March 2009 Volume LXVII

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Introducing Rear Admiral Worley

academys tenth superintendent takesduring a tumultuous time in Kings Points history

The over

Erik RendenEditor-In-Chiej

been in my office, they know that the superinten- position to do that, and they had to be terminated.dent's position right now is one where his day is We're looking to stabilize that employee situation,filled primarily with issues involving employees or get the right people in the right jobs, and ensure the

As promised in the last issue of Hear This!, finances for the academy. That's been truly the single academy is positioned to meet its mission.we give you the interview of Rear Admiral Allen B. biggest issue I've dealt with; lining up the required That's been a major, time-consuming issue,Worley, USMS, the tenth superintendent of the funding the academy needs to move in the right di- and I know it's been a question on a lot of people'sUnited States Merchant Marine Academy. His full rection, and secondly, getting the right number and minds, what's happening to our NAFI staff. The ma-biography can be found on the academy's website if type of people as employees. We've had to do a ma- jority of them, more than 75%, have been convertedso desired, but the most important fact is that he is jor conversion of our NAFI personnel, as they have to GS employees. The others have either moved to anow the captain of the good ship Kings Point, and the been inappropriately paid in the past out of govern- permanent, NAFI position, or been terminated, andfate of the academy lies in his hands. ment-appropriated funds. I was directed to bring this gone elsewhere for employment. The other one on

In the previous issue, we printed an exit in- to a stop and correct it, and have had to convert a the funding issue is a (Washington) D.C. issue, get-terview with Vice Admiral Joseph D. Stewart, number of NAFI employees to government service ting down there, and also trying to manage the fi-USMS, Kings Point's superintendent for the past (GS) employees, and bring them legitimately on the nances here and correct some of the problems we'vedecade. After examining his legacy and hearing his federal payroll. Some people, we just weren't in the had with managing finances in general. Just so youfinal thoughts, we turn our focus to the early all know, we just appointed an assistant CFO forstages of Admiral Worley's tenure, his initial academy finances, Ms. Kelly Flanagan, so weactions, and his vision. went through that hiring process and appointed

Times have been tough at Kings Point Ms. Flanagan. She's the academy's CFO, and isover the past year, and the administration change right under the superintendent for finances.has been trying for everyone involved. Hopefully That has been a significant step for thethis interview will help the transition go more academy to move forward in that regard, andsmoothly and answer many burning questions. there will be other steps in the financial organiza-

HT: Admiral Worley, on behalf of the tion that have been in the works that will be tak-regiment of midshipmen and the staff of Hear ing place soon. The other issue I want to makeThis!, thank you for taking the time out of your sure people understand is that we've been tryingbusy schedule to be interviewed. I hope you're to figure out how to pay for everything here withsettling in to your new home and position at our very limited funding from the continuingKings Point, and acclimating to the harsh resolution.weather conditions on Long Island. The Mer- The senate has been debating the Omni-chant Marine Academy during the academic year bus appropriations bill for all branches of govern-of 2008-2009 has seen many changes, many for ment, including the DOT. If all goes well, thethe worse. There are many questions on the regi- President should sign that soon, and we will havement's mind, and my hope is that this interview a FY09 appropriations budget (Editor's note: Thewill clear up many pressing issues. Most of the bill was passed at the end of spring break, sofollowing questions were solicited via email from Kings Point's ATM card works again). Thethe members of the regiment, while a few are House version of that budget was roughlymine. I also hope that throughout the course of $61,350,000. When we get that, the academythis interview, you will get a feel for the main should be in pretty good financial condition toconcerns of your students. Without any further handle operations through September. The ad-ado, I will begin. ditional side has been trying to get the budget

HT: The many challenges presented to submitted for the FYIO budget, which had to beyou when you assumed the role of Superinten- approved through MARAD and the DOT. I havedent haveundoubtedlymade your schedulequite been very successful with MARAD, getting anhectic. As a result, we have not seen your pres- additional $12 million dollars added to nextence on campus very often in the past few year's budget over our existing FY09 budget,months. What has been keeping you busy? which should help considerably to move us in the

Worley: I think that for those who have direction we need to goContinued onpage 10

Poge 10

financially. I've been down to D.C. and talked to the from athletics, who wanted to eliminate the lag classalumni foundation there, as well as in Maryland and a as best we could that occurs after 1600 as it affectsregional meeting in New Jersey, which had the entire athletes and their ability to get to practice. As a result,NE region's folks present, about 60 people, and a we changed the morning routine so colors will be atnumber of parents as well. One of the things I'd like 0720 and the first class will start at 0745. We short-to feed back to the students is that the alumni have not ened classes five minutes, making them 55 minutesforgotten about you. instead of an hour. This allows us to have four classes

I think we should see a significant number of and two labs in the morning, have a new time forma-additional donations from alumni funding the acad- tion for the lunch muster, and start classes again atemy's "margin of excellence" next year. We were 1300. We finish at 1600, and this allows us to bringdown about $500,000 in 2008, which has had a sig- the lag class during the academic day, and gives usnificant adverse impact, so if we can gain part of that great flexibility for labs, allowing people to get intoback in 2009, I think we'll be in much better condi- simulators, labs and so on during the day.tion to support the extracurricular activities and facili- It's a win-win for the students, and creates aties that you guys need. So, I've got a few things situation where you don't have to go to a lag class orkeeping me busy. take a lag elective when you'd normally be practicing

HT: What are the main problems you see at for sports. Regimental periods are still scheduled forKings Point, and what significant changes do you Monday and Friday, and right now we have to make

wish to make to the academy in order to fix these sure we get those properly executed for this next trim-problems and grow Kings Point both in size and repu- mest, and that's really a function of the Commandant,tation? and we really haven't applied a change regimentally.

