Like this:

Below is the position I came up with for the Corps of Cadets. I came up with this idea on cruise because of how unlicensed Cadets were seen as by some faculty, staff, and Crops Officers. I wanted to come up with this position in order to make sure there would always be an upper level Corps Officer position for unlicensed Cadets.

Dear Captain Bolton,

What I am envisioning for the upcoming Fall 2008 semester at CMA is a new position within the Corps of Cadets. This position will be created for both Blue Company and Gold Company within the Corps. The position is one that will be held by an unlicensed cadet from their respected Company, a Global Studies cadet from Blue Company and a Business Administration cadet from Gold Company. The name of this position is called “Company Chief Purser”. The duties and responsibilities for this position are outlined below on the following page, along with requirements and skills, just as they are for other positions listed in the present Cal Maritime Student Handbook.
I came up for the idea of this position for several reasons; first all students enrolled at the California Maritime Academy are required to be a part of the Corps of Cadets, be them Marine Transportation students, Mechanical Engineering students, or Business students; used just as examples. All students are required to participate in at least one training cruise while they are attending CMA. On this cruise all students fill the roles as crew members, even the unlicensed cadets. While on the cruise the cadets report not just to their respective Division Commanders but also to the Cadet Chief Mate and the Cadet Chief Engineer. For the unlicensed side there is no such position. It hardly seems prudent since we have a Purser, a Logistics Officer, and Chief Steward. Which all of these positions involve aspects of the business and global studies side of the maritime industry. Of course the Captain, Chief Mate, Chief Engineer, 1st Assistant Engineer, LWO’s, LWE’s, and all other members of the ships crew, whom are faculty at CMA, deal with business and global studies issues onboard and ashore. There is no cadet there to assist and direct the unlicensed cadets and assist the faculty in these affairs. We have Cadet Chief Mates, and Cadet Chief Engineers for their respected Companies, but no Cadet Chief Purser or a position of the same caliber.
Also the California Maritime Academy is the only Maritime Academy in the United States to have their unlicensed cadets as part of the Corps of Cadets, who not only participate in the Corps but also hold leadership positions. It seems that at times the unlicensed students tend to be ignored in some ways. The Business Administration major is often left out of crucial meetings within the Corps of Cadets and other aspects on campus. As of this exact moment within the Corps of Cadets the Business Administration major holds but one senior leadership position at CMA. And that position is of the Division 5 Executive Officer. Which is ridiculous since the Business Administration major has made significant progress over the last few years. We have hired faculty from the maritime industry, hold internships in ports and shipping companies, and even work on ships. Global Studies on the other hand holds more and higher ranking positions within the Corps; the Corps Executive Officer is a Global Studies major, as well as the Corps Administration Officer, and the Blue Company Executive Officer, which all are 4 bar or above positions. Which brings to the point that the Business major at CMA is not being represented within the Crops of Cadets and its leadership positions. Which is why for this new position the person who will hold it will be a Global Studies cadet from Blue Company and a Business Administration cadet from Gold Company. This is so that every major on campus is represented in some caliber within the Corps of Cadets leadership positions. The Company Chief Mates have to be Marine Transportation students and the Company Chief Engineers have to be engineering cadets, so it makes sense to put a Global Studies and a Business Administration student in the Company Chief Purser position.
The way this position will work and operate is listed below, but I will go into some detail and certain aspects of the job. First the cadet considered to hold this position must have completed their training cruise with the Golden Bear already. The reason for this is that while onboard all unlicensed cadets work with the Purser learning their duties and responsibilities and assisting them. Also they are in charge of helping with hotel stores and those aspects of the ship. So these cadets will have experience and the knowledge to pass along to those cadets about to embark on their unlicensed cruise. The unlicensed cadets whom go on cruise are usually Second Class cadets, so when they get back to CMA they have one year as juniors and then become seniors and they can apply for senior Corps leadership positions. The Company Chief Purser will train those students who are about to embark on their training cruise. A check off list could be created for the unlicensed students to complete before going on cruise. Also an unlicensed skills test could be created much like in the fashion of deck skills exams for all unlicensed 4/C cadets. This includes showing them around the ship, demonstrating some of the duties they will hold onboard, going over the ships policy, basic seamanship, and engineering. Of course this is just an example of what could and will be taught to those about to embark on cruise, more will be created with the position. The Company Chief Purser will assist the faculty member on campus who is designated Chief Purser for the ship, or the respected individual who deals with such issues. They will work with this person to get the ship ready to sail for the summer. They will assist with all matters pertaining to the ship that the Purser and administration on campus have to deal with. Just like the Company Chief Mates have to work with the Training Ship’s Chief Mate in order to get the ship ready for cruise, as well as the Company Chief Engineers. The Company Chief Purser will also represent their major within the Corps of Cadets, this means looking out for the interests of that major and pass along important information to the Corps Executive team and others in leadership capacity such as the Commandant of Cadets. The Company Chief Purser will hold 4 bars just like the Company Chief Mate and Company Chief Engineer. They will also hold the same responsibilities, duties, and privileges of the other 4 bar positions within the Corps of Cadets. They will stand with their respected Company staff during formation at the front of the Division lines. The Company Chief Purser shall assist with inspections during formation, like other 4 bar positions do, going down the lines and inspect cadets of all majors. This will not only help with the efficiency of inspections during formation but also show the presence of the unlicensed majors in upper leadership positions. The Company Chief Pursers will report to the Company Executive Officer just like the Company Chief Mates and Company Chief Engineers. Also they will report to that person designated on campus as the ship’s Purser or respected appointed faculty member.
I am hoping that this position will be thought over and actually come to be for the Fall 2008 semester. It is my hope that you will consider this since we in the unlicensed majors don’t believe that we are represented enough and would like to hold upper leadership positions. This idea of mine has been in my head for some time now, and now with the new people in Leadership Development I can see hope for this to emerge. We are more than capable of carrying out the duties prescribed to us. We are being trained to be the future managers, leaders, and organizers of maritime and transportation companies, national and international government agencies, security organizations, corporations, and other business and agencies. We all take courses in management, organizational behavior, leadership, and others so it is obvious that we should be used to our full potential. The Statement of Institutional Mission states, “The mission of the California Maritime Academy is to emphasize the integration of intellectual learning, applied technology, and leadership development”. With the creation of this position then the mission would be successful in the strategies that it lays out. That is why I am hoping to hold this position for Gold Company when the school year starts back up in September. I have already talked to my Division Commander who says that a replacement can be found for me if I am to get this newly appointed position. I am hopeful that this idea will come of light before the school year starts so that this position can be utilized to its full potential for the academic year of Fall 2008 to Spring 2009. This is just an outline and of course can be modified as seen fit by the people who can create this position. I want to thank you for your time and hope you take this as serious as possible,

