Julia Green has worked for Military Sealift Command since 1985.  She has dedicated her career to the supply department aboard a variety of MSC vessels.  Sailing with MSC for the past 22 years, Green has a unique perspective on the MSC workforce and what it takes to “Take Command of Your Career®.”

Green began her working life with the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company where she was employed for six years.  After deciding this was not her calling, she attended barber college and worked for a family owned barbershop in the Japanese Cultural Center, San Francisco.  While her earnings were good, she didn’t think being a barber would provide her the comfort in retirement she wanted.  It was at this time, in 1983, her brother was hired by MSC in what is now called the supply utilityman position.  After learning about the opportunities for travel and security MSC offered her brother, Green decided to obtain her merchant mariner’s document and seek a position with MSC too. 

Prior to being hired by MSC, Green sailed for Lavino Shipping, a company contracted to crew several MSC ships.  Being a contracted mariner was a good experience however Green preferred the federal benefit programs and security MSC careers offered.  In 1985, Green was hired by MSC as a supply utilityman.

Trying to figure out where her career with MSC would take her, Green considered all the shipboard departments.  Her decision to remain in the supply department was one of considering simple comforts.  Not wanting to work in the heat ruled out the engine department; she did not want to be a deckhand so the deck department was eliminated.  While she knew she could have been cross trained to advance in any of the departments, Green knew there was a need in supply and she felt up to the challenge.  

Green was promoted to yeoman storekeeper…a position she held on a variety of ships for nine years before being promoted to supply officer with Military Sealift Command Pacific.  Reaching the pinnacle position for her career path, Green stated, “When I joined MSC you had to hustle to prove yourself.  I worked hard and as a result I have been able to climb the ladder of success within the organization.” 

As the supply officer, Green has several divisions under her supervision.  She works hand in hand with the chief steward to oversee the food service component of the ship.  The cargo and ship’s stores are also under her administration as well as the morale, welfare and recreation program.  During underway replenishments, Green has oversight of fuel transfers keeping everyone on task and motivated to accomplish the mission.  Aboard USNS Bridge, a ship crewed exclusively by civil service mariners, Supply Officer Green helped streamline the UNREP evolution thereby gaining efficiencies to the process.

Currently Green is sailing aboard USNS Henry J Kaiser, an oiler responsible for fueling U.S. Navy vessels sailing in and out of Southern California.  This schedule allows Green to travel home every four to six weeks for some down time.  In her years sailing with MSC, Green has had challenging jobs and exciting opportunities.  Travel abroad was one of Green’s reasons for joining MSC and, during her career, she can count travels to: Alaska, Japan, Dubai, and Thailand.  She has gone on safari by camel, ridden an elephant, bungee jumped and parasailed.  One of her fondest memories is that of traveling home and passing under the Golden Gate and San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridges.  In addition to enjoying the opportunity to travel, Green finds life aboard ship to be comfortable and peaceful.  She reads, knits, and interacts with other crewmembers during her off-duty hours.  As an officer, she has a private stateroom aboard ship which offers her all the privacy she desires.

“Military Sealift Command is a career that offers you a lot.  From good benefit programs to great pay, CIVMARs have the opportunity to really plan for their futures,” Green enthusiastically reported.  Green’s parents both retired at the age of sixty and, similarly, she hopes to be retired and living comfortably when in her mid-sixties.  “My job has given me the opportunity to buy my own house and drive a nice car.  While I sacrifice being away from loved ones and not living in my house day in and day out, I know that when I choose to retire, I will be able to and enjoy all the fruits of my career.” 

With that said, Green encourages all new hires to immediately start investing in their futures through upgrade training opportunities and financially through the benefits programs offered to government employees.  “Those CIVMARs who join MSC will find not only a career but an adventure.  Through hard work and dedication they will be able to identify the right career path for themselves and, if done so wisely, will be able to reap the full benefits of this type of employment.”