Strategic Sealift Officer (formerly MMR Officer)

1. Strategic Sealift Officer(formerly MMR Officer) LTJG Joseph Becker LTJG GerinChoiniere Josephbec.03@sunymaritime.edu Matebecker@gmail.com Gchoiniere@gmail.com Also on Facebook!

2. Briefing Overview/Aims • SSO(MMR) Program • Program Expectations/Requirements • Active and Reserve Duty Options • Career Management and Progression • The Point System • Navy Benefits • Useful Links • Q & A’s

3. SSO(MMR) Program • “To maintain in the U.S. Navy Reserve an organization of Merchant Marine officers, composed of a corps of actively sailing members who are trained to operate merchant ships as Naval auxiliaries, and a shore side cadre assigned to Naval activities that support strategic sealift readiness. ~OPNAVINST 1534.1C” • This year will see the implementation of Strategic Sealift Readiness Detachments (SSRDs). SSRDs will be positioned at various NOSCs across the country and will serve as your initial POC, while passing word from the Program Office.

4. SSO Program - What to know… • The SSO Program is a community within the Navy Reserve; You are a Naval Officer first and foremost • The Program Office is essentially a middle man between you and the Navy Reserve. It provides community management, is a POC for execution of orders, while providing qualified Reserve personnel to the Active Component • Your career as a Naval Officer is YOUR responsibility not the Program Office’s; You will get out of your career what you put into it • There are 3 Calendars you must understand: • Navy Fiscal Year (FY) • Calendar Year (CY) • YOUR Anniversary Calendar (AY)

5. Program Expectations/Requirements • Complete at least one ADT per FY; if you cannot complete an ADT you must request a waiver from the Program Office. Without either, there will be a gap within your service record • Maintain an active license (s) for Unlimited Tonnage Vessels • Send in your Annual Report to the Program Office by 01 March • Maintain an annual PHA and Dental examination • Do not confuse your MARAD obligation for your Navy one; This brief does not address those requirements set by MARAD

6. Active Duty for Training (ADT) -ADTs are generally 12-17 day evolutions designed to promote operational readiness and training for the reserve component -Performance is Mandatory; but location and duty is optional (to a point) -One of the few times where you will receive a FITREP -Diverse assignments and locations are preferred -You are required to perform At least 1 ADT per Fiscal year; you are responsible for managing your points towards your AY -Second ADT’s can be authorized after 31 March, take advantage! • Examples of ADT’s include, but are not limited to, duty with: • MSC • MARAD • CNRFC • GMATS • Any Support of Strategic Sealift

7. Reserve Status Options • Merchant Marine Individual Ready Reserve Group (MMIRRG): IRR. But considered in an active status. About 80% of SSO’s are members of this Group. MMIRRGs are essentially “free agents” and can pick and choose their ADT’s. • Select Reserve (SELRES): Are organized units of the Navy Reserve. They drill once per month and usually perform AT as a unit. Officers assigned to these units hold billets and generally incur an obligation as a drilling reservist. They earn pay and accumulate points for their drills and are also eligible for greater benefits. Affiliation to the SELRES can only be done through a recruiter and ascension is based on the needs of the service. About 10% of SSOs are members of SELRES units. • Volunteer Training Unit (VTU): Is similar to a SELRES unit, as you earn points for drilling however, there is no monetary compensation for drills, and VTUs don’t actively prepare to mobilize in the manner which a SELRES does. As a VTU member, your ADT’s are not funded by the MMR Program Office. Conversely you are not guaranteed MMIRRG ADT funds. Roughly 10% of SSO’s are VTU members.

8. Active Duty Options • Active Duty Training- <29 Days (unless authorized) per year, ADT’s are a requirement of program compliance • Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW)- Are short term tours of active duty to augment exercises, contingency operations, etc. They differ greatly in location and type of assignment. Performance is voluntary and can be selective. • Individual Augmentee/Mobilization- Can be Voluntary/In-voluntary, tours of Active Duty (up to 365 days) Most are overseas and directly support the GWOT. Note: to be re-called from the IRR requires an act of congress; to date NO Officers from the MMIRRG have been In-voluntarily mobilized; Sel-Res officers have however • Active Duty Re-Call- Generally 2-3 year tour, once completed you return to previous status (Sel-Res/IRR) Recalls include the Program Manager and Sponsor Positions, as well as select recruiting billets. • Active Duty/Full Time Support (FTS)- Often requires re-designation and is very competitive. There is no guarantee of selection and opportunities are strictly based on the needs of the service. Though FTS officers are technically reservists, they are AD for all intents and purposes.

