My Five Best Pieces of Advice For New MSC Mariners // Merchant Marine Life // VLOGMAS

[@thatboijr6]

Your videos gave me motivation I got my Twic card , I’m waiting for my Passport & MSC Book !! I’m 23 and I appreciate you for uploading

[@MikeMills1]

Same age when I started

[@stacyparker4559]

My son is just getting started. He has his Twic card, his passport, and now needs to do this Coast Guard stuff. Thank you so much for this info!

[@MikeMills1]

@@stacyparker4559 tell him good luck for me !!!

[@terrencepowell2998]

38 y/o tired of working in the fishing industry, looking for a career change . Can’t speak for anyone else but watching your videos have really been inspiring. Not to many brothers drop jewels for free, everyone trying to charge a fee. Salute 🫡 💯

[@MikeMills1]

Lol I try my guy I try.

[@njjr8412]

Isn't it dangerous now to be out on sea because of the China situation as far as going through certain areas of the Chinese sea and what about pirates do you all have to worry about that to

[@MikeMills1]

@njjr8412 I mean any kind if off shore job is dangerous. But I'm not worried about it. Snd I'm state side anywayd

[@porquee]

What don't you like about fishing?

[@HauntedByHeroesX]

Dropped a sub. Glad to see someone from the USA that speaks English making an honest video. Trying to switch from IT desk job to OS. I'm studying all the tips and tricks before I step into this world. Looking forward to a real career change. Changing my life for my families sake.

[@MikeMills1]

Fersure man. If you want to make the switch in careers by all means get your stuff and bust a move. You can always go back if you dont like it. Solid plan. 👏🏽

[@Camlope]

Been watching your vids for a minute appreciate the info about MSC. I got an offer for an OS position last month; still in the hiring process just gotta do the finger prints. I wanted to come in as a wiper since I like working on engines but since I gotta blue collar background I didn’t mind doing deck.Thing I like about MSC is the sea time which allows you to get your endorsements quicker. I’m trying to get my Able Bodied license after my first tour.

[@MikeMills1]

Yeah buddy!!. You gonna get that easy. Best Advice I can give is aim for the 3rd mate license. Don't get complacent at AB for too long. Sit for a little, but go out your way to get your 3rd mate license asap. Contrary to what other Mariners are gonna tell you. It's worth it. Don't let them tell you otherwise. Do it.

[@Camlope]

@@MikeMills1 I’ll definitely take that into consideration. 🫡

[@MikeMills1]

@@Camlope you got it bruv

[@mr.awsome1288]

Hey, I'm from Utah, which is not exactly a coastal state, and I'm 18 years old. Any advice on how could I enter this career?

[@SKTV_]

thanks for dropping these gems for us thanks ❤

[@MikeMills1]

@@SKTV_ I try my best!

[@iKoNz904]

heading to NEO in a few days, copped a position as a wiper in the engine room. idk how long i plan to stick to it but thanks for the advice. long term i plan to get my sea time through msc & switch to the union. cheers, keep up the good content .

[@MikeMills1]

Good luck maybe we'll get on thr ssane ship together

[@darvinjohnson2025]

I should have done it right after I got out of the NAVY, I'm not built for those hours anymore 😆. Good for you though keep it up.

[@MikeMills1]

Lol facts. This be a different kind of a life fersure

[@kenfox22]

Hard to do OT after a 12 hour day. I blew so much on wine and women

[@MikeMills1]

@kenfox22 lol how life be sometimes

[@konstantinoschristou3701]

Thanks

[@MikeMills1]

No worries

[@charliewaiters2105]

Great video bro , tbanks for making it , gathering all the information i can

[@MikeMills1]

I'm glad I can help !!

[@charliewaiters2105]

@MikeMills1 do you have any regrets about doing it? You said u been in 10 years right ?

[@MikeMills1]

@@charliewaiters2105 9 will be 10 next year

[@The1stAvenger]

Honestly MSC sounds like being back in the Navy again. I did 10 years in the Navy so it looks and feels the same. MSC probably has some different Caveats than the Navy.

