<p>Some one who has sailed across the equator, I believe.</p>
<p>is that hard to do or something?</p>
<p>Taffy, its kinda like a hazing thing that happens the first time your cross. You can look up alot online about it & see photos. As the tradition goes, those who wish to work & live in the realms of King Neptune, must pay respect and meet his requirements upon entering his realm for the first time. Pollywogs are people who haven't had their "crossing" yet. Its a big ceremony and all manner of things occur to "wogs". Its a crazy ritual that I find charming as can be because of the history of it.</p>
<p>They even do this on cruise ships.</p>
<p>Do tell! I hadn't heard that. Weeeee. I'm goin'! Have to get a tattoo to go along with my Shellback certification then I'll be a REAL Pirate instead of make-believe.</p>
<p>They release the Eagle for this summer. NYC, Norfolk(for change of commandant ceremony), then on to Newport and Puerto Rico, followed by New England ports including Boston and Portsmouth. No crossing of the Equator tho.</p>
<p>It's a big deal to cross the international dateline in the Pacific as well - another odd ceremony...</p>
<p>But, I digress. Ran across a MARAD site with lots of info on what is necessary to complete your obligation for having graduated from Kings Point with a $187,000 (2005) education. Visit & troll around: <a href="https://mscs.marad.dot.gov/index.asp%5B/url%5D">https://mscs.marad.dot.gov/index.asp</a>.</p>
<p>Class of 2005 - 219 graduates with BS degrees
(about 285 entered in 2001 - before 9/11)
40 states plus four students from the Republic of Panama.
Third mate licenses to 112 (Above Deck)
Third assistant engineer licenses to 110 (below deck)</p>
<p>29 women, bringing the total number of academy female graduates to 524 since 1975. (first coed academy)</p>
<p>As plebes - Following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, 18 members of the 2005 class participated with some 70 academy upper classmen in a nine-day relief mission, operating a fleet of the Academys small craft in New York harbor. They transported firefighters, police officers, medical personnel and tons of food, water and medical supplies from locations in Brooklyn, Staten Island and New Jersey to the Ground Zero area. (There is a memorial at KP where many stood and watched the towers burn and fall).</p>
<p>Some 30 members of the class also participated in sea training assignments on U.S.-flag merchant ships in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom during their sea years delivering equipment, supplies and people. </p>
<p>33 members of the class of 2005 opted to go on active duty following graduation, joining all five services and the National Atmospheric and Oceanographic Administration (NOAA). Thirteen graduates selected the Navy, 8 Coast Guard, 5 Army (4 Transportation and 1 Infantry), 4 Air Force and 3 Marine Corps. Their swearing in prior to and during the commencement exercises took on a more somber meaning with the loss of LT Aaron Seesan '03 in combat in Iraq on May 22.</p>
<p>All graduates not entering active military duty were commissioned as ensigns in the U.S. Naval Reserve. </p>
<p>20.5% went to active duty, 39.5% are in maritime afloat, 24.1% tr. and eng, 1.5% (3 students) graduate school and 14.4% remain on open status 3 mos. after graduation.</p>
<p>I know that a couple of these above stats don't add up - I cobbled them from different sources - I believe 3 didn't get their licenses or something else held them up. The school doesn't make it easy to collect these!</p>
<p>KP2001 has posted a bunch of good information. I'm sure he's more up to date on the courses and current academics at the school. If you any questions about sailing in general, sailing jobs and sea year and you haven't found an answer yet, I will try to answer them. I currently sail as Chief Engineer off the West Coast and work with KP cadets on a regular basis.</p>
<p>" I'm sure he's more up to date on the courses and current academics at the school."</p>
<p>Even I'm somewhat out of date now, the addition of the logistics degree and the retiring of some of the more infamous professors (Szaluta in History, one of the engineering profs that I can't ever seem to remember for some reason, et al) has changed the dynamic somewhat. It really is amazing how much changes there over just a few years.</p>
<p>hey i was just wondering what it takes to become a 3rd Asst. Engineer with a QMED. Im majoring in maritime operations and technology, in which you get a 3rd mates licenense and a QMED endorsement. some upperclassmen ive spoken with say that you can sit for your exam after 6 months of sailing, but i guess ill the professional answer this one...</p>
<p>Hmmmph. I can answer that. All it takes is be USMMA2009 cause you are the man. Nuff said. Your questions were so much easier last year. </p>
<p>Got snow? :)</p>
<p>Ha Ha I wonder who he is? HA!</p>
<p>Yes we're buried under 20 inches of the white stuff and it's still coming down.</p>
<p>Not telling. But I promise he's not the Jamz. But he is my next very favorite Plebe ever in the history of Plebes. He's got game!</p>
<p>I am glued to the weather channel. Its just insane. You know, its going to be back up into the 70's here by thursday so I'm just sitting here in a stupor as to what its like to be up there. Want to bet me that Plebes have to shovel? Gonna light the fireplaces in the mansion today & sit around & think up what the next 5 posts will be. :) Stay in the house you crazy man!!</p>
<p>we only had about 8 inches and i am all dug out and going to take a nap</p>
<p>About 6-8 in suburban Maryland - dear husband has shoveled us out (formerly DS job), the plow has come by and I am admiring the snow in the trees - fairyland. Now it is dropping from the trees (lost power only once early am). DD has gone out sledding - hubby is about to make fire & have a cold one and watch olympic hockey and golf. A Nice Sunday if our electricity stays on.</p>
<p>Hmmmm, a loaded question. You can check this site <a href="http://www">www</a>. uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm The school must have a go to person for info on this program, I can only speculate on the requirements and don't want to mislead you..The last deck cadet I sailed with was in this program and he needed to get 60 days in the engine room. So some of the time requirements and probably the STCW (standards for training and certification of watchstanders) assessments and demonstrations are being completed during this period. The firefighting and BST (basic safety training) you get for the deck license would cover your engineer license. I know that a regular QMED has to have 1020 days in the engine room, 720 days as a QMED to qualify to sit for a license. Also if all the time is on motor ships he can only sit for a motor license, same if he was on a steam ship. The horsepower has to be over 4000 or the license will be limited. I haven't sailed with anyone from KP that has received a license through this program, it must be something new. If it is 6 months that's a great deal. Why go through the hardship of a dual program if this option is available?</p>
<p>27" in Central Park. Global warming???</p>
<p>Regarding post 52. This was answered by a parent in another thread, copied below</p>
<p>From 8kidsmom, "She is a Marine Operations and Technology Major and was selected for the new minor program - Military Leadership and Ethics. So she had her regular load plus 7 credits for her minor classes. She has been very busy and is not getting the rest she needs - especially the last couple of weeks -- Diving Championships are this weekend as well. I really worry about her but she seems to be handling it. </p>
<p>She will sail after graduation. She wants to get her engineering license as soon as she can -- she will graduate with her QMED and then is eligible to sit for her 3rd engineer after 180 days at sea. "</p>
<p>So it is 180 days as a QMED and then you can sit. 90 days of your sea year is spent in the engine room.</p>
<p>Like I said a good deal if you follow it through.</p>