I'm OK with hazing or any other kind of initiation the CPO selectee does and there's certainly not a PC bone in me, but what is it about the initiation that makes a CPO selectee more qualifed to plug a sinking ship (or fix some other crisis) than he would have been without the initiation (like the author of the article implies)? Wouldn't he already have those skills in order to even be a selectee?
I personally NEVER understood the CPO initiation process other than it was just an excuse for the already practically useless "professionals in their rating" to drag out the potentially useless selectees to play games with them!
I am glad it is going away. Maybe now they will be able to recoup that month to month and a half of lost work that occurs during the process.
I only ever worked with 1 E-7 that didnt go through the initiation process and he was the best, most hard working one that I ever had!
Most of the "modern" CPOs that I know where basically paper pushers and ALL were cowering in fear from the E-9s in the command. All they cared about was making sure THEY didn't look bad.
Come to think of it, I believe the reasoning behind the abolishment of the initiation process might be due to potential incurred medical costs due to SPINAL REMOVAL![]()
I retired in 99 as a Warrant, made Chief in early 90's. I was talking to a CMC earlier today, we're both glad we're gone and retired. Some of the crap you go through seems ridiculous (it is) and on purpose. Most exercises are to build upon the comraderie of the goat locker. Back in the day, Chiefs ran the day to day operations, taught junior officers how to lead and brought up the junior petty officers to take charge and LEAD.
Now, CPOs just take a course, eat a dinner and get a picture taken with their CO.
I remember when I was notified I made Chief. On the second deck, my CMC told me, I didn't believe him. Then my CO told me and my knees buckled...
How many here still have their charge book????
Born with a smirk, smartass for life.