[@MikeMills1]

Yes and no. Money's better, no cutfew, more time in Port. But alot of the negatives about the navy msc has also. So definitely some draw backs

[@The1stAvenger]

@@MikeMills1 I applied for Damage Controlman so not applying for entry level. Gonna use all my qualifications from being in the Navy. Do they go to sea much or are they mostly shore bound that you know of?

[@MikeMills1]

@francisk7997 depends on the ship but yeah expect to be out to sea fersure

[@The1stAvenger]

@@MikeMills1 recruiters was telling me rotation is 4-6 months out to sea and 2 months off duty? Any thoughts

[@MikeMills1]

@francisk7997 thoughts on what? Some ships be out to sea alot some ships don't. You won't be out to sea the entire 4 months just means you will be assigned a ship and have to do a minimum of 4 to 6 months depending on what the manpower is looking like

[@rejectracoon]

thanks mike

[@MikeMills1]

Yurp

[@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022]

What port you work out of if you dont mind me asking

[@MikeMills1]

@@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022 depends what ship. I'm assigned

[@380fro.ThisGuy]

❤❤❤❤⛴💨

[@904duvalaw4]

Do a video on probation period I jus got paid off a ship due to a messy chief steward but I’m on probation I’m sitting in the pool now

[@MikeMills1]

Lol damn bruv. I be telling yall to relax. Shit don't run that deep

[@jorgeantunez2567]

Thank you for the information. Im Jacksonville, should I attend school or just get the docs to start working? Further, I have a Criminal Justice degree. May I utilize this degree as a merchant marine?

[@MikeMills1]

You can go maritime school, and criminal justice degrees are irrelevant in the maritime field

[@jorgeantunez2567]

Thank you for the information! Considering I don’t want to go to school what positions will I be qualified for? Also, I wanted to confirm, these positions are considered government, correct?

[@MikeMills1]

@jorgeantunez2567 entry level positions. And depending thr company you go with.

[@Motivation_King1130]

I live in Jacksonville too I’m working on getting my Twic and passport and then my Mmc

[@aylenjay4571]

Hey man I been watching your vids since I got outta high school and. Immediately pursued this career. They’re really helpful btw. I start Neo Jan 2, I was wondering do you get payed for Neo and when does the money start rolling in. If so how much is it

[@MikeMills1]

You gonna start getting paid as soon as you come in. Might be a bullshit check until you get on a ship but you get paid starting day one

[@aylenjay4571]

@@MikeMills1appreciate it bro !

[@MikeMills1]

@@aylenjay4571 yurpp

[@rickyblaze8263]

This info is for young guys, I don’t care about going out to have fun, I care about making money and the do’s and don’ts on these ships.

[@MikeMills1]

First 10 seconds of the video, I said how much money you'd be making. And I've made a bunch of videos on the do's and donts of ship life. But you got it.

[@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022]

I wish i knew what these abbreviation mean

[@MikeMills1]

@@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022 what abbreviations?

[@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022]

@@MikeMills1 all the abbreviations you said in this video

[@fidelcollazo4262]

Make a video about the endorsement

[@MikeMills1]

What endorsements ?

[@hamidqadri4100]

Hello Mike, Thank You for all your videos! I learned so much from you and I appreciate it very much! I am about to apply with MSC, I just got all my credentials, just waiting on my passport, which I sent for renewal. I live in Raleigh NC, is there any way we can set up an appointment so I can chat with you?

[@MikeMills1]

Yes. Message me on Instagram. And we can go from there

[@Daniel-x8x2m]

Do you know any companys that pay for the STSU CERTS> basic training to work as an OS

[@MikeMills1]

Any bigger companies that hire entry levels will send you to training for what you need

[@avahthomas298]

Im 22 years old and im wanting to live abroad i heard this job is a international job so you can be based out of anywhere i have my TWIC passport i just submitted my application with national guard

[@MikeMills1]

Good luck my guy

[@MrRed424]

Is 30 to old to do this? I don’t got a degree so I can’t go officer.

[@MikeMills1]

No.

[@gmoroder]

Would you recommend becoming a Merchant Mariner without going to any sort of academy or college? I'm thinking of just going for a year or two to save up for money before going to college for an unrelated degree, but I'm unsure if I could get a Mariner job that easily, or if I need to go to a school for it.

