Are Merchant Marines considered veterans?
Some merchant marines are veterans, for having served in the armed forces. But being a merchant marine itself doesn’t make you a veteran. First off the correct term is merchant mariner, merchant marine refers to the industry that merchant mariners work in.
Do Merchant Marines qualify for veterans benefits?
World War II-era merchant mariners are the only merchant mariners eligible for veterans’ benefits. Eligible for all veterans’ benefits: United States merchant seamen who served on blockships in support of Operation Mulberry. American merchant marine in oceangoing service during the period of armed
Are Merchant Marines considered military personel?
Those who serve in the Merchant Marine are called Mariners (not Marines). They are civilians who are only considered military personnel during times of war; Mariners are given Veteran status if they served in a war.
Is Merchant Marine considered armed forces?
There is another maritime "service" you may not have heard much about, yet, the United States Merchant Marine is arguably incredibly important to the Armed Forces. They also help keep America's economy moving. But what exactly is the Merchant Marine? 6. It is civilian-manned ships Merchant Mariners are not part of the military.
Does Merchant Marine get VA benefits?
Currently, only limited groups of World War II-era merchant mariners are eligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Are merchant marines military veterans?
No, they aren't military. And, heck no, don't ever call them “Merchant Marines”! Anyone working with veterans quickly learns two things: don't forget to include the Coast Guard, and don't forget to include the Merchant Marine, especially when talking about World War II.
When did merchant Marines get veteran status?
1988It was not until four decades later – 1988 to be exact – that U.S. Merchant Mariners of WWII finally achieved Veteran status.
Are merchant Marines government employees?
Both the civilian mariners and the merchant vessels are managed by a combination of the government and private sectors, and engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States.
Do Merchant Marines qualify for USAA?
USAA membership is open to all who are serving or have honorably served our nation in the U.S. military, and their eligible family members.
Can Merchant Marines join the VFW?
Since the U.S. Merchant Marine isn't an armed service and its members did not receive "recognized medals" from the Defense Department, membership is impossible unless Congress, with the VFW's recommendation, changes the charter to "relax the eligibility criteria," the letter says.
Do merchant Marines have a DD214?
Application for Merchant Marine Veteran Status DD214 Check with the Veterans Administration for medical and other benefits. Mariner or survivor should complete the following steps and mail to the proper address: Complete Form DD2168. Supply as much information as possible.
How long do merchant Marines stay at sea?
Some have been at sea for as long as 20 months, though 11 months is the maximum time allowed by the ILO Maritime Labour Convention.
How do I find out if someone was in the merchant Marines?
6 Places to Look for Merchant Marine Records for WWII:#1: Official Military Personnel Files. ... #2: Individual Deceased Personnel Files. ... #3: National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, WV. ... #4: National Archives Collections on Merchant Mariners. ... #5: Ship Log Books. ... #6: Officer Applications.
Is there a Merchant Marine flag?
Merchant Marine flags are neither gifts nor awards for individuals; they exist to recognize and memorialize the United States Merchant Marine role and contributions to American freedom, commerce, and defense.
Do Merchant Marines have ranks?
Left to right: Commodore, Captain, Commander, Lieutenant Commander, Lieutenant, Lieutenant (Junior Grade), Ensign, Chief Warrant, Warrant Officer.
Is Merchant Marines part of Coast Guard?
In general, Merchant Marine training and licensing operations fall under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard (which falls under the Department of Homeland Security).
How can I join the Merchant Marines?
Civilians can join the Merchant Marines by enrolling and completing schooling in one of the numerous maritime academies located all over the United States. The United States Maritime Service trains officers and crew members funded by the United States Maritime Administration under the Department of Transportation.
What are the medals awarded to merchant marines?
These medals for Merchant Marines are equivalent to receiving the Medal of Honor for military veterans.
What is the honoring our WWII Merchant Mariners Act?
Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2017 (H.R.154) The Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2017 was passed by Congress to allocate a one-time payment of $25,000 to eligible Merchant Mariners who were unable to receive veterans benefits eligibility for their times served. For Merchant Marines to receive this one-time payment, ...
How many merchant marines were killed in WW2?
During World War II, it is estimated that 8,500 Merchant Marines were killed during their service while an additional 11,000 were wounded. Because of these extremely high numbers, only Merchant Marines served during this time are eligible for veterans benefits.
