I make more then most people with degree's make..granted my job is the equivalent of having an Applied Science's degree.

But that's you.
You're not the majority of those without degrees.
You're just one person, it would be silly to draw conclusions from that.

The thousand others that fill rolls like mine?

Cool.
Any proof, or are you pulling that number out of your ass?

Because the I'm pretty sure I'm the SOLE man keeping the US Merchant Marine ships going in the Engine Room, I'm damn sure I'm not the only Oiler in the whole of the US?

465 Ship-That's for the MILITARY Support not counting the Civilian sector such as Maersk lines.

29,000-Deck Officers, Many of which hawse piped it and DID NOT go through college
12,000- Marine Engineers- Same as above
28,000- Unlicensed -where I fall-

And these are just for the US Sealift command.

Okay.
I'm sure the combined number of high-paying jobs NOT in the military say otherwise.
Sure, those are some big numbers, but you can't say that military jobs have the same criteria for application/promotion as any other job ever.
In reality, you're still the minority.

Not Military by any means, It's Civilian contracted--and yea how I get a promotion isn't like any other job out there you know, Name me another job where you have to go back to school anytime you want a a raise in your position and pay.

wait....

Name me any jobs which require qualifications
You can only work your way up so far in the majority of jobs these days, after a while you can only get so high up before it's impossible without necessary qualifications.

Still a small fraction compared to the millions out there that actually require a degree.

Who's to say you can't? Lots of famous businessmen left school
with nothing or dropped out early, and are millionaires or billionaires now.