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
The Maritime Academy Graduate Program (MARGRAD) is a program of the United States Coast Guard.  Its mission is to enlist as Coast Guard officers individuals who have graduated from or will soon graduate from a maritime college or university.

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

• Be at least 21 and less than 27 for the grade of Ensign, and less than 28 for the grade of Lieutenant Junior Grade (For appointment to Lieutenant Junior Grade, the applicant must also have served one or more years on board vessels of the United States in the capacity of a licensed officer),
• Have graduated from an accredited maritime college or university with at least a bachelor's degree with a Coast Guard license option*,
  *The Global Studies and Maritime Affairs degree at the California Maritime Academy aslo qualifies for this program even though its graduates receive no Coast Guard license.
• Not be on active duty in any other U.S. Armed Service (one can apply while on active duty, provided he or she submits a discharge statement.  Applicants in an Inactive Reserve program must submit a conditional release),
• Pass a Coast Guard physical exam,
• Be a U.S. citizen. 

Obligation
Individuals who are selected attend a five-week Direct Commission Officer training course and serve on active duty for three years. 

Information
MARGRAD information sessions take place every academic year at Cal Maritime.  Interested students can inquire at that time or can contact their local recruiter.  Information is also available at the Coast Guard website.

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