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Merchant Marine Reserve (MMR)

Merchant MarineThe Merchant Marine Reserve (MMR) Program is an excellent way to assist you in meeting the financial obligations of you college education.

The MMR is designed to train and educate highly qualified students for commissioning and reserve duty service as officers in the Merchant Marine Reserve component of the U.S. Navy Reserve (USNR). To be eligible for this program, a student must:

  1. Be a U.S. citizen
  2. Be at least 17 but less than 25 years of age (upon enrollment at MMA)
  3. Be physically qualified
  4. Possess satisfactory records of academic ability and moral integrity
  5. Demonstrate those characteristics desired of a Naval Officer
  6. Have no moral reservation or personal conviction that prevents the bearing of arms
  7. Be enrolled in a Bachelor of Science Degree Program leading to a U.S. Coast Guard Unlimited License:

Students who meet the qualifications above may apply for Midshipman status in the MMR Program and participate in the U.S. Maritime Administration's Student Incentive Payment (SIP) Program.

If selected, an incentive payment of $8000 per academic year is provided for up to a maximum of four years. Student Incentive Payments of $4000 are made in September and January. The SIP Program requires students to obtain a Coast Guard Unlimited License and to apply for, and accept if offered, a Reserve officer commission in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A student who receives SIP incurs an obligation to serve as an employee in the maritime or maritime-related industry, and in times of national emergency, to serve as a Naval Officer aboard a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel.

The program requirements are as follows:

  1. Apply for the SIP Program and Midshipman status in the U.S. Navy Reserve
  2. Complete a physical examination to verify eligibility (at DOD expense)
  3. Students must agree in writing to apply for, and accept if offered, a Reserve officer's commission
  4. The application process takes up to two months and must be complete prior to the beginning of the academic year in order to be eligible for SIP during the Freshman year
  5. Continuation in the program is based on continued eligibility
    (i.e. Minimum GPA 2.0 with satisfactory participation in program)
  • First year
    1. Participate in weekly Naval Science lab
    2. Pass Navy physical fitness assessment and swim qualification
  • Sophomore year
        1. Participate in weekly Naval Science lab
        • Complete Nv-212 Naval Science for the Merchant Marine Reservist I
        • Pass Navy physical fitness assessment and swim qualification
  • Junior year
    1. Complete Nv-222 Naval Science for the Merchant Marine Officer
    2. Participate in weekly Naval Science lab
    3. Pass Navy physical fitness assessment and swim qualification
  • Senior year
    1. Complete all processing and apply for a commission
    2. Pass the U.S. Coast Guard Unlimited License examination
    3. Complete Nv-402 Leadership and Ethics and Nv-442 Naval Science for the Merchant Marine Reservist II
    4. Participate in weekly Naval Science lab
    5. Pass Navy physical fitness assessment and swim qualification
    6. Be commissioned at graduation as an Ensign in the U.S. Merchant Marine Reserve, USNR
  • Minimum Obligation After Graduation
    1. Complete a minimum of two weeks of active duty each year for a total of six years, in a merchant marine related billet, at pay and travel/food reimbursement based on rank
    2. Sail on one's Coast Guard License for at least four months every two years, or be employed in a maritime-related job*, for a total of six years
    3. Remain in the Inactive Reserve (with no other obligations) for an additional two years

*The U.S. Maritime Administration believes that employment in a shore-based power plant is substantially related to the marine engineering profession and therefore qualifies as acceptable employment to satisfy one's minimum obligation.

For information about the MMR, USNR, and SIP Programs at Maine Maritime Academy, contact Commanding Officer, NROTC Unit, Maine Maritime Academy, (207) 326-2352, email mmanrotc@mma.edu or the MMR Program Office at Naval Reserve Forces Command, MMR Program Office, 4400 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA 70146-5100, 1-800-535-2580.

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