Executive Order 13860: Supporting the Transition of Active Duty Service Members and Military Veterans Into the Merchant Marine
President: Donald J. Trump
Directed federal agencies to credit relevant military training toward merchant-mariner credentials and improve information for service members and veterans seeking civilian maritime work.
Status: In effect. Sources: Official source · Official source.
Is Executive Order 13860 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13860 of March 4, 2019 remains unrevoked. Its merchant-mariner transition framework continues: the Coast Guard's current service-validation guidance expressly applies its requirement for separating service members to request sea-service records at least 90 days before separation or retirement.
What does Executive Order 13860 do?
EO 13860 required agencies to identify barriers and coordinate training, credentialing and employment support for transitioning service members and veterans interested in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
Later evidence reviewed September 24, 2026: The Coast Guard adopted a final rule exempting active-duty service members from certain merchant-mariner credential fees and expressly tied the measure to EO 13860. Coast Guard merchant-mariner fee rule.
Before and after
Before the order
Veterans seeking merchant-mariner credentials used existing Coast Guard processes.
After the order
The Coast Guard adopted a final rule exempting active-duty service members from certain merchant-mariner credential fees and expressly tied the measure to EO 13860.
Who had to do what
| Agency / official | What the signed order directed | Deadline / timing |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary of Defense, directing applicable military services | Coordinate with one another and the Marine Transportation System Committee on mariner credentials; identify qualifying training and experience and submit it to the Coast Guard National Maritime Center; arrange lawful fee waivers or service payment, pay for TWIC cards, provide requested sea-service verification, and maintain Credentialing Opportunities On-Line resources. | Training list within one year of March 4, 2019; requested sea-service verification no later than one month after discharge/release; no separate deadline for fee/card support or online resources. |
| Secretary of Homeland Security, directing applicable military services | Coordinate with one another and the Marine Transportation System Committee on mariner credentials; identify qualifying training and experience and submit it to the Coast Guard National Maritime Center; arrange lawful fee waivers or service payment, pay for TWIC cards, provide requested sea-service verification, and maintain Credentialing Opportunities On-Line resources. | Training list within one year of March 4, 2019; requested sea-service verification no later than one month after discharge/release; no separate deadline for fee/card support or online resources. |
| United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center | Determine whether submitted military training and experience qualifies for merchant-mariner credentials. | Following submission of the training/experience lists; no separate determination deadline. |
| United States Committee on the Marine Transportation System | Pursue innovative credentialing support, including the Military to Mariner Initiative where appropriate; coordinate with Defense and Homeland Security and report progress to the president through the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy. | Yearly status report; no separate date for other support. |
Source: Signed Federal Register text.
What happened next
EO 13860 signed; its Federal Register publication followed.
The Coast Guard adopted a final rule exempting active-duty service members from certain merchant-mariner credential fees and expressly tied the measure to EO 13860.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The Federal Register record identifies EO 13860, its title and signing date. The Coast Guard adopted a final rule exempting active-duty service members from certain merchant-mariner credential fees and expressly tied the measure to EO 13860. The linked source supports this particular later event; it does not establish every present legal or operational effect.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 24, 2026. How we research →