# Recommended course of action for entering the industry? **URL:** \ **Category:** Professional Mariner Forum\ **Created:** [August 5, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/recommended-course-of-action-for-entering-the-industry/6000 "2011-08-05T13:32:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LeatherNeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@LeatherNeck](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/LeatherNeck)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 1:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/recommended-course-of-action-for-entering-the-industry/6000/1 "2011-08-05T13:32:29Z")
Howdy all, I’m sure this question is asked a million times, I apologize for another one of “those threads”. I’m in my mid 30s and in good health, I’m a former US Marine, currently a senior software developer. The monotony of civilian life is killing me. As per my DD214, I have over 1yr 2mo time at sea (None in the past 90 days). While in the Marine Corps, I was a Military Analyst. After I got out, I worked on ROV’s for the Navy. Then I got into software development. I don’t have any vocational/professional certifications or licenses. So for you guys who still have salt in your veins, how would you recommend I jump into the industry? My first assumption is to try and get in a security billet since I have experience dealing pirates/terrorists. I know their weapons, tactics and the countermeasures to enforce. I’m assuming another option is jumping into an average unlicensed position, swabbin’ the deck. All thoughts and opinions are welcome. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![mike50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@mike50](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/mike50)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/recommended-course-of-action-for-entering-the-industry/6000/2 "2011-08-05T13:49:04Z")
If I were you, I’d stay where I was, on the beach. ---
**Author:** ![anchorman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bbce88/32.png) [@anchorman](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/anchorman)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/recommended-course-of-action-for-entering-the-industry/6000/3 "2011-08-05T13:57:31Z")
[QUOTE=LeatherNeck;53688]Howdy all, I’m sure this question is asked a million times, I apologize for another one of “those threads”. I’m in my mid 30s and in good health, I’m a former US Marine, currently a senior software developer. The monotony of civilian life is killing me. As per my DD214, I have over 1yr 2mo time at sea (None in the past 90 days). While in the Marine Corps, I was a Military Analyst. After I got out, I worked on ROV’s for the Navy. Then I got into software development. I don’t have any vocational/professional certifications or licenses. So for you guys who still have salt in your veins, how would you recommend I jump into the industry? My first assumption is to try and get in a security billet since I have experience dealing pirates/terrorists. I know their weapons, tactics and the countermeasures to enforce. I’m assuming another option is jumping into an average unlicensed position, swabbin’ the deck. All thoughts and opinions are welcome. Thanks![/QUOTE] First, I would go to the Homeport Website and look for the Marine Safety Manual, one of the best resources to learn how military time will be treated. Then I would go to National Maritime Website to learn the application process. Then, I would call Edison Chouest Offshore and explain your experience which may be well received in the government division. The Kelly Chouest is a vessel in the Middle East involved with anti-pirate operations. That’s at least a start. ---
**Author:** ![LeatherNeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@LeatherNeck](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/LeatherNeck)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/recommended-course-of-action-for-entering-the-industry/6000/4 "2011-08-05T18:10:56Z")
[QUOTE=anchorman;53690]First, I would go to the Homeport Website and look for the Marine Safety Manual, one of the best resources to learn how military time will be treated. Then I would go to National Maritime Website to learn the application process. Then, I would call Edison Chouest Offshore and explain your experience which may be well received in the government division. The Kelly Chouest is a vessel in the Middle East involved with anti-pirate operations. That’s at least a start.[/QUOTE] Good info! Thanks Anchorman. ---
**Author:** ![seadog6608](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cdc98d/32.png) [@seadog6608](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/seadog6608)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/recommended-course-of-action-for-entering-the-industry/6000/5 "2011-08-05T22:05:19Z")
Anchorman gave you good advise, Gyrene. I would also do an internet search of the maritime security companies out there. See what they require for credentials. Iys possibnle you might not have to bother with maritime credentialling. I would think that riding security teams would be considered “persons other than crew”. Good luck.