Employment

The key component of your service obligation is that for a specified amount of time following graduation, you must sail as a merchant marine officer aboard a U.S. flag vessel. For USMMA Graduates, your service/employment requirement is five (5) years, for Student Incentive Payment program Graduates, your service/employment requirement is three (3) years. This includes, but is not limited to, service on any of the following types of vessels – provided that they are U.S. flagged vessels: Ocean going; Military Sealift Command; coastal and inland; tugs and towboats; passenger; and offshore energy vessels, platforms and drilling units.

You may also meet your service/employment obligation by:

(a)Serving as a Commissioned officer on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces; or (b)Serving as a Commissioned officer in NOAA or USPHS.

Currently, Graduates from USMMA and the State Maritime Academies proudly serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the NOAA, and USPHS Corps. This is an excellent way to fulfill your service obligations while contributing directly to our Nation`s security. Five (5) years of honorable active duty service satisfies all portions of your service obligation with the exception of your annual report. If you complete at least five (5) consecutive years of honorable active duty service, you will not be required to maintain a Reserve commission or maintain a valid USCG credential.

To reiterate, unless you sail as an officer aboard a U.S. flagged vessel, or serve as a commissioned officer on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or with NOAA or USPHS, your employment does not count towards your service obligation unless MARAD has approved your alternative employment. All other alternative cateries of employment must be approved by MARAD before any time spent in such employment will count towards meeting your service obligation. To obtain MARAD approval you must submit an Employment Determination Request (EDR) through the Maritime Service Compliance System.

If you have questions about employment please contact us by phone, (202) 366-7618 or email maritime.graduate@dot.gov.

References to any companies or organizations herein are not to be construed as an endorsement of any product, service, or position by the United States government, the Maritime Administration, or employees thereof. MARAD’s role in promoting a robust United States merchant marine does not imply that the government approves of the work product of any organization or considers any organization’s work product to be superior to other products or services.