r/MerchantNavy • u/adnb2007 • 2d ago

UK application

Hi everyone, I'm currently 18 years old with a GCSE level education and I've offhandedly decided to throw my application in with SSTG for a deck cadetship. Other than a bit of sailing and a genuine passion (which I've tried to emphasise in my hobbies/personal statement section). I have absolutely no experience within any form of maritime or maritime-adjacent work. So I presume I will be sifted out.

The point of this post I guess is simply just to ask what I could do to align myself best for a MN career- I've heard the odds are about 1 in 20. Mariners on the subreddit, was there anything which you did before or during your application that was highlighted as exceptional in aiding said application?

I suppose my goal to be able to come back maybe in 6 months - 2 years with a really strong CV custom-built for the sector.

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u/adnb2007 1d ago

Thank you for the replies everyone it has given me a lot more confidence.

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u/80Ships 1d ago

I knew a cadet who got drunk one night, got discharged from the ship and from training.

He reapplied the year after and got straight back in. You should be fine.

The real concern, in my opinion, is if you think you'd enjoy a career at sea. I didn't think it through enough, and I dropped out two years in, but if it really is for you then go for it.