Sincerely,

Brandon Chapman 1/C
Division 5 Executive Officer
Business Administration 2009
California Maritime Academy

LIST OF DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND REQUIREMENTS:

COMPANY CHIEF PURSER (UNLICENSED REPRESENTATIVE): The Company Chief Purser (Unlicensed Representative) is the highest-ranking unlicensed cadet in their respected company. The Company Chief Purser reports to the Company Executive Officer. (This is not an assigned cruise position.)

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties of the Company Chief Purser include but are not limited to:
• Under the supervision of the Chief Purser on campus assists with the proper paperwork and activities needed for the Training Ship prior to sailing
• Acts as the staff technical advisor to the Company Commander for all unlicensed matters
• Responsible for the unlicensed watch station training program for all cadets
• Responsible for the unlicensed orientation program for all Fourth Class Cadets
• Ensure all watch personal are thoroughly indoctrinated in watch and log-keeping procedures
• Responsible for the interests and represents the unlicensed cadets in their respected Company
• Responsible for the training and development for all unlicensed cadets as directed by the Corps Academic and Training Officer
• Responsible for the training of unlicensed cadets in order to assist with the Training Ship’s Purser and other duties while onboard
• Meet periodically, as needed, with the Cadet Chief Mate and Cadet Chief Engineer to ensure progress and completion of all shipboard training programs. Ensure Division Training and Academic Officers are aware of any cadets within their assigned division not meeting the minimum training standards in a timely manner
• Serve as a liaison with the Ship’s Purser on campus
• Oversee the performance of the academic year unlicensed watches
• Responsible for the proper organization administration of unlicensed cadets
• Responsible for the appearance of their assigned Company unlicensed cadets and shall ensure the standards established for the Corps are upheld
• Ensure the continued indoctrination of underclass cadets
• Ensure the good order and discipline and proper appearance of their assigned unlicensed cadets while at formation and on campus
• Ensure communication through means by meetings, bulletin boards, email, etc.
• Promulgate all information as directed by the Company Commander or Executive Officer
• Attend weekly meetings with key Corps staff members
• Attend Company meetings as directed by the Company Commander
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Company Chief Purser include but are not limited:
• Must be a senior cadet in their respected unlicensed major (Global Studies for Blue Company, Business for Gold Company) while at the Academy
• Must have one full year of academic standing remaining prior to graduation
• Complete their required training cruise prior to selection
• Complete all requirements for advancement within the Corps
• Maintain the highest standard of personal appearance, ethical behavior, diversity awareness, and adherence to the Core Values. Set an example for all other cadets to emulate
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Participate in improving the Academy and solving problems
• Ensure balance between organizational and personal/team requirements
• Identify and adapt to change and lead in view of those changes
• Work within a team to develop positive vision, direction, and results
• Interface effectively with seniors, peers, and subordinates
• Maintain a 2.5 or higher grade point average

Advertisement