The United States is a Maritime Nation.

Explore the Life of a Sailor and the pathways that help people discover opportunities, build connections, and chart their path within America’s maritime future.

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What is Maritime Pathways?

Discover. Explore. Connect. Chart Your Path.

Most Americans don’t realize how deeply maritime impacts their lives—or how many opportunities exist within it.

Maritime Pathways is our programmatic answer: a journey that helps people explore America’s maritime heritage, discover opportunities, build meaningful connections, and chart their path within them.

Whether your interests lead you toward careers, education, military service, leadership, volunteering, or community engagement, Maritime Pathways provides the resources, relationships, and experiences that help transform curiosity into opportunity and connection into purpose.

90%

of Global Trade Moves by Sea.

250k+

Skilled workers needed.

1 in 10

Students have discussed a Maritime career.

20%

Less than 20% of Americans see the Navy as critical.

Your Maritime Pathway

Every journey starts somewhere.

1. DISCOVER

You found us. That’s a good start.

Every Life of a Sailor begins with an ad, social media, online search, a movie, an ad, seeing a ship, hearing a story, attending an event, or simply landing on this website ignited a spark to learn more.

2. EXPLORE

Learn more about the possibilities.

Explore ships, ports, careers, sea services, technology, leadership, and opportunities through experiences, resources, programs, and hands-on learning.

3. CONNECT

Meaningful connections happen here.

Build relationships through shared experiences, events, programs, and resources that create opportunity.

4. CHART YOUR PATH

Turn opportunity into impact.

Pursue education, service, leadership, volunteerism, community involvement, or a maritime career that aligns with your interests and goals.

Explore

Follow your curiosity. Come aboard.

Battleship IOWA is the anchor of Maritime Pathways and where many journeys begin.

Step aboard a Navy ship. Experience Life of a Sailor. Stay overnight. Attend an event. Hear a story. Explore maritime roles. Watch cargo move. Meet someone new.

You never know where a simple moment of exploration might lead.

IN PERSON

Explore Programs

Explore Youth Programs

ONLINE

Explore Online Programs

Continue Your Journey

You’ve explored the possibilities. Now stay connected.

Join the Patron Program for free and receive updates, opportunities, resources, industry insights, events, and introductions that can help you build connections and discover your place within America’s maritime future.

Become a Patron

Connect

Meaningful connections and opportunities happen here.

We create environments where meaningful connections occur—bringing people together through shared experiences, programs, events, and resources that strengthen relationships and create opportunity.

Community Connection

Career Connection

[Youth] Gravely Student Experience & Essay Contest ➜
[Youth] Sea Cadets ➜
[MVA] Career Engagements
[MVA & Youth] Internships
[MVA & Youth] Job & Resource Fairs

Military & Veterans Connection

Military & Veterans Programs and Events ➜
Surface Navy Association ➜
Marine Corps League ➜
American Legion ➜
Big Stick Social Club
Volunteer & Skill Building Opportunities ➜

CHART YOUR PATH

Discover how you can contribute.

Every journey is different. Some people discover a career. Others find community. Some choose service. Others become volunteers, leaders, advocates, supporters, or lifelong learners.

Through the experiences you explore and the relationships you build, you begin to discover where you can contribute and how you can make a difference.



WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Explore pathways to careers, internships, apprenticeships, certifications, education, and workforce opportunities throughout the maritime industry.



COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

Become part of something bigger. Build relationships, strengthen communities, support resilience, and contribute to causes that matter.



SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

Lead through action. Serve your community, support others, develop leadership skills, and create positive impact through involvement and service.



STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S MARITIME FUTURE

Help shape what comes next. Support maritime awareness, workforce development, education, national security understanding, and the future prosperity of our maritime nation.

Your pathway is unique.

Whether you find purpose through a career, service, leadership, community involvement, or supporting the mission, Maritime Pathways helps people discover where they belong and how they can contribute.

Maritime Pathways transforms curiosity into exploration, exploration into connection, and connection into opportunity. The result is workforce development, stronger communities, and a stronger maritime nation.

Start Exploring

Explore Ship

Explore Resources

Pathways in Action

Tens of millions discovered America’s maritime opportunities.
3M+ explored, with 94% leaving with a deeper understanding of the Navy and its mission.
300,000+ connected, leading to careers, service, community, resilience, and advocacy.
$130M+ in economic impact generated through tourism, programs, events, and outreach.

Stronger individuals. Stronger communities. A stronger maritime nation.

Your path is unique.