I know, the title has you asking, who pays for shit if they don’t have to. Stick with me.

I have been offered a position with the MSC as an RET1. I’m in the process of doing all the paperwork prior to NEO probably in February. (My vision is much worse than 20/800 uncorrected so I might be fucked no matter what, but that’s a different post).

Besides that job offer, I am a government IT contractor/navy veteran. I make ~100k a year as is. I could afford to pay my way through the basic courses (firefighting, security, deck handling Ect.) at my own pace over the course of a few months. (I live in DC and MITAGS has courses near me). I figure that way I could get certified and choose to sail with the SIU at my own pace.

My problem is I know from both research and experience that while I can make good money with the MSC. I’m NOT going to be relieved on time, and probably looking at 10 months a year at sea.

Just figured I would throw all that out there and see what kind of thoughts/responses you guys have.