obligation when you graduate -- in the maritime and/or transportation industry, and to Armed Forces Reserve duty."
-This is going to sound stupid, but it is a legitimate question; how many years in the maritime/transportation industry, and how long in reserves?
-Also, what is the duty of an armed forces reservist? What are their obligations/when are they called to active duty?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, part of it is because the answers I find online are either very confusing to me, or the answerer is unsure of their facts. This forum is filled with great, experienced, and very helpful people, and I am very thankful for that.

Very Respectfully,
TrojanNation

In answer to one of your questions, this is from the about page of the aforementioned link:
- Graduates can choose to work five years in the United States maritime industry with eight years of service as an officer in any reserve unit of the armed forces.
- Or five years active duty in any of the nation’s armed forces.

It's either/or.
 
Hope I can help a bit. With an education at KP, you earn a Coast Guard license as a 3rd Assistant Engineer any tonnage or a 3rd Assistant Mate any tonnage. You can work for a variety of commercial companies including river transit, global transport, offshore industry (i.e., oil rigs). You can work for Military Sealift Command, civilian mariners who supply Navy ships. You must maintain your CG license for 5 years. With any of these options, you also will have an obligation to serve in the US Navy Reserve. (I think 8 years?)

Or you can opt for active duty in any branch of the US Military. There's a 5-year obligation if you go this route. DS decided to go active duty Navy as a surface warfare officer.
 
Thank you both very much for your replies! They were both very helpful.

I guess my last remaining question is, what is life as in the reserve like, if you opt for that path? Do you maintain a civilian job/life but with some military activities interspersed every so often? (My research online has been pointing to that, but I don't think any of the answersers were ever in the reserve themselves, or even in the military).

Sub question to that is, if you choose the option of 5 years in maritime transport industry + 8 years in reserve, when you go to the reserve, will you be an officer due to your education at the academy?

Many thanks again
TrojanNation
 
Thank you both very much for your replies! They were both very helpful.

I guess my last remaining question is, what is life as in the reserve like, if you opt for that path? Do you maintain a civilian job/life but with some military activities interspersed every so often? (My research online has been pointing to that, but I don't think any of the answersers were ever in the reserve themselves, or even in the military).

Sub question to that is, if you choose the option of 5 years in maritime transport industry + 8 years in reserve, when you go to the reserve, will you be an officer due to your education at the academy?

Many thanks again
TrojanNation

Last answer first - yes, you go in as an O-1 (Ensign in the Navy or 2LT in other services) either in the Reserves or when you go Active Duty.

On satisfying your reserve commitment and how that basically works, assuming you opt for the most common manner of satisfying your reserve commitment you will be in the US Naval Reserve and an SSO (Strategic Sealift Officer) in the IRR (Individual Ready Reserve) while maintaining your USCG Merchant Mariners license (either initially 3/M (Third mate) or 3 A/E (Third Assistant Engineer). You will be required to do at least two weeks of Active Duty each anniversary year from graduation. The first of these will be a two week orientation training currently given in Norfolk. Subsequent AD stints you will have choices - my understanding is there are currently three training/specialty tracks for SSO's and that's what then gives you the various choices that most pick their AD assignments based on. Additionally you have other ways to earn retirement points and a minimum number of points needed each year for it to be a "good year". That's what determines your promotability and whether or not you accrue enough retirement points to retire after 20+ years in, etc.
 
Hi Jasperdog,

Thank you very much for your detailed and informative answer. Just what I was looking for! I think that wraps everything up!

-Trojan
 
Last answer first - yes, you go in as an O-1 (Ensign in the Navy or 2LT in other services) either in the Reserves or when you go Active Duty.
You would also go in the USCG as an Ensign. :wink:
 
A side note: going active duty in another service DOES depend on the needs of those services. You don't have a straight "active duty or reserves" choice.... but the hope is your desire to serve would sync with the need of the service (like the Coast Guard, Marine Corps, etc).
 
A side note: going active duty in another service DOES depend on the needs of those services. You don't have a straight "active duty or reserves" choice.... but the hope is your desire to serve would sync with the need of the service (like the Coast Guard, Marine Corps, etc).


That actually applies to USN too. The only thing resembling a guaranteed slot is Navy Reserve, SSO


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