From the Alumni about Greene

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shutterbugC

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In response to the feedback we have received from the “Important Message” released at 1300 EST regarding the Superintendent, I want to make it very clear that this is not a positive situation. The Superintendent has been “reassigned.” This is not Admiral Greene’s decision. The Dean is now the Interim Superintendent.

We are as deeply concerned about this turn of events as you are. As of now we only have the information that is in the previous release. I would like to answer all your questions but at this time that is just not possible. Thank you for your understanding and I hope this clears up any confusion.


Capt. James F. Tobin '77
President
USMMA Alumni Association & Foundation, Inc.
300 Steamboat Road
Babson Center, Kings Point, NY 11024
Phone: (516)773-5993
Fax: (516)482-5308
Website: www.usmmaaf.com
jim.tobin@alumni.usmma.edu
 
Well, no...it actually adds to the confusion. Any idea when any "official" statements will be made regarding this reassignment? Couldn't have come at a worse time for Kings Point. God speed Adm Greene.
 
Is this going to make that great big Alumni Award a little awkward? :redface:
 
Well, no...it actually adds to the confusion. Any idea when any "official" statements will be made regarding this reassignment? Couldn't have come at a worse time for Kings Point. God speed Adm Greene.

Official statement came out today from DOT and LaHood. Here is the official announcement.
Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Tuesday the appointment of Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr. (KP ’78) to be the Department of Transportation Chair at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

Rear Admiral Greene served with distinction as Superintendent, United States Merchant Marine Academy since August 30, 2010. A native of Southern California, Admiral Greene, was our third Kings Point Graduate to serve as Superintendent.

Rear Admiral Philip H. Greene, Jr. (KP '78), has been named the 2011 Alumnus of the Year by the USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation. This prestigious annual award will be presented at the Homecoming Alumni Awards Dinner on Thursday evening, October 13th, in the Melville Hall Officers’ Club.

Prior to his appointment as Superintendent at Kings Point, Admiral Greene was Director, Navy Irregular Warfare. Prior to this assignment Greene was commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa where he led operations to build regional security capacity and counter extremism in the Horn/East Africa. He also served in Naples, Italy, as director for Policy, Resources & Strategy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa (February 2008 to February 2009).

Previously he commanded Destroyer Squadron 31 from November 2002 to May 2004, where he served as sea combat commander for the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Other sea duty commanding officer assignments include the Spruance class destroyer, USS Fletcher (DD 992) from March 1996 to November 1997; and the patrol missile hydrofoil, USS Taurus (PHM 3) from July 1989 to June 1991.

Significant shore assignments include duty as chief of staff to commander, Naval Surface Forces; and chief, North East Asia/China Division, the Joint Staff/Political-Military directorate (J5). In addition, Greene has served tours at the U.S. Naval Academy; the Secretary of the Navy's Office for Legislative Affairs; and the Bureau of Naval Personnel.

Greene is a 1994 graduate of the National War College (M.S. National Security Strategy) and a 1985 graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School (M.S. Information Systems). In addition, he holds a Merchant Marine license as Master (oceans, any gross tonnage).

Greene has received various service and unit awards. His personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

On behalf of the entire KP Alumni, we thank RADM Greene for his extraordinary efforts, dedication and leadership provided under very challenging circumstances. We also thank Admiral Greene’s wife, Debby Greene, for her grace and dignity, and the valued work and contributions made to the Academy.
 
Alumni Confrence Call today

I had the opportunity to listen in today to a conference call sponsored by the CPA and Foundation. I found our collective arrogance as King's Pointers on display today to be truly be amazing!

1. Who are we to presume we know how to fix Kings Point's problems better than the agency that it is part of? Is it in our DNA? I don't think so!

2. Seems to me that RADM Greene may have had an easier time fixing those problems if he had not had to constantly defend Kings Point from the Kings Pointer who a) presume to know how to fix the problems and are b) constantly telling other Kings Pointers that they know what the problems are and if only the leadership at DOT, MARAD and Kings Point would listen then all would be well with the world.