Worley: Well, number one, the biggest prob- HT: MARAD has classified the jobs of thelem I see at Kings Point right now has nothing to do waterfront staff to far below their value and job de-with the midshipmen; it has to do with the funding scription during their transition from NAFI to federalissue. If we can correct that, we can have the academy employees. It stands to reason that this will reduce thefocused properly. The academy has a tremendous quality of our instructors and safety of the midship-reputation right now, and my goal is to build on that men as the current employees will undoubtedly gosolid reputation of excellence that the academy has, elsewhere to receive better compensation for theirand to continue to produce graduates that have that unique skill sets.degree of excellence. There is no master for the Kings Pointer, few

I'm asking the midshipmen, as I told those instructors for our training vessels, a single coach forgoing out to sea last month, when you get up in the the crew team, and no safety officer or coach for themorning, don't just look in the mirror and see your offshore sailing team or power squadron. How are

own face, see the other 1000 midshipmen that are you going to fight to maintain the high level of safetyyour shipmates, whose reputation is on your shoulder, and training when MARAD seems to be taking away

and also the 17,000 living alumni that are also behind our instructors and safety advisors from the water-you, and oh, by the way, the 5,000 deceased alumni front?

that have gone before you, and as you do that, it's tome an encouragement to be the best you can possiblybe.

Worley: One misconception I'd like to ad-dress first is that there's no shortage of fuel for theKings Pointer, so we have a full supply of fuel suffi-

My goal is not to diminish the quality, but to cient to run the ship for at least two years. The other

improve the quality of the academy. I don't see my- issue is that, yes, there was quite a bit of dissentionself relaxing the academic or professional standards between us and MARAD about how to classify water-of the academy at all, but emphasizing their impor- front staff. The result has been negative, and wetance more to the regiment so we have better adher- couldn't hire the people we wished we could hire atence to these standards. the waterfront as GS employees. We've even had

HT: The USMMA budget has been hovering people move from the waterfront to other capacities ataround $51 million for several years, and a budget the academy so we could retain them.increase is long overdue but hopefully coming soon. What we've done is we cancelled the searchesWhat would be a fair budget from MARAD, and how approved under the MARAD program, and we willsoon can we expect to see the necessary funds? restructure the entire waterfront program. We've been

Worley: Well, in direct response, by the end working with CDR Gasiorek down there, and he's putof spring break, funding should be coming from the forth the first of two major proposals as far as newFY09 budget that we need (Editor's note: As stated in positions for the waterfront go, which I have for-question one, the continuing resolution was indeed warded to MARAD for review. That should resolvepassed), and in September, congress will enact a the main issues with waterfront supervisors that we

FYIO budget so that beginning in October, we will have, and that should hopefully be resolved in ahave at least $12 million more than we did this year. month's time. We should be back in position soon.

I believe that we're there, and that the alumni As far as coaches go, all coaches asked forfoundation and sailing foundation have reorganized by the waterfront have been converted to GS employ-and will come online with significant contributions to ees. The issue of assistant coaches is one we'll havethe academy, and I think things will generally be to work with athletics about to ensure those peoplemore positive this year from a funding standpoint. are paid through NAFI funds as an employee to assist,

HT: Why has the schedule been changed which is the way most of the assistant coaches arestarting next trimester, and how will it affect regimen- paid, through gift money. All of the lead coaches aretal procedures as well as midshipman life in general? paid through government funds.

Worley: First off, the schedule proposal came HT' Many vital employees at Kings Point areto me through two channels: Number one, Dean in danger of being lost due to pay cuts. The school'sKumar and the academic staff asking for there to be employees seem to be quite apprehensive due to theiran additional lab session and class session during the jobs being converted, and employee morale is low inday to allow them more flexibility in scheduling the general. How do you plan on retaining the people that

academic day from 0800-1600. The other input was

ADMIRAL WORLEY INTERVIEW CONT'D

make our school special despite such decreases incompensation?

Worley: Well, I wish there was an easy wayto say that the people being converted are getting paidless, but there is no easy way. The way their jobswere classified, their pay went down, and right now

I'm not in the position to change the pay of any em-ployee outside of normal promotion opportunities.

We will work on that, it'll take a while, and manypeople are understandably disenchanted with the way

they've been treated.When you have to correct an inappropriate

activity that's been taking place for a long time, sacri-fices have to be made. It's basically illegal to payNAFI employees with appropriated funds, so we musthave law that allows us to move forward in the correctmanner. One thing I think will help that I've told em-ployees, as I've told them in a number of meetings

we've had, is that we're working to get authorizationfor the conversion of their saved leave that they basi-cally lost as a result of being converted, and we were-

n't able to give them the leave they had built up, sowe're working to be able to pay them for the leavethey had accrued.

