(Formerly the Merchant Marine Reserve Program (MMRP))
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• “To maintain in the U.S. Navy
Reserve an organization of
Merchant Marine officers, composed of a corps of actively sailing members who are trained to operate merchant ships as
Naval auxiliaries, and a shore side cadre assigned to Naval activities that support strategic sealift readiness.”
~OPNAVINST 1534.1D~
• The implementation of Strategic
Sealift Detachments (SSDs) are positioned at various NOSCs across the country and serve as your initial POC, while passing word from the Program Office.
• SSOP Staff Listing:
• LCDR Christopher Cassano - Program Manager
• LT (continuous requirement) - Strategic Sealift
Officer Program Training Officer
ENS or LTJG (continuous requirement) -
Strategic Sealift Officer Program Assistant
• PSC(AW) Charles English - Assistant Program
Manager/DTS, NROWS, NSIPS Approving
Authority
• YN1 Lorraine Chamberlain -
LPO/Security/NDEA/OS/CFL
• PS1(AW) Heather Meck - Assistant LPO/DTS
Reviewer/NROWS Reviewer/NSIPS Clerk
• HM1 Bernadette Lewandowski - Medical
Clerk/IRR Muster Clerk
• PS2 Kristine Hart - Travel Voucher
Reviewer/Base Pay Clerk/NSIPS Clerk

• The SSO Program is a community within the Navy
Reserve; You are a Naval Officer first and foremost
• The Program Office is essentially a middle man between you and the Navy Reserve. It provides community management, is a POC for execution of orders, while providing qualified Reserve personnel to the Active
Component
• Your career as a Naval Officer is YOUR responsibility not the Program Office’s; You will get out of your career what you put into it
• There are 3 Calendars you must understand:
– Navy Fiscal Year (FY) – 01 OCT - 30 SEP
– Calendar Year (CY) – 01 JAN - 31 DEC
– YOUR Anniversary Calendar (AY) – Example provided below

• Complete at least one 12 day ADT per FY; if you cannot complete an ADT you must request a waiver from the Program Office, either for Extended Sea-Time or a Medical
Condition. Without either, there will be a gap within your service record
• Maintain an active USCG Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) license for Unlimited
Tonnage (Deck) or Unlimited Horsepower (Engine) Vessels valid on “ALL OCEANS” along with STCW 95 Endorsement
• Update personal information in NSIPS Annually (when changes need to be made)
• Maintain Navy Physical Standards
• Complete a Physical Health Assessment (PHA) annually
• Complete a Physical Fitness Assessments (PFA) semi-annually
• Check the web-site and your Navy email regularly (access Navy email every 30 days to prevent account from being disabled)
• Self Register in DTS
• Answer Official Navy Correspondence
• Be able to maintain a secret clearance (good for 10 years from issue date)
• Complete Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) required training including
• ATFP Level 1, MSC 101, and Information Awareness (IA)
• Do not confuse your MARAD obligation for your Navy one; This brief does not address those requirements set by MARAD

- ADTs are generally 12-29 day evolutions designed to promote operational readiness and training for the reserve component
- Performance is Mandatory; but location and duty is optional (to a point)
- One of the few times where you will receive a FITREP
- Diverse assignments and locations are preferred
- You are required to perform At least 1 ADT per Fiscal year; you are responsible for managing your points towards your AY
- Second ADT’s can be authorized after 31 March, take advantage!
Examples of ADT’s include, but are not limited to, duty with:
- SSO Program Office
- MSC
- MARAD
- CNRFC
- Maritime Academies
- Navy Shipyards
- Any Support of Strategic Sealift

