Military to Mariner Cross-Walk

What happens when Industry, Government, Education and Workforce gets together to solve an issue for the greater good?...Momentum, direction, and a solution to fill a gap where everyone wins.

Recently, the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) voted on a project initiated by SOCP Member Glen Paine, Executive Director of MITAGS-PMI to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) Working Group (Task 30 – Military to Mariner) by facilitating and helping to jump start effort within the U.S. Coast Guard to transition military personnel into civilian maritime service. This effective joint effort helped to pave the way for a simple and efficient pathway by marrying the U.S Coast Guard’s training and qualifications with certain requirements of Standards of Training and Certification of Watchkeeping Code (STCW), 1978 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Adoption; 1984 Entry into Force; 1995 and 2010 Major Revisions to the Code. 

Pulling in the expertise and different perspectives from industry, education, workforce and government, areas of competency articulation for the cross-walk from military to mariner included the following STCW Convention Chapters:

- Master and Deck Department

- Engine Department

- Radiocommunication and Radio Personnel

- Special Training Requirements

- Emergency, Occupational Safety, Medical Care and Survival Functions

- Alternative Certification

- Watchkeeping

At the time of this posting, the Coast Guard is at a point in the process to best drive the cross-walk activities internally with SOCP on standby to provide continued support as needed to keep the initiative moving forward.

Looking ahead, Matt Miller, Vice President, Ferries Division, HMS Global Maritime and SOCP Cross-Walk Project Member sums it up by saying, “The goal was to assist Coast Guard personnel transitioning into the United States Merchant Marine in receiving the appropriate merchant mariner credentials and endorsements for their Coast Guard training and qualifications. Once the Coast Guard initiative is complete, the SOCP will then work with the Navy in conducting a similar cross-walk.”

By collaboratively working this issue together, the U.S. maritime workforce will benefit by being infused with qualified and competent individuals and veteran military personnel will have easier access to the civilian maritime industry, creating positive, sustainable and cascading benefits for years to come. Great job everyone on this successful endeavor!