Coast Guard Officer Career Development

Marine Safety Officer
Marine Safety offers a wide variety of opportunities and assignments. It is currently the Coast Guard's fastest-growing field with the second-largest number of officers assigned. The "M" field offers numerous postgraduate and advanced training opportunities and a chance to become involved with the international maritime community. Billets support pollution prevention and response, marine inspections, marine investigations, marine licensing, and waterways management.

The major disciplines in the marine safety field are:

• Commercial Vessel Safety
• Port Safety and Security
• Marine Environmental Protection

Specialty Training
The Marine Safety training and qualification program consists of two distinct parts, a training program and a qualification program, each with its own specific objective. The training program provides marine safety personnel with the knowledge, skills, and experience required to perform both general and specialized activities. The qualification program qualifies marine safety personnel in specific technical areas.

Entry-level training in the marine safety community usually requires three stages. The member reports to a field command for two to three months of orientation and indoctrination. The next stage, at the Marine Safety School at the Reserve Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia, consists of three basic modules: port operations, including pollution response; investigations and, inspections. The third, final stage usually involves qualifying as a Command Duty Officer, with a command letter of designation.

Advanced Education and Specialization Opportunities
The next level of training, both formal and on-the-job, in the “M” program is qualifying in one of the many technical specialties such as hull inspector, boarding officer, harbor safety officer, etc.

Those who successfully complete training in a technical specialty can be examined and/or issued a command letter of designation. There are also additional resident training courses beyond the basic modules, which provide members with detailed skills and knowledge to perform their job. These courses are generally 1-3 weeks in duration and taught either at RTC Yorktown or at commercial vendor sites. Examples include Crude Oil Washing and Inert Gas System training, Wood and Fiberglass Boat Inspection, Seaport Security, etc.

Advanced training in Marine Safety falls under two programs: Industry Training and Postgraduate School.

The Coast Guard Officer Career Guidebook contains a detailed list of Advanced Education Opportunities.