What documents are required for merchant marines?
Particular documents, such as a discharge certificate, may be required for Merchant Marines when applying for medical care benefits.
Do merchant marines get veterans benefits?
While Merchant Marines have been a vital asset to the United States military throughout every war fought, federally funded veterans benefits are only available for Merchant Marines under certain conditions. Due to legislation passed in 1988 with input from the Air Force Secretary, the only Merchant Marines eligible to receive veterans benefits ...
Do Merchant Marines get military benefits?
They are considered veterans for VA benefits. We don’t often think of Merchant Marines as being eligible for veterans benefits. Currently, only those who served on sea duty during World War 2 are eligible.
How long is a merchant marine at sea?
Your first sea period takes place during your sophomore year and lasts about 135 days. The second sea period, in the junior year, is longer, lasting about 265 days.
How do Marines earn the blood stripe?
By attaining the grade of rank of corporal, and above. All Marine Corps noncommissioned officers (NCOs), staff noncommissioned officers (SNCOs), warrant officers, and commissioned officers wear scarlet red stripes on the outer seam of both trouser legs of the blue dress trousers.
What are civilian mariners?
A civil service mariner, or CIVMAR, is a federal government employee who pursues a civil service, Navy career while assigned aboard U.S. government-owned, our ships that support Navy’s warfighters and warfighting platforms around the world.
Are USNS ships armed?
United States Naval Ships are unarmed auxiliary support vessels owned by the U.S. Navy and operated in non-commissioned service by Military Sealift Command with a civilian crew. The USNS prefix can be assigned only while the ship is owned by the U.S. Navy.
Do Merchant Marines wear uniforms?
Members of today’s United States Merchant Marine (USMM) do not wear uniforms, they do not cut their hair short, they are not active duty military, and only a few are in the U.S. Navy Reserve. They do not get veterans benefits, special privileges, government healthcare or retirement pay.
What do the stripes on a Marine uniform mean?
The Navy and Marine Corps Enlisted members wear them on the left lower sleeve of the uniform. Each service stripe (we call them ‘Hash Marks’) indicates FOUR YEARS’ service, unlike the Army which uses them to indicate THREE years.
When did the Merchant Marines receive their discharge certificate?
Merchant Marine who served under the Coast Guard, Naval Transportation Service, or Army Transport Service in active, oceangoing service during the period from. December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945, are eligible to receive discharge certificates under PL 95-202, or.
When was the Merchant Mariner deemed active duty?
PL 105-368, Section 402, provides that the qualified service of certain Merchant Mariners between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, is deemed active duty service for purposes of all VA burial benefits, including: burial flags. burial, plot, and transportation allowances. headstones and markers.
What bill would have provided benefits to merchant seamen?
During hearings in late 1945, the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries heard testimony on four bills that would have provided some benefits to merchant seamen. 4 One of these bills, H.R. 2346, would have provided benefits to merchant mariners comparable to those of other World War II veterans.
When did the US Merchant Marines serve?
Served between August 16, 1945, and December 31, 1946, as a member of the United States merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service), serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was. operated by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation (or an agent of either);
What was the purpose of the GI Bill after WW2?
Legislation was introduced either to provide benefits to merchant mariners comparable to those provided under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (P.L. 78-346), commonly known as the GI Bill, or to expand the employee benefits merchant mariners were receiving at that time.
What is a merchant vessel?
merchant vessels in oceangoing—that is, foreign, intercoastal, or coastwise—service (per 46 U.S.C. §§10301 and 10501) and further to include near foreign voyages between the United States and Canada, Mexico, or the West Indies via ocean routes, or. public vessels in oceangoing service or foreign waters.
Which court ruled that the Secretary of the Air Force erred in rejecting the applications of the oceangoing merchant
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the Secretary of the Air Force erred in rejecting the applications of the oceangoing merchant mariners and those that participated in World War II invasions.
What does "licensed" mean in the US Navy?
while so serving, was licensed or otherwise documented for service as a crewmember of such a vessel by an officer or employee of the United States authorized to license or document the person for such service.
How did civilian ships help the military?
