The Basics

When will I receive my application package?
Depending on your ratings, MSC's hiring needs, and the information you provided when calling our Call Center or contacting one of our recruiters, your MSC application package should reach you within two weeks or sooner.

What is involved in the drug and medical tests?
In addition to good general health, you must be able to meet certain physical demands of the job. Entry-level applicants will be tested for abilities such as maintaining balance on a moving deck, climbing a vertical ladder, pulling heavy hoses, using watertight doors and so on. Employees also must have uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200, correctable to 20/40, plus color-sensing ability and adequate hearing. Drug testing requires that you be free of five dangerous substances: marijuana, cocaine, opiates, PCPs and amphetamines.

Do MSC employees wear uniforms?
The Civilian Mariner Personnel Instruction (CMPI) identifies specific uniform requirements for licensed and unlicensed ratings serving onboard MSC vessels. Uniform requirements will be discussed when a job offer is made.

When accepting a marine position with MSC, what type of employment am I being offered?
MSC hires mariners into Federal government (excepted service) civil service positions with full benefits. You are appointed the day you report for processing as agreed upon during the initial telephone interview process. You will remain a government employee until you officially resign or your employment is terminated. All appointments include a one-year probationary period. ‘Excepted service’ with the Federal government means you cannot laterally transfer to a shore-side position. You are hired for the sole purpose of being a seagoing civilian mariner with the full benefits of being a Federal government employee.

Where is MSFSC located?
MSFSC is located in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Employment Division and the location of the New Employee Orientation is in Virginia Beach close to the oceanfront, one-half mile from the intersection of Birdneck Road and General Booth Boulevard.

Who takes care of all the paperwork and records for MSC employees?
All administrative files – payroll, ship assignments, processing, benefits, etc. – are handled by Military Sealift Fleet Support Command.

How often do MSC vessels go to sea/stay in port?
MSC ships operate worldwide and their schedules vary according to the ship and its mission. Some ships have more underway time than others; some ships make frequent stops at ports around the world.

Orientation and Training

Where do new employees live during training, and who pays for it?
During both the new employee orientation and training phases, MSC pays for hotel expenses unless you live in the local area. You will also receive a food per diem and will be provided transportation to and from the hotel and training sites. You will need to bring with you enough funds to cover one week of expenses.

Where does my new employee orientation take place?
All newly hired CIVMARs begin at the MSFSC, regardless of where their first ship assignment will be. New employees are normally scheduled for orientation on a weekly or bi-weekly basis throughout the year. Upon completion of orientation, new employees then travel to the MSC training school in Freehold, NJ. New hires typically sail from the East Coast on their first assignment.

What is involved in new employee orientation?
New Employee Orientation runs for 4 days and consists of the following subjects:
Government Employee Paperwork
Security
Medical
Employee Relations
Legal - Standards of Conduct
Benefits
Placement on Vessels
Wages and Manning
Sexual Harrassment

What is provided as mandatory training and how long does it last?
Upon completion of orientation, all newly hired mariners attend mandatory training at MSC’s training facility unless it is determined and documented that you’ve previously had this training. Mandatory training consists of CBR-D, NAVOSH and Shipboard Firefighting classes and lasts up to 4 weeks.

Who pays for hotel costs during orientation and training?
If you live more than 50 miles outside of the Virginia Beach area, MSC pays for your hotel. We’ll make your reservation and pay your bill for hotels in the Virginia Beach and New Jersey areas.

Who pays for food?
All newly hired personnel living more than 50 miles outside of the local commuting area are paid $38 per day in food allowance. The food allowance is paid once per week. Newly hired personnel must ensure they bring enough money to feed themselves until the first full weekly check is issued.

Who pays for transportation during orientation and training?
Transportation from the hotel to the MSFSC and from the hotel to the mandatory training school is provided by MSC. However, new employees who are residents of the Virginia Beach area provide their own transportation during orientation.

Where is the training facility located?
MSC’s training facility is located in Freehold, NJ, approximately 60 miles south of New York City.

What happens after training is finished?
You'll get your first shipboard assignment before the end of the training period. When you complete training, you'll travel to your ship or to the pool until you receive your first assignment.

Once You’re Hired

If my application is accepted and I’m hired by MSC, do I have to move to a location near the ship?
No, you can live wherever you want. However, it’s the CIVMAR’s responsibility to pay for his or her transportation between home and the port of the shipboard assignment.

Who pays for my travel to the MSFSC once hired?
All newly hired personnel are responsible for travel from their home to MSFSC in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Pay begins as soon as you begin NEO training.

When do I find out what my assignment is?
After completing orientation training, newly hired CIVMARs will be given either a West Coast or East Coast shipboard assignment. Specific ship assignments will be posted before training class is completed. Each tour of duty begins upon arrival onboard ship. Most CIVMARs will sail from the East Coast on their first assignment.