It has to go through Congress before we canpay them with appropriated funds. We're working on

it, and I think the only thing that's going to improvemorale, number one, is the spring coming, and num-ber two, working with the current administration, re-alizing that the academy still appreciates their service,and that the midshipmen still need them. It's going totake time to heal from the hurt caused by the way wedid things in the past.

HT: There is a long-standing debate over thequality of teaching at Kings Point. Midshipmen feel

that some teachers interact well with the midshipmen,while others are not as well-suited to teach at a mili-tary academy. How do you plan to approach this is-

sue?Worley: First off, I want to ensure everyone

understands that we look very closely at employeeswhen they're hired, with faculty particularly. Thedean looks very closely at prospective teachers to findpeople who will be compatible with this very de-

manding military environment and be supportive ofthe midshipmen in this demanding situation in whichthey exist. This means faculty that set an example in

class through their appearance and the way they runtheir classes.

A faculty member here is joined by the ad-ministration in demanding proper decorum and re-spect in class as the midshipmen work in class and

earns that respect. I also don't want a faculty memberhere just because the pay is good. Right now, in thecurrent U.S. economy, all of our faculty positions aregood-paying and very stable, which is very attractivefrom an employment perspective. I want people whowill be part of the solution, building an environmentthat moves a student from being a civilian to being aprofessional military officer and mariner all in thesame academic regime, because, oh, by the way,mariners are what we produce. Everyone has to beprepared to be a military leader as well, so we have avery strict regimental program. We also have a tre-

mendously hard academic program that's extremelydemanding in three years, basically, as you onlyspend three years on campus covering the equIvalentamount of material that would take four years at an-other school.

It is demanding, and that means we've got tohave faculty that are engagedwith the students, here for Continued onpage11

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ADMIRAL WORLEY INTERVIEW CONT'D

mentoring when you need extra time, and here The other thing we need to have is betterenough each week with the midshipmen. I have a per- brown-water mariners, as there is a critical shortagesonal objection to faculty members that think if of those folks in the nation. That means getting you athey're not teaching, they don't need to be here, be- towing endorsement on your third mate's license, andcause that is when they need to be here, to be avail- oh, by the way, having the option of getting a dy-able to the midshipmen. That's my standard, and I'm namic positioning endorsement on your license assticking to it. I'm setting the bar high for the faculty well. I believe those are critical things, and the otherhere. side of this is I'd like to see a better emphasis on the

HT: How do you feel about the school's cur- architecture side of engineering, so there is a betterrent curriculum, and do you feel any significant emphasis on ship's hull and underwater design for allchanges should be made such as offering more hu- engineers. Also, the integration between the shore andmanities options or electives? water, ferry operations, docking operations, how we

Worley: Firstly, no, I don't think we need do offshore LNG, understanding how offload pump-more humanities options. We need more concentra- ing stations are going to work, how you can maintaintion on writing and thinking skills within the humani- your position through dynamic positioning.ties department, and perhaps a greater focus on his- These are things I think our engineers need totory as it relates to the maritime industry and the life be experts on when they leave here. I have some realof a mariner so you understand where we came from, views on where we need to go academically. I'd alsowhy the World Wars were important to the American like to see a little better cooperation internationallyeconomy from a maritime perspective. We can teach between the USMMA and other programs around theyou the military history pretty straightforward, about globe. Hopefully, we can get authorization for somebattles and such, but it's more about how history has midshipmen to do training at a foreign school or on aaffected the maritime industry. foreign ship. I think it would be good for you to have

We have a very demanding program on the that diverse experience with other people who speakdeck and engine sides, and I don't want that to be di- different languages but are in the same industry.minished. I'm working with the faculty to ensure the HT: Why has a stricter policy been imple-programs remain demanding and produce the best mented for disenrollment as opposed to less severemariners possible. I want all engineering majors to be disciplinary actions such as restriction, counselingABET-accredited, so I want to move in that direction. and setbacks?We currently have two degrees ABET-accredited, and Worley: I don't think there has been a stricterI want all three to be accredited. This will mean more policy for disenrollment; the policy enforcement haswork on the part of the faculty and students to get become more uniform, is what I will say. I do not per-there, of course. I would like to see the logistics pro- sonally think that being set back is a punishment. Agram be a better-focused accounting and business setback is something specifically to be used in theprogram that prepares you to be the business leader case of a medical crisis, to be used if a student be-you will be in the future, so you can handle finances comes incapacitated and unable to complete the workof a major corporation when you walk aboard on day required of them for a period of time in a certain tri-one. That means a better emphasis on the maritime mester.business segment in the logistics program. I'd also We give them the chance to heal and comelike to see a full-fledged, no-kidding dual option pro- back strong. If a student is failing academically, theygram. That may mean we need authorization for some do not need to be at Kings Point. We will allow forstudents for a fifth year at the academy. We're going the appropriate trimester to remediate the failure andto take a look at that, and see if a midshipman can do correct a deficiency, but if it cannot be remediated inthe dual option, get the sea time they need to walk out the subsequent trimester or during summer school,of here as a dual-qualified mariner. then I don't believe you ought to be set back, period.

