MARINE SCIENCE TECHNICIAN (MST)


To view a video of this rate, click here.

As an MST, your job will change with the operational tempo set by the extensive number of missions you will respond to throughout your career in the USCG. From protecting U.S. waters from aquatic nuisance species to supervising pollution and hazardous material responses, an MST plays the essential role of enforcing regulations for the safety of the marine environment and the security of the port.

As a domestic vessel examiner, an MST may conduct commercial fishing vessel examinations; inspect barges, cargo ships, passenger vessels and liquefied gas-carrying vessels for compliance with U.S. laws; and conduct investigations on marine casualties, Merchant Mariner's license infringements and pollution incidents.

As a port state control officer, an MST conducts vessel boardings to ensure compliance with applicable domestic laws and international treaties by checking structural and stability conditions; by verifying appropriate electrical, fire safety, lifesaving, mechanical and navigation systems; and by examining living conditions for crew members on foreign-flagged vessels.

On the waterfront, an MST will conduct harbor patrols and container inspections. An MST also will assist with and conduct facility inspections to ensure facilities have the proper equipment and capabilities to meet any environmental response.

As an MST, your ability to plan makes you an invaluable asset to the setup and exercise planning of any incident command system for response to anything from local, port-security threats to natural disasters with nationwide impact.

In the maritime security role, an MST will enforce security requirements at waterfront facilities; and on domestic and foreign flag vessels. MSTs identify the actions required to respond to current and future security threats and concerns involving the maritime transportation system.

Types of Duty:

MSTs are stationed at Sectors and Marine Safety Units that respond to oil and chemical spills. MSTs conduct security boardings and inspections of waterfront facilities.

Training Available:

You'll begin your career with 8-weeks of intensive specialized training at MST 'A' School in Yorktown, Va., which provides an introduction into the MST rating force and the foundational skills needed to investigate oil and hazardous-material pollution incidents; supervise pollution cleanup operations; perform waterfront facility and security inspections; and conduct safety and security boardings on foreign-registered vessels coming into the territorial waters of the United States.

Qualifications:

Must be people-oriented
Strong attention-to-detail attributes
Highly flexible and consistent
Training and experience in environmental sciences is helpful
Related Civilian Jobs:

Marine Environmental Specialist
Marine Safety Specialist
Hazardous Materials Specialist
Oil and Hazardous Materials Spill Responder
Facility Supervisor
Vessel Inspector
OSHA Response Trainer

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

Posts from old MST thread;

TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted 12/31/2009 9:56 PM (GMT -5)
Hello,

I just saw this new thing today for ratings. I thought I would make an MST one for all of you who have questions. I am an active duty MST and there are other MST's and even family members that are more than happy to help you out.
MST3 Suggs




LostSnake18
Registered Member


Date Joined Aug 2009
Total Posts : 42 Posted 1/1/2010 2:10 AM (GMT -5)
What are some of the most common duties for an MST?




TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted 1/1/2010 4:17 AM (GMT -5)
I guess it would mostly depend on what type of unit you are assigned to as an MST. I am at a large MSU that has several different departments. Everyday MST duties at this unit are pollution cases, vessel inspections (port state control), facilities, and IMD (Incident Management Department) which is pretty much grouping up and discussing on how to handle a situation and managing the whole ordeal. MST's here are also part of boat forces AND law enforcement. I am stationed in Texas which you can imagine is a busy area, if you were stationed lets say up in Massena, NY on the St. Lawerence Seaway then you would handle things such as water ballast in ships and handling zebra mussels haha. You will learn about all of this if you plan on going to MST A school.
MST3 Suggs




Bored of Desk Jobs
Registered Member




Date Joined Jun 2009
Total Posts : 464 Posted 1/2/2010 5:24 PM (GMT -5)
Mind walking us through a typical day? Say today, or the last shift you worked.
It all begins February 16th 2010!






pepperdoggie
Avast Ye Matey! When's Lunch?




Date Joined Nov 2008
Total Posts : 1493 Posted 1/3/2010 7:54 PM (GMT -5)
Here's my son's day today (today-Sunday). Wake up at 3am, board a small boat for insertion onto an incoming tanker 12 miles out at sea at 6am, board it, inspect it, return to port, do paperwork, go home and sleep. (See attached photo)...notice the ice on the ship.



File Attachment : DANIEL SHIP BOARDING.jpg 133KB (image/pjpeg)
This file has been downloaded 41 time(s).




