For more than 250 years, the U.S. Navy has turned to specialized mariners to support national strategic objectives – and Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) is no different – it boasts a ship control team comprised of Strategic Sealift Officers (SSOs) who support U.S. 5th Fleet operations.
The SSO community was commonly referred to as the Merchant Marine Reserve for decades. Their primary focus was ensuring a pool of qualified, licensed mariners were always ready to crew the government’s Ready Reserve Force during times of national emergency. After recognizing the evolving complexities of global logistics, the Navy modernized and rebranded the community as the Strategic Sealift Officer Program in 2011.
Strategic Sealift Officers are reserve officers who bridge the gap between the U.S. Navy and the commercial maritime industry to provide specialized, operational, logistical and technical expertise.
“We are subject matter experts in the commercial maritime world,” said Lt. Michael Petty, second mate on the ship control team. “90% of all global trade moves by the sea, and in a highly contested maritime environment out here, we’re able to provide that expertise.”
The ship control team has integrated with Boxer, as well as the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) onboard.
“The most rewarding part of our job is being on the deck of a merchant ship with the Marines and advising them in real time,” said Cmdr. Bart Clendenin, ship control team lead on USS Boxer. “Seeing the integration from the deck plates, the team coming together, planning, practicing and then being able to help guide Sailors and Marines to accomplish the mission, is a testament to the professionalism of this team.”
Commercial ships typically have 17-25 people depending on the ship, whereas Boxer has more than 2,500 personnel. Onboard Boxer, the ship control team has trained for different mission sets, including insertion onto ships, whether it be by aircraft or small boat. SSOs are subject material experts in their field in both ship handling and engineering.
“As an engineer, I’m just doing my normal job that I would do in the merchant marine, but seeing that work with the Marines and the Navy is a great experience,” said Lt. Cmdr. Pearson Smith, first assistant engineer on the ship control team.
Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, the 11th MEU and SSOs have coordinated and worked together to ensure seamless integration while, conducting verification boardings and maritime interception operations in support of the current maritime blockade.
Bringing this critical capability to the fleet requires training and a commissioning process, either through the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, or at one of six state-run maritime academies throughout the U.S. There is a direct commissioning program as well, but in order to be an SSO, you have to have an unlimited tonnage license or qualified to operate with unlimited horsepower.
“One of the greatest advantages of being an SSO is you don’t have to choose one career over the other, said Petty. “You can maintain a career as a merchant mariner, advancing your license, sailing commercially on different platforms, while also maintaining a career in the Navy, contributing and serving your country.”
Between the complexities of naval warfare, the commercial maritime world, rigorous academic training, and unlimited coast guard licenses, SSOs provide Boxer and the 11th MEU with an operational advantage. SSOs remain the Navy’s best translators in the maritime world, wherever the fleet needs them.
Boxer is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.