News From Fort Schuyler

December 13, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 35

  BIRTHDAY WISHES - The Maritime College marked 128 years on 10 December, years marked by excellence, tradition and change.

RETIREMENT FELICITATIONS EXTENDED - NFFS was reminded that Prof JIM FETZER, Humanities Department, also is retiring from Fort Schuyler this month. The reminder came from AUSTIN DOOLEY, Class of 1968. He notes that Jim, a historian whose speciality is international relations, is his wife's brother-in-law.

ENGINEERING BILLETS AT SCHUYLER - According to an announcement on the alumni website, the Engineering Department "...invites applications and nominations for the position of Assistant Instructor. Two positions are available, subject to funding approval. An Assistant Instructor's duties include: teaching lower division engineering courses, USCG license preparation courses, assisting in laboratories, and serving as an engineering watch officer and instructor during the two month summer sea term."

"Applicants must hold a bachelor degree in engineering and a current USCG Engineers license, steam and/or motor of unlimited horsepower, including currently required STCW endorsements, by May 2003. Applicants are expected to pursue a graduate degree concurrent with service obligations." For application information go to http://www.fsmaa.org

SUNBELT BOOM - According to OTTO LIEPIN, Class of October 1946: "Florida may have five alumni chapters in the coming year 2003. Alumni President TED MASON [Class of 1957] has requested that a survey be made amongst the Florida alumni regarding new chapters to be formed in Fort Lauderdale; Pensacola; Jacksonville; Orlando and St. Pete/Tampa Bay areas. A letter will be mailed out to all Florida alumni in mid-January so that they can indicate a willingness to join the new chapters. A minimum of 15 alumni are needed to obtain a charter. 'Pass The Word' to our alumni so that they will be ready to give this matter prime consideration. An active alumni chapter offers many advantages to all who participate, including camaraderie and 'net working.' So stay close to the Scuttlebutt."

THE BLUE AND THE GREY - It wasn't a case of blue and white in the matter of training ships past. BOB WHITE, Class of 1966 writes: "Yes, the TSES IV was grey during the years I was there (1962-1966). I have pictures from each of those years. The ship was known affectionately as 'the great grey whale.'"

HOLD THIS FROG FOR ME - There is a nice article in the 'Maritime Watch' section of the college website about the participation of Fort Schuyler's NROTC Battalion in the 76th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "Organized by senior ROBERT BRIGGS, [Class of 2003], the group was responsible for tending the two anchor lines that secure each of the 14 huge character balloons that flew during the parade. This was the second consecutive year that Maritime and NROTC have teamed to help Macy's by providing them with nautically inclined folks who understand how to tie a bowline, work a capstan, and, most importantly, commit to something they volunteer for." For the full story click on 'News' at the Maritime College website - http://www.sunymaritime.edu

MORE LAST WORDS ON CRUISE CREDIT - Responding to 'Another Take on Cruise Credit' in the last issue of NFFS, ROD McFADDEN, Class of 1975, writes: The Naval Reserve Association note specifically applied to training cruises with the Naval Academy and some types of ROTC. That's because the Naval Academy Midshipmen (and some types of ROTC Midshipmen) are USN, not USNR; therefore they CAN'T earn Naval Reserve Retirement Points."

"Those graduating classes from Ft. Schuyler who had USNR status while they were Cadets 'probably' WILL get USNR retirement points. If you had military ID cards as a cadet, you should apply."

"Those classes who did not have USNR status as Cadets [should knee those responsible in the groin] probably WON'T be eligible for points."

"If you apply, the worst that will happen is the Navy (more accurately, the Naval Reserve Bureaucracy) will say 'No.' The best that will happen: you'll get the points."

"For the record, there ARE Maritime Academy graduates who have received points and are being paid."

Echoing the point Rod made that some classes did not have USNR status, a graduate of the Class of 1958 writes, "As I understood things, the Gov't. failed to approve a 'Midshipman' program our class year. We were enrolled in a program identified as 'Officer Candidate, Merchant Marine, Seaman Apprentice (OCMMSA.)' Our 'Pay Entry Base Date' began when we were sworn in, in 1955 (GREAT!!) Also, if we failed out, we would be a Seaman Apprentice on active duty in the US Navy. Apparently we were enlisted men while in school. In fact, much to my surprise, sometime after I was commissioned an Ensign in 1958, I received an Honorable Discharge from the US Navy as an enlisted man!" [All clear now?]