I switched from Navy to Merchant many years ago. There’s a lot of good license info here so I don’t need to duplicate it. Just be conscious of the culture difference. In the Navy everything we did was with a crew 10 times the size of a merchant ship. The difference is that on a merchant ship everything is distilled down to what really matters. On the bridge we didn’t keep the radar at 24 mile range and plot tracks of ships that were crossing 12 miles away. Didn’t matter. I’m sure the engine room will be the same.
I remember reading the final reports of the collisions the Navy had a few years ago. One of the big issues was fatigue. The ship’s officers said their operations and training schedule left little room for adequate rest. I thought, seriously? You’ve got a crew of over 300 people and you couldn’t find a way to give 4-5 crucial people off for rest before staying up on the midwatch navigating through one of the world’s most crowded waterways.
The merchant service might not be as tight as the Navy, but I grew to love the impressive efficiency of it.
I’ve seen others transition from military to MSC and will caution you about jumping immediately into MSC and believing what the recruiter and others may tell you. My point is joining MSC and believing everything will go as planned will disappoint you. In an unlicensed Engineering position you will run overdue for relief on every assignment. Any courses you have planned will not matter and will need to be rescheduled. The courses will compete with your need for real time off.
Do not expect a detailer to be concerned. They just want to fill billets. Your unlicensed detailer will not be considering your “value to the organization” or the fact that they need engine officers and you are very qualified. Your detailer will not advocate for you in any way. THEY FILL BILLETS. Your detailer will not advertise you and your background to the licensed Engineering detailer. You will be an asset to your current detailer who will jealously guard you from going anywhere. Need extra time off to finish a class, or to test at the USCG? Do not even ask.
What works is to not follow the “path” MSC proposes. Whatever you can immediately complete on your own, before entering MSC, will save you months or more in the future. Get the license on your own. Or at least get as close to a license as you can.
The costs incurred will be offset by getting promoted earlier. You mention having the GI Bill so that will help with training costs as opposed to the MSC reimbursement. And consider that getting a license while in MSC means you still have to go through the promotion process instead of entering MSC will the license and directly into the licensed position.
The transition from military to MSC is just not a big deal. You sound like you are overthinking it. Don’t take baby steps. Going in as a newly licensed 3rd assistant engineer is fine. But will not be a challenge for you. I am sure on your very next assignment you will sail as 2nd. Forget unlicensed. Don’t forgo tens of thousands of dollars in income.
Discard the military mindset of following the organization’s process. MSC will wear you down with their inefficiencies. They routinely shoot themselves in the foot in scenarios like yours causing many promising and qualified people to leave very upset.
I have 21 years at MSC as a deck officer. Resigned last year but still plan on working 10 more years. Just not at MSC.
This is good advice here Sir. I’ll knock out all the requirements for 3AE.
One thing I don’t understand is if endorsed
for 1AE and haven’t taken the test for anything yet. Would I need to take 3AE exam to start there?
I luckily knocked out a Bachelors of Science
many years ago. I’m thinking I’ll get credit
for some of the classes or gap courses.
I’m from Maine. So I’m thinking about getting a part time job as a Power Plant Operator. Pay is a little better than 3AE.
Then I’ll hit Maine Maritime. Pay a visit. See if they can help me figure out what needs done.
Do it.
Once I get this MMC application submitted and get it back. (I’ll follow up here)
I feel similar about 26 years in the Navy.
It’s good to move onto something differentand try something different.
As far as reliefs go. I definitely know this pain.
As long as it’s not 11 years. I’ll be good.
Got stuck out here a while in Japan due to COVID and many other issues with manning.
You don;t get endorsements until you complete the test for that endorsement. If you are approved for 1AE, you take only that test. This is different from STCW where you would need to meet the courses and assessments for both OICEW and Second Engineer Officer.
Don’t believe them, MSC is notorious for refusing to promote officers from within. They’ll sail you as a temporary 3rd then hire an academy kid and bump you back and refuse to promote you. You’re more valuable to them as an unlicensed and will likely have to quit and reapply to get an officer position.
Don’t bother. Start as a 3AE if at all possible, 3rds are essentially apprentices anyway.
Late to the party, but some info about engineer life from one that is actually in the engine room…all opinions/suggestions, do as you wish with the info.
Don’t join MSC. Go directly to MEBA or AMO, with preference for MEBA.
If you can get 3ae, 2ae, or 1ae national (without STCW) you can work on the Great Lakes. MEBA and AMO have ships on the Great Lakes
Once in the union, they have some classes you need for STCW, or they may help pay for the classes elsewhere
There are few if no steam ships left. GET YOUR LICENSE (1ae/3ae etc) with steam endorsement first, then (while holding the license) take a crossover class to get motor
Don’t waste your time with MSC (yeah, repetition)
A license consultant is usually worth every penny, Holly died, Andy Hammond was good (not sure if he still in business), can’t speak for any others
You must take on the task and ensure you get everything you are qualified for, the NMC is not very helpful
They navy doesn’t operate ships, it throws bodies at it. It’s a huge difference. The “chief engineer” on your navy ship likely couldn’t even change the oil in his car. You’ll be fine, but understand the entire engine department on a 1000foot merchant ship is usually 6-8 people total.
You will be doing physical work, especially as a 3ae. You do not want to sail above 3ae your first trip, even if you hold 1ae. Everyone in the engine room has to pull their weight. It’s fine to be new, but the 1ae and 2ae have very important jobs to do. You will learn these jobs very fast (one 90 day trip might be enough), but as of right now, you have no understanding of the duties.
Avoid spending time at any maritime academy, especially blindly. You don’t need it. Get your national license, get sea time on the Lakes, and figure out what STCW classes you need to get OICEW and then the unions will get you the 2nd eng officer endorsement classes.
It’s not that, it’s just that you don’t need STCW to work on the Lakes so if you can’t get 2EO / OICEW while still in the Navy then you can still get your 1AE and work as an assistant engineer on the Lakes while you work on getting the STCW endorsements.
It’s the best plan. This ain’t the navee, you’re playing with the big boys now!
Try to find some motor time in your navy life so you can get a motor license and not just a steam license. For practical purposes, there are no steam ships left. Your anyAE license, steam only, is unlikely to get you a job.
