Thread: It's Like Shuffling a Deck of Cards

Did you look into going to the merchant Marine Academy? If you want to be capt. on a large vessel that's the easiest way. Trying to work your way up is a long haul. If you want to be a master on a small boat like a tug or tow vessel I guess that might be the best bet for you as its easier. Mostly experience and tests for that. Good luck.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Also, I thought your mention of the value of experience vs a degree interesting. Last... summer I think it was, I was looking for part time work while my grad school course load was lighter. I applied to work at a gas station. I was not hired because I had too little experience in "retail" even though I had my BS in physics...

Dincha know, being a gas station clerk is much more difficult to comprehend than physics. I know exactly where you're coming from...even with a degree and years of experience in obviously more complicated areas, I was turned down. Talk about a bad day when you can't get a job that it doesn't take a high school diploma to get.

Brad, I sent you a PM, but congrats. All I've ever really wanted to do is drive flying machines, but I gave it up as unattainable and got a business degree instead. I'm in the process now of joining the Army to fly helicopters. God willing, I can finally do what I wanted to do when I grew up. Now I just have to work on that growing up part

Ahoy matey!! Good luck with your new career. And please stay away from Somalia.

Originally Posted by icedog

Suddenly I feel human again. I am qualified to do something. I may be at sea for a stretch at a time but I will be doing something that needs to be done. I will matter.

What a load of crap Brad. You have always been qualified to do something! Your "how to" threads are a testament to your skills and to the fact that you are qualified to do much more than you give yourself credit for.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Did you look into going to the merchant Marine Academy? If you want to be capt. on a large vessel that's the easiest way. Trying to work your way up is a long haul. If you want to be a master on a small boat like a tug or tow vessel I guess that might be the best bet for you as its easier. Mostly experience and tests for that. Good luck.

That would be great if I had the means to afford such a luxury. I gotta get back to work! I am grateful that I can get into the Merchant Marines at the Able Seaman level.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Dincha know, being a gas station clerk is much more difficult to comprehend than physics. I know exactly where you're coming from...even with a degree and years of experience in obviously more complicated areas, I was turned down. Talk about a bad day when you can't get a job that it doesn't take a high school diploma to get.

Brad, I sent you a PM, but congrats. All I've ever really wanted to do is drive flying machines, but I gave it up as unattainable and got a business degree instead. I'm in the process now of joining the Army to fly helicopters. God willing, I can finally do what I wanted to do when I grew up. Now I just have to work on that growing up part

Probably because you're not supposed to drive those....they're supposed to fly.

Normally, but when you tell the military you want to fly, they think you want to be a crew member and be in the craft while it flies. I've resorted to saying "I want to be a helo driver" and they get the point immediately

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Normally, but when you tell the military you want to fly, they think you want to be a crew member and be in the craft while it flies. I've resorted to saying "I want to be a helo driver" and they get the point immediately

And when you tell them you want to be in command of something important, you find yourself with a paddle stirring a burning barrel of diesel...

if you do the cook, i think you should under no circumstances give to the temptation of making that lobster butter. no matter how many lobster shells and livers are surrounding you, just don't, the gig may turn from stepping into a chaning stone...
i know if i have a cook that makes that i'd do my best to keep them stay that way and not become a captain.

Originally Posted by gugi

if you do the cook, i think you should under no circumstances give to the temptation of making that lobster butter. no matter how many lobster shells and livers are surrounding you, just don't, the gig may turn from stepping into a chaning stone...
i know if i have a cook that makes that i'd do my best to keep them stay that way and not become a captain.

That's funny! I forsee alot of mac 'n cheese.