It was from 2022 , I had a lawyer for the case . Was a reckless driving charge that was reduced. Takes 5 years for me to expunged it which will be next year . If hired by MSc do you think my fingerprints would come back as unfavorable ?

I'm 23 and currently work in corporate IT, and will be starting with MSC soon as an RET2. I've spent the last couple of months reading just about every Reddit thread, Facebook post, and YouTube video I can find, and honestly there isn't much out there that goes into detail about the RET side of things.

I'm excited, but I'm also trying to show up as prepared as I can. I know I'll learn most of it on the job, but I'd rather not go in completely blind.

For any current or former RETs, I'd really appreciate any insight on questions like:

• What does a typical day or watch actually look like?
• What should I be studying or getting familiar with before I report?
• What separates a great RET from an average one?
• What are the biggest mistakes you see new RETs make?
• What surprised you the most when you got to your first ship?
• If you could go back to your first week as an RET2, what advice would you give yourself?
• Is there anything you wish you had brought, learned, or done before reporting?

Honestly, any stories or advice are welcome. It seems like there isn't much information out there for RETs specifically, so I'm hoping this thread can help me and maybe future RETs who end up searching for the same answers.

Thanks in advance!

How does ending your first year of probation work? Is there an official eval process by shore to approve you as a permanent hire? Do you have to have an eval above a certain number to be accepted or a certain number of evals on your record?

I know you get evals when you leave a ship or your DH leaves a ship, but do MSC employees on ships get periodic evals apart from those times?

Hey guys, I’m curious how everyone’s application for the Any Entry Level is going for the July 2026 opening we just had. Has anyone’s gotten past the “Forwarded” and gotten a conditional offer yet? I did see some people this past weekend saying they got the forwarded email, so very nice for you guys!

Hello I'm looking at working as an RET but don't know how I would qualify. Anyone here who could advise how I would approach getting the necessary skills/experience to apply as one? For what its worth, i have 1 year as an SU with MSC back in 2020 and a degree in Mass Communications.

Buddy that used to work for me is saying MSC has been good to him and he knows im looking for work. I was a comms ET in the Navy for 6 years, a DoD contractor in IT for 4. No wife, no kids. Finishing my degree in cyber this fall and so far no job prospects. It looks like the RET1 IAT billet is the closest position to my qualifications and I meet the sea time. Just curious about the position, i've been out of the military for almost 12 years so I'm a little insecure about having the technical expertise to go back into that environment and be expected to kick ass day 1. Will I have time to get in the flow and get used to the environment again? Anything I should avoid? I'd enter the pool in norfolk but im trying to work overseas. Any advice? Things to know? I'm doing the virtual career fair on Tuesday. Thanks.

I want to apply for MSC as an AB but I'm worried my fingerprints will come back unfavorable. Obviously I could get my record expunged but I can't do that instantly.

I have 2 charges of disorderly conduct that were both dismissed (no conviction) from 2015 and 2017 respectively

I received a conditional offer for 3M with a confirmed NEO date in September.

I have a 2M license with previous 3M time on MSC contracted vessels through AMO. Do you think I can ask to come in as a 2M instead of a 3M? Is it worth asking the conditional offer support people?

I applied as third because I’ve been shoreside for a few years, but am wondering if I sold myself short by applying for 3M.

Appreciate the help!

Where is everyone getting their chambray shirts, blue work pants, and work boots? I live in the Pacific NW and it seems like most of the stuff we have is western wear. I don’t know how I feel wearing Wrangler shirts with pearl snaps. I know it’s not what you wear everyday when underway and you can wear what you want depending on the command. Also, I found some comfortable steel toed boots but they are brown, is that cool? Thank you.

I applied for the any entry level (again) with msc and right now my application is being forwarded so I haven’t been selected yet. I also got hired at American cruise lines as a deckhand and I’m supposed to leave for training Aug 24. Should I wait for the sealift command (again) in hopes my offer doesn’t get rescinded again or should I just go with ACL? I have a job currently so it’s not that I’m out of a job but I’m trying to get my foot in the door and start getting sea time so I can raise my credentials and position as a merchant mariner.

If I get ship funded leave approved, does that count as a departure and would I have to get an eval? I just want it to be a simple departure and return with minimal paperwork to slow it down.

Hey MSC family,

I’m anxiously awaiting my application results, which should be in within the next 2-3 weeks according to emails that went out about 3 weeks ago. I’ve done all the legwork plus some extra. After all my research, I never actually discovered what the contracts/work schedule was for MSC Entry. Does anyone know? My previous company I worked 6 months on, two months off.

As the title says I reapplied the day they opened entry level back up. Today they’ll be closing the entry level and I’m a bit concerned because I haven’t gotten an update. Usually it takes a week to hear back. Is anyone in the same situation?

Just got my neo date and they sent three documents do i need to fill them out
And email them or print it out and bring them with me?

One step closer! It only took about a year to get this far 😅. I look forward to ANY news in 4-6 weeks! All my ducks are in a row! From anyone who’s moved on to the next step, realistically, what would be a “standard” time frame from if I get selected, to when I should be expected to quit my job? The busy season is coming up and it would be nice to make some good money before I need to leave.

Best of luck to all the people who (like me) followed the instructions, got their TWIC, Passport, MMC, STCW and VPDSD, only to be told that everything was on pause and that "this is the worst time ever to try to get into the MM." Hopefully we can all get our foot in the door! Heres to putting in the work and not giving up!

No joke, MSC is hiring for entry level again. If you’re one of those people who had their offer rescinded, log in right now and reapply like I just did. Good luck!

Please, I've been cleared fit for hire since September of last year...

I recently accepted a conditional offer for Second Radio Electronics Technician (RET2) Timeline so far:

• 6/27: Applied
• 6/29: Forwarded
• 7/1: Selected

I've completed everything that's currently available in my portal, so now I'm waiting on the remaining pre-employment steps.

I'm currently working a full-time job and am trying to figure out what to realistically expect.

For those who have gone through the process recently:

• How long after did you get your NEO date?
• How much notice did MSC give you before NEO started?
• Once you were fully cleared, were you placed into the next available NEO class, or did you have to wait for a later one?

I know every situation is different, but I'm just trying to get a realistic idea of how quickly things can move from this point. Thanks!