ABOUT MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

Our Mission

The U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command is the premier provider of ocean transportation to the Department of Defense. The command operates approximately 110 non-combatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.

Military Sealift Command exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations. Our mission is timeless and essential. Regardless of the challenge, we prevail! Working seamlessly with key partners to master the maritime and cyber domains, MSC provides on-time logistics, strategic sealift, as well as specialized missions anywhere in the world, under any condition, 24/7, 365 days a year.

While we do play a critical role in support of our nation’s defense, our employees are not active duty members of the military. MSC CIVMARs, the largest segment of our global workforce, are federal civil service employees.

We recruit transitioning military, merchant marines, maritime academy graduates, and skilled entry level candidates to fill our maritime job opportunities. The MSC mission is big. So are the rewards for the CIVMARs who help us complete it.

MSC BENEFITS

“Advance your career further, faster” is not a hollow marketing slogan. It is the result of key components that characterize a career with MSC: job security, training, and advancement opportunities. When these elements are combined in a supportive work environment that encourages growth, you can Take Command of Your Career. But an MSC career offers more than professional growth and secure employment. Read on to learn what makes MSC the career you’ll want to have and the career you’ll want to keep.

• CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

  Experience the pride that comes with professional and personal growth.
  As one of the largest maritime organizations in the world, we have numerous positions to fill. Many of these are your opportunity to advance to the next level professionally and earn more income. Upon completing your four month tour, there are no limits to the time you spend underway in advancing your career.

• TRAINING

  Pursue professional advancement opportunities with confidence in your abilities.
  We have an interest in seeing CIVMARs advance their careers. To support this we offer opportunities for both on-the-job and formal training. Allowing CIVMARs to expand sea-time, experience, and skill-sets needed for advancement.

• FEDERAL JOB SECURITY AND PAID LEAVE

  Relax with the peace of mind that comes with stable employment and steady income. 
  Compared to the private sector, federal employment is known for unmatched job security. When your tour ends, you don’t need to worry about finding your next job. You remain an MSC employee when your tour ends and while on leave you will continue to collect your base salary. Your position is secure and waiting for your when it’s time for your next ship assignment.

• WORLD TRAVEL

  Gain new perspectives on life when you explore foreign lands and experience new cultures.
  MSC goes where the U.S. military goes—all over the world. While some people pay thousands of dollars to visit foreign countries, MSC offers the opportunity to travel the globe AND earn a good income while doing so. While we’re in port, once you are done with your day’s responsibilities you’re free to explore and visit the foreign landmarks you’ve only heard about as long as you return according to your ship’s orders.

• CAMARADERIE

  Embrace the unique bond that forms between crew members working selflessly to complete the mission. 
  It takes a tightknit crew to efficiently complete mission after mission—a crew that looks after one another and supports each other on and off the clock. Over time as you work together and live together, a unique bond forms. Within that bond there is trust. There’s an understanding that regardless of your differences and cultural backgrounds, you can rely on your fellow CIVMAR and they can rely on you. Military veterans especially know this feeling and know how hard it is to find in a civilian career. You can find it at MSC.

• SERVICE TO COUNTRY

  Take pride knowing your career supports our nation’s defense. 
  We work hand in hand with the U.S. Navy and other armed service branches. What makes the U.S. Navy so effective and so efficient is due in large part to the logistical support it receives from MSC. We play a critical role, delivering food, fuel, ammunition and other supplies they need to complete their missions. As an MSC CIVMAR you are not an active duty member of the military. You are a civil service employee—one that’s playing an important role in our nation’s defense.

• TRANSFERRABLE SKILL-SETS

  You have a foundation of skills and experience, build upon it! 
  More than 40% of our workforce is prior military. That’s because many of the skills sets and experiences acquired from military service are the same as those needed to complete our mission. For many veterans MSC is a transition into an environment they’re familiar and comfortable with – one in which they can excel.

• DIVERSITY OF FLEET

  This is not your average fleet of ocean liners. 
  Our fleet of ships is large and impressive. We operate more than 50 vessels that vary in size and purpose—everything from fleet replenishment oilers to fast-combat support ships and joint high-speed vessels. Exposure to different systems and technologies provide valuable work experience to strengthen your resume.

• DIVERSITY OF WORK

  Knowing each day will bring something new and different keeps you motivated. 
  Many of our CIVMARs will tell you no day is the same with an MSC career. One day your ship may be sailing Mediterranean Sea alongside a Navy aircraft carrier. The next day Chinook helicopters could be performing vertical unreps from the deck of your ship.

• FEDERAL BENEFITS

  MSC offers CIVMARs federal government employee benefits which provide further compensation beyond the annual salary. When weighing career options consider the benefits packages of all perspective employers. The robust benefits package MSC offers is substantial when compared to private industry:

  • 10 paid federal holidays annually.
  • Base pay is earned commensurate with the size and type of ship. Additional compensation is earned over and above base pay to include overtime, hazardous pay and bonus provision(s).
  • Rate of paid annual leave is accrued according to years of federal service. In addition to annual leave, CIVMARs earn shore leave (based on the number of days “at sea”) and sick leave (accrued on a per-pay period basis).
  • As federal government employees, CIVMARs qualify for a variety of insurance plans: health, vision, dental, long term care, life, disability, loss of wages and injury. There are also spending account options, leave buy back and a comprehensive retirement plan. MSC pays up to 75% of employee health insurance premiums. CIVMARs’ premiums are deducted using pre-taxed dollars thereby reducing taxable income.