Boatnerd Discussion Forum

As it happens, this popped up on my Facebook feed. Apparently MARAD (the maritime admin for the department of transportation), has created a "military to maritime" program. It might be a place to start for you, or for other vets: http://www.transportation.gov/fastlane/ ... pportunity

Speaking as one that served in the military, make certain of your decision to leave the service for the civilian world. With your background you could look into obtaining employment with the various defense contractors that specialize in the equipment you have been trained to operate, while also looking into companies that conduct survey work, etc., using sonar equipment. While such knowledge would have little usefulness in working about a Great Lakes freighter, it may have some use in other fields on the lakes. Some others have provided excellent responses to your inquiry. All that being said, my father left the military with about six years left before retirement and regretted it for the rest of his life. I myself left the service after serving only 4 years and have learned to also regret this decision. I have found that advancement in the civilian world does not work in the same manner as I experienced in the military. Now some 25 years after making that choice, I often find myself reminiscing more about the 4 years in the Navy than the quarter of a century I have spent in my current occupation. I do not know if the environment in today's military has changed significantly since I was in it during the years of the Cold War. Regardless of what decision you make, I hope you find success with all of your future endeavors.

NOAA is a good option. Another option is companies like Fugro. They have land and sea jobs. They use technicians and sonar operators on their own research vessels and contracted research vessels. Sonar is used for bottom mapping, especially for cable laying routes and updating charts. I worked on a research vessel where we (mates) never touched the sonar. Whoever chartered the vessel used their people to operate the two sonars.

Check out NOAA, the have use for your talents!

Don't set your sights too high as to qualifying for a license. Your sea time might count towards getting an AB ticket tho. Check with the Coast Guard. If you do qualify for the seamans card, the Navy might release you early if you can line up a civilian job. The only civilian jobs that use sonar would be in a licensed position. The Corps of Engineers do hire X-Navy on their Sea going hoper dredges. Good luck.

Hey there - Former STS2/SS here now working on the Lakes. I'd be happy to talk with you about how I got into the industry, and other options available. You can contact me at d.loganov@gmail.com if so inclined.

Be safe shipmate,

CTC

First, welcome to boatnerd!
Although I have never sailed on the lakes, here are my two cents:
1. As a sonar tech, you would likely have a hard time find a position like that on a freighter. Your best shot at a shipboard position might either be on a research vessel, the army corp of engineers, or the coast guard.
This is based off of briefly looking up what a sonar tech does.

2. Depending on how long you have been in the silent service, your sea time might count toward the required time to become a 3rd mate. I think you need 4 years of sea time to qualify for that. However, since you served on a sub, the requirements might be different. If you have met the requirements, then you can take a coast guard exam to get lisenced as a 3rd mate. Over time, you could then gain a masters license

I hope this helps

Hello, I'm currently in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician on submarines. I understand that my job doesn't really transcribe over to the civilian world very well if at all. I'm just looking to see what job opportunities are out the on the lakes and what they all entail. Thanks in advance!!