• To better refine the career path and professional development of SSRG members, the SSOP will be divided into four Core Competencies (CORE):
• Shipboard Operations
• Shipyard Operations
• Maritime Operations
• Training
• Each CORE will provide a member with career development opportunities a more structured ADT progression and direct operational support to one of the three core missions of the SSOP. The Training CORE is reserved for Sr.
SSOs (O-5 and O-6) wishing to contribute to the future development of the SSOP.
• First Core Competency (CORE) ADT. The Core Competency program is the basis for SSRG career, development and support providing a clearer trajectory for members as well as the supported commands. All SSRG members, after completion of the first three prescribed ADTs will select a SSO CORE and coordinate with a supported command for the first of a three year support relationship. At the conclusion of three (3) years an SSO may opt to shift duty locations and/or Core Competencies. First CORE ADTs are generally considered AOR (Area of
Responsibility) indoctrination duty periods with successive ADTs building upon each other, culminating in leadership and/or senior staff level assignments.
- First Three ADTs are prescribed to all SSRG members
- Upon successful completion of the third ADT, SSRG members will select a CORE.
- ***Shipboard CORE is the default if no selection is made***
- SSRG members must serve three years in a CORE before changing if desired.
• NOTE: A member’s fourth ADT will be their first in a chosen CORE. At the conclusion of the third ADT, members are directed to choose a CORE and provide a memo to the Program Office to that effect. Upon selection, the fourth ADT should be arranged with a supported gaining command. Subsequent ADT will follow the career guidelines above.

• Strategic Sealift Readiness Group (SSRG): You’re IRR, but considered in an active status. About 80% of SSOs are members of this Group. SSRGs are essentially “free agents” and can pick and choose their ADTs.
• Selected Reserve (SELRES): Are organized units of the Navy Reserve. They drill once per month and usually perform AT as a unit. Officers assigned to these units hold billets and generally incur an obligation as a drilling reservist. They earn pay and accumulate points for their drills and are also eligible for greater benefits. Affiliation to the SELRES can only be done through a recruiter and ascension is based on the needs of the service.
About 10% of SSOs are members of SELRES units.
• Volunteer Training Unit (VTU): Is similar to a SELRES unit, as you earn points for drilling however, there is no monetary compensation for drills, and VTUs don’t actively prepare to mobilize in the manner which a SELRES does. As a VTU member, your ADT’s are not funded by the SSO Program
Office. Conversely you are not guaranteed SSRG ADT funds. Roughly 10% of SSOs are VTU members.

• Active Duty Training- <29 Days (unless authorized) per FY year, ADTs are a requirement of program compliance
• Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW)- Are short term tours of active duty to augment exercises, contingency operations, etc. They differ greatly in location and type of assignment. Performance is voluntary and can be selective.
• Individual Augmentee/Mobilization- Can be Voluntary/In-voluntary, tours of Active Duty
(up to 365 days) Most are overseas and directly support the GWOT. Note: to be recalled from the IRR requires an act of congress; to date NO Officers from the SSRG have been In-voluntarily mobilized; SELRES officers have however
• Active Duty Re-Call- Generally 2-3 year tour, once completed you return to previous status (SELRES/IRR) Recalls include the Program Manager and Sponsor Positions, as well as select recruiting billets.
• Active Duty/Full Time Support (FTS)- Often requires re-designation and is very competitive. There is no guarantee of selection and opportunities are strictly based on the needs of the service. Though FTS officers are technically reservists, they are Active
Duty for all intents and purposes.

• All Reserve participation is recognized by the issuance of points. Points accumulation is crucial for remaining in good standing, and ultimately being able to retire.
• You MUST attain 27 points per year to remain in the Reserves.
• To achieve a “Qualifying Year” towards retirement you must attain at least 50 points in your anniversary year; Points CANNOT be rolled over between years
• You must have at least 20 Good years to retire and earn a pension
• Points can be earned in a number of ways:
- 15 points are gratuitous for Reserve Membership
- 1 point is awarded for every day of Active Duty served
- 1 point is awarded for every 4 hours served while in a drilling status (SELRES, VTU, IDT)
- Correspondence courses offered on NKO and thru NETC
- 35 Points are awarded for a license renewal or upgrade with a STCW endorsement. Your initial license COUNTS for points, thus your first year is automatically a good year!
- 1 point is awarded for every 4 hours of an STCW course, up to 5 points can be awarded for
Non-STCW courses per year
All Courses are awarded on the DATE which the course certificate indicates, NOT when it is submitted to NPC or the Program Office

