Strategic Sealift OfficerStrategic Sealift Officer(formerly MMR Officer)(formerly MMR Officer)

LTJG Joseph Becker LTJG Joseph Becker LTJG Gerin ChoiniereLTJG Gerin Choiniere

Josephbec.03@sunymaritime.eduJosephbec.03@sunymaritime.eduMatebecker@gmail.comMatebecker@gmail.comGchoiniere@gmail.comGchoiniere@gmail.com

Also on Facebook!Also on Facebook!

Briefing Overview/AimsBriefing Overview/Aims

• SSO(MMR) ProgramSSO(MMR) Program• Program Expectations/RequirementsProgram Expectations/Requirements• Active and Reserve Duty OptionsActive and Reserve Duty Options• Career Management and ProgressionCareer Management and Progression• The Point SystemThe Point System• Navy BenefitsNavy Benefits• Useful LinksUseful Links• Q & A’sQ & A’s

SSO(MMR) ProgramSSO(MMR) Program• ““To maintain in the U.S. Navy To maintain in the U.S. Navy

Reserve an organization of Merchant Reserve an organization of Merchant Marine officers, composed of a corps Marine officers, composed of a corps of actively sailing members who are of actively sailing members who are trained to operate merchant ships as trained to operate merchant ships as Naval auxiliaries, and a shore side Naval auxiliaries, and a shore side cadre assigned to Naval activities cadre assigned to Naval activities that support strategic sealift that support strategic sealift readiness.readiness.

~OPNAVINST 1534.1C”~OPNAVINST 1534.1C”

• This year will see the This year will see the implementation of Strategic Sealift implementation of Strategic Sealift Readiness Detachments (SSRDs). Readiness Detachments (SSRDs). SSRDs will be positioned at various SSRDs will be positioned at various NOSCs across the country and will NOSCs across the country and will serve as your initial POC, while serve as your initial POC, while passing word from the Program passing word from the Program Office. Office.

SSO Program - What to SSO Program - What to know…know…• The SSO Program is a community within the Navy The SSO Program is a community within the Navy

Reserve; Reserve; You are a Naval Officer first and foremostYou are a Naval Officer first and foremost• The Program Office is essentially a middle man The Program Office is essentially a middle man

between you and the Navy Reserve. It provides between you and the Navy Reserve. It provides community management, is a POC for execution of community management, is a POC for execution of orders, while providing qualified Reserve personnel to orders, while providing qualified Reserve personnel to the Active Component the Active Component

• Your career as a Naval Officer is YOUR responsibility Your career as a Naval Officer is YOUR responsibility not the Program Office’s; You will get out of your not the Program Office’s; You will get out of your career what you put into it career what you put into it

• There are 3 Calendars you must understand:There are 3 Calendars you must understand:– Navy Fiscal Year (FY)Navy Fiscal Year (FY)– Calendar Year (CY)Calendar Year (CY)– YOUR Anniversary Calendar (AY)YOUR Anniversary Calendar (AY)

Program Program Expectations/RequirementsExpectations/Requirements

• Complete at least one ADT per FY; if you cannot Complete at least one ADT per FY; if you cannot complete an ADT you must request a waiver from complete an ADT you must request a waiver from the Program Office. Without either, there will be a the Program Office. Without either, there will be a gap within your service recordgap within your service record

• Maintain an active license (s) for Unlimited Maintain an active license (s) for Unlimited Tonnage VesselsTonnage Vessels

• Send in your Annual Report to the Program Office Send in your Annual Report to the Program Office by 01 March by 01 March

• Maintain an annual PHA and Dental examinationMaintain an annual PHA and Dental examination

• Do not confuse your MARAD obligation for your Do not confuse your MARAD obligation for your Navy one; This brief does not address those Navy one; This brief does not address those requirements set by MARADrequirements set by MARAD

Active Duty for Training Active Duty for Training (ADT)(ADT)-ADTs are generally 12-17 day evolutions designed to promote -ADTs are generally 12-17 day evolutions designed to promote

operational readiness and training for the reserve component operational readiness and training for the reserve component -Performance is Mandatory; but location and duty is optional (to a -Performance is Mandatory; but location and duty is optional (to a

point) point) -One of the few times where you will receive a FITREP-One of the few times where you will receive a FITREP-Diverse assignments and locations are preferred-Diverse assignments and locations are preferred-You are required to perform A-You are required to perform At least 1 ADT per Fiscal yeart least 1 ADT per Fiscal year; you are ; you are

responsible for managing your points towards your AYresponsible for managing your points towards your AY-Second ADT’s can be authorized after 31 March, take advantage!-Second ADT’s can be authorized after 31 March, take advantage!- Examples of ADT’s include, but are not limited to, duty with:Examples of ADT’s include, but are not limited to, duty with:

- MSC MSC - MARADMARAD- CNRFCCNRFC- GMATSGMATS- Any Support of Strategic SealiftAny Support of Strategic Sealift

Reserve Status OptionsReserve Status Options

• Merchant Marine Individual Ready Reserve Group (MMIRRG)Merchant Marine Individual Ready Reserve Group (MMIRRG): IRR. : IRR. But considered in an active status. About 80% of SSO’s are But considered in an active status. About 80% of SSO’s are members of this Group. MMIRRGs are essentially “free agents” and members of this Group. MMIRRGs are essentially “free agents” and can pick and choose their ADT’s. can pick and choose their ADT’s.

