# Presentation: 474591

## For the 
USMMA Class of 2008

**For the **
**USMMA Class of 2008**

**Office of Maritime Workforce Development **

**YOUR MARITIME SERVICE OBLIGATIONS **
**AND **
**THE MARITIME ADMINISTRATION ENFORCEMENT**

## Your Service Obligation Contract 

**Notes:**
It’s been four years since you have seen this document.  It  may or may not look familiar to you.
This is your service obligation contract that you signed when entering the Academy.  You must become familiar with your commitments.

## Service Obligations for USMMA Graduates

**	****Your Service Obligation Commitment Contract requires that after you have successfully completed the course of instruction at the Academy and fulfill the requirements for an unlimited license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States you must :**
**Maintain the license as an officer in the merchant marine of the United States, including all endorsements held at graduation, for six (6) years following graduation; and**
**Apply for and accept, if tendered, an appointment as a commissioned officer in the reserves of the armed forces of the United States and maintain that commission for at least six (6) years* after graduation; and**
**Serve in the foreign and domestic commerce and the national defense of the United States for at least five (5) years following graduation as: **
**(A) **_***a merchant marine officer on a U.S. flag vessel; or ***_
**(B) a commissioned officer on active duty in the U.S. armed forces or NOAA Corps; or**
**(C) with the Federal government in a maritime-related position that serves the national **
**security interests; or **
**(D) ashore, in a U.S. maritime related industry, profession or marine science, if a determination has been made that no afloat positions are available for you; and**
**Submit your Annual Compliance Report information to **_[https://mscs.marad.dot.gov](https://mscs.marad.dot.gov/)__ annually between January 1 and March 1 _**until all components of your service obligation are completed.**
**	****In exceptional circumstances you may mail the Annual Compliance Report Form (MA-930) to the USMMA (DPDCS).**
- *All armed forces of the United States are currently requiring 8 years.

**Notes:**
Your Service Obligation Commitment Contract requires that after you have graduated from  the Academy that you maintain your license for at least 6 years.  This means at least the same license that you graduated with, not a limited or continuity license.  
That you also serve in the armed forces reserve or active duty military for at least 6 years.  You must also work in the maritime industry, preferably in an afloat position. 
Finally, this the most important service obligation that will keep you out of trouble.  You must submit your Annual Report Maritime Administration Headquarters in Washington D.C. until all components of your service obligation are completed.  Be sure to submit reports at least once a year between January first and March first.  If you are in the Naval Reserve, your report to them is in addition to the report to MARAD.   We do not share reporting information with MMR or any other military branch.

## https://mscs.marad.dot.gov

**Notes:**
The easiest and preferred way to report is through the internet via the Maritime Service Compliance System at the address above.  

## Login

**Remember your username and password!**

**Notes:**
All of you should have logged into the system by now and gotten your username and password.  Write your  username and password down, safe guard it and don’t lose it.
So often graduates to successful logon the system the first time and don’t log on again for a long time or it becomes out sight out of mind just like your service obligation contract.
Please, please write your them down and secure them.  

## Slide 6

**Notes:**
Once you login you will see this page.
Select a year that you will be reporting for from the drop down menu and click go. For the Class of 2005 you will be reporting your activities for 2005.

## Personal Information

**Ensure that your personal information is correct and up to date.**

## Military Service and United States Coast Guard License

**Notes:**
This section is where you will report your military service information and license status.  Be sure to keep it up to date.

## Service Information

**If you are in the Military Reserve, check YES if you are maintaining your commission.**
**If you are Active Duty Military, check NO in the Military Reserve section, and report your Active Duty status in the Employment section.**

**Notes:**
If you are full time active duty military be sure to report your time in the employment reporting section.

## License

**Check if you have renewed or upgraded your license since your last report.**
**If you have renewed, include the date of the renewal.**
**You must maintain at least all endorsements held at graduation.**
**As of Sept. 25, 2008 all mariners must have a valid Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC).**
**List any new Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) endorsements since your last report.**

**Renewal for continuity or a limited license is not acceptable, and does not fulfill your service obligation!**

**Notes:**
You maintain at least the license you graduated with.  

## Naval Reserve Training

**Notes:**
Enter any Naval Reserve active duty training that you have had since your last report.

## Employment

**Notes:**
The employment section is the area that gives most people trouble.  

## Reporting Employment

**Report the category that best fits the type of work you do:**
**(1) Afloat; (2) Maritime Related; (3) Federal/State Government Maritime Related; (4) Non-Maritime; (5) Graduate School; (6) Unemployed; and (7) Active Duty Military/NOAA Corps.**
**Include the name and address of your employer, your job title and job description.**
**If you are reporting **_**employment Afloat **_**indicate:  Employer (name of shipping company), ship name, flag of registry, shipboard position, and dates afloat.  ****DO NOT REPORT YOUR UNION AFFILIATION AS YOUR EMPLOYER.**
**Individuals in active duty military service must submit compliance reports to the USMMA (DPDCS).  Indicate the Military Branch of Service as your employer.**

