I'm currently an active-duty Gunner's Mate Second Class in the U.S. Navy, and I'm looking into transitioning into the civilian maritime industry after I separate in about five years. By that point, I'll have spent roughly eight or nine years assigned to ships, with experience in line handling, mooring and unmooring, underway replenishments, deck preservation, and general shipboard operations. Although my primary duties as a GM aren't directly related to navigation or operating a vessel, I'm hoping my experience will give me somewhat of a head start. I'm particularly interested in working on tugboats in Alaska, with Cook Inlet Tug & Barge being one of the companies I've been researching. Ideally, I'd like to enter the industry as an Able Seaman rather than an Ordinary Seaman, if my Navy experience and qualifications allow it. For those of you familiar with the industry, how much of an advantage would my military background realistically give me when applying for positions? Are there particular qualifications, certifications, or types of experience I should focus on obtaining during my remaining time in the Navy to make myself a stronger candidate?
My long-term goal would be to work my way up through the industry, eventually becoming a tugboat captain, although I'm also interested in the possibility of pursuing harbor pilotage much further down the road. I'm curious how career advancement typically works at tug companies. Do companies like CITB generally offer opportunities for deckhands to work toward their Mate's license and eventually advance into the wheelhouse, or is that something employees are largely expected to pursue independently? How common is it for companies to provide financial assistance, training, or mentorship toward obtaining higher credentials? I'd also be interested in hearing how long it typically takes someone entering as an AB to advance to Mate, assuming they're motivated and actively pursuing the necessary qualifications. Finally, for anyone who has made the transition from the Navy to civilian tugboats, is there anything you wish you'd known or done differently before separating? I'm still several years away from making the transition, but I'd like to use that time as productively as possible and would greatly appreciate any advice from people already working in the industry.