• Select Reserve (SELRES):Select Reserve (SELRES): Are organized units of the Navy Reserve. Are organized units of the Navy Reserve. They drill once per month and usually perform AT as a unit. Officers They drill once per month and usually perform AT as a unit. Officers assigned to these units hold billets and generally incur an obligation assigned to these units hold billets and generally incur an obligation as a drilling reservist. They earn pay and accumulate points for their as a drilling reservist. They earn pay and accumulate points for their drills and are also eligible for greater benefits. Affiliation to the drills and are also eligible for greater benefits. Affiliation to the SELRES can only be done through a recruiter and ascension is SELRES can only be done through a recruiter and ascension is based on the needs of the service. About 10% of SSOs are members based on the needs of the service. About 10% of SSOs are members of SELRES units. of SELRES units.

• Volunteer Training Unit (VTU):Volunteer Training Unit (VTU): Is similar to a SELRES unit, as you Is similar to a SELRES unit, as you earn points for drilling however, there is no monetary compensation earn points for drilling however, there is no monetary compensation for drills, and VTUs don’t actively prepare to mobilize in the manner 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 which a SELRES does. As a VTU member, your ADT’s are not funded by the MMR Program Office. Conversely you are not guaranteed by the MMR Program Office. Conversely you are not guaranteed MMIRRG ADT funds. Roughly 10% of SSO’s are VTU members. MMIRRG ADT funds. Roughly 10% of SSO’s are VTU members.

Active Duty Options Active Duty Options • Active Duty Training- Active Duty Training- <29 Days (unless authorized) per year, ADT’s are a <29 Days (unless authorized) per year, ADT’s are a

requirement of program compliancerequirement of program compliance

• Active Duty for Special Work (ADSWActive Duty for Special Work (ADSW)- Are short term tours of active duty to )- Are short term tours of active duty to augment exercises, contingency operations, etc. They differ greatly in augment exercises, contingency operations, etc. They differ greatly in location and type of assignment. Performance is voluntary and can be location and type of assignment. Performance is voluntary and can be selective. selective.

• Individual Augmentee/Mobilization-Individual Augmentee/Mobilization- Can be Voluntary/In-voluntary, tours of Can be Voluntary/In-voluntary, tours of Active Duty (up to 365 days) Most are overseas and directly support the 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 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 NO Officers from the MMIRRG have been In-voluntarily mobilized; Sel-Res officers have howeverofficers have however

• Active Duty Re-Call-Active Duty Re-Call- Generally 2-3 year tour, once completed you return to Generally 2-3 year tour, once completed you return to previous status (Sel-Res/IRR) Recalls include the Program Manager and previous status (Sel-Res/IRR) Recalls include the Program Manager and Sponsor Positions, as well as select recruiting billets.Sponsor Positions, as well as select recruiting billets.

• Active Duty/Full Time Support (FTSActive Duty/Full Time Support (FTS)- Often requires re-designation and is very )- Often requires re-designation and is very competitive. There is no guarantee of selection and opportunities are strictly competitive. There is no guarantee of selection and opportunities are strictly based on the needs of the service. Though FTS officers are technically based on the needs of the service. Though FTS officers are technically reservists, they are AD for all intents and purposes. reservists, they are AD for all intents and purposes.

The Point SystemThe Point System

• All Reserve participation is recognized by the issuance of points. Points All Reserve participation is recognized by the issuance of points. Points accumulation is crucial for remaining in good standing, and ultimately being accumulation is crucial for remaining in good standing, and ultimately being able to retire.able to retire.