We can be our own worst enemy in trying to fix Kings Point. For 20 years Kings Point floundered as the shipping industry moved on. Kings Point was left as a backwater on the Sound. Wikipedia discusses common traits amongst people who have reached self-actualization are:
• They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
• They are spontaneous.
• They are "focused on problems outside themselves."
• They "can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings," are similarly acceptance of others, and generally lack prejudice.

After listening today seems like we are just the opposite.



Acta non Verba!!
 
I had the opportunity to listen in today to a conference call sponsored by the CPA and Foundation. I found our collective arrogance as King's Pointers on display today to be truly be amazing!

1. Who are we to presume we know how to fix Kings Point's problems better than the agency that it is part of? Is it in our DNA? I don't think so!

2. Seems to me that RADM Greene may have had an easier time fixing those problems if he had not had to constantly defend Kings Point from the Kings Pointer who a) presume to know how to fix the problems and are b) constantly telling other Kings Pointers that they know what the problems are and if only the leadership at DOT, MARAD and Kings Point would listen then all would be well with the world.

We can be our own worst enemy in trying to fix Kings Point. For 20 years Kings Point floundered as the shipping industry moved on. Kings Point was left as a backwater on the Sound. Wikipedia discusses common traits amongst people who have reached self-actualization are:
• They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
• They are spontaneous.
• They are "focused on problems outside themselves."
• They "can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings," are similarly acceptance of others, and generally lack prejudice.

After listening today seems like we are just the opposite.



Acta non Verba!!
I don't know what transpired here- but if I were someone interested in the long term well being of Kings Point I would not necessarily buy into the point of view above. Rather you might consider that the alumni and the parents are one of (but not the only) stakeholders in the school but are the ones who tend to value the traditions and strengths of the school. Collectively alums are usually extremely conservative toward making big changes (my alma mater is certainly an example of that)- but that's because they love the place and often understand the dynamics and interrelationships of traditions to the overall organization . While change comes to everything- they are right to be concerned for good reason. It's really easy to make "Radical" changes- but often the people who promote them are not all that concerned about the institution itself and walk away with a shrug and an oh well if those changes don't turn out so well because they have no ties to the organization beyond their immediate job description. They are also right to push back on visions that are long on the the problems of the present, but don't consider fixing the current issues while being short on details of how the future state will work. Doesn't mean that there's is the only viewpoint or that they get an absolute veto on change- but the Alumni have an indepth understanding of the place and they need to be heard and convinced of the value of change.

The best example that I can think of in a similar situation is NY Maritime. 10 years ago the President of the College (Brown) had essentially determined that the answer to falling enrollments at Ft Schuyler was to decommission the ship, de-emphasize the Regimentand the licensing program ( (after all "every one knew" that the Maritime Industry was in rapid and long term decline and so the mission was obsolete) and vastly expand the academic offerings outside the traditional range offered there. The saving of the college was the Alumni Association- which led a major revolt that forced the ouster of the President, the selection of a new and dynamic leader as the President of the Maritime College, the re-commitment to the program focusing on it's traditional mission, an aggressive recruiting and lobbying effort touting the traditional values of the school and program. Today the School and the regiment have its largest enrollment ever and it's graduates enjoy - even in this lousy economy - a phenomenally high post graduation employment rate with one of the highest starting median salaries in the country. NONE of that would have happened if left to the devices of people who hadn't actually committed some heart and love to Ft Schuyler .

So- while Alums may not be the only stakeholders - they have a real role in the long term survival and success of KP in a form that is recognizable and builds off the strengths and traditions of the school. I'm not sure I would say the same about some political appointee in a Federal agency.
 
Reply to KrazeeSeaDawg

I wish I had been on the call if the conclusion was MARAD and some of the past KP Administrations know best---that things would be better if Alums would just be quiet and not express themselves despite what you admit are 20 years of neglect and decline and a revolving door to the Superintendent's office.

