>>1986322get all the government docs you need, apply, wait, get a date for NEO and the next 8 weeks is training. wait around 4 weeks to get picked up by a ship and start your sea time, watch time, and getting sign offs to reach ab requirements. you can join the union while in training its like $20/month or something.
ill be in the pool for msc next week. its bottom of the barrel hoodrats that cant even read that comprise 90% of the people at training. theyll all get fired for uniform, attitude, or unwillingness to work within 12 months from what ive been told by multiple instructors. the 8 weeks feel like a complete waste of time, it can all be reduced to around 4 weeks honestly.
the instructors like me because im educated, prior military, play their game and rules, (seriously you cant imagine how many idiots get fired over a beanie and uniform protocol) and white so they let me know after a few weeks that training is essentially meant to filter out people that wont hack it on a ship. for the record ive never sailed anything but since i am prior army i understand what its like to be gone from friends and family for an extended amount of time with no internet access. this will be a major reason for a lot of people to quit.
my understanding to get ab from os you need to get watch time done as well as certain assignments written off by an authorized officer and then your sea time begins to take into account for what you need to reach ab. pass some silly test in training (if you arent a retard you will) and all your watch and sea time requirements are cut in half: 120 days watch and like 180 sea time. from my understanding watch time is the biggest hurdle and if your chief mate is okay with it on your off time you can do watch but wont get paid for it but will get the time/days for it. its worth it as ab is a flat $30k base salary increase from os with the exact same job responsibilities.
i choose msc for the federal pension since i already have time toward it.
