Formation 1969 Website www.scientology.org | Chairman of Religious Technology Center David Miscavige | |
Type Unit in the Sea Org, the paramilitary wing of the Church of Scientology Purpose Enforcement of the Religious Technology Center Headquarters Hemet, California, United States | ||
The Commodore's Messenger Organization (CMO) is a sub-unit of the Sea Org, a paramilitary wing of the Church of Scientology, comprising the church's most dedicated members. Its members communicate and enforce policies of the Religious Technology Center.
Contents
Formation
The first Commodore's Messengers were appointed by L. Ron Hubbard in 1968 while he was living aboard the Sea Organization ship called the Apollo. These messengers were his personal administrative assistants and operated solely under his direction, ensuring that Scientology management was following Hubbard’s policies.
The original four messengers were Janis Gillham (aged 11), Terri Gillham (12), Annie Tidman (12) and Suzette Hubbard (13), who was later replaced by Claire Popham (13). In 1975 while sailing in the Caribbean, due to the heat and humidity, the Messengers devised their uniforms themselves: white shorts, tie tops and platform shoes with knee high socks. Messengers conveyed messages from Hubbard and they were trained to mimic Hubbard's exact tone and mannerisms.
One Sea Org member recalled inquiring why Hubbard chose young girls for the role of messenger. Hubbard reported that "Hitler was a madman, but nevertheless a genius in his own right and the Nazi Youth was one of the smartest ideas he ever had. With young people you had a blank slate." Hubbard further argued that he picked girls because women were more loyal than men.'
Watchdog Committee and All Clear Unit
In April 1979, Hubbard created the Watchdog Committee (WDC). In 1981, the All Clear Unit of the CMO was set up with the purpose of ensuring an "All Clear" for Hubbard to emerge from hiding. As head of the unit, David Miscavige, took orders only from Pat Broeker, who was accountable only to Hubbard.
Members
Annie Tidman became a Messenger at age 12. She married fellow messenger Pat Broeker and they were among the few people in direct contact with L. Ron Hubbard during his final years. In November 1992, Tidman made an unannounced departure from the group, but returned after church members intercepted her at the Boston airport. She died in 2011.
In 1967, Sharone Stainforth, age 10, joined the Sea Org and became one of Hubbard's original Messengers on the Apollo. After leaving Scientology, she became a critic of the organization.
Michelle "Shelly" Barnett became a Messenger at age 12. She later married fellow Messenger and future Scientology leader David Miscavige. She has made no public appearances since August 2007. The Church of Scientology denies that she is missing.
Mike Rinder joined the Sea Org and worked under Hubbard on his ship the Apollo in 1973. He joined the CMO in 1978, later becoming the church's international spokesperson. Rinder left the church in 2007 and has since spoken out against it.
Marc Yager joined the Sea Org in 1974 and sailed with Hubbard on Apollo. Yager became a messenger and assisted Hubbard in video production. Yager was appointed Commanding Officer of the Commodore's Messenger Organization, Chairman of the Watchdog Committee, and later, Inspector General for Administration in the Religious Technology Center (RTC). Ex-members of the Church have alleged that Yager was sent to "The Hole", a Rehabilitation Project Force facility.
In 1977, David Miscavige, then aged 16, joined the Messengers. After Hubbard's death, Miscavige emerged as the leader of the Church of Scientology.