Mariners Learning System offers a 25% sitewide discount to qualified veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders through the privately funded American Hero Fund. The discount is verified through ID.me and applies to all captain’s license courses, endorsements, FCC licensing programs, and more.
We’ve trained many veterans, active-duty military members, and first responders over the years, and it makes sense. The discipline, situational awareness, and ability to stay calm under pressure that come with military and first responder service are exactly the traits that make a good captain. We built the American Hero Fund because we wanted to make the transition to a captain’s credential as affordable as possible for the people who’ve already proven they can handle responsibility. Plus, MLS was founded by a Navy veteran, so it’s our way of giving back.
Here’s what you need to know about the discount and how to claim it.
The American Hero Fund covers a broad range of military and first responder communities. Eligibility is verified through ID.me during our checkout process, a digital identity platform MLS uses to confirm military and first responder status securely.
The military discount for captain’s license courses at Mariners applies to active-duty service members, veterans, retirees, military spouses, and military family members across all branches. On the first responder side, it covers law enforcement officers, firefighters (career and volunteer), EMTs, paramedics, and 911 dispatchers.
|
Eligible Group |
Who’s Included |
|
Military |
Active-duty, veterans, retirees, reserves, military spouses, military families |
|
Law Enforcement |
Police officers, sheriffs, sheriff’s deputies, correctional officers, state troopers, federal law enforcement |
|
Fire Service |
Career firefighters, volunteer firefighters |
|
Emergency Medical |
EMTs, paramedics |
|
Dispatch |
911 dispatchers |
No. The American Hero Fund is a privately funded discount program, not a government tuition benefit. Because MLS offers its own 25% discount, the company does not participate in GI Bill programs. That said, the 25% savings on a $695 OUPV/Six-Pack course or an $895 Master course brings the net cost down considerably.
For a full breakdown of what goes into the total licensing cost, see our guide on the cost of a captain’s license.
The verification process takes a few minutes and happens at checkout. You don’t need to call or email anyone for a code.
Step 1: Pick your course. Browse the captain’s license courses, FCC licensing programs, endorsements, or study materials on the Mariners website.
Step 2: Add to cart and proceed to checkout. On the checkout screen, you’ll see a green “Verify with ID.me” button.
Step 3: Verify through ID.me. Select your group (military or first responder), then sign in or create an ID.me account. ID.me will ask you to confirm your status through one of several methods: a .mil email address, USAA membership, military service records, or documentation like a DD214, NGB Form 22, or a valid law enforcement ID card.
Step 4: Complete checkout. Once verified, you’ll be redirected to the cart with the 25% discount applied automatically. Complete your purchase and start studying.
The ID.me verification is a one-time process. Once your account is set up, future purchases apply the discount automatically at checkout.
Every product on the Mariners Learning System website is eligible for the 25% American Hero Fund discount. That includes captain’s license courses, endorsements, FCC certifications, recreational courses, study guides, and gear.
|
Course |
Regular Price |
With 25% Discount |
|
OUPV/Six-Pack Captain’s License |
$695 |
$521.25 |
|
25/50/100-Ton Master Captain’s License |
$895 |
$671.25 |
|
OUPV Upgrade to Master |
$375 |
$281.25 |
|
Towing Endorsement |
$150 |
$112.50 |
|
Sailing Endorsement |
$150 |
$112.50 |
|
FCC MROP Course + Exam |
$150 |
$112.50 |
Every captain’s license course includes the exam, e-book training materials, downloadable audio, and our White Glove application support at no extra charge. There’s no separate exam fee. See why students choose Mariners for a full comparison.
Active-duty military members, veterans, and first responders bring skills that translate directly to the captain’s license coursework, and the reasons are straightforward. Navigation, communication protocols, equipment maintenance, and decision-making in high-pressure situations are skills you’ve already developed. The captain’s license course builds on that foundation rather than starting from scratch.
Veterans with documented sea time from military service can apply that military experience toward a captain’s license. Time served aboard military vessels, including Navy, Coast Guard, and Army watercraft, can count toward the 360 days required for an OUPV/Six-Pack and a basic Master’s or the 720 days required for a Master’s Near Coastal, provided it’s properly documented.
For first responders looking to add a side income or transition to a maritime career, the licensing timeline and flexibility of online learning make it possible to earn a captain’s license while working your current schedule.
ID.me accepts several forms of documentation depending on your group. Here’s what to have ready:
Military verification: DD214, NGB Form 22, Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC), Veteran Identification Card (VIC), .mil email, or USAA membership confirmation.
Law enforcement verification: Valid law enforcement ID card, pay stub showing position, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), retired ID card, certificate of retirement, or pension statement.
Firefighter verification: Select your state during the ID.me process. A list of accepted documents will appear based on your state’s requirements.
EMT/paramedic verification: EMT/EMS license number, valid EMT/paramedic ID card, recent training completion certificate, government-issued certification, retired ID card, or pension statement.
911 dispatcher verification: Recent training completion certificate, professionally issued 911 dispatcher certification, retired ID card, or pension statement.
If you run into issues verifying your status, contact ID.me’s support team directly for assistance. You can also reach out to our team at Mariners and we’ll walk you through it.
Yes. ID.me verifies military spouses and military family members. The 25% discount applies to their purchases as well. If you’re a military spouse interested in becoming a licensed captain, the same eligibility and discount apply.
No. Once you create and verify your ID.me account, the verification carries forward. Future purchases on the Mariners website will recognize your verified status automatically.
Yes. The 25% discount applies sitewide, including course extensions and all add-on products.
The American Hero Fund exists because the people who’ve served deserve a real discount, not a marketing gimmick. Twenty-five percent off every product, verified in minutes, no hoops to jump through. If you’ve put in the work to serve your community or your country, we want to make the path to a captain’s license a little more accessible.
If you have questions about the discount, the application process, or any part of earning your captain’s license, the team at Mariners Learning System is here to help. We’ve guided more than 200,000 students through this process, and we’re not going to let paperwork be the reason you don’t get your license.
Sources
Disclaimer: Discount terms and eligible groups are subject to change. Verify current eligibility at checkout through ID.me or contact Mariners Learning System for the latest details.
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