Advise for Prior Military with new 3 A/E

[M_R_Thurman]

So everyone, I see a lot of information on Mates and Captains. However, I need some help breaking into the industry. I recently left the military (Navy, submarines), Finally got all my paperwork together and have been told I am approved to sit for 3 A/E. I still need my Advanced firefighting training though. While searching for a school AMO offered to sponsor me at the star center in exchange for working some time for them. This took me by quite a surprise, as I was not actually seeking employment. Now my question, What is the best way for a new 3 A/E to break into the industry? Furthermore, what would be a good starting point for wage negotiations for a 3 A/E? From what I understand most companies pay a "day rate" and some form of overtime which differs from company to company. Also, any other advice, not just on wages would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

[Jeffrox]

Here's some light reading ICO the AMO, AMO Pension
IMHO, I wouldn't want to be beholden to anyone for some free training. There are a multitude of places you can take the training on your own dime and then remain the master of your own destiny. From what I've seen in this industry Engineers are always in demand and seem to have an easy time of it WRT finding and keeping employment.
BTW, MSC is hiring: http://www.sealiftcommand.com/resources/now-hiring

Congrats on the 3A/E approval and good luck on the testing.
Cheers, QMC(SS)

In case you didn't find this already:
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 width="95%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Center for Maritime Education</TD><TD>Seamans Church Institute 241 Water Street New York, NY 10038</TD><TD>(212) 349-9090</TD></TR><TR><TD>Military Sealift Command (Pacific)</TD><TD>Fleet Training Center, N-753 3975 Norman Scott Road, Suite 1 San Diego, CA 92136</TD><TD>(619) 556-9910</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE border=1 cellSpacing=0 width="95%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Alaska Department of Public Safety</TD><TD>Division of Fire Prevention 2760 Sherwood Lane Juneau, AK 99801</TD><TD>(907) 465-3117</TD></TR><TR><TD>Calhoon MEBA Engineering School</TD><TD>27050 St. Michael's Road Easton, MD 21601</TD><TD>(410) 822-9600</TD></TR><TR><TD>Center for Maritime Education (Paducah)</TD><TD>111 Kentucky Avenue Paducah, KY 42003</TD><TD>(270) 575-1005</TD></TR><TR><TD>Clatsop Community College</TD><TD>6550 Liberty Lane Astoria, OR 97103</TD><TD>(503) 325-7962</TD></TR><TR><TD>Compass Courses</TD><TD>110 W. Dayton St. Suite 101 Edmonds, WA 98020</TD><TD>(877) 732-2869</TD></TR><TR><TD>Consulting & Safety Specialists, Inc.</TD><TD>924 Lefort Bypass Rd. Thibodaux, LA 70301</TD><TD>(985) 447-1700</TD></TR><TR><TD>El Camino Community College</TD><TD>13430 Hawthorne Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250</TD><TD>(310) 973-3172</TD></TR><TR><TD>Galliano Training Center, LLC</TD><TD>P.O. Box 310 Galliano, LA 70354</TD><TD>(985) 601-4371</TD></TR><TR><TD>Global Maritime & Transportation School</TD><TD>United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NY 11024</TD><TD>(516) 726-6100</TD></TR><TR><TD>Great Lakes Maritime Academy - Cadet Program</TD><TD>Northwestern Michigan College 1701 East Front Street Traverse City, MI 49686</TD><TD>(231) 995-1200</TD></TR><TR><TD>L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College</TD><TD>P. O. Box 5033 Houma, LA 70361</TD><TD>(985) 857-3658</TD></TR><TR><TD>Louisiana State University</TD><TD> </TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Louisiana State University Fire and Emergency Training Institute</TD><TD>6868 Nicholson Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70820</TD><TD>(225) 334-6020</TD></TR><TR><TD>M & O Americas, Inc.</TD><TD>924 Lefort Bypass Road Thibodaux, LA 70301</TD><TD>(985) 447-1700</TD></TR><TR><TD>Maine Maritime Academy - Cadet & Undergraduate Program</TD><TD>Castine, ME 04420</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>Maritime Institute of Technology & Graduate Studies</TD><TD>692 Maritime Blvd. Linthicum Heights, MD 21090</TD><TD>(410) 859-5700</TD></TR><TR><TD>Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy, LLC</TD><TD>5705 Thurston Avenue Virginia Beach, VA 23455</TD><TD>(757) 464-6008</TD></TR><TR><TD>Military Sealift Command (Atlantic)</TD><TD>Fire School & Training Center 1029 Highway #33 E Freehold, NJ 07728</TD><TD>(732) 938-4979</TD></TR><TR><TD>Quality Maritime Training, LLC</TD><TD>8601 4th St. North Suite 209 St. Petersburg, FL 33702</TD><TD>(800) 581-5509</TD></TR><TR><TD>Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship</TD><TD>P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674</TD><TD>(301) 994-0010</TD></TR><TR><TD>Texas Engineering Extension Service Emergency Services Training Institute</TD><TD>1595 Nuclear Science Road College Station, TX 77843</TD><TD>(979) 845-1158</TD></TR><TR><TD>United States Merchant Marine Academy</TD><TD>300 Steamboat Road Kings Point, NY 11024</TD><TD> </TD></TR><TR><TD>University of Alaska Southeast - Ketchikan</TD><TD>2600 7th Avenue Ketchikan, AK 99901</TD><TD>(907) 228-4568</TD></TR><TR><TD>Washington State Patrol Fire Training Academy</TD><TD>P.O. Box 1273 North Bend, WA 98045</TD><TD>(425) 453-3000</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[M_R_Thurman]

