What happened to the "Sea Chicken" pin on the 2013 Graduates?

nmlcfp

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I noticed from the 2013 graduation photos that none of the grads had their USNS pins on. What changed? My son wore his his last year when he graduated and still wears it when doing reserve duty.
 
Since the phase in of the Strategic Sealift Officer Badge the regulations with regards to wearing of it have changed. Graduates prior to 2013 can wear the new badge without additional qualifications but 2013 and on will need to complete PQS for the badge. Those that graduated between 2011 and April of 2013 must complete the post commissioning Ensign course to be able to wear the new badge. Everyone commissioned prior to 2011 is eligible to wear the badge.
 
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DS commented on how everyone was being commissioned and told to take off the pin!
 
Apparently whoever made the rules does not realize what KP grads have accomplished and how competent they are. I have not heard the reasoning behind the decision. I am curious about it.
 
Apparently whoever made the rules does not realize what KP grads have accomplished and how competent they are. I have not heard the reasoning behind the decision. I am curious about it.

The new rule applies to all Maritime Academy graduates from April 2013 and beyond. The navy is trying to make the program more professional. They decided to create a qualification path for the new warefare insignia just like all the other warefare insignias. The new process is fairly easy, complete the post commissioning Ensign course, and complete a bunch on NKO online courses.
 
DS commented on how everyone was being commissioned and told to take off the pin!

As per the new navy regulations they are required to. Also midshipman are no longer authorized to wear the old USNR badge.
 
The new process is fairly easy, complete the post commissioning Ensign course, and complete a bunch on NKO online courses.

You also have to upgrade your license to second mate/ ae, or do four weeks of ADT not including your ensign indoc. Which will mean most cant qualify for atleast a year and a half to two years.. the argument I heard from an LT SWO was that no warfare insignia pins at graduation. My rebutle was because we are actually trained for our job at graduation rather than an english degree. Probably why I got a B in Naval Science.
 
You also have to upgrade your license to second mate/ ae, or do four weeks of ADT not including your ensign indoc. Which will mean most cant qualify for atleast a year and a half to two years.. the argument I heard from an LT SWO was that no warfare insignia pins at graduation. My rebutle was because we are actually trained for our job at graduation rather than an english degree. Probably why I got a B in Naval Science.

You are trying to assign logic to something the Navy is doing. For that you should have gotten an F in Naval Science.
 
You are trying to assign logic to something the Navy is doing. For that you should have gotten an F in Naval Science.

I have to laugh about it. In reality it's all about jealousy. Someone high up thinks it's unfair that MMR guys have a badge without some sort of Navy PQS. So they decided that they needed to "fix" this and created a "new" standard.
In the end it's about weeding people out.
 
I have to laugh about it. In reality it's all about jealousy. Someone high up thinks it's unfair that MMR guys have a badge without some sort of Navy PQS. So they decided that they needed to "fix" this and created a "new" standard.
In the end it's about weeding people out.
A SWO no doubt.

The SWO Creed:
For me to succeed, you must fail
If you succeed, then I have failed
If you and I both succeed then I have also failed.
If you and I both fail, then I have succeeded because you have failed.
 
A SWO no doubt.

The SWO Creed:
For me to succeed, you must fail
If you succeed, then I have failed
If you and I both succeed then I have also failed.
If you and I both fail, then I have succeeded because you have failed.

That's hilarious
 
The Navy(OPNAV) instruction (OPNAVINST 1534.1 D) states it is not authorized to wear on the Navy uniform. Like all the other "warfare" insignia, the new SSO warfare insignia has to be earned.

Oh, btw, Adm Buzby was the sponsor when the program was developed, and last I checked he is a USMMA alum. Guess he went SWO and forgot where he was from... Right.
 
Like all the other "warfare" insignia, the new SSO warfare insignia has to be earned.

The difference is that when we graduate we are fully qualified to perform our job that is required by the Navy, not a as an English or History major that still has to learn to drive a ship. While maybe earning a second mate or a/e license may mean you have more experience, you are no less qualified as a third to do the job.
 
IAW the instruction, it appears USMMA graduates are qualified to wear it right away. As far as how many people know or have read the instruction, that is a different story. Graduates may not be able to wear it right away, as it may not be documented as earned or qualified yet (formal letter).
 
Reading through the OPNAV instruction referenced by Engineman02, there are two things to note.

- By graduating from Kings Point you are automatically qualified to wear the Strategic Sealift Officer Warfare Insignia (SSOWI).



- The Merchant Marine Naval Reserve insignia (Sea Chicken) is no longer authorized for wear on a Navy uniform.



The following is directly copied from the OPNAV instruction.

