- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 1,957
JAM had asked a while back about the service obligation of a USMMA Grad going Active duty vs. Reserves. I meant to answer but forgot until someone just ask me today about it. Sorry JAM, I didn't mean to ignore the question. Now, I'm not a whiz at this because its about the most complicated deal I think I've ever seen.
In short, active duty has a 5 year requirement and must keep up their 3rd mates license for 6 years. Reserves serve 8 years with the license obligations as well:
http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/PDFs/Catalog3.pdf
The Reserve information above is located on page 28 of the KP catalog. Page 26 is where it gives details of Active duty. If you go check out the Active Duty obligations, the kids have a boat load
of choices to make in how they will serve. Page 27 of the catalog just plain looks like jibber jabber to me. LOL HEY! This stuff makes my head hurt! 

Reserve Military Duty -
In order to comply with your service obligation
you must apply for and accept an appointment
as a commissioned officer in the U.S.
Naval Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, or
any other Reserve unit of an armed force of
the United States. With the recommendation
of the Officer-In-Charge, Department of Naval
Science, and the Academy superintendent,
you will receive your appointment at graduation.
Although officer appointment applications
may be made to any armed force, the majority
of graduates will be appointed as ensigns in
the Merchant Marine Reserve, U.S. Naval
Reserve. After appointment as Ensign, USNR,
you must perform satisfactorily in the Naval
Reserve for eight years. An individual’s
requirements and options under this program
will vary depending on whether the graduate
is working at sea or ashore. Details will be
provided by the Naval Science Department
either through their course of instruction or
upon request.
Graduate Service Obligation
Employment:
A graduate may fulfill the employment obligation
portion of his/her service obligation in
five ways as follows:
Serve in the foreign and domestic commerce
and the national defense of the U.S. for
at least five (5) years following graduation as:
1. a merchant marine officer in the U.S.
flag fleet;
2. a commissioned officer on active duty in
the U.S. Armed Forces or the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) Corps;
3. with the federal Government in a maritime-
related position that serves the
national security interest; or
4. if a determination has been made that
no afloat positions are available for you,
you may serve ashore in a U.S.
maritime-related industry, profession or
marine science.
5. By combination of the services specified
above.
Maintenance of Coast Guard License:
Maintain (or upgrade) the license as an
officer in the U.S. merchant marine, including
all endorsements held at graduation, for six (6)
years following graduation.
Service as a Commissioned Officer in
the Reserves of the U.S. Armed Forces of
the United States:
Apply for and accept, if tendered, an
appointment as a commissioned officer in the
reserves of the U.S. armed forces for at least
six (6) years following graduation.
Report Compliance to MARAD:
Report to MARAD annually concerning
your compliance with the foregoing maritime
service obligations, as set forth in the next
paragraph.
You are required to report in each year following
your year of graduation to inform
MARAD about your compliance with your service
obligations. Regardless of the date of
your graduation, each graduate must submit
a service obligation report from between January
1 and March 1, starting the first January
1 after graduation and for at least an additional
six (6) consecutive years thereafter.
Graduates are required to file reports through
to the last report that demonstrates that all
obligations have been satisfied. If a graduate
completes the service obligations within the
six years following graduation, each graduate
should only have to file a total of seven (7)
reports in order to give information on all six
(6) years of service obligations.
http://www.usmma.edu/admissions/PDFs/Catalog3.pdf
The Reserve information above is located on page 28 of the KP catalog. Page 26 is where it gives details of Active duty. If you go check out the Active Duty obligations, the kids have a boat load


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