<p>I touched on the whole "brown-water vs. blue-water" thing in another thread and I said there that this is one area that KP is falling behind in. All of the other academies have some sort of tug and barge elective. Yes, we can sail on tugs for up to 30 days during our sea year, but there are additonal classes that you would have to take (and more sea time needed) to get a towing endorsement on your license - VERY difficult, if not impossible, to do before graduation. Tugboating is a unique operation and as such, has stringent requirements before an apprentice mate or mate's license is issued. However, it certainly wouldn't hurt if the school provided the OPTION of knocking out some of the requirements for those who want to do this. To keep denying the fact that deep sea shipping is very limited (although, it seems like that everyone who wants to sail deep sea is finding work anyways), could spell death for our graduates in years to come. </p>
<p>Pay rates and benefits from tug companies is getting competitive. Advancement is generally quicker and the technology is getting more advanced, particularly with ATB's and the new oil barges that are being built. The average age of licensed tug masters is now somewhere in the mid to high 50's. In the next few years, retirements will start creating a gap and tug mates and masters will be in high demand. Just look at the number of tug companies that are coming to sea fair day (around six, I think) compared to the ten shipping companies, only three of which operate U.S.-flagged vessels. I'm not saying that KP should give up on deep-sea shipping - not at all. But, they should offer the option and provide the best opportunities for those of us who want to work tugs after graduating (which, is a significant number). </p>
<p>KPmid 09 I think the problem here is trying to strike a balance between the Regimental side and the Academic side of the campus. There has to be a certain amount of military training because all of you will receive commissions as officers in the U.S. military upon graduation. The thing that is supposed to set this academy apart from its state run counterparts is the commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy that most of you will receive and the ability of it's graduates to function within a military hierarchy. Without that distinction the whole purpose of this academy is brought into question. Believe me, there are people in Washington right now who would like nothing more than to shut KP down and let the state maritime schools provide all of the officers for the maritime industry. This would probably be O.K . in peacetime but in war these graduates would have no military obligation and little or no military training.
Now, that being said I absolutely agree that there are problems within the regiment that need to be addressed. The very idea that someone who has been set back for disciplinary reason could rise to a position of leadership is ludicrous and if that is indeed happening then something must be done. I may come off sounding like a jerk but I have to say that I think disciplinary setbacks should be very rare. If you have done something so egregious that it warrants a setback it probably warrants a dis enrollment. If the Regiment is broken then the midshipmen must do what they can to fix it. To abandon it entirely would probably be the death of KP. Striking a balance between training it's students for both service as military officers and work in the maritime industry has been the challenge that seems to have vexed KP for many years.</p>
<p>Believe me, I wholheartedly agree with the fact that we need some regimental training because we are all going to be officers in the armed forces. That's not the problem. The problem is that because of the way things are being run here (especially as of late), a good number of midshipman, myself included, have no faith left in the system here. You mentioned that we should change it as we run the regiment. Well, a number of my classmates tried that by speaking their opinion and stance of the system during the officer interviews last year and they were struck down. That interview, along with other things during your first three years, is a major factor in who gets what officer position as a senior. There are definitely some good ones who are working hard to make the system the best that it can be, but others who are just out to flex their muscles. </p>
<p>Another factor is that there is a certain officer here who lacks the proper training and "professional" background to effectively motivate midshipmen within the regiment to better themselves (I think most of us know who I'm talking about - he just got promoted to a more influential position too). I know that it's just one person, but trust me - his reign is felt by all, especially in the new position that he has/will have shortly. There are alumni and some classmates of mine who will refuse to donate money to the school until this individual is no longer at KP. He has done much damage here over the past few years. </p>
<p>Right now, the feeling is that we're being forced to drag through the regimental program day by day not because we respect it, but because of fear and intimidation. That's not right and doesn't teach anyone anything. If the only lesson we're learning here on leadership is to "just don't do it this way", then the purpose of the system has failed. Hierarchy doesn't just apply in the armed forces either. Aboard a merchant ship, it is VERY important, maybe even moreso since there are so few people and everyone's job is critical to safe operation. Ashore, it's maybe even tougher than in the military since you don't have as much of a clear-cut rank structure and clear-cut codes to always fall back on (ex: "you follow my orders just because I said so"). You have to really motivate people and be a real leader. I just don't want our maritime education and tradition compromised for the sake of becoming a "multi-service Academy." I have immense pride for this school and owe it so much for the opportunities it has given me and for the friendships that will last a lifetime. I feel that KP is at a big pivot point right now with everything going on. I hope it emerges out better than it has ever been.</p>
<p>Our interviews for second rotation officers are sometime in October, I believe. We will see what happens. </p>
<p>And yes, I always thought that a setback as a disciplinary penalty was odd. I actually think 12-14 weeks of restriction (while still attending classes, doing ED work and trying to have SOME sort of social life on campus) would be worse than going home for a few months. If something is that severe, then perhaps disenrollment would be more appropriate, although every case is unique and none of us ever know the facts 100%.</p>
<p>I'm not disagreeing with you, just clarifying my position.</p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck I have developed enormous respect for this school and I hope the Regiment can work this out. I truly believe that KP is a valuable national resource that will only be fully appreciated if it' s detractors have their way and, after it has been closed down for a few years, a war breaks out. As for "leadership" it seems to me that if you are such a "hard a$$" that you are unapproachable then you may as well not even be there. At some point leadership style has to make a transition from intimidation to mentoring in order to be effective.</p>
<p>KPMid09--I was not aware of this and appreciate your candor. I think the course you have taken, i.e., do what is necessary and leave the rest alone, is the right course, since it gives you more time to do your academics, etc. I agree with you, not KPMarineopsdad, there is no way you would be able to change the regiment from within the ranks. That's leadership, KPMarineopsdad, and that should come from above. KPMid09, you are also correct. Leadership is a gift. Some have it and some don't. If you have that gift, then the leaders of KP should be assisting in seeing that gift to grow and improve. Motivating others is like breathing for some people. It's automatic. I believe it is impossible to teach people how to lead others. You can teach people how to MANAGE others, not lead. Just my opinion and again thanks for the information.</p>
<p>I was not suggesting that change can only come from within the regiment, but, I do believe that the senior midshipmen should make their opinions known using whatever tools are available to them. Burying your nose in the books and concentrating on academics will certainly work for upperclassmen who are just trying to get through but, it does nothing to solve the long term problem. Perhaps the alumni can try to exert some influence. The Academy is in the midst of a big change in leadership with new people there may be new ideas or a willingness to listen. In any case i believe that if this regiment fails to produce capable officers, the Academy's days are numbered.</p>
<p>There is a movement to change how things are run at KP but just KPMID09 said, their is one officer in particular who just got promoted that blocks the change at every turn and is, from how i see it, running the regiment and putting people that are "loyal/afraid" of him in positions of power...this allows basically no change to take place. I see the same thing every year and how we're told that the midshipmen run the regiment and everyone is here for us and to help us. Ultimately i don't see this happening. I see more people in opposition of the Mids ideas then anyone particularly for change. But as the post says above me, there is a new regime coming in and we'll see what happens.</p>
<p>Definite promotion. He was a company officer (as in, for just one company). Now, he's technically on top of all of us (although, for all practical purposes, he was before too).</p>
<p>I was referring to Connaughton. Some have questioned whether this is a promotion, or a lateral movement in career. I wondered if anyone has the answer to that.</p>