SSMP FAQs
The Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) Physical examination can be done with a doctor in your area that is approved to perform them. We would start you an account on the DODMETS website which will locate a qualified doctor in your area and then you'll be able to schedule your appointment. This should be done as soon as you receive your acceptance letter from Cal Maritime. The fitness test and interview are administered by the SSMP active duty staff on the Cal Maritime campus in Vallejo, CA and can be scheduled anytime after you have been accepted and paid a tuition deposit at CSUM.
There is no official minimum GPA to be selected into the SSM Program. The minimum GPA to maintain good standing in the SSM Program at Cal Maritime is 2.50. Anything less than a 2.00 will result in academic probation and possible Leave of Absence status with the potential for disenrollment from the program. Disenrollment can result in payback of Student Incentive Pay received from the Maritime Administration.
If you decide to change your major to a non-license track degree you will no longer be eligible for the program and may have to pay back any Student Incentive Pay that you received. You are still able to participate fully with the unit and earn a minor in Naval Science, but will not receive SIP or a commission.
While it is not a guarantee, committing to the SSM Program can lead to an active duty naval officer commission when you graduate. Once fully participating in SSMP, you have until the end of your junior year to decide if you would like to apply for an active duty commission. If your grades, interview, physical fitness, leadership potential, verbal and written communication skills, and recommendations are strong, then your chances for getting selected can be good. If you are then selected for active duty, you would not have to reimburse MARAD for any of SIP (5 years of active service will fulfill the obligation). You will still need to submit an annual report to MARAD.
NROTC offers a full college scholarship and is designed to commission naval officers into active duty service. SSMP is a program designed to commission naval reserve officers. Through SSMP you are eligable for student incentive pay from the Maritime Administration of $4000 per semester (for a maximum of eight semesters).
For information on your duties and obligation click here: Maritime Service Obligations
SSMP activities are very similar to NROTC. Our Naval Science Lab (NSC-450) occurs once a week, Wednesday mornings from 0545-0700. For each lab, the unit may be inspected and drilled. Physical training is conducted once or twice each week. Several unit events and ceremonies are also held throughout the year steeped in Naval Officer tradition.
You would have to complete 4 courses prior to graduation: NSC-100 (Intro to Naval Science), NSC-200 (Naval Science for the Strategic Sealift Officer), NSC-400 (Leadership and Ethics for the Naval Officer), and NSC-450 (Advance Midshipman Naval Training (required every semester)).
The physical requirements are 3 fold. First, there is a Department of Defense Medical Examination Review Board (DODMERB) and Coast Guard medical physical that needs to be completed with an approved doctor. This should be completed as soon as you receive your Cal Maritime acceptance letter. (you do not have to commit to SSMP to complete this requirement). Next, you must meet height and weight standards. Finally, there is a physical fitness assessment that needs to be completed on campus under supervision of the active duty staff, after you have been accepted to Cal Maritime. The test consists of a timed forearm plank, push-ups (maximum performed in two minutes), and then a timed 1.5 mile run. You must achieve a "Good - Low" score or better in each area to qualify. The standards can be found at http://www.navy-prt.com/. You do not have to be committed to the program to complete these requirements.
Yes! Many of our midshipmen join after their first semester. The latest you can join and still meet all graduation and commissioning requirements is the first week of your junior year.
Contact Ms. Antonia Vasquez at 707-654-1266 or via email at avasquez@csum.edu. Or feel free to stop by the Naval Science department on campus at any time to speak with Ms. Vasquez or one of the lieutenants, they are more than happy to sit down with with you and answer any further questions.