Not having been on the call, I have a hard time squaring that conclusion with Acta non Verba. I think the last 20 years actually demonstrates just the opposite----we need far more from Alums. It may well be that we did too little and by doing so own some of the harvest of neglect.

We owe the the Greenes our deep sincere gratitude for stepping up and trying to help KP and all of us----let's wish them both a healthy, happy and successful life's journey form this point on.

Their leaving is our loss----I suspect a great loss based on the little bit MARAD has shared and that can be reasonably inferred. As for KP and us---we are left with MARAD---hope you are right about MARAD's superior DNA but I have seen little proof of it for the past 20 years. And it has only ogtten worse the last 2. Feels more like a race to the bottom than a race to the top.

When is it safe to conclude their DNA is not superior and that MARAD is just not able to provide the leadership and progress so urgently needed?

If we aren't there the time must be very close.
 
I do believe that the current state of the US merchant fleet is comment enough with regard to the effectiveness of MARAD.
 
There are definitely rumors around about the "cause" of Adm Greene's re-assignment. If they are true, it may well have something to do with LaHood's announced "retirement". May see a few more "retirements" from the DOT/KP as well if rumors turn out to be anywhere near the truth.

Everyone must be careful about "rumors" at this point. That's why I will not get into what I was told after doing some of my own digging regarding the unexpected reassignment of Adm Greene.

I am hopeful that Adm Greene will pursue the "cause" of his reassignment and allow the facts to be clearly known.

God speed Adm Greene.
 
Krazyseadawg Redux

Well....my point about our ingrained arrogance is that we certainly helped in warping the MARAD leadership against us...Charlie Hill's crazy rants against MARAD in the Kings Pointer defiantly put MARAD's rudder hard over on Kings Point. Certainly made RADM Greene's life harder in fixing the problems...he came into the job with his eye's wide open, but was blindsided by our own meddling in the soup pot.
 
Need facts

So what happened? Was Rear Admiral Greene an innocent victim of Washington politics? Or did the "crazy rants" of someone I never heard of cause his ouster?

I would like to know why the Supt was reassigned, if anyone knows. Just the facts please. Save the editorial rants and raves to yourself.
 
KrazeeSeaDog - What are you smoking?

You can't be serious - MARAD has been a joke for some time. MARAD's over involvement with the management of USMMA was bad enough when it was run by a Kings Pointer, and somewhat understandable in the wake of the issues misjudgements by VADM Stewart in fiscal management. However, currently (over the last two years) despite numerous statements about making USMMA the gem of the nation's service academies by DOT and MARAD, things have moved to the direction of now being squarely into the "ludicrous" column.

It took over a year for MARAD to fill the Supe's job, RADM Greene was/is one of the best qualified people for the job ever. He was/is dedicated and committed to making things work, up to the day he was relieved. For we Alumni to not comment or object to the recent turn of events would have been unthinkable, and entirely against our principle of Acta Non Verba.

Further your comments about MARAD and their DNA are clearly NOT universally held. I think this article posted in another thread here is dead nuts on as to what and who is the root of the issues/problems:

http://www.klausluhta.com/maritime-administration-in-crisis/

When it takes 3 MARAD Lawyers multiple months to figure out how to accept a gift and several changes in direction to the donor (in this case the Alumni Foundation); when just 12 or so months ago a Cabinet Level Secretary they work for told us all we needed to do more too, in order to ensure a continued advocacy by the current administration and Capitol Hill to increase and/or maintain increased funding levels and do the necessary capital improvements to the Academy (our Alma Mater) then something is wrong with MARAD, IMO.