That deprives another student of a seat at the academyand addsabout$60,000 tothat stu-dent's tabwhen theygraduate.The bottomline is,we'll set thestandards,you meetthe stan-dards, andyou' I Igraduate,and be agreat mari-ner and of-ficer. If youdon't meetthe stan-dards, youwon'tgraduate,and we

Page 1 1

won't spend the additional money to train someonewho isn't qualified.

HT: For the time being, the midshipman pub,a long-standing tradition and social gathering spot oncampus since the 1980s, is closed, a source of muchcontroversy. There has not been an incident involvingthe pub in recent history, and many feel that this onlyencourages illegal and/or dangerous methods ofdrinking. I was recently at the USAF A with severalother midshipmen for a leadership conference andraised this issue with the cadets there.

I found out that some time ago, the Air ForceAcademy closed Haps (their pub) and saw such a

drastic increase in alcohol offenses that the schoolwas forced to reopen Haps, immediately decreasingthe incidents. Do you see a similar situation occurringhere at Kings Point, what can of age midshipmen ex-pect concerning the future of the pub, and what areyour thoughts about the alcohol policies at KingsPoint in general?

Worley: First off, let's address it straightfor-ward: Alcohol is a drug, period. You don't teach peo-ple how to do drugs by allowing their use, you teach

them how to avoid drugs, and they'll be in a bettersituation. However, I understand the rules that wehave in society today, and the truth is, drinking in ex-cess, which I consider to be more than three alcoholicbeverages in the course of one event, is unacceptable,and I think we need to enact a 0013 policy, which iswhere I think we'll be heading in the future. Numberone, if you're under 21, there will be zero drinks.Number two, there will be no drinking, period, with-out a designated driver, who's responsible for gettingeveryone home safely.

You won't have more than one drink in anhour and no more than three drinks over the course ofan event. That's where I'm going as far as a policystatement for the USMMA, I think it's a good policy,and will keep people out of trouble. As far as the pubgoes, I want it to continue to be available to the mid-shipmen, and I want it to be available to more mid-shipmen than it currently is. However, if there will bealcoholic beverages served at the pub, I want that tobe a by-request situation, through the commandant,and the commandant will be responsible for supervis-ing any pub event. The 0013 policy will be in effect

when the pub's open and serving alcohol and it willbe a by-request thing for specific activities only. It

won't be for every day of the week, only for specialevents.

For example, for the Super Bowl, the firstclass can put in a request to open the pub. Also, it

won't be a keg pub, but a bottle and can pub, so the0013 policy can be enforced, so it's a more profes-sional way to operate. It ensures nobody will be com-pletely intoxicated and go back to the barracks and

embarrass themselves around underclassmen. It is acritical problem here, more so than anything else, be-cause midshipmen need to understand that drinking

isn't going to be tolerated in a society that they'rebecoming a part of, especially the licensed mariner ormilitary officer society.

Drinking is not something that makes you abetter mariner; it is something that makes you behavein a ridiculous manner. It is something that createsinappropriate behavior. We need to make sure that

comes across and people understand that is inappro-priate behavior, when you drink to the point whereyou couldn't pass a breathalyzer test. We will still

have a pub, and it will be available by request. It alsodoesn't just have to be at thepub; if the first class wants to Continuedonj)aJ!.e12

Page 12

have an event, such as the luau, etc., as long as it'sapproved and chaperoned with an officer there to

make sure the rules are followed, that's acceptable.We simply won't have a place where students can goand drink themselves into stupidity.

HT: There are many rumors about libertypolicies being changed and midshipmen being re-stricted to campus more than in the past. What stepswill be taken to provide midshipmen with activitieson campus while they are confined to Kings Point?What steps will be taken to ensure students stay oncampus?

Worley: Well, first off, I want everyone tounderstand that the USMMA is a federal service acad-emy. We're here to educate and train future officers inthe maritime and military sectors. I want to make sureeverybody gets the opportunity to study the way

they're supposed to. I want to make sure everyone istrained within the regiment to be able to lead andserve in the military the way they're supposed to.With that in mind, how do I manage this program?With rank comes privilege.

First class should have more privilege shouldmore privilege than the second class, and so on, andthe plebes should have the least privilege of all. Weneed to make sure there is a very structured, rigid sys-tem of rank and privilege that goes with that regimen-tal system and seniority. Having the door open all thetime to anyone able to wear civilian clothes is basi-cally the way I see things working right now. I basi-cally see unrestricted activity of people going in townamong upperclassmen. We need to have the first class

as leaders take responsibility and help end this behav-ior. I think that Monday-Thursday, the first classneeds to be focused on leading the regiment and mov-ing it in the right direction. On Thursday, I don't seeany problem with the second class being in charge

and seniors going out on liberty. On Friday, first andsecond class can have liberty, and the third class canbe in charge. Everyone needs to get back Friday nightto make sure everything happens the way it's sup-

posed to on Saturday. First class are back in chargeand everything is squared away before anyone elseheads out on liberty.

