People who want to be useful to others and the country. People who are confident in their physical strength and want to improve themselves. People who are cooperative.

The main job of the Maritime Self-Defense Force is to protect Japan's seas and its people from other countries. When disasters occur in Japan or overseas, ships and aircraft are used for search and rescue operations and the transportation of relief supplies. The Maritime Self-Defense Force consists of units such as the Escort Fleet, Air Group, and Submarine Fleet, and their duties are diverse, including navigation, gunnery, and communications. They monitor Japan's territorial waters and protect Japanese merchant ships from attacks by armed spy ships and submarines. They also cooperate in Antarctic observations using the icebreaker Shirase, which breaks through the ice on the surface of the water. Like the Ground Self-Defense Force, deployments are dangerous, so they undergo rigorous daily training to strengthen their minds and bodies.

To become a Maritime Self-Defense Force officer, one must pass the Self-Defense Force recruitment exam. The recruitment exam is divided into several courses depending on educational background, and can be taken by anyone graduating from high school. The Maritime Self-Defense Force has several ranks, such as Seaman 2nd Class, Chief Petty Officer, and Lieutenant 1st Class, and the starting rank and promotion speed vary depending on educational background. Of course, those with higher educational backgrounds start at higher ranks. The recruitment exam basically consists of a written test, an oral test, a physical examination, and an aptitude test.

If you want to become a Maritime Self-Defense Force officer in the future, the most common route after graduating from high school is to enter an SDF educational institution such as the National Defense Academy (4 years) or the National Defense Medical College (6 years), where you will learn academic subjects that will become practical skills for the SDF. Both institutions are free of tuition and admission fees, and students can receive student allowances (income) as special national civil servants while they are enrolled. If you want to become a pilot in the SDF, you should choose a course to become an aviation student at a SDF air base.

Tensions have been rising in recent years in relations with neighboring countries, and it is unclear how things will develop in the future. As an island nation, Japan is surrounded by sea on all sides, so if something were to happen, it would inevitably come from the sea. Furthermore, most of the supplies that support the lives of the Japanese people are imported from overseas, and more than 90% of these are transported by sea. Troubles at sea with other countries could have a direct impact on the lives of the people. The presence of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, which responds to crises that come from the sea, will likely become even more prominent.

The starting salary for a non-commissioned officer candidate with a high school diploma is 179,200 yen per month. For an officer candidate with a university degree, the starting salary is 226,500 yen. It depends on the route taken to become a member of the Self-Defense Forces. Students at the National Defense Academy and other institutions are also paid a monthly student allowance of 117,000 yen.

Two days off per week. If you work on a holiday, you will receive a compensatory day off. However, if you work on a ship, you must spend your days off on the ship.

There are approximately 60 bases and headquarters across the country.

This chart shows at a glance the main routes to becoming a Maritime Self-Defense Force officer!