Considering Leaving

2024mid1375

2024MIDN
Joined
Mar 15, 2019
Messages
11
For context, I successfully completed plebe year with silver and gold stars, did well in the regiment, participated in a ton of waterfront, and played in many musical ensembles. I absolutely loved it. However, the day I stepped foot on a real ship, I truly despised it. The cold metal surrounding me at all times, the cramped quarters (I'm claustrophobic), the rough-around-the-edges crew members, and the general atmosphere immediately depressed me. Sailing was my only option as I will not be going active, and now that just stepping foot on a ship makes me sad, I don't see how sailing is a viable option. Any advice? I'd prefer it from actual alumni on here, not the parents who think they know what KP is like. Life is short, and I think there are a lot of other things out there that I could excel at, so why force myself down this career path that I'm clearly not going to enjoy when there are so many more options? Thanks in advance. - A 2024-A Midshipman.
 
Sailing is definitely not for everyone. I personally loved it, and absolutely love my current job as a Marine Inspector spending all day on a ship but going home at night. To each his own …

As for staying …

Pros
Alumni Network
Free Education
You don’t have to make sailing a career
Alumni Network
Lots of people are very successful in pursuing non-maritime careers after meeting their obligation
Alumni Network

Cons
Life is too short to be miserable

There is no shame in leaving on your own terms. It doesn't make you a failure, just self-aware.
 
Or the Public Health Service. Remember, your first job will hopefully provide you with economic stability and useful, valuable experience. Combine this with PROs from above and then consider your OPTIONS.
 
2019 grad, sailing for coming up to 3 years/upgraded license. You should quit. Alumni network is good for making friends, but it's small and sporadic unless you want to be in the industry...compared to a bigger school which everyone's gonna recognize. I know what it's like to hate every day of work. I push through it because the pay is okay (6 figures in your first year is a possibility for sure, particularly if you're engine but also for deckies), but not fantastic and it's an easy job (now). Plenty of young guys in other fields make comparable money. Also, sailing you top out at ~250k at almost every company/union as master or cheng, which comes out to over 1k/dayrate or an MSC master/cheng salary in the 200s. In other fields I'm sure you can exceed that.
 
Sounds like sailing ships is not for you at all. Also seems like your not interested in active duty either. Sailing is difficult once you have a family. If you like engineering/NA check out Web Institute. Very competitive to get in...but Web Grads are sought out throughout the wester hemisphere. Their ME/NA BS is tops. Tuition is covered, you pay Room & Board and some fees. Web is not easy at all-ands it'd very different (about 30 per class).
 
For context, I successfully completed plebe year with silver and gold stars, did well in the regiment, participated in a ton of waterfront, and played in many musical ensembles. I absolutely loved it. However, the day I stepped foot on a real ship, I truly despised it. The cold metal surrounding me at all times, the cramped quarters (I'm claustrophobic), the rough-around-the-edges crew members, and the general atmosphere immediately depressed me. Sailing was my only option as I will not be going active, and now that just stepping foot on a ship makes me sad, I don't see how sailing is a viable option. Any advice? I'd prefer it from actual alumni on here, not the parents who think they know what KP is like. Life is short, and I think there are a lot of other things out there that I could excel at, so why force myself down this career path that I'm clearly not going to enjoy when there are so many more options? Thanks in advance. - A 2024-A Midshipman.

Work ashore. Talk to your CoC and Admin and see what they say:



"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."

DO NOT QUIT until you know ALL options that are available.
 
For context, I successfully completed plebe year with silver and gold stars, did well in the regiment, participated in a ton of waterfront, and played in many musical ensembles. I absolutely loved it. However, the day I stepped foot on a real ship, I truly despised it. The cold metal surrounding me at all times, the cramped quarters (I'm claustrophobic), the rough-around-the-edges crew members, and the general atmosphere immediately depressed me. Sailing was my only option as I will not be going active, and now that just stepping foot on a ship makes me sad, I don't see how sailing is a viable option. Any advice? I'd prefer it from actual alumni on here, not the parents who think they know what KP is like. Life is short, and I think there are a lot of other things out there that I could excel at, so why force myself down this career path that I'm clearly not going to enjoy when there are so many more options? Thanks in advance. - A 2024-A Midshipman.
I echo what KP Engineer states. You are young and it is easy to change careers. Personally, I loved it. Even some of the crappier vessels I sailed on beat having a real job. I have also enjoyed my career when I came shoreside. I have always said that there are three things that will have a bit impact on any KP student. First is the Regiment. If you can make it past that and Indoc, well, then there is the Academics. By your statement, you have been able to handle both. The third is actually going to sea and the lifestyle that goes with it. It really isn't for everyone, and is VERY demanding in every way. Not everyone is cut out for a life at sea. At least now you know.
 
I agree with my fellow alums that maybe maritime life isn’t for you. There is no shame in that. The only other advice I would offer though is that winter at the Academy is a tough time. Sometimes it can put you in a dark place mentally. This is especially true your 3/c year when it feels like as far as you’ve come, there is still so much to go. Assuming you are back at school right now after your first sailing, get to spring and finish out your 3/c year. If you still feel that way then, you probably have your answer.
 
For context, I successfully completed plebe year with silver and gold stars, did well in the regiment, participated in a ton of waterfront, and played in many musical ensembles. I absolutely loved it. However, the day I stepped foot on a real ship, I truly despised it. The cold metal surrounding me at all times, the cramped quarters (I'm claustrophobic), the rough-around-the-edges crew members, and the general atmosphere immediately depressed me. Sailing was my only option as I will not be going active, and now that just stepping foot on a ship makes me sad, I don't see how sailing is a viable option. Any advice? I'd prefer it from actual alumni on here, not the parents who think they know what KP is like. Life is short, and I think there are a lot of other things out there that I could excel at, so why force myself down this career path that I'm clearly not going to enjoy when there are so many more options? Thanks in advance. - A 2024-A Midshipman.
Any update? Hope you are happy with your decision.
 
