MARITIME ACADEMY GRADUATE

The Direct Commission Maritime Academy Graduate Program is available to individuals who hold a degree from a qualifying state or federal Maritime Academy and hold a Third Mate or Third assistant Engineer license, or a degree major in Marine Environmental Protection or a related field. Maritime Academy Graduates have education and training that enhances the Coast Guard's ability to carry out its operational missions. Individuals selected will serve as a Coast Guard Reserve Officer on full-time active duty.

As a Coast Guard Officer, you will join a growing team of marine safety specialists enforcing U.S. and international laws and regulations. You will inspect commercial ships and port facilities, investigate marine casualties, check for dangerous or illegal cargo, conduct harbor safety patrols, and license and certify marine personnel. Later, you may be able to serve in other mission areas of the Coast Guard to broaden your experience.

Rank and Length of Service:

You will attend a four-week Direct Commission Officer School in New London, CT at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. You will have the privilege of being a Coast Guard Officer from the outset. No Boot Camp. No Officer Candidate School.

Full-time active duty lasts for a period of three years, after which you may apply for extensions. Based on experience, education and qualifications, selected applicants will be commissioned as Lieutenant junior grade (O-2), or Ensign (O-1) in the Coast Guard.

If you elect to remain in the Coast Guard after your original three-year contract, you may integrate into the regular Coast Guard after selection for Lieutenant (O-3).

Click here for the DCO School Reporting Guide.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be between the ages of 21 and 40 (applicants must have reached their 21st birthday but not their 41st birthday as of 30 September of the fiscal year in which the panel convenes)
• To be considered for appointment to Lieutenant junior grade, applicants must also have sailed for one or more years on board vessels of the United States in the capacity of a licensed officer
• Applications may be initiated during the applicant's final year at the maritime academy, if all other requirements are met
• Have graduated from a qualifying state or federal Maritime Academy and hold a Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer license, or a degree major in Marine Environmental Protection
• Not be on active duty in any other U.S. Armed Service. However, you may apply while on active duty, provided you submit a discharge statement. Applicants in an Inactive Reserve program must submit a conditional release
• Pass a Coast Guard physical
• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be able to perform unrestricted service on a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week basis. Any person who is a conscientious objector, whether or not so classified, is not eligible
• GPA: Have at least a 2.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Additional Training:

After one year of your initial three-year contract, you will have the opportunity to apply for full-time university graduate or post-graduate training. If accepted, the Coast Guard will pay all tuition expenses and salary while studying.

After the Program:

For those who prefer not to remain on active duty after the initial three years, this program provides valuable experience in the maritime field. The challenge of regulating day-to-day maritime operations, and the supervisory experience you will receive in the Coast Guard are highly regarded in the private sector.

How to Apply:

To find a recruiter near you or to obtain additional information about the DCO-MARGRAD Program, click on our Recruiter Locator page or fill out our Request Form and more information will be sent to you. If you would like to speak directly with your local recruiting office, call our toll-free number 1-877-NOW-USCG and you will be connected to an office near you.

Marine Engineering Post-Graduate Program (Program for active-duty junior officers)

Officers desiring a post-graduate degree in marine engineering or another closely related discipline are encouraged to apply for the marine safety program’s scholarship opportunity. DescriptionThe United States Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Program sponsors post-graduate engineering educational opportunities for active duty junior officers.  A post graduate education in one of the marine engineering disciplines will enhance your promotion potential, lead to interesting and challenging assignments, and provide an exceptionally solid foundation for future success in the Service.  This extraordinary opportunity is a 2-year scholarship where an Officer’s main duty is earning a Masters Degree, while still earning their Coast Guard salary.

Selected officers can earn Masters of Science degrees in a wide variety of marine engineering related disciplines such as:

• Naval Architecture
• Marine Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Fire Protection Engineering
• Electrical Engineering

The Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Program promotes safety through both its regulatory and inspection roles, inspecting merchant vessels and licensing their masters and crews.  The core of sound marine safety policy is rooted in technical engineering expertise.  Engineering expertise is central to our ability to understand and properly regulate the maritime sector in ways that ensure future marine transportation systems remain safe, secure, and environmentally sound.

Eligibility Requirements:

The Marine Engineering Post-Graduate Program is available to Officers with a minimum of two years commissioned CG service at the time of enrollment in the academic program.  Only officers on the Active Duty Promotion List are eligible to apply.  Additional eligibility requirements and service obligation details are set forth in Coast Guard’s Personnel Command’s Officer Post-Graduate and Advanced Education Process Guide.
http://www.uscg.mil/opm/Opm1/opm-1PG.asp