Most of us who have been sailing for a while to be now wearing three if not four stipes bemoan the quality of officers and cadets that we come across. It would not be wrong to assume that we have resigned ourselves to the quality and our helplessness at not being able to do anything about it. We talk about the time when cadets had to spend not less than 24 months at sea. Those cadets it appears were more malleable and willing to be subject to what may now be termed extreme. But I also remember my Mates and Masters saying how easy a time I was having. How much more better the training was in Rajendra and also in Dufferin. How much more tougher it was. masts to climb .boats to row.
it will not be long before these very juniors who now we are not happy with will turn out with 3 or 4 stripes on their shoulders and repeat what all seniors seem to tell the juniors." during our time......"
For the present state we squarely blame the system that turns out graduates who come onboard after having learnt law and business in the last year. And they would have forgotten what azimuth is and how to compute an error. I feel there is a mis match in what the industry is demanding and what the institutes are supplying. On a personal level I feel that the students refresh basics so they are better prepared for sea. Preferably even add a semester or two that is spent at sea.
The institutes do well to build knowledge. And when these cadets come onboard they add to their knowledge- not always in the traditional manner; but by watching, learning from peers and superiors and from experience. And then they ( should) develop the skills by applying this knowledge to what they do- Practically. By doing this they reinforce the theory learnt earlier and consolidate all that they learnt. With time they become what we may term as good officers.
But what i feel is much more than the knowledge and the skill which can be developed structurally; it is the attitude that is the most important. A few of the officers who I would term have good attitudes take more than a few attempts to clear their exams. The ones who clear their exams in their first attempt may not necessarily be who I want onboard.
For me someone with a good attitude will be better motivated, will be more creative and receptive to knowledge- and not just in a mechanical manner. They will be more willing to accept responsibility rather than resort to " this was always the way it has been" or some such other excuses.
Knowledge and skills can be assessed and structurally improved.What do we do. If only institutes could churn out cadets with an A+ in attitude.
For now all I think we-everyone who can be an influence on the young impressionable mind- can do is set an example. The teachers in the institute, the recruiters, the staff in the office and then all of us onboard who want them to make us a cup of coffee!
