If the CPO Academy is such a great thing, then why is it that the Coast Guard has to make it a requirement to attend? I have heard the Chief's whispering to each other that they are told upon graduation from the CPO Academy that they are to say nothing negative about the class (even if they feel this way)and to promote no matter what! What kind of horse crap is this? I have been told by Chief's that are close friends that it is a waste of five weeks. However, if publicly asked, they promote it. This is not an honest answer to what I perceive as a problem. I have chosen to bring this to the forum while hiding my identity due to the fact that we have big brother monitoring the discussion board ready to battle for their bread and butter. C'mon lets get some answers! Why are Chief's being sent to this thing kicking and screaming only to graduate with a gag order!

I certainly can't help you on this one.. I never attended. I do have one question for you .... what pay grade are you?

I don't think you will get many answers on this one, but perhaps you will.. Good luck.

Wray...

Master Chief,
Honorable E-7.

I've never heard anything about a "gag order". The CPOA is similar to any training - if you listen and learn, you may actually be able to take away something that will help you. In some cases, you can take a whole LOT away with you!!

It teaches stuff that should be taught several pay-grades below E-7, but works well for that grade. You will meet and greet more fellow Chiefs than you can shake a stick at, and you'll even meet some members of our sister services.

The reason it was made mandatory is that it is just flat-out a smart idea. Kinda like a seat belt... to me, it's kinda stupid that the Commandant made those mandatory - but I see the wisdom in using them. Look at the CPOA as an opportunity, and you won't go wrong.

B_12 -----> The first thing they should teach you is that the acronym CPOA is for the Chief Petty Officers Association (started in 1969)

The place you are talking about is the CPO Academy. One of these days this may get this straightend out... but then again, there are still people that believe there is an E-10 paygrade

Wray...

Look brother, I don't know who you've been talking to, but no one told me not to say anything negative about the class upon graduation. Most don't say anything negative because there's just not much negative to say. It was an incredible learning experience for me, much like my CCTI.

One thing they might teach you is not to get on fredsplace and spout of uninformed rumors and opinions for the purpose of instigating complaints and stirring the pot. How about you go to YOUR academy CHIEF and see for yourself! It has to be forced upon us between too many of us fail to see the tremendous opportunity in front of our faces and wouldn't take it if not.


Wray, the difference between CPOA and CPO Academy was covered during day one.

You will get as much out of the CPO Academy as you put in to it. I doubt anyone can go there and not come back with something. If you do it's your own fault.

There is no gag order upon graduation. Even if they tried how could they enforce it? I think the most common reponse from everyone in my class was "Why don't we get this training sooner in our careers?".

If you're truly a CPO as you claim then go to the Academy and form your own opinion. If you still find it was a waste of time you can come back here with an arguement based on experience rather than mere hearsay.

I also never attended...However, I've personally known quite a few Chief's that have...Honestly, I can't remember anything negative any had to say about it...Of course I did have a brain tumor removed in 96, so maybe they just cut that negative part out...

I will also jump on the "never attended" wagon. It just wasn't my cup of tea. However, I know many who have, and I have never heard one negative remark about the school. If I did hear someone with those type of complaints, I would seriously question their motives for making such a statement, then I would question whether or not they should even wear the anchor. I personally think someone was feeding you a line of B.S. Just my opinion. Dave

quote:

Wray, the difference between CPOA and CPO Academy was covered during day one.

Mike, I guess B_12 just missed that part....

thanks,

Wray....

I think the idea of the CPO Academy is a good one. The other services have similar NCO Academies, and just because someone advances to E-7 doesn't nessesarily mean they know everything. We've all known members who've advanced and didn't have the opportunity to be a good leader, or didn't have many subordinates to lead. EPQ's and COMDINST don't teach these traits, and if the CPO Academy helps with that, then 5-weeks of someones time isn't hard to stomach.