[@MikeMills1]

Most of the people that become Mariners have no schooling.

[@yassbritzvillacruz]

hey man. Have some questions to ask. Does a US Permanent Resident allowed to get TWIC and MMC? Im a foreign national who is a ship officer. But i have no idea about transitioning from Foreign STCW certificates to NMC requirements.. Do i need to undergo trainings in the US again?or what?... thanks buddy.

[@MikeMills1]

I genuinely have no idea how to maneuver from foreign to us Merchant Mariner credential without being a US citizen

[@imkyhi]

im currently a welder , is it possible to go in welding ?

[@MikeMills1]

Not a welding position but it might help you get into the engine department

[@Lovingangel13]

Question I got my TWIC passport and MMC I got an offer from MSC and did my health questioner . How long does it take for them to do your back ground and you get into orientation .

[@MikeMills1]

Different for everyone. Sometimes they gotta wait until they have enough people to fill a class. But it depends.

[@Lovingangel13]

Thanks for the response I appreciate the videos and the motivation . I have learned a lot due to yours videos. Thank you so much .

[@tracyedwards7296]

Hay Mike what is the age limit

[@MikeMills1]

18-65

[@DeeDee-z4t]

If I go in as an SU will I have to be a stewardess? I want to go into logistics am I able to start there?

[@MikeMills1]

No If they hired you as an su you are an su but you can start training in logistics as an ask they tend to pill people quickly if that's what they want to go.

[@PrivacyOnelockkey]

Yo yo

[@MikeMills1]

What's good !!

[@ZenLoen]

Hey did u have to cut your dreads off to do the programs

[@MikeMills1]

You see my hair in videos? Kinda question?

[@ZenLoen]

@@MikeMills1 ok bet thanks

[@The0Red0King]

@@ZenLoenI had the same question ngl 😂😂 I’m hearin different things

[@JohnathonCravener]

Is it realistic to come in your first year and make 60 70 k take home prior service so I do not mind the time away

[@MikeMills1]

Fersure depending on the ship and position

[@antshmurdaa]

Do they make you cut down your beard ?

[@MikeMills1]

Depends company but msc yes

[@antshmurdaa]

So how are you able to keep yours

[@MikeMills1]

@antshmurdaa ima be honest when uou first come in you cutting your beard of rip cuz once uou go to fire school everyone has to be clean shaven. But after that it's the discretion of the captain

[@kingfredonation7188]

Bro I just noticed how are you able to have a beard?? I need answers my guy. They told me I have to shave my beard off for NEO I need answers 😂

[@kingfredonation7188]

I’m coming in as a SU is it not worth it?

[@MikeMills1]

@@kingfredonation7188 never said that. Money is money. Just move up as soon as possible don't bullshit

[@kingfredonation7188]

Appreciate it bro lol this a whole new experience for me im nervous and happy at the same time. Your videos definitely informative

[@MikeMills1]

@@kingfredonation7188 yurp !! You'll be aight job is easy nothing to worry bout

[@thayettii]

Does schizophrenia exclude you?

[@MikeMills1]

@thayettii lol i have no idea. Just don't disclose it. They can't ask.

[@shemekiad]

Take home $1800 😳 WTH… you better not think you’re doing it big lol. Maybe if that’s what your making every week, now we talking a different kinda talk 😂 just saying be smart the economy is way different now!!

[@MikeMills1]

Lol be smart ? 🤦🏾 I make a easy 6 figures lol I just didn't work last year I made 40k for the year but I started working in September I took the whole year off before I started working

[@everett8610]

These trips on a boat for the jobs I would do is being home the amount of time I’m gone. So if I make 40,000 working six months and off six months. That’s the best 40,000 a year job a person could possibly have in my opinion! Any other $800 a week job is going to be 50 weeks a freaking year to make that 40 K.. so you have to look at the amount of time worked and the amount of time off.

[@everett8610]

What I like about merchant mariner is you can actually have a good home life and work six months out of the year and be home six months and spread that out over the year. Look at it like that and if you make 40,000 or 50,000 a year you’re only working like 25 weeks a year to make that. When any other job paying 40 to 50 K you will work 50 weeks a year to make it! so merchant mariner is like the best job you could imagine in my opinion!

