Greetings all, new here and curious for some feedback… On the Ft. Schuyler Shipmates group I noticed right before the cruise started someone posted a recommendation that we join SIU after graduation and sail first as ABs for two years before sailing on our licenses. Can anyone confirm that this is …

The only way to get experience as an officer is to sail as an officer. You can learn seamanship on deck, but as mentioned by @ShooterMcGavin , you should have as much or more seamanship training then your typical Piney Point grad. It almost sounds like they are trying to coax you over to the SIU’s l…

[image] Hooper: It sounded like they were recommending we move to Houston after graduation and join SIU because that was the best way to get experience as an officer, but now I’m not too sure it sounds like a great idea, or even possible with what little money I’d have after graduating. When …

I wouldn’t sign up for the SIU for two years but a little time on deck would gain you a lot more respect and knowledge, especially if you can get your PIC, but this is coming from a hawse-piper. Best of luck!

Someone who is in the group tells me this person who posted the advice is a limited license graduate who later went on to mock and insult those to went 7 for 7 on their exams and/or held a rate on their first class cruise. Just a run of the mill jackass… Ignore what he says and keep going as planne…

I would wonder about a guy getting a license still be working as an AB a year later.

[image] ShooterMcGavin: It would also be time lost towards advancing to 2nd Mate. No it wouldn’t. AB time while holding 3rd mate counts towards 2nd mate on a 2 for 1 basis. [image] Hooper: before being “fully” prepared to sail on the actual license. You should hopefully be capable of…

[image] Capt_Phoenix: No it wouldn’t. AB time while holding 3rd mate counts towards 2nd mate on a 2 for 1 basis. I’m aware of the seatime counting, but in this case I still call that lost time. The advice given to the cadets was that they should sail AB for two years in the SIU before seeking…

[image] Hooper: I worked hard to get to where I am now and prepare to sit for license and this seems like a big let down if we should have to go out unlicensed for yet another few years before being “fully” prepared to sail on the actual license. Oh how my heart bleeds for you. Most, if not a…

[image] ShooterMcGavin: The advice given to the cadets was that they should sail AB for two years in the SIU before seeking a job anywhere on their license. I agree that they couldn’t do that by default and isn’t as useful experience as already sailing as 3rd make. I was just pointing out th…

I don’t know about now a days but 10-15 years ago the ATB company that I worked for in NY Harbor hired as many newly graduates from SUNY as possible to work as AB/Tankerman until a mates position became available. It was based on seniority & it took 6 months to 2 years to gets a mates spot. I don’t …

Sail AB after graduation?

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Sail AB after graduation?

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