CAPTAIN’S LOG

CAPTAIN’S LOG
12 January 2015

 Second day out and the real fun begins as classes/labs and full maintenance kick off. Speaking of “Kick Off” we watched the Patriot’s victory on Saturday, as well as the Seahawks. But yesterday, we exited the “local channel” zone, and were reliant upon Direct TV Worldwide.  Guess what?
They did not carry any NFL. Can you believe it! No football and repetitive inane commercials….oh well!

But we’ll get into it today, It will be a very complex schedule as we rotate three Fourth Class cadet divisions through a myriad of educational classes, experiential labs, and work/watch assignments.  In anticipation we have briefed the First Class leadership in detail, as well as the Department Heads.  I expect the cadets will make it happen, while a lot of the adults will still be scratching their heads – myself included!

It isn't too early to compliment our senior cadet leadership – beginning with Brian Sarapas, our Cruise Commander and Cadet Chief Mate from Franklin, MA, and Cadet Chief Engineer Dan Antonellis from Brockton, MA. They lead a massive group of First Class cadets called “Rates”, each of whom have a specific duty to address while on maintenance assignments.

The three divisions are each led by two cadets, a Marine Engineering senior and a Marine Transportation senior.  The three MTRA Division leaders are Richard Ford from Lynn, MA;  Kyle Hoffman from Neptune, NJ ; and Arthur Levine from Newton, MA; MENG Division leaders are Alexander Karentz from Fort Lauderdale, FL; Meghan Weir from North Andover, MA and Joseph Cormier from Ludlow, MA.

All an observer needs to see is the comportment of these cadets.They are focused and dedicated beyond their years. They assumed responsibility last April, and have been running with it since. This is the highlight of their First Class leadership experience.  For me, I see a face of a young man or woman that was different three years ago.  As Fourth Class, they were new, a little reticent to where they were, and swimming in confusion over what was happening aboard.  But today I see confidence, knowledge and maturity. As our Academy Chaplain once observed when we were preparing for a function involving the Commandant and myself – “That kid was telling you what
to do!” That’s what we desire, as long as they know what they are talking about.  They usually do.

We are now off the Virginia Capes, and the temperature has climbed to over 60 degrees. That’s a 60 degree swing in temperatures for us since last Wednesday. We’ll make Diamond Shoal off Cape Hatteras early this afternoon, then turn south east toward Puerto Rico.