In every war fought by the United States, civilian ships have supported military operations by transporting supplies and personnel. The civilians that have served on these vessels historically have worked in varying capacities either for private shipping companies under contract with the federal government or for the government itself. These civilians are collectively referred to as merchant mariners. In World War II, an estimated 8,500 merchant mariners were killed and 11,000 were wounded. 1 During Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), it is estimated that 63% of the military cargo shipped to the Middle East and Afghanistan was delivered by U.S.-flagged commercial vessels crewed by merchant mariners and an additional 35% of military cargo was transported by government-owned vessels crewed by civilian federal employees and federal contractors. 2
How many priority groups are there for VA?
When you apply for VA health care, you’ll be assigned 1 of 8 priority groups. This system helps to make sure that Veterans who need immediate care can get signed up quickly. Your priority group may affect how soon we sign you up for health care benefits.
What does enhanced eligibility mean?
You may qualify for enhanced eligibility status (meaning you’ll be placed in a higher priority group, which makes you more likely to get benefits) if you meet at least one of the requirements listed below. At least one of these must be true.
Can I get VA health care benefits if I served in the military?
Am I eligible for VA health care benefits? You may be eligible for VA health care benefits if you served in the active military, naval, or air service and didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge.
What are the benefits of being a merchant marine?
1 Disability Benefits. Merchant Marines are eligible for certain benefits if they were injured during active service. Members must show proof that they received some form of medical treatment in connection with this injury, and personnel should provide the medical records pertaining to this treatment with the application.
What percentage of disability do you have to be to be a disabled veteran?
Some disabled veterans can apply for vocational rehabilitation, and this goes to disabled veterans with a VA disability rating of 20 percent. Eligible applications will receive funds for tuition, books and other school materials. Veterans should apply for this using VA Form 28-1900.
Do merchant marines get military benefits?
While members of the Merchant Marines were not always eligible for military benefits, they now have nearly the same benefits as members of branches of the armed forces. Veterans and current military personnel can receive different types of compensation, including pensions, disability benefits, medical/dental benefits and insurance.
Who can apply for dependent and indemnity compensation?
Surviving family members may apply for the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and these funds can go toward spouses, children under 18 or, in some cases, parents of the Merchant Marine personnel.
Can veterans get outpatient care?
Some outpatient treatment is available for veterans with a service-related medical condition and who have a lower income. Veterans with higher incomes may be able to receive certain treatments if they are willing to pay a co-pay for the services.
Can merchant marines receive Medicaid?
Merchant Marines that are currently active, veterans receiving a VA pension or former members receiving Medicaid are eligible for treatment at VA hospitals. Care is limited to the type of case and the number of available beds or rooms. Some outpatient treatment is available for veterans with a service-related medical condition ...
How long do you have to be on active duty to be eligible for VA benefits?
To be eligible for veterans benefits, members of the guard or reserves have to have completed their duty obligation or have completed at least 24 months on active duty – whichever is less.
When did merchant marines serve?
full-time reserve duty. merchant Marines who served during World War 2 and burial benefits and Pension for other merchant Marines who served from August 15, 1945 through December 31, 1946. service as a cadet in any of the military academies.
What is active duty military?
Active duty is any active military naval and air service and includes a certain number of days of travel time after discharge. For purposes of qualifying for Disability Compensation or DIC, active duty can also include a special duty service called active duty for training, ACDUTRA, and inactive duty for training, IADT. ACDUTRA and IADT generally apply to reserve and guard components as well as ROTC participants and cadets of preparatory academies such as the Merchant Marine Academy. Cadets of the 3 military academies are considered active duty.
How long do you have to be on active duty to get VA disability?
Disability Compensation and DIC are some of a few exceptions from the 24 month rule. To be eligible for most veterans benefits, a minimum period of active duty of 24 continuous months or the full period for which a person is called or ordered to active duty must be completed. This rule has been in effect since October 16, 1981 for new enlistees.
What is the blood alcohol level for VA?
For alcohol use, VA will determine a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater to constitute willful misconduct. Vehicular accidents either caused by reckless behavior or violating rules or laws or being under the influence are a common in line of duty determination challenge for VA adjudicators.
What happens if a veteran dies while on active duty?
If death occurs while on active duty, life insurance benefits are provided to named beneficiaries.
What does "veteran" mean?
Likewise, the benefit for a survivor must be linked to someone who was a veteran. "The term "veteran" means "a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.". ...
