Is This Right For Me?
What does Team Trident Do and Why are they hiring Veterans?
Team Trident is a veteran-owned, values-driven company that deploys specialist personnel to construction vessels and platforms operating in the oil & gas and offshore renewables energy sectors worldwide. We also bring specialist personnel to long-term, rewarding shipbuilding roles across the United States. We recruit veterans because the skills you have developed while serving our country in the military are exactly what the energy industry requires. Military training and experience produce a standard of technical discipline, situational awareness, and performance under pressure that are rare and invaluable in the civilian sector.
What military background is Team Trident most interested in?
We source from all branches of the service. If you have a Rate or MOS in a technical trade like electrical, electronics, mechanical, hydraulic, non-destructive testing, rigging, survey, or others, we have commercial positions that benefit from your training and experience. If you don’t have a technical background but were promoted ahead of your peers, were decorated for your exceptional performance, and are still interested in working in the energy or shipbuilding industry globally, we want to talk with you.
What rank and time in service does Team Trident typically look for?
Our core target audience is pay grades E-4 to E-6 with between 4 and 10 years of honorable, well-documented service. Over the last 20 years and counting, we have found a consistent cadence of success in this group of NCOs and junior SNCOs that makes it clear you are a fit for a rewarding career in subsea construction and shipbuilding. Why this window? You have enough technical depth to contribute immediately, enough leadership experience to perform independently and competently, you are mature enough to work safely offshore and in shipyards, and you have enough runway ahead to build a long and rewarding career in these industries.
I am not sure if my background maps directly - how do I know if I qualify?
Reach out and let us assess it. The translation from military specialty to commercially viable roles is not always obvious on paper, but we know what to look for. The offshore industry is not looking for people who already know subsea construction – it is looking for people with the right foundation and core values to learn and apply fast. That is what your military training and experience produce.
What Roles are Available Through Team Trident?
What is an ROV Pilot Technician and what would I actually do on the job?
An ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) Pilot Technician works as a part of a small team to operate subsea robots – tethered vehicles deployed to depths of up to 3,000 meters – using thruster controls, manipulator arms, cameras and sonar feedback from a control room on the vessel above. The work includes real-time tool deployment, subsea valve operations, structural inspections, and subsea systems inspection and maintenance. If you are a Navy STS or Submarine-qualified ET, you have been doing the cognitive equivalent of this job for years – operating and interpreting complex sensor feeds in a pressure environment with real-time consequences. If you are a Navy Diver or EOD Diver, you understand subsea operations at a level most ROV pilots never will. If you ever operated any remote system – even a tethered weapon or tethered platform – the control discipline transfers directly. The ROV control room and camaraderie will feel familiar. It is cramped, it is high stakes, it requires calm, systematic troubleshooting, and the person who performs best is the one who doesn’t panic under pressure. You have trained for this exact environment.
What does a subsea Surveyor do, and how does military mapping or navigation experience apply?
A Subsea Surveyor collects and processes geospatial data in offshore environments — seabed mapping, pipeline route surveys, as-built position verification, and geoseismic support — using systems like multibeam sonar, USBL (Ultra Short Baseline) positioning, and DGPS. The data they produce tells construction crews where to lay pipe, where not to anchor, and whether a completed job was built to spec.
What is an IWOCS Technician? I've never heard of this term.
IWOCS stands for Intervention Workover Control System. An IWOCS Technician operates and maintains the hydraulic and electrohydraulic control systems used to work on subsea wellheads and valve tree assemblies — the equipment that controls oil and gas flow on the seabed. This is highly specialized, safety-critical work involving hydraulic power units (HPUs), pressure testing, and detailed technical documentation.
What is does an Offshore Rigger do? Is this the same a military rigging?
An Offshore Rigger on a subsea construction vessel performs all lifting, slinging, and deck operations required to deploy heavy subsea hardware — manifolds, wellheads, pipeline end terminations — from ship to seabed. They inspect and select sling gear, direct crane operators, calculate load weights, and manage deck operations during live offshore construction.
Navy BM (Boatswain’s Mate): You are already an offshore rigger. UNREP (underway replenishment) experience — precision rigging in vessel motion, over open water — is exactly what offshore operations demand. Navy MN (Mineman): Rigging and deploying 2,000+ lb naval mines from surface vessels using cranes and davit systems is directly equivalent to offshore equipment deployment. Seabee SW and BU ratings have formal rigging qualifications from construction environments. If you held an Army 89B (Ammunition Specialist) or 12N (Construction Engineer) with crane qualifications, your critical lift experience applies immediately.
The Transition Process
What certifications will I need before I can work offshore and will Team Trident help me get them?
Several certifications are standard requirements for any offshore role. Most are short courses (1–5 days), and some of your military training will make it seem very familiar. If we believe you are well-qualified for work in this industry, Team Trident will facilitate all of your required industry training to get you offshore as efficiently and quickly as possible.
- BOSIET/FOET: Basic Offshore Safety Induction & Emergency Training (OPITO). Fire, evacuation, sea survival.
- HUET: Helicopter Underwater Escape Training. Mandatory for helicopter transfers to/from offshore platforms.
- OGUK (Medical): Offshore fitness medical certificate, issued by an approved examiner.
- IMCA: ROV Pilot-Technician. Survey, Rigging competency framework. Built through documented sea-time and task records. Very similar to Navy PQS applied to commercial tasks and systems.
What will you need from me when I apply - do I need to provide any documents like my DD-214?
