sign on with union while with msc?

nhpdad

5-Year Member
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Aug 8, 2011
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DS just graduated KP and is starting with MSC.
During orientation he was given a presentation about joining MEBA.
Can anyone describe the pros and cons of joining vs. not joining?
Thanks.
 
I would if no other reason than to give myself an easy(er) path out of MSC.

Once he tires of the very high tempo and sailing 11+ months out of the year he will be able to move to shipping out of the hall and already have some seniority and a higher union book. MSC isn't a bad place to start because you get so much sea time that you can upgrade quickly, but not somewhere I would choose to make a career.
 
Thanks. Your input is greatly appreciated, and was in line with advice we received from others.
 
MEBA gives you the choice of getting a ship out of a number of ports. Son has gone out of Port Elizabeth and Tampa. The insurance benefits seem very good and it is probably worth the dues. He is also USNR and gets to complete his required documented service while shipping out.
 
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I'm presuming it means that shipping gives him greater flexibility to do Reserve duty than a typical shoreside job.
 
Exactly. As Sealift Command USNR they are required to do a certain time at sea each year to complete their scholarship requirements. Easier to document through MEBA than through a bankrupt shipping line.
 
Exactly. As Sealift Command USNR they are required to do a certain time at sea each year to complete their scholarship requirements. Easier to document through MEBA than through a bankrupt shipping line.

Thats actually not quite correct.

The Navy doesn't have a blanket requirement to have any time at sea each year. Certain sectors of the Navy SSO Program contain a sailing requirement, but these are optional. There is a sailing requirement that is from MARAD which is a completely different agency than Military Sealift Command (DoT vs. DoN).
You can get extra points from the Navy for sailing in excess of over 180 days per year, which with MSC is pretty much guaranteed even if you don't want to. The Navy cannot accept MEBA documentation for this.
 
Alright.... so now that I catch your drift I figure I'll clear a few things up.

Exactly. As Sealift Command USNR

It's called the Strategic Sealift Officer program, while it supports MSC it is a part of Navy Reserve Forces Command.

they are required to do a certain time at sea each year to complete their scholarship requirements.

Scholarship=Service Obligation, and I think it is worth pointing out that the requirements for MARAD are different than the Navy. There is no minimum for the navy, however you can get retirement points if you sail more than 180 days, and an ADT waiver if you sail more than 240.

Easier to document through MEBA than through a bankrupt shipping line.

Almost all of the ships that employ Kings Pointers are in categories/trades that require mariners to be given certificates of discharge. So really doesn't make a tinkers difference if you're working with the most union loyal MEBA brothers on the planet, or the friendly folks at transatlantic lines. When it comes to validating/measuring sea time, Certificates of Discharge are the gold standard. Your statement of benefits from the union doesn't carry much weight.


Edit: What KPEng said...
 
@KPEngineer Do you know this teacher in the deck department named CDR Kevin Hasson? I figured you do because he's also class of 97 (I think). Interesting guy.
 
Sorry, he was in SIP program at Maritime Academy not at KP for direct commission or USNR. He had to do some active duty in San Diego this year with not enough sea time last year to fulfill his scholarship obligation (or so he said). Hey send me to San Diego. The rules get pretty crazy for each of the assistance programs. He does fill out his Annual Service Compliance Report and send it to MARAD. Who knows. There are so many different qualifications and requirements!
 
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When it comes to validating/measuring sea time, Certificates of Discharge are the gold standard. Your statement of benefits from the union doesn't carry much weight.

They still give discharges? That's good. With so many changes, I was wondering. . . .
 
They still give discharges? That's good. With so many changes, I was wondering. . . .

The wizbang tech savy master can do them on the computer, but most of mine are still done by hand.
 
I still have mine. Just don't trust USCG and their recordkeeping.
 
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