The way I see it, there should be basically anunrestricted overnight liberty policy on Saturdaynights. Second classmen should have the opportunityto have a number of overnight liberties on Saturdaynights, but not unrestricted, primarily at the discretionof midshipman leadership and the commandant. Thirdclassmen can be granted overnight liberty based onperformance and approval of the commandant andmidshipmen leadership. That's the direction I want togo in, and that's not necessarily policy yet, but I'mdiscussing that type of policy with M/N Troy rightnow to see if that works and meets the requirementswe have for the training and execution of the regi-ment.

During the spring, we have a bunch of pa-rades and things happening, and liberty can't happenuntil we've completed those things. I think academicand regimental responsibility means being here mostof the week doing your homework and leading theregiment. I think having a more graduated policy forleadership and privilege is appropriate, but a totallyopen gangplank is not appropriate for a military acad-emy, which we are.

HT: Princeton Review infamously rankedKings Point as having the least happy students in thecountry. How do you plan on improving midshipmanmorale, which may be at an all-time low due to themany hardships of the past year?

Worley: Well, I think one of the things thatwill help morale around here, and I've been askingstudents who have been coming to dinner - I've beenhaving students over in groups of six to my house fordinner with my wife to get to know the superintendenta little better and see how we live, and I hope that's amorale booster, letting them give direct input to thesuperintendent - I've been asking these midshipmenwhat we need at the academy to improve morale suchas physical structures and activities.

I've heard the possibility of more entertain-ment on campus, and better recreation activities as faras facilities that midshipmen can use, we need a betterweight room, we need a gym that midshipmen can gouse that isn't being used by the. basketball or baseballteams, we need a weight room for normal studentsthat isn't being used by the football team. We need afull-fledged athletic recreation center. The currentproposal is to build an indoor track with an indoor

recreation center, which I think is a great idea. I needto know exactly what the students want in there,though. Having a track is a good idea, having basket-ball courts is another thing. Do we need more weightsand workout equipment? What are the actual thingsthat midshipmen want to see on campus? We wel-come feedback in area.

We used to have a bowling alley on campus,and I've heard it fell into disrepair. That's still a vi-able activity, and may be a direction in which weneed to go. I think a really good cafe open in the eve-nings for midshipmen to buy a hamburger or a piece

, of pizza at is a good idea, if you were studying or onthe water or didn't feel like going to Delano, if it's2200 and you're starving, there should be an appro-priate place to get good food, and that should improvemorale. I believe improving facilities in generalshould help.

When we finish renovating Murphy hall andmove into it in November, that will reduce some con-

gestion in the dorms, reduce some three-manrooms, which we'll have to have a number of to

ADMIRAL WORLEY INTERVIEW CONT'D

assess the plebe class in July. That should improvemorale significantly. Having Barney square finishedwith the compass rose funded by the class of 2008will be great for the aesthetic appeal of the campus, asthey're putting in the geothermal heating rods andstuff in the ground in Barney square. Another thing Isee, and I'm not just saying this because you're on thecrew team, but we've got a crew house down at thewaterfront that's been burned out. We need to restorethat facility so the rowing tank is available and yourteam can stay in shape.

Being on the water is important to mariners,and that's one opportunity to do that. Also, having theproper academy funding in general so you can partici-pate in sporting opportunities in general that are fullyfunded, so you can travel where you want, so you cando certain internships. If we have the right funding,we can send you to Europe. If you want to go to Bos-ton for an internship, that's fine, but we might be ableto send you to Rotterdam, or even Iceland, or wher-ever might be of interest to you, and we need to see ifwe can't find a way to finance that. The Chinesewould like us to do more work with their maritimeacademy. I think there are many opportunities for usto learn what a lot of the world is doing and wherethey're going through exchange opportunities, whichdon't have to be long, maybe two weeks. These are allthings I think will help. Seeing the academy properlyfunded is the main thing, and when the staff and fac-ulty are more positive,

I think the midshipmen will in turn be morepositive too. I'm looking for suggestions, and if youcould emphasize that, please do. As you know, I'mnot in Quarters A, I'm in Quarters L, as Quarters A isin significant disrepair and needs a lot of work. I be-lieve the superintendent should have a sufficient placeto entertain visitors and entertain midshipmen whenyou and your parents come. We need to figure that

out and get Quarters A where it needs to be. I think itcould even be a "green" building, a self-sufficientquarters, much like the beautiful hydrogen home wehave by Tomb Field.

If you're going to do it on a house the size ofQuarters A, that makes a significant impact on thecommunity, and we need to look at possibly makingthat a "green" engineering project. It's an old placeand needs a lot of work, just like Wiley Hall, but allof these places have a lot of history and add characterto Kings Point, and we need to properly maintainthem and get them back to where they need to be, soif you take someone into a head in Wiley Hall, they

aren't afraid of what they're going to find.HT: In your Assumption of Command

speech, you stated that this academy would be return-ing to its primary mission of providing the premier

maritime education in the world. In spite of this state-ment, there are at least six members of non-Navymilitary branches on campus for the purpose of re-cruiting and commissioning graduates into activeduty, removing them from effective service in the

American Merchant Marine. You yourself are for-merly active duty Navy. What will be done concern-ing the active duty programs here, and how do you

feel about the active duty options upon graduationfrom Kings Point?

