I’m trying to join the merchant marines in September, I live in Jacksonville Florida now, but I’m moving back to southern California in the fall. I’m not sure how to get started in the industry, I know I need my mmd and twic card. How do I begin, any help would be greatly appreciated.
You can start by learning to use the “search” feature. This question has been answered hundreds of times over.
First off, you are joining the Merchant Marine. Not the Merchant Marines. You will be a Mariner not a Marine.
Secondly, before everyone on this website tells you to go and do some searching of previous posts…search previous posts. Lots of good answers there.
It would also help if you gave even the slightest bit of information about yourself. Age, sex, deck or engine, previous experience, are you going to an academy or hawsepiping it, do you have felonies, can you pass a drug test, etc???
Help yourself first by searching and doing research, then if you still can’t find answers to your questions. Help us, help you by giving us as much information to work with as possible. Have you looked at the USCG website to see what’s involved in getting documents for certain endorsements and licenses? The USCG checklists are fantastic for telling you what you need.
Everyone here has had to figure this stuff out just like you will need to. Not trying to sound like a dick, but your question was pretty much the most generic unspecific question ever asked. Haha Not saying we won’t help you figure things out, but you’re giving us nothin to work with.
You say you know you need a MMD & a TWIC. I assume you’ve already done a google search to see how & where to get those?? The USCG website will tell you exactly what you will need to get an MMD. I think they might even have a link to getting a TWIC. If not it should take you one google search to find out how.
OK, sorry for not being more specific. I’m 35 years old, most of my family was in the navy and I love the ocean. I’m in fairly good shape and working on strength and stamina training. I can pass a drug test, I have a clean record, I have a passport and I’ve done a ton o Google searches. I know I need to contact the coast guard for my mmd, and I know I need a twic card to get into ports. I also know I need to pass a physical. I’m more concerned with not having experience on a ship. I graduated culinary school in 2006 and I recently graduated wyotech in Fremont California as a moto and small engine tech. I’m trying to figure out how to get my foot in the door without experience at a company in long beach or San Diego when I leave Florida in the fall. I’m new to this, so please excuse me if I’m not up to par. Just signed up for the forum and need to explore a little. Thanks for any help given, its appreciated.
Lol bring on the cyber bullying
It seems like there is a huge public misconception that someone–as they can the Navy or Coast Guard–can “join” the Merchant Marine"s" when really it’s more of an industry where one seeks employment.
[QUOTE=workforthesea;140704]I’m trying to join the merchant marines in September, I live in Jacksonville Florida now, but I’m moving back to southern California in the fall. I’m not sure how to get started in the industry, I know I need my mmd and twic card. How do I begin, any help would be greatly appreciated.[/QUOTE]
If you are moving to Southern California, you can contact Billy Pugh. He has contacts in the Coast Guard and can get you those documents for a small fee. He works at the Home Depot on N Gaffey in San Pedro. Or you can go to this website: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/
[QUOTE=MandolinGuy;140736]It seems like there is a huge public misconception that someone–as they can the Navy or Coast Guard–can “join” the Merchant Marine"s" when really it’s more of an industry where one seeks employment.[/QUOTE]
I still get asked where I’m stationed. It’s funny but also sad that there’s not that much out there about our chosen profession.
[QUOTE=Tugboater203;140743]I still get asked where I’m stationed. It’s funny but also sad that there’s not that much out there about our chosen profession.[/QUOTE]
Happened to me all of the time when I was sailing. I still get it when I mentioned that I used to sail. . . . .