Reforger Posted November 1, 2016 Share #1 Posted November 1, 2016 Lately I got interested in Merchant Marine items after reading about the role of the USMM in WWII. While trying to find out more about the insignia they used, I noticed that there are various patches, badges, etc. being offered, sometimes as Merchant Marine, sometimes as Maritime Service. For example, I found the USMS Officer Cap Badge being offered as USMS and sometimes as USMM. Or uniforms with patches that clearly say USMS on them offered as Merchant Marine. So, did both of them wear the same uniforms and insignia? Are there Ranks, Rates and Ratings for Merchant Mariners just like in the USMS? Unfortunately, there isn't that much information available on USMM uniforms, insignia, etc.. I'm sure there's an expert here that knows more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Jack Posted November 2, 2016 Share #2 Posted November 2, 2016 Good morning, I have an excellent reference on the USMS, but have encountered nothing on the USMM, so I'm not qualified to say. However, having said this, I did acquire an excellent grouping of an officer of the USMS--insignia, visor cap, pins, badges, photos, papers, and ribbons. What is interesting is that he served in both, and there is nothing other than USMS material. I'm working on the assumption, good or bad, that there was a crossover between the two Both wore Navy style uniforms. I will ask my Forum friend that is very familiar with the blue service for his input. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garth Thompson Posted November 2, 2016 Share #3 Posted November 2, 2016 Here are some links you may find helpful. It appears the USMS trained officers and personnel for the USMM and the US Army Transport Service. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Maritime_Service http://www.usmm.org/usms.html http://www.usmm.org/usmsinsignia.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reforger Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted November 2, 2016 Thanks for the links, but I already checked them. However, they don't give any information on ranks and uniforms of the USMM. I assume that both USMS and USMM must have used the same uniforms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garth Thompson Posted November 2, 2016 Share #5 Posted November 2, 2016 Thanks for the links, but I already checked them. However, they don't give any information on ranks and uniforms of the USMM. I assume that both USMS and USMM must have used the same uniforms. The uniforms for the USMS and USMM are identical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reforger Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted November 2, 2016 Great, thanks! That's what I was trying to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocCollector1441 Posted November 3, 2016 Share #7 Posted November 3, 2016 So this is what I have deduced on my research of the USMM/USMS The United States Maritime Service was a training organization charged with the training of merchant crews as well as testing for the different ships' officer positions. The United States Merchant Marine was the term given to all of the different shipping companies that worked under the War Shipping Administration. When you decided to become a merchant seaman, you did so through training provided by the USMS. Following your training, you were placed on an inactive status with a rating (or commission) in the USMS while you served aboard a ship. While in an inactive status you could be advanced in the USMS. If you required further training or were to be qualified as a ship's officer, your status would be switched to active in the USMS while you conducted training. Many members wore their USMS uniforms even while on an inactive status (especially officers) with their current rating or rank as assigned to them by the USMS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted November 3, 2016 Share #8 Posted November 3, 2016 Great Info! Thanks for posting it. Details I didn't know. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted November 3, 2016 Share #9 Posted November 3, 2016 Great Info! Thanks for posting it. Details I didn't know. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reforger Posted November 7, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted November 7, 2016 Great information, thank you! Interesting that there are also USMM and USMS dog tags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShooterMcGavin Posted December 14, 2016 Share #11 Posted December 14, 2016 The USMS still exists today in the form of the Merchant Marine Academy and the six State Maritime Colleges. Our uniform buttons still have "USMS" stamped into them. The only difference is the specialty insignia has been reduced to anchors (deck officers) and propellors (engineering officers) and are found on shoulder boards or dress blue sleeves. Even those are RARELY seen, especially by engineers. Many of the officers on the campuses will have "USMS" in their titles in official emails/correspondence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted December 16, 2016 Share #12 Posted December 16, 2016 The US Merchant Marine had the highest fatal casualty rate by percentage during WW2. The Marine Corps was second. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reforger Posted December 19, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted December 19, 2016 I just read the book "Gallant Ship, Brave Men". It gives you a good idea of what it was like to be a Merchant Mariner in WWII and also some background information on the USMM. While it's an incredible story, it's too bad the author didn't go into more detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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