Worley: That's a good question, because it'sgood for you to understand why we have all of theseother branches here recruiting, which is primarilywhat they're doing right now. As you know, all ofyou are funded by the DOT, and the only contribution

from the services right noware those active duty person- Continuedonpage13

ADMIRAL WORLEY INTERVIEW CONT'D

nel including the Naval Science folks, the single larg- Worley: There is progress being madeest group, then the liaison officers here ITom other - I've gotten some estimates from Howardbranches recruiting and providing instructional ser- Weiner as to how much it's going to cost. It'svices to the academy. When you graduate, you repre- going to be too expensive to put in the FY09sent basically a $213,000 investment by the American budget, but we do need to move in this direc-taxpayer to produce a licensed mariner, have a degree tion so you get the coverage you need. I would

in either engineering or transportation, and have a like you to be able to work in your room orcommission. That commission is authorized to be in wherever without being plugged in. I installedany branch, and if you don't go active duty, you will my own wireless in my house, which I enjoy,

be in the Merchant Marine Reserve program of the and it is a secure system, so you can't use it.Navy. We meet, basically, the requirements the MMR We do need this capability, and should be able

has as far as the needs go for their officers. We more to work it into next year's budget, hopefully.than exceed the requirements necessary for the MMR, HT: What was your worst offenseso the Navy is supportive of the idea of our graduates while at the Naval Academy?moving on to other services, because we are produc- Worley: The one that I got the largesting all of the MMR folks they can handle. number of demerits for was being caught with

If you want to go work on boats for the Army my car within the 50-mile limit of the academy.or do something else with them, you can elect to do Back then, you couldn't have a car at the acad-that. If you want to fly jets in the Navy, Air Force or emy unless you were a senior and had startedMarines, or fly props or helicopters in the Coast your senior year. I bought a 1973 CorvetteGuard, you can do that. My goal is not to limit the Sting Ray, and had it in the garage of a friendoptions you have, but to produce mariners first, and living in town, and kept it there most of theprovide our society with the mariners it needs while time. I had a detail the summer before my sen-giving our midshipmen the options they need to serve ior year, and had been parking my car at an-

in the military should they desire to do so. It's not that other ITiend's house in town during the summerI don't support active duty service; I do. I just want to detail illegally. It was only a few blocks ITommake sure enough licensed maritime officers are the academy. They secured liberty the lastavailable, as there is a great shortage in both the night before we were scheduled to go out to seabrown- and blue-water industries right now. The de- for summer training, and that was the night I was sup-mand is still there, and that's why you're getting paid posed to take my car back to my friend's garage at theso well upon graduation. The Army Reserve will give edge of town and leave it there while I went to sea. Iyou a $10,000 signing bonus if you sign up for their wasn't about to leave my brand-new Corvette sittingwarrant officer mariner program, which is a reserve in the street while I was away for two months. I hadprogram just like the MMR, you can drive boats for to go tell the company officer that my car was in the

the Army and still be a licensed officer working in the 50-mile limit, and had to ask to go move it. He gavecommercial field. me the authorization to go move the car, and gave me

That's a win-win for you and the nation, as 75 demerits, which amounted to an hour of marchingyou can meet a defense requirement if needed, and for every 5 demerits, so 15 hours of marching, whichworking as a licensed mariner making a good living. is a significant amount of marching. That probablyWe are not going to turn into an Annapolis or West prevented me ITom becoming a company commanderPoint and focus on producing military officers. We my senior year, so I broke the rules and paid dearlywant to produce licensed mariners first and foremost. for it. That was probably my most significant viola-Those licensed mariners, as you know, are capable of tion.doing almost anything in the military, not just driveboats, which they do superbly. That's the Navy, Armyand Coast Guard want you, but oh, by the way, theAir Force wants you because they know you'll be agood pilot, because you've been through a lot, andyou already know how to navigate. You're a very

valuable commodity.HT: Is there going to be an effort to reinstate

the program of past years allowing teachers to sail fora trimester or two and then come back and resumeteaching?

Worley: This is a good idea - we need tomake sure the mariners here remain current. At TexasA&M, we sent instructors out on commercial evolu-

tions over the summer. We need to find an opportu-nity, just like professors in the current academic re-gime going on sabbatical to do writing; our licensed

officers should be able to go on sabbatical to improvetheir teaching and mariner qualifications.

I'd be open to that kind of program, and wemight even be able to help financially with that. Itmight be difficult ITom a financial standpoint, but weshould look into letting people do a seaborne sabbati-cal to maintain or upgrade their license, get moreLNG-qualified officers, and every once in a whilegoing out on an MSC ship would be good, too.

HT: You stated that you want to make theentire Kings Point campus covered by WiFi. Can weexpect to see this happen anytime soon?

HT: What is your best memory from yourtime in the active duty Navy?

Worley: There are a lot of good memories,but probably one of the best is the responsibility givento you as a military officer, and it's not until you're inthat position that you realize how significant that is.When I got the opportunity to do major command, tobe the base commander at Diego Garcia, I was veryexcited, and I thought it was a really unique opportu-nity. Diego is a very remote location, and this fact

makes it an 0-6 command post, because normally aflag officer would command with that scope of re-sponsibility. Because it's so remote, they don't wantto strand a flag officer out there.