Do I think Charlie Hill's "rant" as you call it helped or hurt in this situation (RADM Greene's ability to continue as Super) - no not at all. Do I think if I were Charlie I would have used my "bully pulpit" in the same manner he did - no. I would have assumed as far as fixing the issues, MARAD would have ignored it like they did other pleas... If you have facts or even anecdotal evidence to the contrary please bring it forward. I'm not saying you aren't entitled to your opinion and to voice it, just that I like some others who posted earlier just strongly disagree with you.
 
Aw come on Kram1!

There are definitely rumors around about the "cause" of Adm Greene's re-assignment. If they are true, it may well have something to do with LaHood's announced "retirement". May see a few more "retirements" from the DOT/KP as well if rumors turn out to be anywhere near the truth.


If you share the rumors you heard we won't share them with anyone---we all promise. No one on this Board would do that right folks?

Honest! (????!!!!)

Seriously----how do we get to FACTS not just rumors and speculation??!! I think we have a right to know given how bad the Institution's plight is. We know it's bad---but not exactly how bad.

I'm deeply concerned----our KP ship has been taking on water for about 20 years and now it's getting really serious----I worked in the engine room below water line----something I never forgot----but am no alarmist----seriously folks, the water is getting getting really deep down here! MARAD's problems could sink us along with them-----in severe budgetary crunch the government is in anything is possible. What a sad thing it would be if bureaucratic neglect/mistakes sink our ship.

The MARAD bureaucrats will just move to another agency. Truth is no matter how frustrating they have been and are we need them to be successful and need to help them if we can---admittedly a BIG "if".

Like it or not----KP is like the engine room and MARAD the bridge----in the end we are sailing on the same ship---together for better/worse. MARAD is not going away but we must find a way to get competent folks on the bridge or some how help the ones we have finally "get it".

Before any of you deck foks negatively react to my analogy please understand in the years I sailed I never had anyone on the bridge that worried me nearly as much as MARAD does. Have to admit there were times when engine order commands and whistle.............well that's not relevant...won't go there.

No one on any of these strings has so far mentioned the most troubling aspect of this longstanding problem-----how does KP continue to attract and retain the best young men and women if we don't fix this soon!? In the end our reputation and mission starts and ends with that---recruitment of our share of the best and brightest the country has to offer---year after year----a free education is not enough---the best and brightest have choices. They deserve first class facilities and education----and leadership like Admiral Greene's.

Our problems cannot be glossed over or concealed----we owe it to the Mids there and coming as well as adminstrative staff and faculty to get this fixed once and for all. We must provide these fine young men and women with what was promised---with what we received. And those who work there an environment that's rewarding in every way.

Imagine what the morale level must be like?
 
Jasper,
1. MARAD is a joke - Agreed
2. MARAD's over involvement - Agreed
3. Things have moved to - Agreed
4. It took over a year for MARAD - Agreed...because Shashi is a lapdog, that's why the hired Worley..(very pliable)..Greene on the other hand was fantastic for KP...that's a problem for Matsuda.
5. When it takes 3 MARAD Lawyers- It would would take 1 lawyer an afternoon to do it...duh!! They didn't want to do it..at least not in a manner that accommodated KP or the alumni. They only did it grudgingly.

think about it..

You can't be serious - MARAD has been a joke for some time. MARAD's over involvement with the management of USMMA was bad enough when it was run by a Kings Pointer, and somewhat understandable in the wake of the issues misjudgements by VADM Stewart in fiscal management. However, currently (over the last two years) despite numerous statements about making USMMA the gem of the nation's service academies by DOT and MARAD, things have moved to the direction of now being squarely into the "ludicrous" column.

It took over a year for MARAD to fill the Supe's job, RADM Greene was/is one of the best qualified people for the job ever. He was/is dedicated and committed to making things work, up to the day he was relieved. For we Alumni to not comment or object to the recent turn of events would have been unthinkable, and entirely against our principle of Acta Non Verba.

