# Inexperienced OS looking for work **URL:** \ **Category:** Maritime Employment\ **Created:** [May 23, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661 "2025-05-23T05:49:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bayrunner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bayrunner/32/966_2.png) [@Bayrunner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Bayrunner)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/21 "2025-06-04T19:01:13Z")
> [@ReformedSailor](#): > > Norfolk Tug, they were always looking for deckhands when I was there. Do they still treat their employees as lines in a spreadsheet? ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/22 "2025-06-04T19:03:26Z")
Don’t most employers? That’s why I prefer the Mom & Pop companies ---
**Author:** ![ReformedSailor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/reformedsailor/32/19539_2.png) [@ReformedSailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ReformedSailor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/23 "2025-06-04T21:23:40Z")
People had their gripes like anywhere else, but I never felt that way. I got promoted twice, received regular raises with license upgrades and also got yearly bonuses. When we dredged, we had zero office involvement and minimal when working locally. I know a lot of people had issues but I never once got the impression that I was just a number. They did do some things over the top but by and large, I felt like if you showed up and did good work, it went noticed and you got rewarded. ---
**Author:** ![PapaBerr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/papaberr/32/63512_2.png) [@PapaBerr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PapaBerr)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 11:13pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/24 "2025-06-05T23:13:36Z")
I find your comment interesting because I too have VA disability rating and feel that if I could get passed the CG physical exam I still have to deal with some companies exam and that would be where I get screwed. ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/25 "2025-06-05T23:33:50Z")
The only one I ever had an issue with is MSC, but it may be why I am not getting any “takers”. ---
**Author:** ![PapaBerr](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/papaberr/32/63512_2.png) [@PapaBerr](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/PapaBerr)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/26 "2025-06-05T23:39:32Z")
So to be clear you are saying that MSC denied you as an employee because of your VA disability? Is it mandatory to tell them about your disability rating? I ask because I once applied for the railroad, voluntarily disclosed my disability rating and it became so painful trying to explain myself to them I just walked away. ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/27 "2025-06-05T23:52:08Z")
I don’t know if it’s mandatory. I have applied for, and worked, many federal jobs where they prioritize disabled veterans. MSC is NOT one of those. They automatically NFFD’d me for every disability I was getting paid for and ones I have claimed. They sent me no less than 12 forms that I needed to have individual doctors sign off on on my own dime. I walked away at that point. ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 5:26am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/28 "2025-06-06T05:26:14Z")
The Maritime Academies actively recruit disabled veterans because the VA pays for a full tuition. It seems like everyone that gets out of the service claims hearing loss. And anyone that saw combat claims PTSD. I’ve had a few disabled veterans onboard. ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 4:25am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/29 "2025-06-11T04:25:39Z")
I tried SUNY’s program but I was denied admission. I guess my educational background wasn’t good enough. ---
**Author:** ![MFOWelectrician](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MFOWelectrician](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MFOWelectrician)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 10:20am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/30 "2025-06-11T10:20:24Z")
Might be time to start looking at union jobs. Best bet is SUP. Also check out SIU as option 2. ---
**Author:** ![j2huggies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/j2huggies/32/56721_2.png) [@j2huggies](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/j2huggies)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/31 "2025-08-01T02:14:12Z")
I already tried SIU, but I couldn’t afford to go, I have mortgage and things I need to pay for, and couldn’t afford to not be paid. ---
**Author:** ![Steaksauce](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/steaksauce/32/56519_2.png) [@Steaksauce](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steaksauce)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2025, 6:52am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/32 "2025-08-01T06:52:06Z")
This industry can be finicky. The key is to just have a full time job to pay the bills while you wait for your opportunity. If you keep updated applications at all the companies and seasonally call and email them to remind them you’re ready for work at the drop of a dime , eventually somone will call and ask if you are ready to go. Maritime Headhunters can also get you started in the industry. The further you go down the rabbit hole of being a merchant mariner the easier it gets to find jobs, but theres sometimes initially what seems to be perplexing and long period of lots of No’s and a long break out period. Any crossover skills can help for the sake of your resume: shipyard work, construction, oil and gas, etc. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![MFOWelectrician](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MFOWelectrician](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MFOWelectrician)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2025, 11:52am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661/33 "2025-08-02T11:52:35Z")
Did you try SUP? [Previous page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/inexperienced-os-looking-for-work/72661.md?page=1)