As a veteran owned and operated business, Practical Navigator Training is dedicated to helping military members achieve their Coast Guard credential. There are several ways for military members (particularly Coast Guard members), to obtain a merchant mariner credential for extremely low or even zero cost.
Coast Guard Credentialing Assistance and Fee Waivers
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With the approval of USCG Credentialing Assistance in early 2022, Coast Guard members can pursue their license at zero cost to the member. Here is more about the CA process guide from Forcecom. All Practical Navigator online courses are approved for CG Credentialing Assistance. Your full time ESO will have the latest information about how to apply for CA. Additionally, the CG Military to Mariner program, available at CGM2M@uscg.mil is a great resource for questions about the process.
For Active Duty members of any Service, the TWIC fee can be waived by using the Voluntary Credentialing System through your agency. For Coast Guard members, you must apply through your ESO 14 days in advance; here is the CG COOL system.
For Active Duty members of any Service, the Coast Guard National Maritime Center waives USCG application fees with a note from your command. Here is more information on this waiver.
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Coast Guard Foundation Enlisted GrantThe Coast Guard Foundation has an annual Enlisted Grant which may be also used for course tuition reimbursement if you choose not to pursue official Credentialing Assistance.
Occasionally, the CG Foundation also sponsors a full class of 100-ton students through Practical Navigator for in-person classes. If you are interested in this, contact the instructor or the CG Foundation for more information to set up a course with 12 shipmates at your unit. |
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Surface Navy Association ScholarshipFor members of the Surface Navy Association, the Enlisted Education Scholarship is a great resource for course tuition reimbursement.
Surface Navy Association Members also receive 25% of tuition for any courses with Practical Navigator. |
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100 Ton Master Course, with Optional Tow, Sail, and 200 Upgrade Modules
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This bundle of courses will leverage your existing experience and open the door to civilian maritime employment when the time comes to leave the military. Please contact the instructor for access codes and discounts, or check out the student portal for more details about the courses.
Fast Facts:
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Our online Rules of the Road course is approved by the Coast Guard as equivalent to the DWO-INTO exam. So if you are struggling with the USCG version of the exam with your ESO, contact the instructor for a discount code, and we can get you enrolled in the ROTR course through Practical Navigator. Then, you can self-study using the online course, and we can do the test over Zoom.
According to the DWO Instruction (COMDTINST 16672.5E), has the following lingo: "Members who have taken a commercial course approved by NMC equivalent to the Q100 exam are required to submit a copy of a signed certificate from an NMC approved course provider to CGI via the member's ESO. A current list of approved courses may be found on the NMC website: https://www.uscg.mil/ nmc/. Click on "Approved Courses," then "Search by Courses," then "Rules of the Road (USCG Deck Watch Officer)." Only courses that are listed on the Approved Courses page meet the Coast Guard requirement for DWO." Here's a direct link to the CG approved course list, so you can choose our course, or another course that suits you! |
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