Further your comments about MARAD and their DNA are clearly NOT universally held. I think this article posted in another thread here is dead nuts on as to what and who is the root of the issues/problems:

http://www.klausluhta.com/maritime-administration-in-crisis/

When it takes 3 MARAD Lawyers multiple months to figure out how to accept a gift and several changes in direction to the donor (in this case the Alumni Foundation); when just 12 or so months ago a Cabinet Level Secretary they work for told us all we needed to do more too, in order to ensure a continued advocacy by the current administration and Capitol Hill to increase and/or maintain increased funding levels and do the necessary capital improvements to the Academy (our Alma Mater) then something is wrong with MARAD, IMO.

Do I think Charlie Hill's "rant" as you call it helped or hurt in this situation (RADM Greene's ability to continue as Super) - no not at all. Do I think if I were Charlie I would have used my "bully pulpit" in the same manner he did - no. I would have assumed as far as fixing the issues, MARAD would have ignored it like they did other pleas... If you have facts or even anecdotal evidence to the contrary please bring it forward. I'm not saying you aren't entitled to your opinion and to voice it, just that I like some others who posted earlier just strongly disagree with you.
 
Requesting Adm Greene come back to KP as Super

In these past 13.5 months, Rear Admiral Greene '78 has removed years of ambiguity, uncertainty and stalemated progress at Kings Point. He has restored order and organization, pride and professionalism, and the credibility that the United States Merchant Marine Academy should hold among the 5 Federal Service Academies. RADM Greene has restored the confidence of the Regiment of Midshipmen. He has made remarkable progress in his short tenure, but there is much more ahead to be accomplished. Kings Point needs the vision and leadership of Admiral Greene! As clearly stated by DOT Secretary Ray Lahood (March 3, 2011 Fast Lane), "The new Superintendent really gets it!"
 
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This thread is being returned, but everyone should read this message carefully before posting further here.

TN:

I read this note from USNA 1985 earlier tonight and then quickly noted this thread had been deleted/suppressed and really still don't understand why or why so many of the prior posts on this thread have not yet been returned - until such time as that occurs or at least more of them have been returned, I am quite apprehensive about posting on this topic or anything like it. I can certainly understand the management of this forum not wanting to be seen as a forum for fomenting rebellion, of course I find it interesting that no such similar repression was in evidence a couple of years ago when there were several threads that were reactions to a senior MOC calling for the institution of a congressional nomination process for admission to the USCGA. That said, I believe this is truly not a very devisive issue in the USMMA community at this time and there ought to be a way for clearer guidelines as to the nature of comments in support of the USMMA, it's regiment of midshipmen and even it's now immediately past Super without creating the issues you are concerned about.

Of course until those guidelines are out there I do not wish to run afoul of the management here since I feel SAF is a valuable communications tool especially for prospective candidates.
 
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This thread is being returned, but everyone should read this message carefully before posting further here.

From the link above from the SUPER MODERATOR:

"All,

We understand that the reassignment of RADM Greene is a sensitive and, apparently, divisive issue for the KP community. We have therefore tried to allow legitimate debate and discussion to continue."




I respectfully disagree. This absurd reassignment is not divisive in the least. The KP family (Alum, parents,midshipman etc) appear to be aligned on the same side in unity.

Taking a stand against those in power in a respectful and effective manner courses through my American veins. Delete all the posts you want......that will really help the situation.
 
Posted only a few short months ago on Ray LaHood's Blog

Introducing RADM Philip H. Greene, USMS
Superintendent, US Merchant Marine Academy
It is truly a privilege to introduce RADM Philip H. Greene, USMS, who was sworn in last September as the Superintendent of the US Merchant Marine Academy, in Kings Point, NY.

Blog readers may recall that I have a bit of a soft spot for Kings Point. But I've never met anyone as devoted to the Academy as RADM Greene. As a Superintendent who is also an alumnus (1978), he is fortunate to be able to champion the USMMA and its value to the nation while he works to make it the best American service academy it can be.


