Military veterans can now convert active duty sea service into credit toward an engineering officer bachelor’s degree at NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy.

GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach said the MVET program is the result of more than four years of work involving Academy faculty and staff and U.S. Coast Guard officials, who formally approved the program last September. In addition to allowing Maritime cadets to bypass redundant training, the approval allows student veterans to complete the engineering program within the constraints of GI bill benefits. Due to sea service requirements, the current GLMA program exceeds the 36 months of benefits awarded to veterans.

It is expected to improve recruitment to the Academy’s engineering program. More credentialed engineers graduating sooner will also help the merchant marine industry, whose workforce is aging.