To meet STCW, they need a total of 360 days. For deck cadets, this is met with:
- At least 300 days on training ship cruises, commercial vessels in normal operating service and/or academy vessels underway other than cruise (as specified in 46 CFR 10.232(h)(5), academy vessels are credited at 1.5:1)
- Not more than 30 days of in port watchkeeping and maintenance on seagoing vessels (other than cruises)
- 30 days sea service equivalency for simulation training.
For engineers:
- At least 180 days on training ship cruises, commercial vessels in normal operating service and/or academy vessels underway other than cruise.
- Not more than 180 days of workshop skills training.
See also 46 CFR 11.309(a)(1)(ii) and 11.329(a)(1)(ii).
It is possible the statute for the program envisions that service earned in the military could be used to meet the total service requirement, but that may not be consistent with STCW, which requires that the approved program include the twelve months as part of an approved training program. [emphasis added]