U.S. Coast Guard
Officer Training Programs

• Maritime Academy Graduate Program
• California Maritime Academy Pre-Commissioning Pilot Program (Note - No new applications being accepted for CMAPPP until the USCG restores program funding)

Maritime Academy Graduate Program

Program
Maritime Academy Graduates have education and training that enhances the Coast Guard's ability to carry out its missions. The Direct Commission Maritime Academy Graduate Program is available to individuals who hold a qualifying degree from the California Maritime Academy. 

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for MARGRAD, one must meet the following qualifications:

1. Be a U.S. Citizen.

2. Be between the ages of 21 and 40 (applicants must have reached their 21st birthday but not their 41st birthday as of September 30th of the fiscal year in which the panel convenes). 

3. Have graduated from a state or federal Maritime Academy and hold a Third Mate OR Third Assistant Engineer license, OR a degree major in Marine Environmental Protection OR a related field. **The Global Studies and Maritime Affairs degree of California Maritime Academy qualifies** 

4. Receive a favorable recommendation from an Officer Interview Board (coordinated by your recruiter).

5. Meet character standards and be eligible for a security clearance. 

6. Meet financial standards. 

7. Meet dependency standards (Single parents with sole custody or primary custody are ineligible). 

8. Pass a commissioning physical exam. 

9. GPA: Have at least a 2.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. 

10. Not be on active duty in any other U.S. Armed Service, unless you submit a discharge statement with your package. Applicants in an Inactive Reserve program must submit a conditional release. Have less than a total of 10 years non-CG service.

11. Applicants may be initiated during the applicant's final year at the California Maritime Academy, if all other requirements are met. 

Service Obligation
After attending a four-week Direct Commission Officer (DCO) School at the USCG Academy in New London, CT, you will be commissioned as an Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Based on your experience, education, and qualifications, you will be commissioned as either an Ensign (O-1) or Lieutenant Junior Grade (O-2).

Upon completion of DCO School, you will be obligated to serve for three years on active duty, after which you may apply for an extension for the chance to continue to serve as an officer in the Coast Guard.

Do you Have What it Takes?
Contact the Coast Guard Liaison Office if you are interested in Coast Guard programs at California Maritime Academy. Further information may also be found at www.gocoastguard.com.  

Contact Information

On-Campus Liaison Office

MST3 Blaine Meserve-Nibley
Coast Guard Liaison Office
707-654-1722 Office
720-318-8229 Mobile
blaine.f.meserve-nibley@uscg.mil

Recruiting Office:

BM2 Kathleen Flynn
RO San Francisco
510-769-8187 Office
408-315-4841 Mobile
510-769-8366 Fax
kathleen.m.flynn@uscg.mil

California Maritime Academy Pre-Commissioning Pilot Program 
(Note - No new applications being accepted for CMAPPP until the USCG restores program funding)

The California Maritime Academy Pre-Commissioning Pilot Program (CMAPPP) prepares individuals to become active duty commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard, with its missions of defense preparedness, search and rescue, aids to navigation, merchant marine safety, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, and boating safety.

College Commitment
CMAPPP students enlist as reserve seamen and participate in a training program one weekend a month. They also complete a two-week indoctrination and sail approximately eight weeks on a Coast Guard cutter the summer after their sophomore year, along with two weeks of training the following summer.

Eligibility
To participate, a student must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 but not 26 by August 31 of the year he/she enters,
• Have no more than two dependents,
• Be a U.S. citizen,
• Be enrolled as a full-time, 3^rd class cadet at the California Maritime Academy in any of the following degree programs (majors)
  • Marine Transportation
  • Marine Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering (licensed option)
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale,
• Have met all California Maritime Academy requirements for summer cruise eligibility by the end of the sophomore academic year,
• Be enrolled in a degree program with a U.S. Coast Guard license option
• Meet the Coast Guard's physical requirements,
• Score a 1100 on the SAT, 23 on the ACT, or ASVAB GT of 109 or higher,
• Not be a conscientious objector.

Benefits
CMAPPP cadets receive pay for their weekend training drills and also for their active duty training time. In addition, they qualify and receive Coast Guard tuition assistance, Montgomery GI Bill benefits, and are eligible for Coast Guard Mutual Assistance for book expenses.
 

Obligation

CMAPPP cadets incur an eight (8) year military service obligation.  The first two (2) years will be served as reservists while in full time attendance at Cal Maritime. Graduates successfully completing all program requirements will be commissioned as Ensigns and serve on active duty for three (3) years.  The remaining three (3) years of service obligation may be performed on active duty, in the Selected Reserves (SELRES), in the Inactive Ready Reserve (IRR), or in a combination of the three (3).
 

Contact Information

On-Campus Liaison Office

MST3 Blaine Meserve-Nibley
Coast Guard Liaison Office
707-654-1722 Office
720-318-8229 Mobile
blaine.f.meserve-nibley@uscg.mil

Recruiting Office:

BM2 Kathleen Flynn
RO San Francisco
510-769-8187 Office
408-315-4841 Mobile
510-769-8366 Fax
kathleen.m.flynn@uscg.mil