The Strategic Sealift Officer Force (SSOF) is a vital component of the US Navy, ensuring the efficient and secure transportation of goods and personnel during peacetime and conflict. This guide serves as a Marine Officer Career Tool, providing aspiring and current SSOs with essential information regarding the force’s mission, command structure, and career resources.
SSOF Mission and Background
The SSOF’s mission is to provide the Navy with a readily available pool of qualified Merchant Marine officers with military training. These officers are crucial for operating and sustaining strategic sealift operations in potentially contested maritime environments.
Established in 1973 as the Navy Reserve Merchant Marine program, the force was renamed the Strategic Sealift Officer Force in 2011. This reflects the evolving role of sealift operations in modern naval strategy. SSOs are graduates of maritime academies, holding unlimited Merchant Mariner credentials and receiving specialized military training. For a comprehensive overview of SSOF capabilities, refer to the official SSOF Capability Statement.
SSOF Command and Control Structure
The SSOF operates under a dual command structure, ensuring both administrative and operational readiness.
Administrative Control
Administratively, SSOs, as Navy Reserve Officers within the Strategic Sealift Readiness Group (SSRG), fall under the Commander Navy Reserve Forces (CNRFC N14). CNRFC N14 manages mobilization readiness, including addressing readiness updates, points/claims submissions, and NMCI access issues. Officers can access resources and information via the CNRFC N14 SSOF page.
Operational Control
Operationally, the SSOF is under the control of Military Sealift Command (MSC). The SSOF Director leads the force, providing guidance on career development, training, and deployment in support of mobilization missions. Officers seeking career advice, long-term orders, or needing to connect with their command structure should contact the SSOF Director’s office.
Selected Reserve (SELRES) SSOs are managed through their assigned Navy Reserve Center (NRC) and respective Active Component commands, as illustrated in the provided organizational chart.
Career Resources for Marine Officers
The Navy Reserve provides a wealth of resources to support the career development of SSOs and other marine officers. These resources, accessible through the TNR Almanac, cover various aspects of Navy Reserve service:
Key areas include:
- Pay, Drill, and Orders: Information on reserve pay, drill periods, order processing, and travel entitlements.
- Administrative Essentials: Guidance on applications, service records, awards, leave, and assignments.
- Readiness: Resources related to mobilization, physical fitness, family care plans, medical readiness, and legal assistance.
- Career: Information on career progression, assignments, training opportunities, retirement planning, and educational benefits.
- Resources and Benefits: Access to support services such as chaplaincy, crisis support, life insurance, veterans affairs benefits, and employer support programs.
Conclusion
The SSOF offers a unique and rewarding career path for marine officers seeking to combine their maritime expertise with military service. This comprehensive marine officer career tool provides a starting point for navigating the SSOF and accessing valuable resources for professional development and success. Leveraging these resources and understanding the command structure will enable aspiring and current SSOs to contribute effectively to the mission of the Strategic Sealift Officer Force.
