will ake ie pext ct Eerie! omit Ines mdi be a apie on v1 ancl “ace sack] ne aa “anho hore ed! Sey1;| = al &bea a T ‘war dein ‘tn | None hard, > [ele lel: ef Ss va aeen A Mes, wiil 4f aAsnd u r atca of aene aessuctit “tlapne pee oe *na Second Careers At Sea Beckon To Veterans (NAPSA)—Veterans who have served their country honorably in the Navy or Coast Guard are being offered a chance to train for a second career at sea—forfree. With competitive pay, freedom in scheduling, comprehensive medical coverage for themselves and their families, a pension plan and a contract that spells out safe working conditions and vacation benefits, working for a Seafarers International Union (SIU)-contracted company appeals to many =_ + — pes |e EE, veterans. A training program offers second enginerating. and Coast Guard. tuition, room or board. However, trainees must cover the costs of travel, clothing and a pre-entry medical exam. All applicants must be able to present a history of their assignments while in the military and an honorable discharge. y must be physically fit as determined by U.S. Coast Guard standardsandeligible Located in Piney Point, Md., the Paul Hall Training Center for Maritime Training and Education is affiliated with the SIU. Its mission is to provide the training needed for a successful career as a United States Merchant Mariner. While known for its entry-level program, the Center also offers courses for veterans who have qualifying sea time in a deck or careers to veterans of the Navy Separated andretired personnel who have the necessary deck or engine ratings required by the U.S. Coast Guardto sit for the able-bodied seaman’s endorsement or the fireman/oiler endorsement may take advantage of this program. Applicants must have at least two years’ sea service in an accepted Naval/Coast Guard rating. Deck students attend a 10week able-bodied seaman course and engine students attend an eight-week fireman/oiler course. Upon successful completion of the course and a passing grade on the Coast Guard exam, graduates are guaranteed a first job with a contracted company. As with the apprentice program, there are no fees for to receive a merchant mariner’s document. Applicants cannot be on parole or probation and must have a valid driver’s license. Other separated Navy/Coast Guard personnel who do not qualify for the veterans’ program may still be eligible for the Center’s apprentice program. SIU represents unlicensed United States merchant mariners sailing aboard U.S.-flag vessels in the deep sea, Great Lakes and inlandtrades. union also represents licensed U.S. mariners in the Great Lakes and inlandsectors. To learn more about the training center and the union, visit the Web site at www.seafarers.org or call toll-free at 1-877-235-3275.