SSRG & SELRES Career Progression Overlay
ENS-LT: Annual
AT/ADT, stay compliant with SSO requirements
LCDR Assignments
CDR
Assignments
Masters Degree, JPME
CAPT Assignments
SELRES
SSRG
Training
Officer
DH
CNRFC N14 SSO
Program
Manager
OPNAV N42E
SSO Program
Sponsor
UNIT CO,
XO
Unit CO, OIC for
Region
2M/2AE
Shipboard Support
CM/1AE
Exercise Support, Board Experience
Master/CHENG
SEALOG OIC, SSRG Instructor
Volunteer for ADSW, Mobilization, Individual Augmentee, Recall, Extended ADT, Multiple ADT
*0 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
26 28
APPLY Board
SSRG = Strategic Sealift Readiness Group
*SSO should be sailing in the first 5 years after commissioning unless receiving waivers or on active duty
(USMMA and SIP graduates only). Those SSO who are not required to sail are encouraged to be in the SELRES or VTU.

• Take a deep breathe and relax!!!
• You will be assigned to a Strategic Sealift
Detachment (SSD). SSDs are positioned at various NOSCs they will serve as your initial POC and pass on word from the Program Office
• Sign Up for your First ADT: The Ensign Post -
Commissioning Indoctrination (PCI) Course
***This Course is run by the NOSC Norfolk and under the co-administration of the Navy Reserve
Professional Development Center, DET Norfolk
(NRPDC) and the Commander Navy Reserve
Forces Command, CNRFC N14.***

• IMPORTANT WEBPAGES: For your convenience, here is a list of common websites that SSOs tend to need access to. Please note most of these will require a CAC/CAC Reader to access.
Navy Reserve Homeport/SSOP N14 SharePoint Webpage: https://private.navyreserve.navy.mil/
NPC (Navy Personnel Command): http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/Pages/default.aspx
BUPERS Online : https://www.bol.navy.mil/
Military Sealift Command: www.msc.navy.mil
Maritime Administration : www.marad.dot.gov
NSIPS: https://nsips.nmci.navy.mil/ “For SSOP Annual Reporting”
NROWS: https://nrows.sscno.nmci.navy.mil/nrows/secure/login.jsp
Navy Knowledge Online: www.nko.navy.mil
NETC (Non-Resident Training Courses): https://www.courses.netc.navy.mil/Default.aspx
Navy Personnel Command: http://www.npc.navy.mil/channels
Defense Travel System : http://www.defensetravel.osd.mil/dts/site/index.jsp
Navy One Source: www.navyonesource.com
MARAD (Maritime) Compliance: https://mscs.marad.dot.gov
“For MARAD Annual
Reporting”
Navy Webmail: https://webmail.east.nmci.navy.mil/exchange
MyPay: https://mypay.dfas.mil/mypay.aspx
CAC Issues: http://militarycac.com
BENEFITS:
- Post 9/11 GI BILL (Must have at least 90 days of AD to qualify)
- Exchange/Commissary Use (Online Exchange as well)
- TRI CARE Dental
• SSO Program Office Contact Information:
– MMR_PROGRAM_OFFICE@NAVY.MIL
– PHONE: 1-800-535-2580
– FAX: 757-444-7597

• Unlike being a MIDN, no one is there everyday telling you what to do or not do. Your participation in the Reserves is strictly your responsibility and desire; no one will call you out for nonparticipation, ultimately you will simply be discharged. Bottom line your commission is what you make of it!
• Have a Credit Card with a zero balance and limit of at least $1,000 for ADTs; while on ADT you must be financially independent!!
• After completing 14 days of ADT you are eligible for a one time uniform allotment of $400, YOU MUST REQUEST IT!!
• Get yourself a set of NWUs, a pair of CNT/Poly-wool khakis and
Navy PT Gear. Extra uniforms include; Navy Coveralls, SDBs,
Summer Whites and SDWs (Choker Whites).
• Be patient; Remember “ At the speed of government”