When I got out there I had about 3,300 peopleunder my command at the island as far as the totalpopulation of the island. There's no civilian structureexcept for some contractors that come out. It was amajor event, and when I got into this, I realized how

critical we were to the defense of the U.S., and a lotof people don't have an appreciation for the strategicvalue of Diego Garcia, because it's the only U.S. basewe have in the Indian Ocean. As a result, we are verycritical, since a number of satellite facilities, strategicsealift and preposition ships, emergency groups, air-craft such as B-52 aircraft, Air Force contingents andso on are all operating out of Diego.

Seeing the young men and women of the dif-ferent branches working together at Diego to ensure

Page 13

America had what she needed to defend herself wasfantastic. That's sort of what I see atthe USMMA looking to aspire to, isopportunities where your education will prepare youto meet a major challenge in leadership and to Amer-ica in general, and that's what I want to prepare youfor.

HT: What are some of your favorite books?Worley: I have a number of favorite books,

and as far as historical novels go, I really like HoratioHornblower, the C.S. Forester series, which I startedreading at the Naval Academy, and I've probably read

it through seven or eight times. I just read a bookcalled You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader, and it'sa great, short book that tells you how to behave as aleader no matter what position you're assigned to orwhere you may be working. I like Clive Cussler, and Ilike to read a lot of history. Particularly, biographiesof great presidents such as John Adams and GeorgeWashington are interesting. That's enough, I suppose.

HT: Are you a sports fan? If so, what teams?Worley: The answer is yes, I really enjoy

sports. I enjoy football and basketball primarily,watching them on TV, going to games and being part

of the crowd. Other sports I don't pay as much atten-

tion to because I don't understand them as well. Base-

ball's good in the last inning, but it's just a somewhatslow game, I suppose, as far as action goes. My favor-ite teams are probably the NY Giants, because I think

that's the team that's most well-grounded, has a num-ber of quality people that are good on and off thefield.

A number of teams have a few bad apples thatdegrade the example athletes set. I like the Colts, too,

for the same reason, not just because there's a Man-ning in charge of both teams. I'd love to see the Tex-

ans get there, but I think it'll be another few years ofwork before they get to a championship contenderlevel. As far as basketball, I like college basketball. Ilike Mike Krzyzewski runs a good team down atDuke, I think he's a person or integrity, and I think

that's why his teams are successful. I like Bruce We-ber at Illinois, I knew himpersonally at Illinois, and Continuedonpage 14

Page 14

think he sets a good example for his team. We haveto remember, at Division I or Division III, athletesare students first, and sometimes they unfortunatelysacrifice their education for their sports career. Theymay get a 15-year career in pro sports if they'relucky, and then they have to rely upon the education

that they mayor may not have finished.One good thing I can say about here is that

our varsity athletes have close to an 80% graduationrate, as the school's running about a 78% retentionrate, which is pretty good and produces a good qual-ity of student. I like that you can participate as an

athlete here without a huge talent level, and be suc-cessful, because the Landmark conference concen-trates on the student-athlete. You just can't dedicatethe time to training in sports and be a great engine ordeck officer and be a global star athlete. It may hap-pen occasionally, but not very often. I'd rather pro-

duce global star leaders, and that's what I'm out todo. Sports are important, but they can't take awayfrom the main focus of a college.

HT: Is it true that you are working to get allmidshipman fees covered by academy funds? Also,are there any plans to start paying Kings Point mid-shipmen monthly, since students at the other acad-emies receive stipends? If so, when wiII this takeeffect?

ADMIRAL WORLEY INTERVIEW CONT'Dj CREATIVE WRITING

fees, so a loan doesn't have to be taken out to paymidshipman fees.

HT: Is it true that the Secretary of Trans-portation been invited to be the 2009 graduationspeaker when the class of 2009?

Worley: Yes, that's true. It's an appropri-

ate political decision, we extended an invitationto him, he's accepted, and Secretary LaHood willbe here on June 22 to speak at graduation.HT: Your last job was Superintendent of TexasA&M University at Galveston. How do you thinkKings Point, the federal maritime academy, com-pares to A&M, a state school?

Worley: First off, I don't believe there ismuch of a comparison. The only comparison isthat both produce licensed officers. I can tell youfrom what I saw there is that the quality of thegraduate is tremendously higher at the USMMA.The midshipmen get a lot more experience bystanding watch at Kings Point, better training in

our simulators, better team training in navigationand such. We have better engineering simulators,better engineering instructional tools, and so on.

We have a more vibrant faculty here, morethan ten times the maritime faculty than they had atTexas A&M. Kings Point is only three times larger,but has ten times the amount of faculty. The programis so much more demanding here, and the quality ofgraduates reflects that. Kings Pointers are first-rate,and second-to-none. There isn't such a thing as a

"bad" graduate of the state schools, and they're verycompetent mariners, but they don't have nearly thequality and range of experiences that our graduates

have.HT: What is your vision for the future of

Kings Point in the short and long term?Worley: I do see the USMMA becoming the

global leader in maritime education and training.

