Ordinary Seaman Advancement Program

The Ordinary Seaman are civil service mariners (CIVMARs) employed by the Navy to serve the Military Sealift Command (MSC) onboard naval auxiliaries and hybrid-manned warships worldwide, in peace and war. MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, contested or uncontested environment.

The Ordinary Seaman (OS) is an unlicensed entry level member of the Deck Department crew. Performs work pertaining to general maintenance, repair, sanitation, and upkeep of material, equipment, and areas that are the responsibility of the Deck Department. General maintenance consists of, but is not limited to: chipping, scaling, scraping, priming, painting, sounding and or cleaning of the ship’s hull, decks, superstructure, cargo gear, smokestack, rescue boats, lifeboats and or life rafts, emergency and damage control gear, and working aloft. Performs traditional shipboard marlinespike seamanship duties that include the splicing of wire rope, as well as synthetic and natural fiber lines, reaving and unreaving blocks and falls, overhauling and maintaining both standing and running rigging, cargo loading, discharging, shoring, lashing, and rigging cargo nets, slings, ladders, boat fenders, tricing pendants and gangways. This includes sweeping, scrubbing, sougeeing and conducting wash downs in general, and the sorting and proper disposal of trash and garbage.

Selected candidates will be placed in the Ordinary Seaman Advancement Program (OSAP) for on-the-job training and work experience. Candidates will receive training including Rating Forming Part of Navigational Watch (RFPNW), Able Seaman in Lieu Course, and Lifeboat in Lieu Course and up to 120 Navigational Watches.

Candidate must sign a 36-month service agreement and required to obtain the Merchant Marine Credential (MMC) endorsed as Able Seaman Unlimited, Able Seafarer Deck, and RFPNW. These endorsements require 1080 days (three years) of deck service on vessels as assigned by the Marine Placement Specialist and sea service is expected to be completed within four years from the date of the signed OSAP agreement. Upon completion of program requirements participant will become eligible for consideration for permanent promotion from Ordinary Seaman to Able Seaman (AB). Selection will be contingent on the successful completion of an administrative review (medical, security, discipline, etc.), and a review of supervisory evaluations and input regarding performance and readiness for permanent promotion to AB. An authorized AB position must be available in order for the promotion to be effected.

Failure to comply with the program requirements within the allotted time may result in termination from employment.

Must be eligible to have access to, handle, and be qualified in small arms in accordance with OPNAVINST 3591.1.

Everything in each Position Description is considered to be essential functions of the position. Perform other duties as assigned.