Mr Intl. The only way to know that is to watch the MSC webiste and USA.gov. The is no prenotification. You won’t find out beforehand without a chrystal ball.
I just returned form Young’s Memorial College in Morgan City Louisiana having successfully completed Basic Safety Training. Thank you again seadog6608, Jeffrox, and Horatio for the advice on taking the 5 day BST class.
For anyone interested in taking the BST class in Morgan City the instructor, Earl Bouton, was outstanding. He took a knucklehead cop and taught me how to basically put out the different types of shipboard fires and if that didn’t work, how to stay afloat as well as many other aspects of safety. Getting flipped upside down in the water while in a helicopter simulator was interesting…
The class was $489.00 and there are hotels in the area that discount the rooms to $45 per night if attending the college. Oh, and let’s not forget “Peppermints”.
Has anyone else here who applied to MSC heard anything back? I was readin’ bout some fellers talkin’ bout callin’ them folks there in Virginny to find out if thay’s getting’ a job or not, BUT, they’s begun conversatin’ bout Robert E Lee and what not. Then thay’s this other’n talkin’ bout sweet Georgia peeches!!!
Patience young Grasshoppas. Not knowing is the worst part until you get told something you don’t want to hear. I can assure you no news is good news. They haven’t hurried up and called you or set you a letter to inform you “ Although we do appreciate your interest in working with MSC, you failed to make the selection phase of the extensive hiring process at this time. Thanks again for being part of the ridiculously long and lengthy hiring process here at MSC. Please direct any additional question you may have to someone who cares”. NO NEWS IS AWESOME!!!
Murphy
I am a knucklehead cop…with Navy experience. I wonder if this BST would benefit me before being hired by MSC. Anyone know if MSC offers BST training once you are hired? Is that the training you get after NEO?
I will assume “Peppermints” was some sort of night time entertainment… 
I just received a letter today stating that my application had been forwarded to MSFSC “Please be advised no decisions have been made regarding selections at this time…”
After NEO one of the things taught in NJ will be BST subjects.
Jeff
what is the point of that? their application package says BST is required to apply
Martilyo, BST will give you a leg up on the competition. The more you have on paper the better you look to the bean counter processing apps. The MSC schools are VERY basic. They will spend an hour describing the wonderful and mysterious qualities of of the bale on an NAP fire nozzle and another hour on the difference between the 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 inch sizes and why you should never try to put a 2 1/2 on a 1 1/2 inch hose. They are not STCW classes though, so go to BST and get the qualification. Then when MSC, in their infinite wisdom does hire you, you can be at the front of the class.
I’ve been to Peppermints myself. Oh the joy. The rapture. The lack of teeth! Oh, that was the Rathskeller!
Peppermints still maintains all the joy, most of the rapture, and we’ll call it even on the teeth and lack there of. When the aid of a prosthetic leg hinders NOT ones ability to entertain…
I gots me one more “bean” for the counter!!!
Well fellas, a lot has happened since I first posted this on October 8th 2011. I was eventually hired as a Wiper in the Wiper Advancement Program. Here is what I now know.
I got the call from MSC May 12th, 2013 and was told to report to New Hire Orientation on 12 August 2013 in Norfolk Va. I was called several times about what to bring like paperwork and documents. I was also asked about shoe size as they provide boots now. Do NOT buy the “uniform” of 3 blue pants, three chambray shirts (one long sleeve) as I never wore the shirts. Engine and Deck wear any color clothes and any color boots (steel toe) they want. SU’s do, however, wear khaki pants and a white tee.
Paid my way to Norfolk Va. and NEO (New Employee Orientation) had a reservation for me at the Norfolk Plaza Hotel. There is a bus that takes everyone to and from the hotel to NEO each day. The first week of New Hire is all paper work, identification cards, and processing all of your documents. We had a new hire class of about 33 people and lost 3 the first week due to security clearances. The security clearance is no joke. You WILL be investigated, and you WILL be interviewed. The first week you are being paid but you are not officially hired by MSC. It should be noted at any time during the hiring process you can get asked to leave due to security issues. I saw it happen. Once you make it past the first week you “should” be good to go and officially hired.
Neo then chartered a bus and sent us all up to Freehold NJ. for 30 days of MSC indoctrination. The Hotel was nice (by nice I mean it had a bar). BST, Basic Fire Fighting (you will don bunker gear and you will enter a large ship-like burning structure and put out several fires). Damage Control, Personal Survival, etc, etc, etc. The instructors have a term for what they do there “DEATH BY POWERPOINT”. My ass hurt for a month but I have a folder full of certificates.
I finished the training and got my assignment. I requested a steam plant because to get the STCW-95 Ratings Forming Part of a Engineering Watch Unlimited Tonnage one needs to complete 180 days of sea time, 120 of which is steam propulsion and the remaining 60 is diesel propulsion. MSC has there own book of tasks recognized by the Coast Guard and upon completion of the book, MSC generates a letter for the Coast Guard. The rest of the application process with the Coast Guard is on the individual.
