Pros
Double base salary with overtime. License upgrades through excess sea time and opportunity to learn from rookie mistakes. Good net pay for new college graduate or entry level after HS.
Cons
Use of temporary promotions is not transparent. Permanent promotions at mid and upper levels takes many years. No access to family and educational support services provided by US Navy, despite deploying with bluejackets entitled to such benefits. Some supervisors keelhaul subordinates to advance their own career. Excepted service makes transfer to GS positions more challenging, even though both categories of jobs exist within MSC. Civmars not trusted with gov’t travel cards or DTS access. Mandatory weekend work in port, no foreign assignment cash allowance.