When will I know my coastal assignment?
Coastal assignments are determined by the Marine Placement Department. Individual marine placement specialists will review your folder once you’ve completed orientation. You will be notified of your coastal assignment before you finish training at our training site in NJ. Newly hired marine employees are assigned to a coast based upon MSC’s needs. You’ll be able to talk with placement specialists at the Friday session of New Employee Orientation.

Once assigned to a coast, where do I work from?
Each coast is supported by a customer service unit (CSU). The CSU East is located at the Naval Base in Norfolk, Va. The CSU West is located at the Submarine Base in San Diego, Ca. You do not have to live in these areas to work for MSC. You can live anywhere you choose.

When does my tour of duty start onboard ship and for how long?
Your tour of duty starts after you have completed mandatory training. Your first four-month tour starts the day you arrive onboard the ship, regardless of where the ship may be located. Four-month (120-day) tours went into effect in Oct 2001. You can resign from Federal service at any time, but there are powerful reasons why you will want to continue as an MSC employee. CIVMARs are well paid and enjoy good benefits including paid vacations, paid leave, retirement benefits and more.

How long is a shipboard assignment?
Each tour of duty is a minimum of 120 days (4 months).

How much time is actually spent at sea?
It depends on the ship and its mission. Some vessels are underway more often, and others make frequent stops at ports around the world.

What if I have a family emergency?
The American Red Cross handles coordination for all family emergencies. During orientation, training and at sea, your family should contact their local chapter of the Red Cross about the nature of the emergency. The Red Cross will then notify MSC with details of the emergency and possible next steps. MSC will then notify you. Incidentally, while onboard ship, every mariner has limited access to e-mail in order to stay in touch with family and friends.

Do MSC ships have Doctors or Dentists onboard?
We have a Medical Services Officer (MSO) onboard most of our large seagoing vessels for minor routine matters and medical emergencies. In the absence of an MSO, the Chief Mate and/or Master are EMT qualified. There are no Doctors or Dentists onboard.

When am I eligible for relief?
You will become eligible for relief once you’ve completed a four-month (120-day) tour of duty. You will need to give the MSFSC a 60-day notice if you want relief, therefore, you can request relief two months after your tour begins. If we cannot relieve you on time, we pay you additional compensation. CIVMARs are required to follow proper relief guidelines before they leave the ship. You’ll learn about this during New Employee Orientation. However, you are not required to request leave. You may extend your tour onboard by simply not requesting relief and thereby accrue additional paid time off usable when departing the vessel.

What are normal working hours?
Normal working hours onboard ship depend on your position and whether or not you are a day-worker or a watch stander. These will be explained to you during training and again once you report onboard. Since all civilian mariners are salaried, all are required to work an 8-hour day at the minimum.

Pay and Positions

What positions are currently available?
Visit the Now Hiring page to view our open position list.

What determines my rank or rating onboard ship?
Much of it depends on what you’ve done with your career up to now. Within the unlicensed members of the crew, there are “entry-level” and “endorsed” ratings. To be considered for an endorsed rating, an applicant must have a certain amount of previous sea service time and relevant experience. Entry-level positions are ratings such as Ordinary Seaman, Wiper and Steward Utilityman/Food Handler – all of which require no previous sea time.

What does MSC pay?
Your job and your rating determine your base pay, and your overall wages depend on overtime, signing bonuses, etc. However, typical earnings are often well above what many would make with a similar position on shore, and special government pensions and savings programs help your money accumulate.

How are pay scales established?
Base salary ranges per position are set by federal guidelines. A CIVMAR'S actual pay is determined by his or her rating and experience. Remember, though, a CIVMAR'S total income is greatly affected by how much overtime pay he or she earns, and MSC provides many opportunities for overtime.

How often will I get paid?
CIVMARs are paid every two weeks by direct deposit. All CIVMARs are required to use direct deposit. If you need cash while onboard ship, you can take a draw against your pay once every two weeks if you so desire.

How much will I get paid?
Pay rates vary depending upon the position you accepted and the type of ship you’re assigned to. There are several different classes of ships with different base pay and overtime pay rates. The pay rate for orientation and mandatory training will be paid at your permanent rate for the position you accepted, and will remain the same or increase depending on the class of ship you are assigned.

What determines overtime pay?
Any work performed in excess of eight hours per day, Monday through Friday, counts as overtime, along with any work performed on Saturdays, Sundays or national holidays.

Benefits

What benefits are offered to me for accepting an appointment?
As an employee of the Federal government, MSC CIVMARs qualify for over 20 different healthcare plans (including family coverage), life insurance w/options, Federal Employees Retirement System, and a great Thrift Savings Plan similar to a 401K program. You also get paid annual/shore/sick leave, and the longer you’re working for Military Sealift Command, the more paid leave you earn.

Who pays for room and board?
Your room and all meals are provided to you while you’re stationed onboard ship. And, by the way, our CIVMARs eat very well. You'll never hear complaints from the mess deck.