Congratulating RADM Greene with Maritime Administrator David Matsuda

The new Superintendent comes to us after a notable service career as a U.S. Naval Officer with a number of commands. In his last assignment in the Navy, RADM Greene was responsible for advancing the Navy’s strategic role in global maritime security capacity building. He says that position gave him the insight a Superintendent needs into the role of the Merchant Marine and the global transportation system in ensuring our economic and national security.

And it showed him the critical role that USMMA graduates play as leaders in transportation.


The new Superintendent really gets it. When asked about the USMMA's relevance in the 21st century, RADM Grene said, "The ships of the Merchant Marine represent untapped resources to ease congestion, improve the environment and lower the cost of goods and services through the transport of goods across the oceans and along the coastal and inland Marine Highway."

RADM Greene gives a thumbs-up as the Regiment of Midshipment hoists the Superintendent's Trophy,
awarded annually for most head-to-head athletics wins between USMMA and the US Coast Guard Academy

So far, he seems to have adapted quite well to his new post. Because he had served as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy, he was able to hit the ground running at Kings Point. As he says, "I was familiar with the unique issues of running a federally-funded institution of higher education."

RADM Greene is quick to acknowledge the positive reception and overwhelming support he has received from the entire USMMA faculty, staff and Regiment of Midshipmen. He credits them for showing a willingness and enthusiasm to step up their game and work together to move the Academy forward.

As he says:

"I am privileged and humbled to have been asked to serve as Superintendent, and I am here to lead the Academy forward with an emphasis on producing great leaders for our country. I also see this time as one of great opportunity for the Academy. I derive tremendous energy and inspiration from the Secretary of Transportation and the Maritime Administrator's vision for shaping Kings Point into a true jewel among service academies."


RADM Green addresses the Regiment during the Academy's annual Festival of Lights

I'm pleased that RADM Greene has made raising the Academy's profile a top goal. By all accounts, he already seems to have had considerable success. Alumni have welcomed the return of one of their own. Faculty have cheered his emphasis on academic excellence. And the Regiment of Midshipmen knows his efforts will only increase the value of their years at Kings Point.

As for what he needs to make the US Merchant Marine Academy an international leader in maritime education, RADM Greene is characteristically straightforward:

"The answer is engagement. Whether it comes in the form of additional resources, mentoring our students, job opportunities for our graduates, or otherwise promoting the USMMA in talk and action, stakeholder engagement will help ensure that the Academy remains a vibrant institution, integral to the economy and security of the United States, and able to support the continued reliability of the nation’s transportation system."

I can assure you, Superintendent Greene certainly has my attention.

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Great story. I miss working at the Point.

Posted by: Rich Rumsey, CFRE | March 03, 2011 at 10:51 AM

The Marine Highway is a critical part of moving freight (and people) further taking traffic off interstate roads and freeways and reducing pollution. Highly qualified officers are necessary to operate the ships and port facilities that will make the Marine Highway run; and Kings Point is the flagship school for turning out the best officers possible. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

Posted by: Michael E. Bailey | March 06, 2011 at 08:12 PM

My uncle went attended the academy in the 70s with superintendent Greene. The USMMA will make strides in facilitating greater levels of intrastructure fluidity with an increased awareness of an environmentally sensitive citizenry. Bravo!

Posted by: Anson Griffen | March 25, 2011 at 06:42 PM










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Ray LaHood
 
Disappointing

This thread is being returned, but everyone should read this message carefully before posting further here.

Exactly when did respectfully expressing one's self to those within a group with shared interests and concerns or to elected or appointed officials or civil servants become subject to censorship?

How disappointing. How wrong.

Now that I realize this site is "edited" I think I will pass. But not without asking on the way to the exit door how an edited set of facts is a "service"?

Disrespectful or discourteous postings should undeniably be deleted---all I have seen are strong opinions and encouragement to act in the Institution's best interests---possibly subject to legitimate disagreement but neither the proper object of censorship.

Just one more sad development in a string of many.
 
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