Wallischeck out as chief of staff

[c.captain]

I will speak respectully to all but will always hold to my position which I know will be repugnant to most here but valid none the less...

Now, how can the changes in the leadership at KP be enacted to at least repair a soiled reputation of the academy? To me Wallischeck was there throughout the decline and had reached a central position of power that placed him at the very epicenter of all that has occurred in 20 year at the USMMA. Seems to me that very fact says volumes about the wisdom of Helis and I applaud him for the move.

[jasperdog]

Originally Posted by c.captain

... Seems to me that very fact says volumes about the wisdom of Helis and I applaud him for the move.

c.captain:

On this we'll have to disagree, not on wether Capt. Wallischek is/was or was not good or bad for USMMA, simply that his departure says anything at all about Dr. Helis' wisdom. Given that Capt. Wallischek is a federal civil servant, not at the SES level, so there's no way that Helis had anything to do with a significant change in his status at this point in time.

If it is confirmed that he is out, which I've asked, but not seen confirmation of. This move was/is the result of things that likely happened/started long before Helis even got interviewed for his current job. In fact though you may not believe it or think it, and given how they pushed him out so fast he'll get no credit or mention if it is, this move might have actually been started by RADM Greene; though I don't have any reason to believe it did. This is something that just would have taken longer than the time since Dr. Helis first interviewed for his current position to make happen.

For this move, if it's real, credit (or blame depending on your perspective) might actually have to go to MARAD (Matsuda and his henchmen). Of course, sometimes, something you like can come about for all the wrong reasons; as we all know every now and then even a blind squirrel stumbles upon a stray chestnut or acorn.

I say that without malice, change is necessary at KP, like you point out - being an unabashed support I'm not talking about closing USMMA but change and improvement.

I believe we need MARAD to do it's real job and that means promoting the American Flag Merchant Marine. To me that means we need MARAD to start doing the following things: a) not granting Jones Act waivers as fast as they can sign them so ships like the Maersk Rhode Island don't get reflagged out of the US Flag; b) making plans and putting forth proposed budgets so USMMA AND all the State Maritime Academies get NEW purpose built training ships, built in US Shipyards with modular construction so they can be quickly transformed and transferred when necessary for the next "Desert Shield", etc.and that have propulsion systems that engineers can properly learn on not just deckies (some who read these forms probably not understand that the former T-AGOS ships diesel electric systems are totally not representative of what one finds on modern ships in merchant trade and use); c) put forth budgets so the USMMA AND all the State Maritime Academies can be funded by MARAD to get improved, updated/expanded simulators so the US can lead the world in Maritime Education and better prepare the students in their license tracks for evolving and increasing SCTW and IMO standards and requirements; finally d)as protectionist as it may sound, work with industry organizations to draft and put forth, laws and regulatory constructs, that can be administered by MARAD and the USCG be put in place so closer to 50% of all the shipping into and out of US Ports be in US Flag Vessels including passenger vessels that have at least their licensed officers be Americans with licenses issued by the USCG. Now that could be a real jobs program that positions the US in general and the Maritime Industry in particular, that MARAD is supposed to be the champion of, to be in a great position to fully and better benefit from an improving World Economy.

[c.captain]

I'm sorry, but I don't buy that Wallischeck getting shown the door was not connected to Helis accepting the job...the timing is too coincidental to pass my smell test. Captain Wallischeck was as "entrenched" as any person can be in such an institution and I personally would like to know what other changes Helis might be in the planning of make upon taking over there. Those in positions of senior management at the school with personal spheres of special interest have got to be ended and a "single common purpose" for the continued operation of the Academy must be developed if it has any chance to making it in the long run. Anybody not onboard can retire or resign.

What specific role Wallischeck may have played in all that has taken place at KP in the past two decades is open to personal speculation, but I think we all know that the chief of staff (especially in the absence of an assistant superintendent) is a position of particular influence and power. Anybody who tries to tell me that "certain unethical events" have not taken place at KP over the past 20 years I will say is living in a land of the "see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil" three monkeys. All the books need to be opened to full public accountability.

I say the entire program must be changed with first and foremost ending the personal interest spheres most importantly regarding reducing costs which means across the board staff cuts, reducing the regiment, reducing the endless capital improvements, etc... In otherwords, downsize the place OR CHANGE the program to end the exclusivity of MarAd control and bring in other Federally sponsored students. NOAA officers get training there, why not other services? Get the school's funding shared as well as the facilities. Has anybody ever proposed this? I have yet to read of anybody's ideas along these lines?

If the endless, "this is how it has been since 1943 and this is how it must remain forever" way of thinking doesn't end then I say fine...I'll chuckle when the end inevitably does arrive.

[falconfamily]

Do you have any external information about the situation at USMMA? i.e. news stories, etc.

[KPEngineer]

Originally Posted by c.captain

I'm sorry, but I don't buy that Wallischeck getting shown the door was not connected to Helis accepting the job...the timing is too coincidental to pass my smell test.

I'm with Jasperdog on this. It takes months of building a case for removing a GS employee, then said employee has 30 days to appeal and then another 15-30 days for considering the appeal. I know some of the positions at KP are "excepted" which doesn't confer "career" status. Not sure if that makes a difference in the process and don't know if the CoS is excepted or career.

Has Dr. Helis even officially started yet? Just being named doesn't mean he is there working and/or has any authority over anything.

Wallischeck was only the head of the Waterfront when I was there. I haven't followed his career so I don't have any input on the good/bad scale of things.

[c.captain]

What I have been informed is that Wallischeck was "transferred" just like Greene was "transferred" only this time I have to believe that Helis was the driving force. The reason given was that Helis did not feel he need a Chief of Staff and suddenly the Assistant Superintendent's position is renewed and a solicitation placed seeking candidates. One would think Wallischeck would be an automatic for that position but NOT!

Btw, E. York became the CoS at Kings Point in July 2008.

Finally, the layers of personal special interests in Wiley Hall are beginning to be peeled away and I have to believe that there are more layers yet to be opened to the light reform. At least so I hope.

WHY was Greene canned? WE STILL DON'T KNOW?

[tankercaptain]

From the Alumni Association
the following Assistant Superintendent Level positions have been eliminated, including:
The Chief of Staff is the principal executive for management control.
The Assistant Superintendent for Facilities oversees the facilities, infrastructure, and logistics support of the Academy.
The Assistant Superintendent for Strategy & Policy oversees the Academy's strategic planning, program assessment, Congressional relations, and public affairs activities.*

[tankercaptain]

Also a second second deputy commandant position has been created
Regimental Chain
Captain Jay Kennedy, USMS serves as Commandant of Midshipmen
The Commandant of Midshipmen is akin to the dean of students and handles all midshipmen affairs of a non-academic nature, including military organization, conduct and discipline.
Commandant Kennedy will oversee changes that will streamline & strengthen the Regimental Chain.* This chain will incorporate all areas of the Academy that impact the daily lives of the Midshipmen including: Chaplain, Health Services, Commissary, Waterfront, etc.
Captain Robert DeStafney serves as Deputy Commandant.* Additionally, a 2nd Deputy Commandant will be hired for this department.* The vacancy will be posted to http://www.usajobs.gov.

[tankercaptain]

From sources at the Academy, Col. Helis absolutely had Wallicheck removed from KP. He told MARAD that he did not need a chief of staff but a deputy superintendent.