Plan B - Marine Transportation?

WindandSea

Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2020
Messages
57
DS is applying to 3 SA's. Our family has zero knowledge of military apart from what I have learned here and on the various websites. He has been seeking info wherever he can get it. He thinks he would like to be a deck officer on a ship. He would like to spend at least 5 years serving his country after graduation. The mission of the Coast Guard is in his heart but he would like to have the license to work commercial shipping after he serves. He is 17 so this is what he thinks now. If he doesn't get into an SA, what Maritime Academy has the best reputation and how hard is it to get into the Coast Guard as an officer after graduating from one?
 
Texas A&M Galveston! And they are one of only a handful of schools that have a CG Auxiliary
 
Have you looked into USMMA? Seems like the right fit as your DS can select USCG upon graduation as well as get a great look at the maritime industry.

I went to local MOC’s academy day last year. I was blown away by the presentation of USMMA. Gives a grad a lot of options: Navy Coast Guard, aviation, etc.
 
Yes USMMA and CGA are top choices with USMMA a front runner. He has also applied to all of the Maritime Academies but hard to know if one is more respected or not in the industry etc. I wish there was a forum like this for info about them. He has sat through virtual open houses at almost all of them and they are all very similar in their programs. Hopefully he will get into an academy and it wont be an issue for Plan B. I sure appreciate the folks on this board..thank you!
 
Yes USMMA and CGA are top choices with USMMA a front runner. He has also applied to all of the Maritime Academies but hard to know if one is more respected or not in the industry etc. I wish there was a forum like this for info about them. He has sat through virtual open houses at almost all of them and they are all very similar in their programs. Hopefully he will get into an academy and it wont be an issue for Plan B. I sure appreciate the folks on this board..thank you!
FYI, when my DS went through the process, one of his Senator’s interview panel members was a A&M maritime graduate. My boy didn’t earn an appointment to USMMA (was qualified) but he did get a nom from that panel. I think in part because of his backup plan. He is a junior MART major at TAMUG now. Looking into MARDGRAD option. FYI none of the maritime academies qualifiy for CSPI.
 
A great plan. I came across the general category of maritime education and maritime colleges, while DD was sifting through her college options. USMMA and private maritime academies = great career opportunities and lifestyle options (at sea or port Ops). Do a quick search of 'Best ROI Colleges'....... if memory serves, you will find that Maritime Colleges place 2-3-4 schools in the Top 10 across all US colleges on almost every list.

As to what schools are best, I just did a quick Duck-Duck-go search of "What is the best maritime college" and pulled up too many articles specifically addressed to ranking Maritime Colleges. I liked this one best. https://www.edumaritime.net/usa/top-maritime-programs, but I am sure you'll find others that are informative.

Finally, the USCG has a program specifically directed to Maritime Academy Grads (MARGAD) https://www.gocoastguard.com/active...es/programs/maritime-academy-graduate-margrad If your son doesn't "pencil-out" getting into the schools specifically referenced in the program, it would be worth the time to contact USCG re other maritime schools from the standpoint acceptability into the USCG Officer Program and the Coast Guards view of the overall quality of the schools your son is looking at, (maybe just direct this inquiry to the USCGA reps your son deals within their application process).

What a great "under the radar" Plan B. I have wondered why it doesn't pop up more on this board?

Good luck to your son
 
A great plan. I came across the general category of maritime education and maritime colleges, while DD was sifting through her college options. USMMA and private maritime academies = great career opportunities and lifestyle options (at sea or port Ops). Do a quick search of 'Best ROI Colleges'....... if memory serves, you will find that Maritime Colleges place 2-3-4 schools in the Top 10 across all US colleges on almost every list.

As to what schools are best, I just did a quick Duck-Duck-go search of "What is the best maritime college" and pulled up too many articles specifically addressed to ranking Maritime Colleges. I liked this one best. https://www.edumaritime.net/usa/top-maritime-programs, but I am sure you'll find others that are informative.

Finally, the USCG has a program specifically directed to Maritime Academy Grads (MARGAD) https://www.gocoastguard.com/active...es/programs/maritime-academy-graduate-margrad If your son doesn't "pencil-out" getting into the schools specifically referenced in the program, it would be worth the time to contact USCG re other maritime schools from the standpoint acceptability into the USCG Officer Program and the Coast Guards view of the overall quality of the schools your son is looking at, (maybe just direct this inquiry to the USCGA reps your son deals within their application process).

What a great "under the radar" Plan B. I have wondered why it doesn't pop up more on this board?

Good luck to your son
Great info, Just Dad..thank you!
 
@WindandSea, if you post your question in the USMMA thread, you will likely get more responses from experienced mariners. Good luck to your DS in his quest.
 
My DS is a graduate of Mass Maritime. He enrolled in both the SSMP and SIP programs and now serves Naval Reserve but has worked on both USNS and commercial ships. One of the seven who went Navy at graduation went active duty and the other six went reserve. I am sure the other Maritime Schools have the same programs.

 
DS is applying to 3 SA's. Our family has zero knowledge of military apart from what I have learned here and on the various websites. He has been seeking info wherever he can get it. He thinks he would like to be a deck officer on a ship. He would like to spend at least 5 years serving his country after graduation. The mission of the Coast Guard is in his heart but he would like to have the license to work commercial shipping after he serves. He is 17 so this is what he thinks now. If he doesn't get into an SA, what Maritime Academy has the best reputation and how hard is it to get into the Coast Guard as an officer after graduating from one?

The only issue with the Coast Guard is he may lack the "tonnage" endorsement as the CG ships are not nearly as large as the commercial or Navy ships. Back when the CG was in DOT, you could get a license, but it would not be issued to you until you left the service. Some commands required it, some didn't, I had my 500ton Masters, Ocean and Coastal License, but was not able to use it because of the normal rotation in the CG between land and sea, it had expired and I didn't have the needed days at sea to renew it on a ship over the required tonnage. You also need to keep current on first aid, CPR, and Firefighting. If a Deck license you need a Certified Radar Observer Rating, and OICNW Certification and all related training. Not easy to obtain or maintain on AD CG service enlisted or officer. Military Services are Exempt from the regs requiring deck watch officers from having a valid Merchant Mariners Document, so that makes it ever more so difficult to get and maintain your license. Depending on the tonnage you are looking at in the commercial sector, unless your son is thinking tugboats or small coastal commercial vessels, he may have a more difficult time obtaining and maintaining his license in the CG than the Merchant Marine. And be careful of MARGRAD, usually they are more involved with the ports, engineering, and building and repair of ships than in the driving of them.
 
Back
Top