apply for two weeks annual active duty for training. Paid active duty periods are subject to the availability of funds, although non-pay category reservists will receive priority attention in being awarded pay.

Some officers, because of their present age, may not have time to qualify for retired pay if they do not have prior service creditable for retirement with pay. Twenty years total service are required. Each day of active duty training earns the reservist one point toward military retirement, as does each drill period. Reservists may earn extra points by taking correspondence courses or by performing special Navy related projects. The number of points for special projects is decided by the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Reservists may retire at age 60, or, if they have sufficient points, retire at an earlier age and begin recovering retirement pay when 60.

OTHER BENEFITS

For those who qualify for retirement pay, other benefits may include hospitalization and medical care, exchange and commissary privileges and space available travel on military aircraft.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Deck Officer (ensign to captain) a. U.S. citizen.

b. Between ages of 19 and 49.

c. Possess high school diploma or service accepted equivalent.

d. Hold an unlimited "ocean license" as a third mate or higher.

e. Satisfy physical requirements established by U.S. Coast Guard.

f. Must follow the sea as his profession.

g. Appointees are required to serve six years in the Naval Reserve, of which the first five years must be in the ready reserve.

h. The grade in which appointed depends on the number of years of accumulated licensed sea service, as well as age.

2. Engineering Officer (ensign to captain) a.b.c. Same as above.

d. Must hold an unlimited "ocean license" as a third assistant engineering officer or higher.

e.f.g.h. Same as above.

3. Communications Officer (ensign to lieutenant commander)

a. Same as above.

b. Between ages of 19 and 41.

c. Same as above.

d. Must hold a currently valid radio officers license issued by the Coast Guard and a currently valid second class or higher radio telegraph license issued by the Federal Communications Commission with a six-month sea time endorsement. e. Satisfy physical requirements established by U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Communications Commission.

f.g.h. Same as above.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. If no organizations are established in my area, or aboard ships on which I serve, can I still participate? A. Yes. It is possible to receive necessary training with reserve organizations sponsored by the Military Sealift Command. Again, the Navy Recruiting Office can provide detailed information.

Q. Will I be required to perform active duty each year? A. No, it is not a requirement. You may, however, apply for active duty for training if you desire. This will help accumulate additional points for retirement purposes.

Q. Will I be called to active duty to serve aboard Navy combatant ships in event of a war or national emergency?

A. Generally, reservists will not be assigned to Navy combatant ships if called to active duty. They would, instead, serve on merchant type ships which are supporting the Navy, in many cases the same ships they now serve on as civilian mariners. Only in a few individual instances would a member of the Merchant Marine Naval Reserve program be called to active duty and assigned to a U.S. Navy ship or shore station. Overall, the program is not intended to be a source of active duty officers.

Q. Are U.S. Civil Service marine personnel eligible for this program?

A. Yes, on the same basis as civilian mariners who sail aboard ships of the U.S. Merchant Marine.

Q. If I am accepted into the program, what does it offer me?

A. Plenty. As a Naval Reservist you are a fullfledged

member of the Navy team. You can qualify for military retirement, can use Navy clubs and facilities as other reservists do, and can, if you wish, spend some time on active duty for training, drawing pay commensurate with your rank. More important, you make an even greater contribution to the security of the United States. As a member of the Navy establishment, you acquire added knowledge and military skills that will add to the seapower strength of the nation by making its Armed Forces more able to meet any possible requirements in an emergency.

Q. Will I be paid for participating in this program? A. Commanding officers of Merchant Marine Naval Reserve companies, and one additional officer for each 15 members, will be paid. Maximum number of paid billets for each shore company is five officers. All other members will train in non-pay status.

Q. Will I be able to earn promotions?

A. Yes, promotions will be made on the same basis as those for other Naval Reserve Officers. However, you will compete only with fellow-members of the Merchant Marine Naval Reserve. Promotion boards also will include members of the Merchant Marine Naval Reserve. Thus, you compete with your contemporaries for promotion and are selected by fellowmembers of the Merchant Marine Naval Reserve.