California Maritime Academy Corps of Cadets

Overview

All undergraduate students at the California Maritime Academy are required to participate in the Corps of Cadets. This requirement comes from the Title 46 Part 310 of the Code of Federal Regulations which requires all cadets who are pursuing licensing as a deck or engineering officer in the United States Merchant Marine to participate in a cadet program. The goals of participation in the Corps of Cadets is to positively develop traits such as punctuality, ability to follow orders, initiative, and attention to detail, teamwork, time management, patience, responsibility, leadership, and professionalism. These traits require that new cadets develop self-discipline enabling every graduate to excel in their future occupation, at sea or ashore. Some tasks required of cadets are more desirable than others, but every cadet must prove they can do the jobs required of them before they can become leaders.

Being a cadet entails more than being a college student. Cadets are held to higher standards of personal conduct and professionalism, and you will be given more responsibility than any other college students in the California State University campuses. Cadets are expected to develop their own leadership skills and how to organize and direct people in work projects. By the time a licensed candidate cadet becomes a Cadet First Class (equivalent of a Senior), they can take charge of an actual bridge or engine room watch, teach classes on seamanship, navigation or basic engineering, and train each new class of cadets on the fundamentals of becoming a Merchant Marine Officer. By the time all other cadets become a First Class, he or she should have experienced an internship or co-op, an international experiences or training cruise, and be prepared to train each new class of cadets on the fundamentals of becoming a professional. In addition, all cadets shall understand what it means to be responsible.

Military options

There is no armed service obligation attached to graduation from the California Maritime Academy. However, financial aid and additional career opportunities exist for those students who choose to participate in any of the several military programs available on the CMA campus:

History

The California Nautical School was established in 1929, when California State Assembly Bill No. 253 was signed into law by Governor C. C. Young. The bill authorized the creation of the school, the appointment of a Board of Governors to manage the school and the acquisition of a training vessel. The school's mission was "to give practical and theoretical instruction in navigation, seamanship, steam engines, gas engines, and electricity in order to prepare young men to serve as officers in the American Merchant Marine." By 1930, a training vessel and a school site was acquired; the original location of what would become California Maritime Academy was California City (now Tiburon, California) in the San Francisco Bay Area. This established the Corps of Cadets at the California Maritime Academy.

In January 1990 RADM John J. Ekelund, then president, resigned amidst allegations of mistreatment of the academy's first female cadets. This led to a gradual elimination of military regimentation of cadets' life and training, as well as leading to becoming part of the California State University System. After becoming a campus of the California State University system, mandatory participation in the Navy Reserve Merchant Marine was eliminated with the introduction of academic majors that were not focused on becoming a licensed Merchant Marine or Reserve Naval Officer.

Organization

The California Maritime Academy Corps of Cadets is a cadet-run organization, consisting of over 1000 members, modeled after the Naval Regiment of Midshipmen. The Corps of Cadets is supervised by the Office of Leadership Development who establish baseline regulations for the running of the Corps of Cadets. The day-to-day activities, such as formations and watchstanding are run primarily by the cadets.

Office of Leadership Development

The Office of Leadership development is Commandant of Cadets, who is appointed by California Maritime Academy and is a paid staff and faculty member. The Commandant is typically a retired Senior Officer from a maritime service, either the Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard.

The Commandant is assisted by a Company Commandants who oversee the cadet companies and one Lead Company Commandant for Leader Development. There is also an administrative support staff. In the past, the Commandant staff had Chief Petty Officers who mentored cadets on professional development and responsibility.

The campus President, Commandants, Company Commandants, Commanding Officer of the Training Ship, licensed faculty, and Training Ship staff, many of whom are Commissioned Officers of the United States Maritime Service also wear the Merchant Marine uniforms to set the standard for cadets to look up to, as well as develop cadets leadership and professional abilities.

Corps of Cadets

The California Maritime Academy Corps of Cadets is organized on the level of an Naval Regiment of Midshipmen. The same uniforms and insignia are used, with the exception of using the title of the rank. The following is the structure as of the 2014-2015 Academic Year:

Corps Executive Staff

Company Staff

Division Staff

All seniors not in an officer position wear the rank of Cadet Ensign (1 Gold Bar). Previously underclassmen were considered equivalent to enlisted ranks, and depending in position wore insignia of a Petty Officer or Chief Petty Officer. Currently, cadets in non-leadership positions wear sleeve striping and rank insignia that corresponds to their academic class standing.

Core Values

In the Cadet Handbook, the Academy identifies the following as the school's "core values:"

Freshman Training

Freshman cadets attend an orientation that familiarizes them with the campus layout and policies. Cadets are no longer required to undergo any training in drill or physical training. Cadets no longer learn marching, but still learn facing movements for Morning Formation and Colors.

Cadet awards

Only awards received from California Maritime Academy, awards from another Maritime Academy if a transfer student, and awards from Military service are worn on the uniform. Reserve Officer Training Corps, Civil Air Patrol, and other program awards are not allowed to be worn on the CMA cadet uniform. Following Navy Uniform regulations, ribbons are worn three to a row, with no spaces in between the rows.

Meritorious Awards

Academic Awards

Training Awards

Conduct Award

Organizational Awards

Notable Alumni of the Corps of Cadets

Graduated Cadets who exemplified the Core Values through their meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility.