Should Merchant Mariners be able to use USO facilities? Are we?

Professional Mariner Forum
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[QUOTE=OICUR12;46384]I was checking bags with a rip off airline and was about to pay big bucks to fly home two bags. One of work clothes and one with my gear in it.
The guy behind the counter noticed my TWIC which looks just like a military id. He also saw my MMC that was in the same billfold.
He asked me if I was military. I told him no and that I was a merchant seaman.
He checked to see if that counted as military.
I guess it did. He took down the last 5 of my MMC and my bags flew for free that time.
That was flying home from Quebec.

I don’t ever ask for a military discount or pretend to be active military but sometimes I think the airport people mistake our twics for a military id because of the micro chip and watermark.

I show my TWIC whenever I am flying and sometimes my passport. The minute they see that UV watermark they wave you through.

I have sailed MSC before which makes you almost feel like you are Navy.

I am ex navy and I used to use the USO.

Don’t get me wrong I think it is first and foremost for our foreign vets and active military but shouldn’t we as merchant seaman be included in the club?

We as merchant mariners sometimes travel great distances also to get to and from our boats or ships.

Some USO’s are really nice. They have a place where you can take a nap or freshen up. You can go sit and watch a movie or nap in an easy chair. Things like that beat the heck out of waiting in one of those comfy airport terminal chairs.

Why should I have to pay for my bags to travel to and from the ship? I can’t write that off on my taxes. If I do it isn’t usually worth the extra line on my tax preparations.

We as merchant seaman can be called upon in times of war to help with the sea lift.

You know if things got bad enough to have a draft again like in WWII that it would not be “voluntary” to sail for sea lift in a national crisis or world war.

Often times the companies we work for service the military like Chou est.

When I was in the navy we had to sign in to use the USO. Everyone was very friendly and most if not all were volunteers.
They made sure you signed in and then after that they would help you or leave you be depending on what you wanted.
But the main reason, as I understood it, for making sure we signed in was the funding was based upon how many visitors they got.

I am sure there are more than a few merchant seaman who would be more than happy to help them boost their raster sheet.

I bet I could probably go into one and they would let me in but I don’t want to disrespect the military fighting men and women so I don’t.

Anybody?[/QUOTE]

Ok, I just got off the phone with Jim Bury ( USO Welcome Center Director - Jacksonville Intn’l Airport). He informed me that Any member of merchant marine and families are welcome at their facility.

I explained there was a “push” in Tampa for a facility there, and I am in support of, but wanted to have the “backing” of other USO facilities, to show that they (merchant marine) are accepted all over. He told me they were.

Although according to USO headquarters, they are concentrating on support for active duty members, serving in the most harshest condiions (overseas) that they would contact me regarding.

The upshot here is, you ARE welcome, and I hope you and your families use the facilities in appreciation ( as the volunteers use their time ). You are not disrespecting he active/reserve/retired military, the USO volunteers are respecting you.

You can find out more on locations @ http://www.uso.org/Centers/Locate-A-Center.aspx

Also, Mr. Bury will be interviewed by CNN, regarding USO facilities, on Veterans Day.

Hope this helps

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/i always ask if they have “seamans rates” for checked baggage and sometimes i get free bags and sometimes i dont. its pretty cool. I never thought to use the twic but using the mmd is always helpful.

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In 2003 I didn’t quitting my job and join a ship heading to Iraq, though I could have. Maybe I should have! That certainly would have been the patriotic thing to do. And when the war started I didn’t have any excuses like kids or a great need for the money holding me back. So I can’t say I deserve any USO or military privileges but I am proud of my friends who did serve. One was aboard the first ro-ro into kuwait and was left on the dock (literally) in full CBRD gear while his ship steamed off to get away from incoming scuds. No damage was done but the military guys who stayed on the pier with him all got nice medals for standing by their posts to help the ship depart… he got nothing but my respect, thanks and praise!

Yes you can quite anytime but few do. My wife joined a pre-po in Guam for the easy money and never expected to be called to war but when the war did break out she didn’t quit. Nor did she quit when the ship returned to Jacksonville loaded down to her marks with high explosives and headed back to the war zone. And she didn’t have the option to quit once they approached the waters off kuwait, waters which every one expected to be the target of another USS Cole type attack.

So I’m not about to go into a USO club myself and claim to be military but I can’t deny that some mariners deserve to be there just as much as a navy guy who never sailed close to kuwait. And if my wife ever chooses to go into a USO (which I highly doubt she will) I’d be proud to walk in with her. I also look forward to the day when our grandkids find out I was Merchant Mariners and ask if I’m a war hereo. My planned response… “No but your grandma is!”

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People who feel they are entitled to stuff like this is the reason this country is a mess. Screw the handouts earn it on yout own. And to the OP. You claim to make all this money in your prior posts so I’m sure a night it a hotel wot break the bank.

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[QUOTE=NAUTICART;55071]Ok, I just got off the phone with Jim Bury ( USO Welcome Center Director - Jacksonville Intn’l Airport). He informed me that Any member of merchant marine and families are welcome at their facility.

I explained there was a “push” in Tampa for a facility there, and I am in support of, but wanted to have the “backing” of other USO facilities, to show that they (merchant marine) are accepted all over. He told me they were.

Although according to USO headquarters, they are concentrating on support for active duty members, serving in the most harshconditionsions (overseas) that they would contact me regarding.

The upshot here is, you ARE welcome, and I hope you and your families use the facilities in appreciation ( as the volunteers use their time ). You are not disrespecting he active/reserve/retired military, the USO volunteers are respecting you.

You can find out more on locations @ http://www.uso.org/Centers/Locate-A-Center.aspx

Also, Mr. Bury will be interviewed by CNN, regarding USO facilities, on Veterans Day.

Hope this helps[/QUOTE]

well there ya have it fellas. all that pissin and moanin and angry posts over nothin. all it took was one fella to ask a question to the right person. guess i should have went strait to the source instead of opening myself up to attack by the angry mobs.
i think some of you people are just looking for someone to take out some anger on. poor souls. find a better outlet. go kick your neighbor’s dog or something. that will make you feel better.

Misery does love company because if i can ruin your day then I am not the only miserable son of a bitch on the face of the planet right?

Nauticart’s post is definately the most usefull post so far on this thread.

the money i make has nothing to do with lengthy airport delays and the busy hustle bustle that a merchant seaman in transit gets sick of watching and listening to while waiting for a flight whether it is delayed or not.

if my flight is canceled i do get a hotel or go back home.

not every airport has an admirals club or whatever they are called. that was the whole point. if i could find an admirals club at every airport i can find a uso at then i would use it instead.

And now that i know we ARE welcome everyone that got all hot and bothered over a simple question can now piss off.

I will now use the USO next chance i get with no guilt. I did my time in the Nav. And now i am an acitve merchant seaman. I will not take from an active service member though. if i go in and it is crowded i will walk right back out.

if you got a problem with that then meet me at the USO and we will have a pecker measuring contest and show our medals off to each other. BFD.

I don’t drink anymore but beers are on me for any active duty military as long as i am there. and if you are a merchant seaman and not a jerk I’ll buy you one too.

thanks again to Nauticart for his investigations and usefull information. And also for helping me to not look like a fucking scumbag for asking a simple question.

get pissed off at me all you want. but instead why don’t you take some of that negative energy and turn it into a positive by buying a USO care package for a vet or a phone card. Or just making a contribution.

I am now going to the USO website to set a up a $100/month auto debit from my checking account. I figure that outta cover a few hours here or there in a nice quiet USO while I wait for my flight.

after all i do make “alll that money”.

pay it forward.

as i said before i buy phone cards and care packages on a regular basis but now i think it is time to up the anty. not that i shouldn’t have already.

if you don’t think it is right to use a USO as a Merchant Seaman then don’t. And now that we know we are welcome, don’t judge others that do.

If you live in a glass house you probably shouldn’t throw stones.

The fact that you think the very country that our service members are laying down their lives for is a mess speaks volumes to me.

I think if our country is a “mess” it is because of angry people who don’t know how to meet other people half way.

I don’t think our country is a “mess”. I love this country. I have served it and am still serving in my own way.
Spend some time in West Africa or some other 3rd world shithole and see if you still think things are so bad here.

Maybe watch a little less CNN or Fox news and volunteer a little more.

One person can make a difference. And when I am done raising my family and have extra time on my hands i think I will become a USO volunteer.

ok let the attacks flow like an angry river of bullshit.

I have found out what i needed to know so i am done with this thread. you may paint me out to be a scumbag and have the last word now.
I will not be returning to this thread.
Knock yourselves out angry Americans.

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[B]Ok here is an quick update…

Some of the facilities are now showing merchant marines welcomed on their website. Read [I][U]HERE[/U][/I] in second paragraph.[/B]

[B]The new Tampa airport facility should have grand opening this summer. [/B]

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higher rate if you can’t show proof.


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I’ve got something to add I deliver jet fuel to air force bases they literally can’t do their job without me. So shouldn’t I be able to buy tabbaco on the base. I got a ride today to get smokes and got turned down because I don’t have a military id I’m not asking to get their benefits just saying I should be able to by tabaco and all

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Absolutely. Navy and other military use the seamans club in guam, diego garcia, korea and other places. Merchant seaman are out and abroad delivering crucial supplies etc…
I understand the attitude differences, the look. One has clean cut military bearing the other looks more civilian. I am former usmc and worked mps ships for years as a contractor in war zone. Gulf war. Was in honduras and korea, guam saipan. I would like to see veterans of the armed forces have access to uso clubs too. If they can prove with dd214 or va card.

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Uso not like an American legion or vfw. I know its a club for active duty but what is really the harm in letting the seaman in? Or veterans? Especially when the seaman is a veteran himself? As far as discounts go, yes i say. Good for seaman discounts if given. Everyone gets perks at their jobs i work for airlines as a mechanic. Fly for free. Get cheap cruise rates and discounts on hotels. On veterans day i take advantage on home depot and walgreens discounts. Got usaa insurance, paid 25 bux for chl in tx for being a veteran vesus 140 bux. Came with ‘‘veteran’’ designator on license too. Merchant seaman sacrafice a lot too and money for time away from home doesn’t always suffice. Don’t see the issue here as long as they abide by the rules.

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That depends on where. Charlotte Douglas airport USO no longer allows Merchant Mariners. They have a printed sheet with “allowed” and “unallowed” ID types and the MMC is officially unallowed. I have used it a few times on the past with no issues but the last time I was there (sometime last year) I got push back from the door guy but he let me in, this time I was completely turned away.