Could You Folks Review My Plan To Get Into The Industry?
I'm currently a Class A Commercial Truck Driver wanting to get into the maritime industry. I have my TWIC and Passport, currently getting a lot of dental work done which should be finished by August hopefully. It sucks but fortunately I have the money to get it all done this year.
After my dental work is complete I will get my MMC forms signed off and apply for my MMC. I know it will take awhile, it is what it is. My question is, can I take my certification courses before I have my MMC or do I need my MMC to get what I think are stamps in the book itself showing I completed the courses?
As for the courses I plan on taking, here they are, are these sufficient?
--STCW Basic Training (BST)
--RFPNW (Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch)
--MSC’s Shipboard Damage Control (DC)
--MSC’s Basic Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (CBRN)
--MSC’s Shipboard Helicopter Fire Fighting Team Member
--MSC’s Marine Environmental Programs
--Department of Defense Antiterrorism Level 1 Training
--Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)
I'm serious about getting into the industry and as a ordinary seaman I will join the SIU and have a Class C book if i'm not mistaken. What do I need to do to join the SIU once I have my MMC and certifications?
I read that as a Class C it might be difficult to get a job which is why I'm taking more than the BST course. What courses do you recommend I take? Secondly, I read that your hall, position, and timing in the yearly cycle matter a lot when getting a job, especially as a Class C, do you have any advice for me for getting a job as a Class C?
Thank you.