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted 1/3/2010 8:19 PM (GMT -5)
I did that for two years in TX. The only thing more fun than climbing up a questionable Jacob's Ladder in the middle of winter was climbing back down it.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




USCGinterested
Registered Member


Date Joined Dec 2009
Total Posts : 9 Posted 1/3/2010 10:00 PM (GMT -5)
hello pepperdoggie,

i sent you a pm




TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted 1/4/2010 7:21 AM (GMT -5)
Well unfortunately for me I am not stuck in a normal MST job. I am stuck in an operations center which is where everything goes through. We get the phone calls and radio calls of everything going in or out of the unit. So in a day of my work I get to see an on top view of everything happening in the building. The REAL MST's do stuff just like pepperdoggie said. They get up at whatever time the boarding is set for and complete it which could take from 30min- 4 hours just all depends and then they either come back to work or go home. The MST's that handle pollution..we in the operations center get the report and then we pass it to them and they go respond. As far as the rest they're kinda on their on schedule and barely tell us what they're doing haha. Of course we keep communications with the LE teams and the boats that go out also.
MST3 Suggs



LTate
Polar Roller Mom




Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 523 Posted 1/4/2010 5:37 PM (GMT -5)
That's an awesome pic, pepper...thanks for sharing that. And Larry, you'll eventually get to the point where you'll start doing boardings, won't you? Or will you? I have no idea...just curious. You might recall I'm the one with the MST daughter on the icebreaker so that's the only work I'm familiar with. And not to get off track here but Nikole was home for Christmas and I told her to look you up on facebook so if you notice a friend request from her, you'll know who she is. : )

Laurie






LTate
Polar Roller Mom




Date Joined Nov 2007
Total Posts : 523 Posted 1/5/2010 11:42 AM (GMT -5)
Nikole

Just thought I'd add this....MST3 Tetreault hard at work in the Arctic.....just in case anybody might be curious about life on an icebreaker. The guy who took these photos is really amazing....has a bunch of them on his site from the recent scientific deployment....I highly recommend checking them out.

Laurie






TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted 1/5/2010 5:15 PM (GMT -5)
Laurie,

Yeah it rotates every year or so. I will be going into pollution or facilities when I get out of this little hole haha. So I will ONE DAY be a real MST but not for now. Oh and awesome pics!
MST3 Suggs




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted 1/5/2010 8:35 PM (GMT -5)
Don't doubt yourself Suggs, you are a real MST. A BM who makes coffee and stirs paint is still a BM.

Whatever job your doing right now, be the best at it, work on making 2nd class, and keep shooting for that brass ring.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted Yesterday 12:17 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you Gears you make me feel better about myself lol. Yeah I still play a vital part at this unit and I am doing SOME MST work. I sometimes just don't feel like it haha.
MST3 Suggs




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted Yesterday 12:34 PM (GMT -5)
That's the nature of the beast. Keep working hard, and one day someone won't see Alaska floating righ there in front of them again, and you'll have your moment to shine.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted Yesterday 12:37 PM (GMT -5)
Well I wanna go to Alaska in my career so hey maybe you're right lol.
MST3 Suggs




southern118
Registered Member


Date Joined Mar 2008
Total Posts : 1099 Posted Yesterday 1:57 PM (GMT -5)
I just cant wait to get to A school. I cant knock my unit by any means. I am just a FN here but i have meet some of the people that i am sure i would have never meet out in the field. My CO is about to become a 1-star and i have drove a couple 3-stars around. I have some people taht have come in and out and had good talks with great information. It might not be the glamours job on a cutter or station but i will take what i can get for now




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted Yesterday 3:54 PM (GMT -5)
FYI... There are no glamorous jobs for non rates. Unless you consider mess cooking, painting, and bilge cleaning glamorous...
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted Yesterday 6:46 M (GMT -5)
I would have loved to drive Admirals around all day haha. Nah as a FN I got dirty at a station fixing the boats with MK's and I enjoyed my non-rate experience.
MST3 Suggs




southern118
Registered Member


Date Joined Mar 2008
Total Posts : 1099 Posted Today 7:12 AM (GMT -5)
I know there is no glamorous jobs and really cant complain about it. It is all life and you put your dues in to get what you want.

and MST3 it isnt bad by any means but you have to know your place real quick and make sure there is no messing up what so ever.




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted Today 8:01 AM (GMT -5)
southern118 said...
you have to know your place real quick and make sure there is no messing up what so ever.


Correct, you have to know your place, and do your job. As far as messing up, you are allowed to make mistakes. As long as you hold yourself accountable, correct the mistake, and learn from it you will be okay.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




TXCG09
MST3




Date Joined Sep 2009
Total Posts : 132 Posted Today 5:27 PM (GMT -5)
Haha yeah at my station our Chief was God. I came to this MSU and the CO is a Captain so..that was a big change for me. I was scared talking to him I can't imagine an Admiral and I completely agree with no messing up.
MST3 Suggs

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

I'm looking at the MST rating. I love the science aspect, and the recent oil spill got me thinking A LOT about this rating. What kinds of things do you study in A school?

---

We have a couple MSTs on the board.....haven't seen them in awhile but maybe they'll stop by and help you out. I'm just a mom of an MST.....my daughter went to A school back in 2008. I know there is a curriculum listing at the TRACEN Yorktown website. You could always look there and get an idea about the classes. My daughter ended up on one of the icebreakers.....something she really wanted.....and was told by her Master Chief before she graduated that she might as well forget everything she learned at A School because she'd never use it where she was going! Anyway, best of luck to you!

Laurie

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i know im up at the top of the list and just waiting to get there. I would love to go down to the gulf and help

I know you've been on the list a long time.....been keeping my fingers crossed for you. It would be pretty cool to go down to the Gulf and help out. I've been wondering about MST3 Suggs......haven't seen him on here in awhile. He's stationed in Texas and I'm curious if he's helping out with the spill.

