<p>My question concerns job openings after KP. My son is worried that he might not like being on a ship for 5 years afterwards. I know that there are shoreside jobs available in the shipping industry, but I was wondering how hard they are to get approved for commitment fulfillment. If he excepts a position onboard, is he likely to get promoted to a shoreside job? He is in the engineering and shipyard management program now.</p>
<p>Many comapnies are hiring graduates to sail part of the year and work shoreside the rest of the year. The goal is to develop their long term managers.</p>
<p>As for the commitment-- your son needs to expect to be sailing for five years or on Active duty. Few exceptions have been granted over the past few years and they are generally only for those going to work in national defense related shipyards. Those though have been the best of the best from each class.</p>
<p>if your son is shipyard management then he can get a waiver to work in a shipyard. that's where the vast majority of waivers go. thus no sailing is needed if he chooses to do that.</p>
<p>The minimum sailing time per year for those 5 years is 120 days. That's not that bad.</p>
<p>120 Days is not bad a all. thank you all very much for your replies</p>
<p>I was rereading some of the old posts, and came across this topic. My son graduated '07, and is a 'deckie.' Mikersix, for me, the mom, it has been a whole new experience to have a family member work 2-3 months steadily, then come home for 2-3 months. He's been to Costa Rica, Panama, Mexico(both coasts), CA, OR, and up to Alaska. He's 'seen' Alaska, but not actually gotten off ship and explored. His job is Third Mate on a research ship, and in January, this job will take him from WV to Tonga. I had to look up Tonga and see what in the world I might ask for as a souvenir. 'Pumpkin squash' is not exactly at the top of my 'wish list.' Before his 3 month stint is up in April, he will know Tonga, Fiji and Taiwan. And he's only 23...His father and I are slowly getting used to the idea that time home is fun time, traveling to visit friends, meeting up with fellow KP grads who are 'off duty,' eating out, seeing movies the first week they are released, and using that charge card! He's totally responsible for his bills, payments, and loans. I just provide a stamp now and then. For him, this way of life, for five years anyway, seems to be working out well. We are thankful he has a job that treats him in these difficult times. My biggest worry is that he might get that 'yellow lab' pup that I refuse to be responsible for when he is at sea! </p>
<p>MountaineerMom</p>
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<p>He can also go active duty Army or Air Force, not many ships there... ;)</p>