• You MUST attain 27 points per year to remain in the Reserves. 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 To achieve a “Qualifying Year” towards retirement you must attain at least 50 points in your anniversary year; Points CANNOT be rolled over between yearspoints in your anniversary year; Points CANNOT be rolled over between years

• You must have at least 20 Good years to retire and earn a pensionYou must have at least 20 Good years to retire and earn a pension

• Points can be earned in a number of ways:Points can be earned in a number of ways:-15 points are gratuitous for Reserve Membership-15 points are gratuitous for Reserve Membership-1 point is awarded for every day of Active Duty served-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) -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-Correspondence courses offered on NKO and thru NETC-35 Points are awarded for a license renewal or upgrade with a STCW endorsement. Your -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!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 -1 point is awarded for every 4 hours of an STCW course, up to 5 points can be awarded

for Non-STCW courses per yearfor Non-STCW courses per year

All Courses are awarded on the DATE which the course certificate indicates, NOT All Courses are awarded on the DATE which the course certificate indicates, NOT when it is submitted to NPC or the Program Office when it is submitted to NPC or the Program Office

SELRES

CAREER MANAGEMENT/PROGRESSIONMerchant Marine Officer

MMIRRG & SELRES Career Progression Overlay

DH UNIT CO,

XOUnit CO, OIC for

Region

MMIRRG 2M/2AEShipboard Support

LCDR Assignments CDR Assignments CAPT Assignments

Training Officer

CNRFC N14 MMR Program

Manager

OPNAV N42E MMR Program

Sponsor

*0 1 2 3 4 5 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.

Masters Degree, JPME

ENS-LT: Annual AT/ADT, stay

compliant with MMR requirements

CM/1AEExercise Support, Board Experience

Master/CHENGSEALOG OIC, MMIRRG Instructor

Volunteer for ADSW, Mobilization, Individual Augmentee, Recall, Extended ADT, Multiple ADT

After Commissioning….After Commissioning….

• Take a deep breathe and relaxTake a deep breathe and relax• You will be assigned to a Strategic Sealift You will be assigned to a Strategic Sealift

Readiness Detachment (SSRD). SSRD’s are Readiness Detachment (SSRD). SSRD’s are positioned at various NOSC’s they will serve as positioned at various NOSC’s they will serve as your initial POC and pass on word from the your initial POC and pass on word from the Program OfficeProgram Office

• Sign Up for your First ADT: The Post Sign Up for your First ADT: The Post Commissioning Indoctrination CourseCommissioning Indoctrination Coursehttp://gmats.usmma.edu/info/courses/?http://gmats.usmma.edu/info/courses/?@=ix&cid=141&cce=NV-000@=ix&cid=141&cce=NV-000

**This Course is run by The Global Maritime and **This Course is run by The Global Maritime and Transportation School (GMATS) at Kings Point and Transportation School (GMATS) at Kings Point and held at held at NOSC San DiegoNOSC San Diego

Navy Benefits and LinksNavy Benefits and Links

• SITES:SITES:– BUPERS: https://www.bol.navy.mil/BUPERS: https://www.bol.navy.mil/– NSIPS: https://nsips.nmci.navy.mil/NSIPS: https://nsips.nmci.navy.mil/– NKO: https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/NKO: https://wwwa.nko.navy.mil/– NPC: http://www.npc.navy.mil/NPC: http://www.npc.navy.mil/– Navy Reserve Website: https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/Navy Reserve Website: https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/– My Pay: https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspxMy Pay: https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx– Military One Source: http://www.militaryonesource.com/Military One Source: http://www.militaryonesource.com/

BENEFITS:BENEFITS: - Post 9/11 GI BILL (Must have at least 90 days of AD to qualify) - Post 9/11 GI BILL (Must have at least 90 days of AD to qualify) - Exchange/Commissary Use (Online Exchange as well)- Exchange/Commissary Use (Online Exchange as well) - TRI CARE Dental - TRI CARE Dental

• Program Office Staff: Program Office Staff: – MMR_PROGRAM_OFFICE@NAVY.MILMMR_PROGRAM_OFFICE@NAVY.MIL– PHONE: 1-800-535-2580PHONE: 1-800-535-2580– FAX: 757-444-7597FAX: 757-444-7597

Advice…Advice…

• Unlike being a MIDN, no one is there everyday telling you Unlike being a MIDN, no one is there everyday telling you what to do or not do. Your participation in the Reserves is what to do or not do. Your participation in the Reserves is strictly your responsibility and desire; no one will call you strictly your responsibility and desire; no one will call you out for non-participation, ultimately you will simply be out for non-participation, ultimately you will simply be discharged. Bottom line your commission is what you make discharged. Bottom line your commission is what you make of it! of it!

• Have a Credit Card with a zero balance and limit of at least Have a Credit Card with a zero balance and limit of at least $1,000 for ADTs; while on ADT you must be financially $1,000 for ADTs; while on ADT you must be financially independent!!independent!!

• After completing 14 days of ADT you are eligible for a one After completing 14 days of ADT you are eligible for a one time uniform allotment of $400, YOU MUST REQUEST IT!!time uniform allotment of $400, YOU MUST REQUEST IT!!

• Get yourself a set of NWU’s; Maintain a pair of Get yourself a set of NWU’s; Maintain a pair of CNT/Polywool khakis and SDB’sCNT/Polywool khakis and SDB’s

• Be patient; Remember “Be patient; Remember “At the speed of government”At the speed of government”