So I got assigned to the USS Ponce in the country of Bahrain. It’s a hybrid crew of Civilian and Navy sailors. It was in September when I arrived and every bit of 110 degrees under the fans in the engine room. The hottest part of the engine room was the forced draft blower room and that was 132 degrees. I have a picture!!! Went from Bahrain to Dubai and just floated around in the Persian Gulf from time to time with SEALS and Army SF doing training. I learned a lot and worked with some great people. I had a good time on the Ponce. On that ship there are additional pay incentives. Berthing pay (more than 2 men in a room), Ammo pay (explosives on board) and Hazardous Duty Pay (self explanatory) Got my steam time and tasks taken care of, put a few dollars in my pocket, and headed to Thailand for a 5 week vacation. Use your imagination as to just how much fun I had.
Left Thailand and checked into the pool in San Diego. The pool is where mariners are processed for assignments. I checked in one day and got orders the next. This time I was assigned to the USNS John Lenthall, Tanker, Auxiliary Oiler and she was in the Mediterranean. I did 3 months there getting my Diesel Motor time. We went from Crete to Athens to Augusta Bay Italy then to Cagliary Italy to off-load HAZMAT. Tankers don’t pay very well. Got my diesel motor time and got a ship to ship assignment to the new JHSV (Joint High Speed Vessel) USNS Millinocket. She’s an all aluminum catamaran at 335 ft long and 93ft wide, 50,000 hp, water jet driven, and does 48 knots. I am happy here and standing an in-port watch as I type this.
So in closing it was well worth the wait. My STCW-95 RFPEW book is complete, I have the required sea time (steam and diesel) to test for any QMED endorsement. I have been around the world, traveled to beautiful places, (except Bahrain haha), and put a couple of bucks in my pocket along the way. I could not be happier. I have learned a lot, and can’t wait to upgrade my license. I would like to sail as an Unlicensed Junior Engineer or a Deck Machinist.
So anyone interested in working for MSC, keep trying. It took me over 2 years and I have been out here for a year, but worth the wait for me. It has been a good fit. Sure, there are many other companies, but getting your foot in the door can be the hardest part. MSC was the only one to give me a chance.
If anyone has any questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Madvac
Well written Madvac.
Congratulations and Godspeed.
May you fully enjoy your next Bangkok soapy sandwich when you get leave again.
That’s awesome Madvac! I am glad this thread is still alive and kicking. It took me about 6 months to get hired on by MSC. Kind of a pain in the rear. I was assigned to the USNS Lenthall as well and stayed for 8 months. While I was there, I worked on my 3AE license and in March of 2013 I passed all 5 of the exams for Motor unlimited HP. While taking an advanced firefighting class at MAMA in VA Beach, I met a guy who worked as a chief electrician on an oil rig and the next thing you know I was offered a job as a chief electrician on a jack-up rig in Saudi Arabia. Even though I am not using my 3rd Engineer license, the process of getting the license landed me a job with a rotation of 28 on and 28 off. I have never been happier. Good luck to you at MSC and keep moving on up! Take care.
Martilyo
+A456B I shall enjoy my next Soapy sandwich in about one month haha. Just booked my ticket and will spend another 5 amazing weeks in the Land of Thai!!! That palce will get your mind right!!!
Martilyo, so you sailed on the ole’ Lenthall. You must know ET Doug. He’s still there and still short and sassy. If you left any of your 3rd study material there, I think I am using it. Someone made me a copy of the material and said there was an electrician here studying for his 3rds license. Could have been you. I have completed about 225 days of the 1080 required to sit for my 3rds. Sound like things are working out well for you. And, yes, the thread is still alive. Take care and be safe.
Madvac,
Yup, that was me. I do know Doug and also Reefer Dan, who is now 3AE Dan. I am sure there are still a few more still there that I know. I printed out an extra copy of my study material for Dan if memory serves. Definitely continue to do what you are doing and get your 3AE license. That is where you will start making the “big money.” Also remember that there are drillships in the oil industry that require 3rds to operate. That is even more money. Take care and keep on truckin…
Martilyo
Doug was on there back in 2012 when I was on the Lenthall. Was John the Pumpman still on? Souda bay was a good place to spend 4 months.
All of this talk is really making me drool… really hope I get hired!
John was there. He finally got off a few months back. We were in Souda often drinkin Mythos beer on the beach.
Mythos and a fresh gyro and of course a trip to American alley. Those were the days.
You always gotta hit up American alley and mikes gyros.
Martilyo how’s it been going out there bro ?
Yes, Dan is the one who gave me the study material. Dan is a 3rd as you know, Tony is still there, and Dave is still there as the 2nd. I learned a lot there and like the folks I worked with. I am 200+ days into my 1080 sea time for my 3rd’s. So with a few years invested and some determination it is possible out here to go from wiper to the licensed side. A lot of dudes out here did it.
Have any of you had the privilege of serving aboard the USS [I]Mount Whitney[/I], the flagship of the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet? That sounds like that would be an awesome assignment…