Laurie

dont know havent heard. i know a few CC have went down there

Hi There,

I'm new to this and was hoping someone may help me out. My daughter will be attending A-school soon and I would like to know if there is a place to download any course materials, study guides, or anything helpful that she may need to prepare. Thanks in advance for your help.

K

i am leaving for BC on Jan 4th and i talked to a lot of people about what job i want to go into... i think i want to be an MST but i scored a 79 on my ASVAB and an MST is the only job i am not qualified for... is there anything i can do other than retaking the ASVAB to qualify myself for the MST rate?

NOPE

but you only have to take the part you need to raise the score to what you need.

Do MSTs ever get on the International Ice Patrol?

I have known three that were on that team.

@Old Guard2
Were the guys that you knew were they airborne or on curters? Because I think it would be really cool traking icebergs out the back of a C-130.

they are airborne and from what i have been told it is a killer job. it was a critical fill a couple months ago. i didnt think to hard about it

The one guy I knew the best is a retired Master Chief MST. He absolutely loved his time on the ice patrol. He never said one way or the other if it was hard work or easy work, I just know when he spoke of it, it was always with a lot of fun and admiration. He enjoyed the work.

Are reservists allowed to be part of the IIP? I live not too terribly far (relative to most of the country, anyway) from where the IIP is based.

juliet i am not sure and will not be back at work for a couple of weeks but i will drop into people soft and see fi there is any reserve billets there or not if i get a chance

I'm currently in the application process. I've worked in marine science for 7 years now and gained quite a bit of experience. So chances are that if I get in I'll be applying for MST A school ASAP. However I haven't heard anything about the additional ratings. Is there a list somewhere that charts the potential ratings post A school? I guess I'm a bit of an objective person.

not post A school. after A school that is your job.

MST really isnt as much marine science as it is marine safety/law. you can check out the information on ratings through the coast guard recruiting web page.

if you have questions in particular post it up and i will try and answer them

Ok just for example. I've worked in marine aquaculture managing water quality in a production facility. That in no way means that I am not relied upon to perform other tasks totally unrelated to water quality, but I'm the "Go to guy" for any issues or questions related.

In the Coast Guard is there any further training involved after A school that puts you into a more specialized position? No doubt still doing duties totally unrelated to the specialty but being the "Go to guy." (and I use that term kinda loosely) for whatever that specialized training may be.

For me I would be more interested in Marine law so are there additional programs that would be advantageous to apply for after A school, or is it mostly all on the job training?

There are plenty of C schools. For a while I thought for sure my husband had a 2nd family in Yorktown, VA... he was there more often than he was home! They are all different in things learned and time spent there. There are a lot of opportunities if you just look for them. My ex LOVES being in the M field, I don't think he can imagine doing anything else in his CG career.

alot of it is OTJT but you have the option to go to C schools for various things. itdepends on what shop you end up in doing what. you can be the go to guy with just A school and teh training and stepping up

Are those c-schools listed anywhere?

Don't mean to hijack your question Navanax!
 
I see a few posts where people say MSTs are essentially maritime law enforcement/security... Is it possible to transfer to ME with the OJT of an MST? Or possibly a "C" School if one is available? Just curious...

It is a different type of law enforcement that what ME does. You cant transfer over more then likely you would have to go to A school. I know a few that went ME when it was started up but i know a lot that have been denied the lateral. I also know some MK that have been denied a lateral to MST and tehy have been doing teh MST job since the graduated A school

I have a couple questions about MSTs...

1. Do you have the chance through A or C school to learn about weather forecasting? I thought I saw something about this in a description I read, but haven't been able to find much else on the topic.

2. Are MSTs one of the more likely rates to be deployed for disaster/emergency response? I know they obviously would likely be deployed for oil spills, but what about other events such as hurricanes? I ask bc this is something I'm interested in.

OK to answer the two questions very simply

1. There is the chance to go to C school for Weather if you are going to a place that it is required very slim picking on that. Then there are many other C schools to go to also. I am leaving in a week for Container school.

2. It really depends on the type of response needed. it is always the need of the service and what a command can let loose for operations to help out

Posted By southern118 on 11 Aug 2011 09:50 PM
OK to answer the two questions very simply

1. There is the chance to go to C school for Weather if you are going to a place that it is required very slim picking on that. Then there are many other C schools to go to also. I am leaving in a week for Container school.

2. It really depends on the type of response needed. it is always the need of the service and what a command can let loose for operations to help out

Thanks, southern. I'm meeting a recruiter next week so I will see if MST is even an available reserve rate for me.

it shoudl be they usually are open to reserves. if you have any questions or concerns feel freet to contact me and i will try and hep

Posted By southern118 on 12 Aug 2011 12:49 PM
it shoudl be they usually are open to reserves. if you have any questions or concerns feel freet to contact me and i will try and hep

Thanks. Are you active duty? I'm considering that as well. I guess I will see what my recruiter says on Tuesday. If the only reserve openings in my area are for rates I'm not interested in, then that will make my decision much easier