![\"TSSOM](\"https:\/\/mainemaritime.edu\/mariner\/issue1-2017\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2017\/11\/classroom-photo.jpg\")
(From left:) Capt. Les Eadie, Master of TS State of Maine, Cadet Chief Mate Bob Euiler and Commandant of Midshipmen, Capt. Nathan Gandy at the ship\u2019s chart table.<\/p><\/div>\n
There are four facets to the experience: classroom instruction, hands-on instruction (watch and maintenance), personal adaptability to close social living through self-discipline, and shared responsibility (shipboard life).<\/p>\n
While requirements and assessments have evolved over the years\u2014certainly since the 1943 class of MMA midshipmen sailed aboard the schooner Mattie\u2014the overall goals are little changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cruise is when students put into practice what they\u2019ve learned in class,\u201d says Capt. Les Eadie \u201976 who has served as Master of TSSOM since 2011. Eadie has the ultimate responsibility for the efficient operation of the ship and the safety of all personnel. His years as a MMA student, Merchant Mariner, MMA Training Officer, Instructor and Master serve his calm approach to just about anything that might happen aboard, \u201cbut there\u2019s a lot of things to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n
The basic organization of the cruise has 4C (or fourth class, freshmen) cadets aiming for their AB license do 90-day stints on the cruise, with classroom instruction, \u201ca few less than desirable duties,\u201d says Gandy, \u201cand they rotate between deck and engine watches to learn the operation and pulse of the ship.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Their second year, they participate in cadet shipping with commercial maritime companies to learn about \u201creal-world pressures and practices,\u201d says Eadie. They also are assigned a Sea Project that Gandy says helps them \u201clearn a new ship to the degree and detail expected of an officer newlyreporting aboard. When complete, they know the ship from stem to stern and all the systems between.\u201d)<\/p>\n
Their last cruise aboard TSSOM as 2C (second class, juniors) brings to bear all the classroom experience they have had, be it in simulators, engineering, equipment function, and more. And they\u2019re responsible for much of the operation of the ship, in particular, for training of the 4C cadets.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you operate a simulator and it breaks,\u201d says Gandy, \u201cyou wait for someone to come repair it. When you\u2019re responsible for the ship and it breaks, it can\u2019t go on and perform its intended mission, and there\u2019s a much bigger cascading effect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe cruise serves to bring into focus the accountability and responsibility training they\u2019ve had and demonstrates why it\u2019s important. It bridges the academic to application.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cadet Chief Mate Bob Euiler, a marine transportation major, has important responsibilities aboard ship in the area of safety, conducting related drills and fire emergency response exercises.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019ll also be doing celestial navigation training for the freshmen,\u201d he says. \u201cA big part of my grade will be based on how well that training succeeds. So their performance will reflect on how well I do.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I\u2019ve learned that applies to the real world is leadership. How to deal with different types of people, how to be in charge of people who are maybe older or have sailed longer than you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gandy says the regimental experience and especially the cruise yields \u201cstudents who come to recognize the value of holding themselves accountable and to a high standard.\u201d<\/p>\n
And whether at sea or land in their chosen profession, they come to appreciate those qualities and \u201cthe sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself, which carries throughout your life.\u201d\u2588<\/span><\/p>\n