G'morning, snippy!
I googled upon this story.
http://www.angelstation.com/swillner/WPS01.htm
I'm still trying to figure out exactly what a merchant mariner is. I thought it was someone who just transported via ships for commercial purposes. I knew they had to be licensed, but I still don't understand the military connection, other than the licensing and they sometimes contrite to the military.
I also get confused about the difference between reserves and the guard. I know someone will read this and 'splain it to me.
I'll take a whack at it for you, Samwise. Your grasp of merchant mariners is good. What induces confusion is when a civilian shipping company has a contract with the pentagon to carry military cargo into a combat zone. In Viet Nam, civilians were operating all manner of WWII and Korean-era freighters, tankers and LSTs.
With regard to the distinction between the reserves and the guard, the difference is small but significant. Reservists and reserve units are under the direct control of the pentagon. Guard units are under the direct control of their respective state governors, who can mobilize them for state emergencies.
Hope that helps.
kilowhskey gave an excellent explanation and I also have a couple more pieces for you. So how do you like your new DSL?
FAQ's from USMM
What is the Merchant Marine?
The Merchant Marine is the fleet of ships which carries imports and exports during peacetime and becomes a naval auxiliary during wartime to deliver troops and war materiel. According to the Merchant Marine Act of 1936: "It is necessary for the national defense... that the United States shall have a merchant marine of the best equipped and most suitable types of vessels sufficient to carry the greater portion of its commerce and serve as a naval or military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency..." During World War II the fleet was in effect nationalized, that is, the U.S. Government controlled the cargo and the destinations, contracted with private companies to operate the ships, put guns and Navy personnel (Armed Guard) on board. The Government trained the men to operate the ships and assist in manning the guns through the U.S. Maritime Service.
What do you call people who are in the Merchant Marine?
Mariners. Seamen. Seafarers. Sailors. Never marines! Mariners is the preferred designation, just like the Seattle professional baseball team. The term Merchant Marines is incorrect, but sometimes used by some old time mariners.
Excerpt from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Moreover, in time of war or national emergency, the U.S. merchant marine becomes vital to national security as a "fourth arm of defense." Our merchant ships bear the brunt of delivering military supplies overseas to our forces and allies. The stark lessons of twentieth century conflict prove that a strong merchant marine is an essential part of American seapower.
The nation's economic and security needs met by the U.S. merchant marine are compelling. Today, the United States imports approximately 85 percent of some 77 strategic commodities critical to America's industry and defense. Although we, as a nation, account for only six percent of the world population, we purchase nearly a third of the world's output of raw materials. Ninetynine percent of these materials are transported by merchant vessels.
A ship at sea does not operate in a vacuum. It depends on a framework of shoreside activities for its operations. This industry includes companies which own and manage the vessels; ports and terminals where cargo is handled; yards for ship repair; services like marine insurance underwriters, ship chartering firms, admiralty lawyers, engineering and research companies; and increasingly today, intermodal systems of trucks and railroads to distribute goods around the country.
But the most important element in a productive merchant fleet and a strong transportation industry is people - men and women who are intelligent, dedicated, well-educated and competent.
The purpose of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is to ensure that such people are available to the nation as shipboard officers and as leaders in the transportation field who will meet the challenges of the present and the future.