# Question About SSOP

**URL:** <https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/question-about-ssop/48814>\
**Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\
**Created:** [July 31, 2018, 7:05am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/question-about-ssop/48814 "2018-07-31T07:05:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![prophet99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@prophet99](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/prophet99)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 2018, 7:05am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/question-about-ssop/48814/1 "2018-07-31T07:05:27Z")

</div>

I have a question about the Strategic Sealift Officer Program.

What does the commitment entail?

Does it have to be in the U.S. Merchant Marine, or can it be with a U.S. based company with Panamanian-Flagged Ships? What about being a Civilian Mariner in the Military Sealift Command or NOAA? I assume you cannot commission into the NOAA Corps while part of this program.

P.S. This is a topic from a student about to start pursuing his Unlimited 3rd Assistant Engineer’s License from SUNY Maritime.

Edit: I also meant to ask about Ashore jobs in the Industry. Is being a mechanical engineer wit MSC an option?