Military Sealift Command

Current Mariners

Getting Started: What’s Your Next Step with MSC

As a holder of a merchant mariner credential or license, you’re already a valued member of the US Merchant Marines! You already know firsthand the excitement and fulfillment that come from a career at sea.

What you may be wondering is just what does today’s Military Sealift Command offer to the experienced professional mariner? We’re sure you have a number of questions and we will do our best to answer them for you here, but remember, if you have any further questions or would like more detailed answers, please feel free to visit with one of our recruiters in person at a career fair near you, or call our CIVMAR Support Center at 1-866-JOBS-MSC.

1. What are the opportunities for advancement with MSC?
2. What will the benefits packages include?
3. What are the tour lengths?
4. What really sets MSC apart?

What are the opportunities for advancement with MSC?

MSC excels at offering CIVMARs a clear, attainable career path, paid upgrade training programs and unsurpassed promotion opportunities. The only thing holding you back from success in your career with MSC is your motivation and drive. With several different training programs available and our tradition of promoting from within, you really can Take Command of Your Career®.

What will the benefits package include?

MSC offers CIVMARs a variety of benefits in addition to an annual salary. It is important to consider tbe compensation options amongst potential employers.  The robust benefits package MSC offers is substantial when compared to private industry.

• 10 paid holidays annually
• Base pay is earned commensurate with the size, level of automation and type of ship you are assigned to. Additional compensation is earned over and above base pay to include overtime, penalty and hazardous pay and bonus provision(s).
• Time-off is accrued according to the total years of federal service and is considered annual leave. In addition to annual leave, CIVMARs earn shore leave accrued based on the number of days assigned to a ship and sick leave on a per pay period basis.
• As federal civil service employees, CIVMARs qualify for a variety of insurance plans covering health, vision, dental, life, disability, loss of wages and injury. There are also spending account options, leave buy back and a comprehensive retirement plan. MSC provides up to 75% of the total health insurance premiums and the CIVMAR’s share of the premium is deducted pre-tax, putting more money in your pocket and reducing your taxable income.

Remember, in addition to all the other outstanding benefits available to CIVMARs, you can also make great use of any former military or government service time you’ve already accrued! Ask our CIVMAR Support Center how to add your prior service into creditable time towards retirement from MSC.

What are the tour lengths?

Minimum shipboard tour lengths with MSC are four months. You have the option to remain aboard beyond the four month tour length; however, you may be reassigned based on the needs of the Command.

What really sets MSC apart?

MSC is the premier organization for mariner employment for a number of reasons. We are proud to employ some of the most highly trained, professional mariners around. The nature of our main mission, supplying the U.S. Navy fleet at sea, makes it imperative that our crew is trained to the highest standards. Performing replenishment operations at sea, day after day, mission after mission, requires a top-notch crew with exceptional training and capabilities. There are very few operations at sea that will stretch your skills and abilities in the way our day-to-day activities do.

Becoming a CIVMAR may be one of the best decisions you make. We understand it is important to weigh your choices, but we believe you could Take Command of Your Career® at MSC.