Military Sealift Command

Medical Standards Information

Medical Standards Information

The mission of Military Sealift Command and the nature of work aboard ship remote from shore medical care for extended periods warrant medical standards to ensure our ships are manned with medically qualified mariners.  While some conditions are clearly disqualifying, many conditions can be considered acceptable if it can be demonstrated that they are controlled sufficiently to not be a risk to the individual or the mission.  The medical standards are currently published in Chapter 5 of COMSC Instruction 6000.1D.

The following information provides guidance regarding the documentation required to confidently make a determination regarding suitability for shipboard assignment.

General Information:

1. Anyone required to take a prescription medication must have at least a six-month supply of the medication with him or her to sail.

2. Any chronic condition such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, cholesterol disorders, and cancer, should be controlled well enough to not require follow-up evaluation more frequently than every 6 months.  Those with conditions that require a follow-up evaluation more frequently are not considered fit for sea duty.

3.  If you are determined not fit by the Military Sealift Fleet Support Command (MSFSC) Medical Department, you will be sent an explanation letter and an attached Medical Summary Form for your health care provider to complete. You are responsible to make the necessary appointment(s) to obtain the requested evaluations.  You should FAX this documentation to MSFSC Medical at (757) 443-5706 or 5767.  If further documentation is required, you will be contacted, preferably by telephone, so please make sure to include your current phone number on the Medical Summary Form submitted.  Once documentation is submitted and a determination is made that you are fit for sea duty, you will be contacted by the CIVMAR Support Center (CSC).

Guidance regarding specific medical conditions:

1.  Hearing. Per Navy standards there are minimum permissible limits for hearing loss.  A significant hearing loss noted on exam will require an audiologist or ENT specialist evaluation to obtain more specialized testing to determine the threshold for speech recognition and recommendations on hearing protection.  A waiver may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the outcome of the specialized testing.

2.  Vision. For Master, Mate, or Watchstander, visual acuity must be correctable to 20/40 or better in each eye.  For Engineers, Radio Officers, Non-Watchstanders, and all others, visual acuity must be correctable to 20/50 or better in each eye.  For Mariners with monocular (single eye) vision, vision must be correctable to 20/30 or better and will require an ophthalmology evaluation to assess the impact on depth perception and peripheral vision as they relate to the ability to safely operate vehicles (e.g. forklifts) and machinery.   A waiver may be recommended on a case-by-case basis.   Abnormal color perception will require an ophthalmology evaluation to fully describe the deficit.  No waivers are granted on color vision for Masters, Mates, or Watchstanders.  Engineers may be waived if they can demonstrate the ability to reliably distinguish basic colors.

3.  Tuberculin Skin Test (TST/PPD) status. For initial hire consideration, applicants must provide the result of a current TST unless they have had a documented positive test in the past.  A TST can be obtained at most local Public Health Departments or from personal physicians.  Those with a current or past positive test must provide from their health care provider, documentation of evaluation for active TB and whether the appropriate course of medication (INH) has been completed in the past, has been initiated, or is not medically indicated.

4.  Diabetes. Any elevated fasting blood glucose level on a new applicant exam will require a follow-up evaluation be done to include an HbA1C test. The HbA1C level that is acceptable to sail with MSC is 8.0% or less.

5.  Hypertension. A blood pressure of <140/90 is considered acceptable with or without appropriate medications.

6.  Hyperlipidemia. An elevated cholesterol level will require evaluation and documentation from your primary medical doctor that the condition is under treatment.

7.  Psychiatric history. Any history of Psychiatric diagnosis or treatment will need complete documentation from a mental health professional to include history of treatment, hospitalizations, current status, stability, prognosis, risk to self or others, current medications, and determination that follow-up is needed no more frequently than every six months.

8.  Other Conditions. Abnormalities on examination with potential impact on mission or risk to individuals on prolonged sea voyages will warrant appropriate evaluation.  The conditions requiring evaluation and recommended type of specialist will be indicated on a Medical Summary Form provided to the applicant.

9.  We require documentation regarding the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) and Polio vaccination status on all applicants except MMR documentation is not require for those born 1957 or earlier.  If vaccination documentation cannot be located, a blood titer may be obtained to indicate immunity or a booster dose may be given.  Regarding polio vaccination, it is preferred that adults who have not received an IPV vaccination be given a booster dose.  MSC ships deploy to polio endemic areas where a booster dose is recommended per current CDC Traveler’s information.

Any questions or need for clarification should be directed to the CIVMAR Support Center at 1-877-562-7672.