12. Strategic Sealift Officer Warfare Insignia (SSOWI) and
Qualification. The SSo warfare qualification recognizes the
demonstrated professional expertise of a select group of
personnel trained in strategic sealift operations. Only those
officers who have completed the requirements outlined herein
shall be eligible for designation as a SSO and wear the SSOWI.
Qualification is mandatory for all 1665 officers. Eligibility
to qualify is limited to commissioned officers in the special
duty restricted line designator of 1665/SS0.
a. Qualification. To qualify for the SSOWI, candidates
shall ,
(1) Obtain a commission as an officer ~n the United
States Navy or Navy Reserve at a minimum rank of ensign through
one of the following sources:
(a) Graduation from the USMMA at Kings Point, NY, or
one of the state maritime academies in Maine, Massachusetts, New
York, Texas, California, or at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy,
and successfully complete the Naval Science curriculum
administered per reference (b) while serving under a TSA.


b. Authorization to Wear the SSOWI
(1) COMSC, through the SSOPM, will formally designate,
in writing, qualified SSOs following the above criteria. Copies
of the designation letter will be forwarded to NAVPERSCOM. Upon
receipt of the designation letter, NAVPERSCOM will assign the
appropriate AQD to those officers designated as SSOs.
(2) Once qualified, relevant comments should be included
in an individual's fitness report.
(3) The SSOWI shall be worn per reference (i).
(4) Personnel qualified to wear the SSOWI who change
designators may continue to wear the insignia per reference (i)
Personnel in a 1665 designator, who qualified as an MMR prior to
the date of this instruction will wear the SSOWI subject to
paragraph 12c of this instruction.
(5) Strategic sealift midshipmen are not authorized to
wear the SSOWI. The Merchant Marine Naval Reserve insignia will
no longer be authorized for wear on the Navy uniform .
 
You're citing outdated NAVINST. As of 29 April 2013 all SSO's recieved a message from N14 Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command with different qulification requirements. I think there was a post about it on here around that time.
 
KP13 is correct and very knowledgeable on the subject. Graduation from KP does not automatically allow you to wear the SSOWI.

Here is the memo that LCDR Cassano USN put out

29 APR 13

From: Commander, Navy Reserve Forces Command (N14)
To: Strategic Sealift Officers

Subj: Requirements for the authorization to wear the strategic sealift officer warfare insignia

Ref: (a) OPNAVINST 1534.1D
(b) RESPERSMAN 1534 Series
(c) BUPERSINST 1001.39F
(d) NAVPERS 15665I

Encl: (1) Strategic sealift officer warfare insignia personnel qualification standards

1. The following is distributed in advance of RESPERSMAN 1534-060 and will be superseded upon approval.

2. Per reference a the strategic sealift officer warfare insignia recognizes the demonstrated professional expertise of personnel trained in strategic sealift operations. Only those officers who have completed the requirements outlined in references a and b are eligible to wear the SSOWI.

3. Those authorized to wear the SSOWI include:
a. SSOs who commissioned before 10 June 2011 possessing active United states coast guard merchant mariner credentials and are in active status per reference c.
b. SSOs who commissioned after 10 June 2011 and before 1 April 2013 who have completed the SSO ensign post commissioning indoctrination course, possess active united states merchant mariner credentials and are in active status as per reference c.
c. SSos commissioned after 1 April 2013 who have completed the SSOWI PQS, possess active united states merchant mariner credentials and are in active status as per reference c.
d. Officers who were previously designated as 1625, 1665, or 1875 are authorized to wear the SSOWI per reference d.

PQS Standards.

1. Applicablility
a. This PQS is a requirment for all members of the SSOP commissioning after 1 April 2013 and recommend for all SSOs. SSO eligibility and qualification requirements are delineated in OPNAVINST 1534.1 series, COMNAVRESFOR RESPRESMAN 1534 series and applicable sections of BUPERSINST 100.39F.

2. Introduction
b. This PQS begins with the fundamentals section covering basic knowledge and principles needed to understand the assets, roles and administrative requirements of a SSO. The fundamentals you will have to complete are listed below. You should complete all required fundamentals before starting the service requirement portion of this PQS, since knowledge gained from fundamentals will aid you in understanding the role and mission of a SSO and bolster what is learned while on orders. Completed certificates will be needed to prove completion of the fundamentals section and FITREPS will be needed to validate to completion of the service requirements.
 
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3. Requirement documentation

a. hold a current unlimited tonnage/horsepower oceans merchant mariner credential of third mate or third assistant engineer form the USCG.

b. Posses a current standards for the training and certification of watch standers STCW endorsement from the USCG

4. Fundamentals

a. Complete SSO post commissioning indoctrination course
b. complete military sealift command 101 on NKO
c. Complete navy reserve fundamentals on NKO
d. complete primary professional military education blocks 1-7 on NKO

5. Service requirements.
a. There are two options to fulfull this requirement
1. option A
a. upgrade MMC one grade to second mate or second assist engineer and
b. complete 12 days of active duty for training with the following restrictions PCI Course does not count toward ADT requirements.

2. Option B
a. complete 24 days of active duty training with the following restrictions; Min 12 days with MSC
Note PCI course does not count toward ADT requirement
 
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