That's not going to happen overnight, but we haveour foot in the door. We have the support from theIMO, and the USCG, as a contributing institution for

the IAMU, the International Association of MaritimeUniversities, and we're a leader in that sector. Whatwe need is the energy and the funding necessary tostep out and do some of the things in order to havethe academy recognized for the quality of its gradu-ates and the ability of our fact!lty and staff to contrib-ute to maritime education and training so that we can

Worley: The answer to the first one is that we be present at international conventions, the IMO

are attempting to adjust midshipman fees so the ma- leadership table, so we can impact STCW rules, be ajority of the cost of a midshipman at the academy is leader in the nation on things like the Law of the Sea

borne by the government. Right now, fees for the treaty, repealing port-to-port taxes, be outspoken forclass of2012 would be over $15,000, which I think is the maritime industry.exorbitant. We need to get it to the point where you I believe the academy has a void to fill andcan earn enough money at sea as a cadet, between nobody else has either. We need to become the lead-$6000-10000, to cover all of your fees at the acad- ing proponent of the maritime industry in the U.S. asemy. We are working to adjust that. WiII we get Con- the harbinger of the safety of the maritime industry ingress to change the fee structure so you get a stipend? America, to make sure it's as professional and safe asThat would come at a price to midshipmen. The it can be. As a result, since we need to do that, theminimum you are required to do right now is an eight academy's value wiII never be questioned; it wiII be-year reserve commitment. unquestioned. As Secretary LaHood told me, he

If you start receiving a stipend, you may wants the USMMA to be the leading federal acad-have to serve a significant active duty commitment. emy, period. That doesn't mean we'll be the biggest,We may be able to get a partial stipend, but I don't but rather the highest-regarded for the quality of ourwant your hands to be tied by a stipend. Your flexi- graduates.bility right now is due to not receiving a stipend. If HT: That is all of the questions I have, Ad-you start getting a stipend from the Navy, they're miral Worley. Thank you for your time. In closin?, isgoing to demand you go active duty. Right now, there anything you would like to say to the Kmgs

you're only required to do AT each year as a reserv- Point community?ist. A stipend might push midshipmen in the wrong Worley: Go Kings Point! That's aU I have.direction. The main thing I want Congress to do is to Thank you.step up to the plate and cover the bulk of midshipman

The Man"Ima Fraid"Staff Writer

On the fatigued, sagging wooden porch of aforgotten home, now recessed and hidden by the pro-tective arms of ancient live oaks, there sat a Man whowas getting a chance to observe for once in his long,tedious life. The long, beige grass of the now over-grown fields danced and gyrated mystically in the

cold winds that chased towards the growing cobaltblue mountain in the north.

"Nudder norder's

comin', Sparks" he cracked. He sat in his trusty oldCarrhart jacket, now patched and spotted from yearsof reliability. Just yesterday he had rolled the longsleeves up on his denim work shirt because he couldfeel sweat beading on his forehead. Now, the suddencold made coaxing sweat seem about as easy as con-vincing old Sparks he was actually a travelling Bra-zilian, and he should jump up and sing a Portugeseballad. Seemed like only yesterday it was Labor Day.

The wife passed last June, from heatstrokewhile hoeing the weeds out of the furrows in the to-matoes. The kids, of course, had moved on to pursueexactly what he had coached them to pursue, duringthe years he sacrificed his body at the Hunt ToolCompany in the concrete and steel of the industrial

area of town. The handmade chair he perched histired old frame on protested under the years of ser-vice it had provided, the rough oak creaking and pop-ping. The chair had always offered rest to a work-weary man, a boy fresh from the woods, girl's teaparty, or a mother who needed some time to herself.

The declined mutt, Sparks, lazed uncaring on the un-dulating floorboards, solid oak two by sixes that theMan had pounded down using nothing more than aday off, a hammer, some spare nails, and a belly full

of his wife's fantastic cooking. "Some of that sausagegravy sure would beat that Hungry Man I had this

morning" he thought as he sipped his black coffee,strong enough to float a horseshoe. The knobby andgnarled sausages of his fingers fished a polished flaskfrom his back pocket, and he gave himself the onlyentertainment he might get all week long.

In that old shop he had vintage pictures of

South Sea travel advertisements, picturing the

bronzed beauties laying on the beaches you'd always

hear about. There were also similar ones from

France, China, Madagascar. He even stilI had those

two passenger liner tickets he had to cancel when

Skippy Thompson got his arm caught in a lathe and

they needed the Man to come in. It took Skippy 6

weeks, 6 pins, 4 plates, and over two years' pay to

get over that. He died in a chlorine leak 12 years ago

last May; never deserved it neither. The Man had

even mail-ordered exotic looking trinkets like shot

glasses, tapestries, keychains, ukuleles, and pictures

to impress whomever happened to stop over for cof-

fee. Truth be known, he'd never been anywhere fur-

ther than San Marcos, and that was only 75 miles

southeast of him. A sudden gust threw the last few

leaves of autumn into the quiet, lonesome air, the

Man watching as they blew away for miles, in a di-

rection he never had been and probably would never

go.