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There is no armed service obligation requirement to graduate from the Cal Maritime. However, several military options are available that can offer financial aid and additional career opportunities.
U.S. Navy - Strategic Sealift Midshipmen Program (SSMP)
The Naval Science Department prepares students to participate in the Strategic Sealift Midshipmen Program (SSMP), a joint program established in 1925 between the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine. This is a program unique to maritime schools. It allows students who have earned U.S. Coast Guard licenses as merchant marine deck or engine officers to be commissioned as Ensigns in the Naval Reserve upon graduation. SSOs normally serve on inactive duty in the Individual Ready Reserve Group, allowing them to work as civilians in the maritime industry without the monthly drill requirement. They are called to serve on active duty when required to support major military sealift operations that call for the training and experience of licensed merchant marine officers. The program also offers the option to pursue an active duty commission upon graduation as an unrestricted line officer.
Eligibility
To participate in the SSMP, students must meet the following qualifications:
- be no older than 42 years by December 31 of commissioning year, waived to 45 years for prior military service
- pass a Department of Defense physical examination
- pass a semi-annual physical readiness test
- be enrolled in a degree program with a U.S. Coast Guard license option
- be in good academic standing, with a GPA of 2.5 or better
Students will be offered the opportunity to join the SSMP in their first year at Cal Poly Maritime. Applications will be reviewed by the Officer-in-Charge of the Department of Naval Science. Successful applicants will receive appointments as Midshipmen, U.S. Navy Reserve.
Benefits
Midshipmen between the ages of 17 and 42 are eligible to receive a Student Incentive Payment each semester ($64,000 total distributed over four years) from the Federal Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Program Requirements
Midshipmen (SSO students) meet for weekly leadership and physical training sessions at Cal Poly Maritime, and take additional Naval Science classes. Specifically, midshipmen must complete the following courses:
Obligation
Upon graduation, midshipmen are commissioned as Ensigns in the U.S. Navy Reserve. They are obligated to maintain their Coast Guard license and participate in the Navy Reserve for eight years, during which time they will perform two weeks of active duty per year. In addition, they are required to maintain employment in the maritime industry for three years.
Contact Information
Contact the Strategic Sealift Office in the Student Services Building for more information at Cal Poly Maritime Academy.
Further information may also be found at https://www.navyreserve.navy.mil/Resources/SSO-Tool-Kit/
Officer in Charge
LT Tyler Evans
tevans@csum.edu
Assistant Officer in Charge
LT Jonathan Sparks
jsparks@csum.edu
ROTC
In addition to the above programs, Cal Maritime provides Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC programs through arrangements with other universities in the area.
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