[@MikeMills1]

@everett8610 lol you get it. I know some people only see the "yearly" salary but forget if I decided to not work for over half the year and then hop on a ship for thr remainder I can still make decent money. And this is as an entry level. Once you start moving up people make 50 to 60k in 4 to 5 months. And at the higher levels, I know some making over 30k a month. Lol I realize people just want to be upset about anything 😂😂

[@padrekash]

What do most mariners do for housing? Getting my mmc soon .. I have an apartment rn and Ik I’ll be gone a majority of the year if I choose msc.. any insight would be appreciated my guy! 🫡

[@MikeMills1]

Most guys just keep the apartment where they live unless you got family to fall back on and move your stuff back at home. But yeah most of the time people just keep there apartments or houses. No need to move unless you want to.

[@jeffreydavis3869]

Im getting hired on entry level im in the background process do you know how long it will take too get hired on and any advice going on as a OS (experienced)

[@MikeMills1]

Shoot if they already doing a background check then you are prolly already hired. And OS easy work. Get your AB asap. All I gotta say

[@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022]

When you work steward is the sleeping quarters shared space or individual rooms?

[@MikeMills1]

@@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022 depends on ship

[@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022]

@@MikeMills1 so you get assigned to different ships a different states?

[@Nothing_is_sacred]

How are they with backgrounds .. I want to get the TWIC card and passport MMC

[@MikeMills1]

Then get them you'll see If you can get it or not

[@Nothing_is_sacred]

@@MikeMills1 Dude! I got approved for a TWIC card ! My appointment is next month ! Taking steps to become a Merchant Mariner !

[@MikeMills1]

@CoyoteDiver lol congrats my. And good luck

[@renegade_patriot]

11:00 you hit it hard brother. I just did 12 years in law enforcement and it's the same. Damn shame. People you thought you shed blood and tears with, stab you in the back. I'm in the process of getting my MMC. Maybe I'll see you out there. I don't believe in command snitching and talking shit behind the back. I'm either friends with you, or I got nothing to say except work pleasantries. In my opinion, there is no place for petty gossip and command knee blowing,

[@MikeMills1]

@renegade_patriot always felt that way. If we not cool that's fine. Just keep it pushing we don't gotta associate unless we have to. But to have some petty vendetta against another grown man at work is weird to me if we all just tryna get paid lol

[@ahkSu]

one question i just turned 21 and so far i have my passport and TWIC is on the way and now im doing the drug test and physical tests this week after this should i go to a school and see if they pay for training and help me get my merchant mariner credential or what im not really sure what to do.

[@MikeMills1]

Do you mean actual maritime school. Shit if you can get in go to school for 4 years get your degree and come out as an officer by 25.

[@crishnaholmes7730]

@@MikeMills1what about just doing msc or siu instead of the full school or even trying another academy

[@MikeMills1]

@crishnaholmes7730 then come out here as an entry level work your way up. Just when you get hired tell them you want to be an Wiper or an OS don't let them put you in supply

[@crishnaholmes7730]

@@MikeMills1 ok did you do actual maritime school

[@MikeMills1]

@crishnaholmes7730 I did not but I highly recommend everyone do it. Highly recommend

[@1machoguerrereo508]

Thanks Mike, great info 👍 ❤

[@MikeMills1]

I try I try

[@csula32001]

Hey Mike, Great job with the videos and editing. I was curious as to which position you think is better for entry level, OS or SU, and why. Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you and the fam.

[@MikeMills1]

Wiper is the best but SU can make pretty good money but your seating counts for nothing so OS

[@shemekiad]

So this must be if you’re single with no kids. Cuz this kind of pay wouldn’t work for me. I have to make more than 40k a year… just to keep up with my current life with my kids!! 😢

[@MikeMills1]

Lol I made 40k in 3 months....

[@Brandonn37]

Ohh so what’s it’s like working year around?

[@Lovingangel13]

Hi love the videos but I have a question what is the MSC entry test like?

[@MikeMills1]

Not something worth worrying about.