For context, I successfully completed plebe year with silver and gold stars, did well in the regiment, participated in a ton of waterfront, and played in many musical ensembles. I absolutely loved it. However, the day I stepped foot on a real ship, I truly despised it. The cold metal surrounding me at all times, the cramped quarters (I'm claustrophobic), the rough-around-the-edges crew members, and the general atmosphere immediately depressed me. Sailing was my only option as I will not be going active, and now that just stepping foot on a ship makes me sad, I don't see how sailing is a viable option. Any advice? I'd prefer it from actual alumni on here, not the parents who think they know what KP is like. Life is short, and I think there are a lot of other things out there that I could excel at, so why force myself down this career path that I'm clearly not going to enjoy when there are so many more options? Thanks in advance. - A 2024-A Midshipman.
If you don't love what you do its definitely a chore. But if you stick it out and take advantage of the free education you could probably find something that would suit your needs when you get out. I barely made it outta KP but considering the abundance its given me in life its something Im always appreciative of. I remember as a young officer on a destroyer the ROTC guys would always complain about their student loans and me and the NA guys would look at eachother and sheepishly smile. Its definitely a gift so take advantage.
 
Any update? Hope you are happy with your decision.
Just saw this today. Update is that I didn't end up dropping out, and I'm very happy about my decision. Now that I'm nearly done with 2nd sailing and approaching 1/c year, I'm excited and glad that I didn't leave. I've now been on two commercial ships that have taught me an incredible amount and I've met some awesome people too. Still contemplating whether I want to sail or go shoreside after graduation (I've got an internship this summer with my local port), but happy that I'm still keeping after it. Thanks everyone for your advice.
 
Just saw this today. Update is that I didn't end up dropping out, and I'm very happy about my decision. Now that I'm nearly done with 2nd sailing and approaching 1/c year, I'm excited and glad that I didn't leave. I've now been on two commercial ships that have taught me an incredible amount and I've met some awesome people too. Still contemplating whether I want to sail or go shoreside after graduation (I've got an internship this summer with my local port), but happy that I'm still keeping after it. Thanks everyone for your advice.
Kudos to you and the best for 1/c year! For me that was the best at the Academy. I was a “low” level cadet officer, carried two engineering electives, but I got the best grades ever.

I’ll share my Class of 1965 motto with you because the best for you and your classmates is yet to come; “Not just four years…but a lifetime.” Some of my class (16 grads + spouses) just gathered on a week long Mississippi paddle wheeler cruise. It is awesome that a group can get together at 80+ and still have blast!
 
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Just saw this today. Update is that I didn't end up dropping out, and I'm very happy about my decision. Now that I'm nearly done with 2nd sailing and approaching 1/c year, I'm excited and glad that I didn't leave. I've now been on two commercial ships that have taught me an incredible amount and I've met some awesome people too. Still contemplating whether I want to sail or go shoreside after graduation (I've got an internship this summer with my local port), but happy that I'm still keeping after it. Thanks everyone for your advice.
Awesome circle back!
 
I see people mentioning working shore side instead of sailing on their license. How does one work shore side say as an engineer, with the obligation to keep your us coast guard license active for 5 years.
 
I see people mentioning working shore side instead of sailing on their license. How does one work shore side say as an engineer, with the obligation to keep your us coast guard license active for 5 years.
The conditions on the obligation can be found at Obligation Compliance. It is possible for instance to work as a civilian employee of the Navy Department and have that count toward the obligation. Some approvals may be necessary.

The question you raise is interesting since the obligation says you must maintain your license for 6 years. The license expires in 5 years and I believe you need sea time to renew the license.
 
Parts or all of the service obligation can be waived by MARAD on an individual basis under specific circumstances. It is a difficult process and waivers are often denied. In past years, graduates sometimes just ignored their obligations and did as they wished with no real consequences. In current times, MARAD enforcement of the full obligation is assured. Without a waiver, ignoring a service obligation is essentially volunteering to repay the cost of your education
 
The license expires in 5 years and I believe you need sea time to renew the license.
You can renew a license in perpetuity without ever sailing a day on it.

National License - Complete an open book/take home test
International/STCW Endorsement - Complete BST refresher, Complete Fire Fighting refresher
Both - TWIC, Medical Certificate, Negative drug test

There is also a one year grace period after the expiration date during which you can apply for renewal before it goes completely expired.
Once you submit the application, the clock stops and you have one year to complete the process before it goes completely expired.
Effectively you can renew every seven years without the license going completely expired and unable to be renewed without starting over. Note this does not meet program requirements in that you are required to maintain an active license meaning able to go to sea.

Never let it go completely expired. Even if you think you will never sail again, do not let it expire but instead put in in "continuity" which is kind of like cryogenically freezing it and you can thaw it out at any time by meeting the same renewal requirements. As we often say ... in case of job loss, break glass.

Mine has been in continuity for about 10 years but I am just finishing up activating it because day rates for engineers are going up. I am not interested in sailing full time again but when you see temp fill-ins or boat deliveries for 800-1,000 per day it's worth having that active license.
 
I see people mentioning working shore side instead of sailing on their license. How does one work shore side say as an engineer, with the obligation to keep your us coast guard license active for 5 years.
Has to be Maritime related. As an engineer I was offered a job before graduation at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. After leaving Active duty in the Navy I went to work for NASSCO in San Diego.
 
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