Military Sealift Command

Shipmates to Workmates

We know that the impact from the Enlisted Retention Board may have come as unexpected, but there are a few things you should remind yourself of:

1. You have been trained by one of the most prestigious organizations in the world – The United States Navy.
2. You have skills and experience that can’t be matched in the civilian sector
3. You have been instilled with training and discipline that organizations out there are truly looking for.

With a firm grasp on those things, the next steps is to embrace the change and start the process of turning your skills and experience into a great career. The most challenging part is how to do this.

Military Sealift Command is looking for individuals with seagoing skills and experience to become civil service mariners (CIVMAR). With your seatime and your training, you may qualify for a position as a CIVMAR.

MSC Conditions of Employment

• At least 18 years of age.
• A United States citizen with a valid U.S. Passport.
• Capable of speaking, understanding, reading and writing the English language. Some positions are required to pass an English Language Competency test.
• Able to obtain and maintain a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), issued by the United States Coast Guard to mariners sailing aboard all U.S. Flagged Vessels.
• Possess and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card.
• Capable of passing an MSC-administered physical examination. Due to often strenuous shipboard duties and extended periods at sea, all applicants must meet MSC medical requirements. View MSC medical standards here.
• Drug free and submit to urinalysis in accordance with the Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.
• Able to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Obtain the necessary credentials:

1. Apply for your TWIC:  http://twicinformation.tsa.dhs.gov/twicinfo/schedule.jsp.
2. Apply for your passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/
3. Begin the paperwork for your Merchant Mariner Credential.  You want to ensure you are evaluated for the highest endorsement possible when applying for your MMC. http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/

Military Sealift Command is looking for specific skill sets from those transitioning from the military. Hiring for seagoing positions, we are looking for individuals who have previous seagoing experience or work in associated engineering or supply management fields.

To view a breakout of the Navy positions that would best fit our current open positions click here.

What are the career paths or the opportunities for advancement in different career fields you are considering?

While many organizations have a long winding path to advancement, MSC offers a fairly clear-cut ladder to work up. CIVMARs can apply for any internal promotion announcement. What sets applicants for promotion apart are their skills, U.S. Coast Guard endorsements, and what the position announcement evaluation criteria says about the individual applicant.

Aiding in the advancement process, MSC offers CIVMARs opportunities for paid upgrade and on-the-job training which, combined with self-initiative, can propel an individual up MSC’s ranks. Employees discuss career advancement opportunities with their assignment detailer on an on-going basis.

What will the benefits package include and how will that help you meet your current needs while planning for the future?

MSC offers CIVMARs federal government employee benefits which provide further compensation beyond the annual salary. When weighing career options consider the benefits packages of all perspective employers. The robust benefits package MSC offers is substantial when compared to private industry:

• 10 paid federal holidays annually.
• Base pay is earned commensurate with the size, level of automation and type of ship. Additional compensation is earned over and above base pay to include overtime, hazardous pay and bonus provision(s).
• Rate of paid annual leave is accrued according to years of federal service. In addition to annual leave, CIVMARs earn shore leave (based on the number of days “at sea”) and sick leave (accrued on a per-pay period basis).
• As federal government employees, CIVMARs qualify for a variety of insurance plans: health, vision, dental, long term care, life, disability, loss of wages and injury. There are also spending account options, leave buy back and a comprehensive retirement plan. MSC pays up to 75% of employee health insurance premiums. CIVMARs’ premiums are deducted using pre-taxed dollars thereby reducing taxable income.

Will you be able to find a position that offers the job security that you have come to expect with your time in the military?

Military Sealift Command offers job security second to none! MSC’s mission as the supply line to the combatant Navy is critical to keeping our war fights at sea. There is no corporate downsizing or pink slips on Friday afternoons. Hard workers; those who put in the time to get the job done right enjoy secure federal government employment with MSC.

Becoming a CIVMAR may be one of the best decisions you’ll make. More than 40% of our workforce has applied skills gained while in the military to a new career with MSC. We believe you can Take Command of Your Career® with MSC, too.

Start the Process