Please help improve the institution. If you think tabasco will work better than sugar I have to trust your years of experience.<snip>
...
The forum where this thread sits is entitled. "This is a place to ask questions and give answers to general questions for prospective service academy members".
As a prospective, current or future parent what should I do with the information that you have to share? Call my congressman, wring my hands, call the school, I am stumped.
It's just one man's <my> opinion but here's what I am doing/have done:
1) Review the draft Strategic Plan and submit comments that point to the lack of detail and action plans that:
(a) directly address the numerous issues cited in much more detail in the earlier GAO report, particularly the issues that require additional Capital funding to fix, repair or replace necessary infrastructure, and
(b) that directly add more details as to additional specific actions that need to be started/funded in the next two to three Government Fiscal Years (GFYs) so paths and progress towards the other general objectives and very relevant and necessary top level goals/objectives are met. Additionally recommend, that Measures of Effectiveness against these strategic objectives be incorporated such that and exemplified progress in a measurable fashion in the USMMA Operations and Regiment of Midshipmen in the Classes of 2013 - 2017 in each of the next 6 GFY's given that it is highly likely additional funding and appropriations will be required to implement the necessary improvements and plan in a meaningful fashion over and above the current GFY 2013 budget levels.
(c) If you have the requisite knowledge and ability to cogently generate comments and recommendations to the Strategic Plan in the following areas I also recommend you do so: (i) re-examination and expansion of the Maritime Transportation and Intermodal Logistics and Transportation Majors (aka the remaining "Deckie Majors") with the following possible changes and additions in mind - (i-a) the re-establishment of a major such as the recently abandoned Ship Operations and Technology Major that in addition to providing graduates with a Third Mate's License provides either at least a QMED or a Third Assistant Engineer's License. Simply put the most recent change is contrary to the movement in several Western Nations Maritime Education Programs where all graduates are being "Dual" Licensed in light of decreasing manning requirements and increasing technology content on vessels. Additionally with the likely coming reintroduction of the Quarter system vice Trimester this should be examined, considered and debated EVEN IF IT MEANS THE USMMA ends up being a 5 or 6 year program. (i-b) the expansion of the utilization of and the academic course load such that additional information technology courses be incorporated throughout the deck majors in general and the Logistics and Intermodal Transportation Major in particular. - This might "kill two birds with one stone" - many believe the current logistics curricula has too much repetition and the impact of and amount of IT in the logistics and supply change business continues to grow exponentially and has done so for the last ~20 years - with little impact or change to this major since it's inception at USMMA. review of the available simulators and training opportunities for Cargo Handling, Crane operations and of course last but not least "brown water" vessel operations.
(d) If you have the requisite background and experience, I'm sure there are likely additional areas in the three existing Marine Engineering Majors and Curricula that could benefit from similar specific recommendations and inputs to item 1 (c). above but I don't have any specific example I can add now.
2) Yes definitely write your Members of Congress (all three - the Hose of Representatives and both US Senators) and:
(a) Thank them for their continued support of full funding for the USMMA, include any details you can that make an impact about you a voting constituent and your other family members who may be constituents. If the MOC is one who nominated your DS or DD - give them a little "progress report" as part of the thank you so it's not just an "ask" letter; also cc: the Constiuent Serivces Director in your district office, they probably have as one of their "jobs" (if anyone on that member's staff does) to keep track of and keep the Member informed of any details of their nominees, some members like to know this and some could care less but it doesn't hurt.
(b) Now as is said inside the beltway your - ask - should be: (i) current full funding and expanded funding going forward to further address infrastructure needs as well as the in process Strategic Plan; (ii) further expansion and rejuvenation of Congressional Board of Visitors activities; (iii) continued support of a robust maritime industry including continued and expanded enforcement of the Jones Act by MARAD and continued Congressional Staff scruitiny of any waivers MARAD grants to Jones Act requirements - trust me if your DS or DD graduated in the last five years or will graduate in the next two they can or should be able to explain why this is important so ask them; (iv) request that they and their staff enquire as to why MARAD has been so slow in implementing and or obligating appropriated funds for approved and funded projects to date; (v) request they and their staff explore the differences in how non-approriated funds and gifts are managed and the regulatory requirements driving those differences and determine if their is a way they can through committees that Member is on provide similar legislative relief so the DOT/MARAD and USMMA can handle these things in manners anddissuasion under similar laws to DHS/USCGA and DoD - USNA/USAFA/ and USMA do; finally (vi)
if you or your child who is attending the USMMA have concerns about the selection process, or for that matter the process and reason why the prior Super was removed then ask for them to enquire of MARAD and require a debrief and review of those events and decisions.
Sorry for the ramble but you did ask. BTW I would do or would have done every one of those things and said them no matter who was selected as the "New Super" except possible 2 (b) (vi) but I am a USMMA grad and I think it's fair to wonder what the uproar would be if a Non-Flag Army Officer was appointed Super of Annapolis or USCGA and/or a non-Flag Naval or Air Force Officer was appointed Super at West Point. To not think that is fair game for discussion, especially in light of who the prior Super was, doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
However, in looking forward and not backward, I offer the above. That said I do think that it make sense to remember the first step of any successful 12 step program is acknowledging and admitting the problem(s).
Acta Non Verba! and I wish DOCTOR Helis well and hope he is up to the looming challenge(s) and they are many.
