The "A" Course is the beginning of your training as a MST. The course is 9 weeks long and is open to qualified active and reserve enlisted personnel. The training topics covered include Pollution Investigation, Pollution Response, Occupational Safety and Health, Facility Inspections and Vessel Boardings. More information about the MST Curriculum can be found under the link to the left.
In order to attend the Marine Science Technician School, specific armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores are required.
If your scores are not sufficient to attend, contact your unit's Educational Services Officer (ESO) to find out how to improve your score.
The course typically convenes 8 times a year with a maximum of 26 students. The MST Course Schedule (it is at the bottom of the page) is maintained by the Training Quota Management Center (TQC).
The MST Waiting List (search for the phrase "MST LIST") is maintained by the Enlisted Personnel Management (EPM) Division of the Coast Guard Personnel Command (CGPC).
Upon completing the course, students graduate as either an MST3 or SNMST depending on their performance, time in grade and completion of the E4 Enlisted Professional Military Education (E PME) qualifications. Assignment choices upon graduation range from Marine Safety Units within a Sector to Headquarters to Polar Class Ice Breakers. The majority of graduates are assigned to Marine Safety Units.
Course Number: 0234-6
Eligibility Requirements: None
Prerequisites: None
Length: 36 Months
Content: Subjects in this course include: Facility file review, oil containment boom deployment, pollution abatement, initial actions, phases of pollution response operations, and oil pollutant trajectory forecasting. Additionally, standards for the drafting of pollution reports and oil spill sampling and transmittal for analysis are included.
Course Number: 0134-6
Eligibility Requirements: None
Prerequisites: None
Length: 36 Months
Content: Subjects in this course include: Evaluation of facility operations manuals and response plans, development of site safety plans, incident briefings and the incident command system, management of Phase III pollution removal actions and documentation, unit daily boarding schedules, unit safety programs, and the preparation of Administrative and Captain of the Port Orders.
Course Number: Y01581
Eligibility Requirements: None
Prerequisites: None
Length: 12 Months
Content: Provides introductory knowledge for those entering the marine safety field. The pamphlet introduces the marine safety programs; and organization, marine safety missions, legal authorities, using references, occupational safety and health, and conduct and ethics.
ACE Recommendation: To be evaluated.
ACE No: To be assigned.
Reserve Retirement Points: 11
Passing Score: 80 percent
Course Writer Location: Training Center Yorktown
Telephone: 757-856-2324
In order to receive credit for this course, you must order the end of course test (EOCT) from the Coast Guard Institute via your ESO. You must also pass the course. Download a copy of the IIMS Course.