Yes — we will ask for your DD-214 Copy 4 (the long form with all blocks populated) as part of our screening process. This is standard practice for us because it is the most complete and verified summary of your service. We know how to read it properly, including your MOS or Rating, time in service, rank at separation, personal awards, and character of service. If you received personal awards, we will ask for copies of your citations, performance appraisals, and anything else that reflects your service in a positive light. Finally, as part of our commitment to our customers, we will ask for at least two professional references (past supervisors) and their contact details so we can ask questions of them about you.
I served honorably but my Rate or MOS isn't technical. Should I apply?
Yes. The MOS and Rating lists in our guides are the primary pipelines, not an exhaustive list of everyone we will consider. What matters more than the job code is the underlying technical capability. If your work in service involved hydraulic systems, electronics, underwater environments, precision navigation, geospatial data, remote system operation, or heavy rigging, there is likely a role in this industry that fits your skills.
We also evaluate your record holistically. An E-5 with accelerated promotion, two personal awards, and submarine or special assignment experience on their DD-214 is going to have a conversation with us regardless of rating — because the performance indicators tell us what we need to know about the person even before we know the job.
Submit your background and let us assess the fit. The worst outcome is that we tell you honestly what additional training would bridge the gap.
What discharge character and re-enlistment code do I need to be eligible?
Honorable discharge is required for the offshore and subsea roles we place. A General (Under Honorable) discharge requires a direct conversation with us — context matters, and we will approach it fairly. OTH or below is disqualifying for safety-sensitive offshore work.
We apply a straightforward standard — RE-1 is a green flag. It means the military would have taken you back without restriction, and that is the standard we use. RE-2 and RE-3 codes require deeper conversation; some have entirely innocent explanations, and some do not. We ask, we listen, and we decide based on the full picture.
The standard we hold: We are building a top-20% pipeline. If your own military leadership had welcomed you back without restriction, we want to hear from you. If the record shows they would not be honest with us about why, and we will be honest with you about whether we can work together.
I am still on active duty - can I start my process before EAS or separation date?
Absolutely — and we encourage it. The best transitions are planned well in advance. Reaching out 6 to 12 months before your separation date gives us time to assess your background, identify which certification pathway makes the most sense for you, and have a role in mind for your first deployment. You won’t be mobilized until your separation is finalized and all required certifications are in place, but we can do all the groundwork ahead of time.
If you are currently going through TAP (Transition Assistance Program), TAPS (Transition Assistance Program Services), or your command’s career transition support, add a conversation with Team Trident to that process. We are happy to participate directly with transition counsellors who want to understand how military backgrounds map to offshore careers.
Life & Work Offshore
What is the rotation schedule like - how long are the hitches offshore?
Rotation schedules vary by client and project, but the most common patterns in the offshore industry are 28 days on / 28 days off and 21 days on / 21 days off. Some shorter campaigns run 14/14. You will typically travel to the vessel by helicopter or crew boat from a port near the operations area.
Veterans transitioning from sea duty billets, submarine service, or expeditionary deployments are well-adapted to this rhythm — you have operated for longer stretches in more demanding conditions. Many of our people say the offshore rotation schedule is actually more predictable and family-friendly than their military deployment cycle.
What are the physical and medical requirements for offshore work?
Offshore roles require a valid offshore medical certificate. This is a physical examination conducted by an approved medical examiner covering cardiovascular fitness, vision, hearing, and general health. If you are currently fit for active military duty, you will almost certainly pass.
Specific roles may have additional requirements — ROV work can involve extended periods in a confined control van; rigger roles require the ability to perform physically demanding deck work at height and over water; all personnel must be able to wear a life vest and participate in emergency drills. If you have service-connected disabilities or permanent medical profiles, speak with us directly — we will discuss each role’s physical demands honestly.
Will I be working with other veterans?
Yes — the offshore subsea industry has a long history of drawing from military talent, particularly the Navy and Marine Corps. You will find former BMs, MMs, STS rates, Divers, Seabees, and Army engineers throughout the industry. The culture offshore — hierarchy of competence, clear chain of command, accountability for your watch, safety above all else — will feel immediately familiar. It is not a coincidence. The offshore industry runs on the same values your service ran on.
What does pay look like compared to military compensation?
Offshore day rates for ROV Pilot-Technicians and other specialist roles are competitive with — and often significantly exceed — comparable military pay grades, particularly when accounting for the 50% of your year that you are home on your off rotation. All meals and accommodation are provided on board during your hitch.
Specific day rates vary by role, grade, region, and project. Team Trident will discuss compensation clearly and in full before any contract is offered. There are no hidden fees or deductions from your day rate. We believe people who know exactly what they are being offered make better long-term decisions — for themselves and for us.
Career Growth & Long-Term Pathway
What does career progression look like in the subsea industry?
Promotion is merit-based and competency-documented — not time-based. For example, veterans who enter at the ROV Pilot-Technician level with strong technical backgrounds routinely reach Supervisor in 4 to 6 years. Offshore Riggers with the right skills and work ethic can advance to Deck Foreman roles within 3 to 5 years. That is a trajectory that rewards the performance culture you were trained in.
Is there work in both the oil & gas and offshore renewables - is this a stable long-term career?
Yes to both. ROV and subsea construction skills are directly transferable between the oil and gas sector (pipeline inspection, well intervention, platform IMR) and the offshore renewable energy sector (offshore wind foundation inspection, inter-array cable surveys, floating turbine mooring inspection). As the energy transition accelerates, demand for qualified subsea personnel is growing in both sectors simultaneously.
Will Team Trident support my ongoing training and certification as I develop in this industry?
Yes. We track every certification expiry in our personnel management system — you will never be surprised by a lapsing BOSIET or medical certificate. For personnel in our long-term pipeline, we work proactively to ensure your documentation is current and your competency records are accumulating correctly against IMCA frameworks.