9. The Point System • All Reserve participation is recognized by the issuance of points. Points accumulation is crucial for remaining in good standing, and ultimately being able to retire. • You MUST attain 27 points per year to remain in the Reserves. • To achieve a “Qualifying Year” towards retirement you must attain at least 50 points in your anniversary year; Points CANNOT be rolled over between years • You must have at least 20 Good years to retire and earn a pension • Points can be earned in a number of ways: -15 points are gratuitous for Reserve Membership -1 point is awarded for every day of Active Duty served -1 point is awarded for every 4 hours served while in a drilling status (SELRES, VTU,IDT) -Correspondence courses offered on NKO and thru NETC -35 Points are awarded for a license renewal or upgrade with a STCW endorsement. Your initial license COUNTS for points, thus your first year is automatically a good year! -1 point is awarded for every 4 hours of an STCW course, up to 5 points can be awarded for Non-STCW courses per year All Courses are awarded on the DATE which the course certificate indicates, NOT when it is submitted to NPC or the Program Office

10. CAREER MANAGEMENT/PROGRESSION Merchant Marine Officer MMIRRG & SELRES Career Progression Overlay ENS-LT: Annual AT/ADT, stay compliant with MMR requirements LCDR Assignments CDR Assignments CAPT Assignments Masters Degree, JPME SELRES DH OPNAV N42E MMR Program Sponsor UNIT CO, XO Unit CO, OIC for Region CNRFC N14 MMR Program Manager Training Officer MMIRRG 2M/2AE Shipboard Support CM/1AE Exercise Support, Board Experience Master/CHENG SEALOG OIC, MMIRRG Instructor Volunteer for ADSW, Mobilization, Individual Augmentee, Recall, Extended ADT, Multiple ADT *0 1 2 3 45 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 APPLY Board MMIRRG= Merchant Marine Individual Ready Reserve Group *MMR should be sailing in the first 5 years after commissioning unless receiving waivers or on active duty (USMMA and SIP graduates only). Those MMR who are not required to sail are encouraged to be in the SELRES or VTU.

11. After Commissioning…. • Take a deep breathe and relax • You will be assigned to a Strategic Sealift Readiness Detachment (SSRD). SSRD’s are positioned at various NOSC’s they will serve as your initial POC and pass on word from the Program Office • Sign Up for your First ADT: The Post Commissioning Indoctrination Course http://gmats.usmma.edu/info/courses/?@=ix&cid=141&cce=NV-000 **This Course is run by The Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS) at Kings Point and held at NOSC San Diego

12. Navy Benefits and Links • SITES: • BUPERS: https://www.bol.navy.mil/ • NSIPS: https://nsips.nmci.navy.mil/ • NKO: https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/ • NPC: http://www.npc.navy.mil/ • Navy Reserve Website: https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/ • My Pay: https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx • Military One Source: http://www.militaryonesource.com/ BENEFITS: - Post 9/11 GI BILL (Must have at least 90 days of AD to qualify) - Exchange/Commissary Use (Online Exchange as well) - TRI CARE Dental • Program Office Staff: • MMR_PROGRAM_OFFICE@NAVY.MIL • PHONE: 1-800-535-2580 • FAX: 757-444-7597

13. Advice… • Unlike being a MIDN, no one is there everyday telling you what to do or not do. Your participation in the Reserves is strictly your responsibility and desire; no one will call you out for non-participation, ultimately you will simply be discharged. Bottom line your commission is what you make of it! • Have a Credit Card with a zero balance and limit of at least $1,000 for ADTs; while on ADT you must be financially independent!! • After completing 14 days of ADT you are eligible for a one time uniform allotment of $400, YOU MUST REQUEST IT!! • Get yourself a set of NWU’s; Maintain a pair of CNT/Polywool khakis and SDB’s • Be patient; Remember “At the speed of government”