I agree.... The CPO Academy would and should be a school all new Chief's attend. Of course I have heard this for years & years... WHen it first started the CG was forcing the E-9's to attend... many, at that point in their life & career resented being told they had to go to it... Several retired. Personally, after being an E-9 for 10 years or so, I did not feel the need to go myself... I was at RTC Yorktown, saw what they did, talked to many going through the classes, and was even a guest speaker occasionally. E-9's should never have been the targeted ones for attendance...

The key here, & point is,the new Chief's should be the ones attending.. You should not be able to advance to E-8 if you have not attended. Perhaps that may even be something that is being done now, I don't know.

During my career I went for all the training I could. I think when I made Chief the newest & best training available was SPOLAM. I went & enjoyed it.. but did I get that much out of it? not sure.

I realize the CPO Acad covers much more.. ... certain ratings will benefit much more than others. IF they want this work, like I said, no academy, no advancement to E-8, no excuses...... It's just that simple.

Wray...

It would probably benefit the new Chiefs a lot ... I know I would have welcomed receiving an alternative "perspective" about what it's like to put on the anchor.

Consider the all the different scenarios into which we are advanced:

Mine, I was a six-year Chief, 25 years-old. I promoted into a high-performing, kick-***/take no names Chief's Mess on a Polar Roller. And I started out believing that a hard-*** is what I should be. I know my attitude would have benefitted from a turn at the Academy.

How about CPO's who advance in "CPO Solitude", that is, not many Chiefs around? Or some guys, long on years, who just need an update of current leadership attitudes?

Bob rocks

quote:

Bob rocks

Dave, did I miss something here?

Wray...

You can count me in as one who never attended the CPO ACAD. You can also count me in as one who advocated over the past 20 years about sending PO2s to a leadership school.

However, I know quite a few who attended and they always said they learned something and said it was beneficial when we discussed the CPO ACAD.

Wray, as we both know, the needs of the service can change the "no academy, no advancement to E-8, no excuses" rule.

I agree that some ratings need it more than others as the opportunities to lead varies with rating. I hope the Chief's out there are giving their LPO's the opportunity to lead, irrespective of their rate.

AAMan,

If you wish to have an open discussion on this, by all means, reveal yourself, I am certainly up to have a frank open discussion on the topic.

I read through your post, went back and looked through the curriculem from when I attended and tried to find the "Kool Aid Drinking" Session, and the hush up brief. Neither of those were part of the course. So I'm not sure when they started teaching that.

Like any training, you get what youput into it. The CPOACAD is designed to provide you with a toolbox that you can pull from when you need it.

quote:

Wray, as we both know, the needs of the service can change the "no academy, no advancement to E-8, no excuses" rule.

Joe I would agree with that, but isn't it still 3 years between E-7 and E-8?

Too many invalid excuses in my book... and I've had that book for over a decade now..

Wray...

All,
I never attended the CPO Academy, did not have to. I would go in a second if I could, although I did attend the CMC course at the CG Academy. Although I have never gone to the CPO Academy, I have worked with a number of people that have gone through both the active duty one and the two week Reserve one. They all have been better Chiefs for having gone. Is it the course material? Hanging out with other Chiefs? Or just being given the opportunity to think about just what a Chief really is? Probably all f the above. Wray - the reason they have to require it is more that a great number of our newest Chiefs are putting doing a good job at what they are already doing ahead of their own development, and too many commands are making it difficult for the Chiefs to go. That is why the "order" to go came out. Basically, the resident Flag and Gold Badge have to be notified. Imagine a CO making it difficult to go now? "Gee Admiral, I cannot let my Chief go, whoops is that my OER you are working on. Second thought, I would be glad to support the Chief is his/her professional Development"!!! IRT the Chiefs themselves, they need to be given an incentive to go, they have. And now a kick in the a$$, they have. Bottom line - the class is worth it, everyone should go.

The only people that complain about going are usually ****bags.