Veteran Access to Military Records for Merchant Mariner Credentials

Veterans seeking merchant mariner credentials can provide military sea service and qualifications to support their experience when applying for merchant mariner credentials.

Sea Service Documentation

Sea service documentation is key when seeking a merchant mariner credential. It is important to note, each branch has a different name for sea service documentation and a different set of steps to obtain the correct documentation for sea service.

Depending on your service, you will need to track down the following records:

  • USCG Transcript of Sea Service (TOSS) for cutters,

   • USCG AOPS for small boats,

   • Army Transcript of Sea Service (TOSS),

   • NOAA Transcript of Sea Service (TOSS),

   • Navy Ship/Unit generated letters, or

   • Navy History of Assignments, FITREP’s/ EVAL’s, and Designation Letters (Coxswain/OOD/ EOOW).

A DD-214 will not satisfy sea service documentation because it does not provide the required details the Coast Guard will need to assess ship’s tonnage, plant characteristics, department and position served, etc.

Qualification Records

Qualification documents can establish timelines for how the Coast Guard will credit sea service. For some credentials time under supervision is required. Qualification letters or evaluations can identify positions served especially for veterans that performed out of specialty or crossover. An example could be an engineer standing bridge watches or a non- deck or engine specialty qualifying as Boat Crew or Coxswain.

Where does a Veteran get their records?

There are a few different ways to get records.

Using MilConnect

You can look at your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) through MilConnect to get your service record. This process is for records after 1995.

  1. Log into MilConnect and select Correspondence/Documentation > DPRIS > Request Personnel File to request your OMPF.

  2. Create a DPRIS request when you want copies of documents in your Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).

  3. Start your request on the “Request Personnel File” tab.

  4. Select items from your record click “Create and Send Request”.

You should receive an email notification to retrieve your records within 48 hours.

The National Archives

You can request your military records through the National Archives with a Standard Form (SF) 180. This can be done online or through the mail. Requesters can use the online ordering form at vetrecs.archives.gov (or use the SF-180).

Here is a link detailing the process: https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service- records/standard-form-180.

Files can take months to receive. Do not request a follow up if you have waited less than 90 days.

Service Sites

You can request records directly from your service through administrative sites. This option is difficult to navigate and dependent on your service’s accessibility. Many of these sites are only military ID accessible and are intended for currently serving service members.

Coast Guard Personnel Service Center is open to veteran requests at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/adv/ under the tab title TOSS.

Where do I use my records?

Our software specifically helps military and uniformed service members. You can provide one of the accepted documents in your MM-SEAS profile and we will package this with your application. We hope this made your life a little easier and if you have other questions the MM-SEAS team is always here to help!

MM-SEAS is free to use on your own and if you need some more personalized help you can upgrade to MM-SEAS Pro inside of the site.

No matter what, when you are ready to submit your application, you can choose to have the MM-SEAS staff create a stress free application.