QMC(SS), Thanks for your advice! However you are defiantly dating yourself as an oldtimer! QMC's disappeared in the submarine fleet about my 3rd year of service! LOL.... I was thinking getting the training on my own would probably be better, thanks for the links - MMC(SS)

[Seaamaster]

You might want to ask about DDE 4000, prior to testing this would open some other avenues. As in DDE 4000/ 3 A/E. I agree with the QMC there is always a demand for Engineers. There are a lot of schools offered and again I agree with the mind set of just go get the school on your own. In addition to that, all the requirements required for the issue off your original license are addressed as requested. From what you’re saying your approval letter just requires advanced fire fighting, Has any one mentioned your STCW, your new license is just ½ of the puzzle.
X QM1 (SS)

[Navy SWO]

I am an ex-Naval Officer (Surface Warfare) currently sailing as an AB and starting to work towards getting my license. I am currently sailing on a MSC contracted ship (not regular MSC). The licensed engineers onboard are all MEBA and seem very happy. I advise you to look into getting your government qualifications (classes that will allow you to sail on MSC contracted vessels.) You may get a waiver on some of them. MEBA might pay for the classes. Having those quals will open you up to many jobs that the others competing for ships (union) won't have. You'll find more ex-Navy onboard than on regular commercial ships and your Navy experience will help you in several ways. Good Luck!

[Jeffrox]

QMC(SS), Thanks for your advice! However you are defiantly dating yourself as an oldtimer! QMC's disappeared in the submarine fleet about my 3rd year of service! LOL.... I was thinking getting the training on my own would probably be better, thanks for the links - MMC(SS)

As the QM1 mentioned, what about STCW training, specifically BST Basic Safety Training? It's gotta be done, not to get your license, but to work offshore with it. Schools teach it as either BST or some have the individual elements of it. So you might want to school somewhere you can do AFF combined with the other elemenmts of BST at one site in one week, etc.
And, yes I am getting old; I escaped becoming an ET by the skin of my teeth.

[cappy208]

If you are 'stuck' on going to work solely on ships then the 3AE is the way to go, but as Seamaster says, getting a dde 4000 also will open up oil field supply, and tug work too. I think you shoudl call NMC and ask if they can re evaluate to include dde on your application.

In my mind there is just so many ships and lots of osv and tugs to work on. Just My 2cs worth.

[exsubguy]

Ya I'll second the idea of getting the classes on your own. I did it mostly with mid Atlantic Maritime. Spent close to 4k if I recall. Anyways, check out MEBA if you want to do ships. There's a lot of uncertainty in shipping with them, but they're about the only venue that's maintained overtime . If you go with AMO I'd recommend waiting for a ship in domestic US trade. That way if it's a disaster then it will be a cheaper flight home. (Speaking as a guy who stuck it out on a 'slave tanker' around Japan. I won't mention the outfit). Oh and there seems to be little negotiation on wages, and union ships have standard wages already worked for everyone.