**Notes:**
Report the category that best fits the type of work you do. 
Include the name and address of your employer your job title and job description.
If you are reporting Afloat employment indicate:  Employer, ship name, flag, position, and dates afloat.  NOT UNION AFFILIATION as Employer.
Be sure to provide a detailed description of your work and how it is maritime related.  
Individuals on active duty or in reserve units other than the Merchant Marine Reserve must annually submit compliance reports to MARAD, indicating Military as employment, regardless of any reporting requirements for their current military units. 

## Reporting Employment

**Account for **_**ALL**_** of your time including unemployment.**
**Indicate the exact begin and end dates for your employment. **
**Dates must be entered as MM/DD/YYYY.  For example:**
**	****	**_**Position Title**_**	****	**_**Begin Date**_**	**_**End Date**_
**	****	****Unemployed****	****	****06/21/2008****	****08/22/2008**
**	****	****Third Mate****	****	****08/23/2008****	****12/31/2008**
**Do not use **_**invalid dates such as**_**:  Present, Current, Indefinite, or Now.**
**Do not report future employment.  End dates for employment must not exceed current date.  **

**Notes:**
Remember to report all of your time, the begin and end dates for each job you work. Include all periods of employment and unemployment for the year. Do not overlap the dates and don’t report work that you will have in the future.  The system will not accept dates that are beyond the date that you are entering your report.  

The MSCS will not accept dates in an invalid format, but it you are reporting by mail please follow the same procedure. Please do not use invalid dates such as: Present, Current, Indefinite, or Now. 

It is very important to get the begin and end dates correct because these dates are used to calculate the number of days that you have spent employed in an acceptable job.  

## Enforcement of Obligation

**Failure to meet any component of your obligation, including reporting, may result in a breach of your service obligation commitment. **
**The Maritime Administration monitors annual reports to ensure that we have a sufficient skilled force of licensed officers to crew our vessels, privately-owned, and Navy vessels to support the Department of Defense in times of emergency or mobilization.**** **

**Notes:**
The Maritime Administration’s Office of the Associate Administrator for Policy and International Trade will make a determination of whether a graduate has breached the service obligation.  If you believe that the breach in in error, you may appeal this determination with the Maritime Administrator.  The Maritime Administrator  will review appeals and make a final determination.

## Enforcement of Obligations

**Meet the employment requirements; or**
**Serve for a period of at least 6 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve, the USCG Reserve, or any other reserve unit of an armed force of the United States; or**
**Maintain a license as an officer in the U.S. merchant marine for at least 6 years after graduation; or**
**Report compliance annually to the USMMA (Dept. of Professional Development and Career Services).**

**Enforcement of Obligations**

**Notes:**
You may be found in breach of the service obligation agreement (contract) by failing to:

Meet the employment requirements years;
 Serve for a period of at least 6 in the U.S. Naval Reserve, the USCG Reserve, or any other reserve unit of an armed force of the United States;
Maintain a license as an officer in the U.S. merchant marine for at least 6 years after graduation; or
Report annually compliance with obligations to the Maritime Administration.

See your contract for the exact terms of your obligation.

## Enforcement of Obligations

**If you are found in default of your Service Obligation Commitment Contract, possible disciplinary actions include involuntary active duty in the military or reimbursement of the cost of your education.**
**The cost of your education is over $207,000.**

## How to Report Compliance

**Via internet at https://mscs.marad.dot.gov/**
**	****	****	****Or**
**In Exceptional Circumstances If Access to the Maritime Administration Website above is Unavailable Mail Your Completed Annual Compliance Report Form (MA-930) to:**
**	****	****U.S. Merchant Marine Academy**
**	****Department of Professional Development**
**	****and Career Services **
**	****Kings Point, New York  11024-1699**

**Notes:**

There are two way you can report your compliance with your service agreement.

## Any Questions?

**If you have questions about Service Obligation Compliance, **
**email: maritime.graduate@marad.dot.gov**
**Attn: Maritime Graduate  **
**Use this same contact if you are having difficulty using the compliance reporting system website or have comments.**
**If you have questions regarding your Annual Compliance Report ,  email: serviceobligation@usmma.edu**