Thanks for your speedy and helpful replies, everyone's insight has been invaluable. I didn't mean to sound like the not waking up was trivial, more the means it came about. Like was said, this is a military organization, and everyone is held accountable. Maybe this is just a swift kick in the butt to introduce me to the system and get me on my way. Either way, I will go into the mast with the right attitude and pray for a positive outcome. Thanks again.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: USCG7,

quote:

Originally posted by USCG7:
I don't want to have to call my CMC over this

Your getting ready to go to Mast and you don't want to talk to your CMC??? Then how about your Leading Chief???

I don't know the other side of the story (there is always at least 2 sides) but your Mast Rep should be assisting you. Also, just because you go to Mast doesn't mean you will be awarded punishment.

Another thought......not waking up and missing your watch relief is not trivial to the person who has to cover for you till you show up. Don't say it's trivial at your Mast. If you decide to, I want to be there and watch what happens!!!

Whatever happens it's not the end of your career. Good luck....

Like MC Long said, these shold be questions for your Mast Rep. A couple of corrections: You are not YET being tried for anything. Capt's Mast is not a trial and is not Judicial in process. It is an administrative procedure. Take a look again at Article 92.

(3) Dereliction in the performance of duties.


(a) That the accused had certain duties;
Did you have a duty to wake up? YES

(b) That the accused knew or reasonably should have known of the duties; and
Did you know you should have been awake? YES

(c) That the accused was (willfully) (through neglect or culpable inefficiency) derelict in the performance of those duties.
Did you fail to be awake? YES!

Now - the only part left in meeting all elements is the JUDGEMENT call on whether or not it happened through neglect or culpable inefficiency. The CO will make that decision based on whatever you and any witnesses say. Going to Mast is not the end all. People go to mast not when they are GUILTY, but when there is enough evidence that the PIO and XO feel that it comes down to a judgment call like this. Go to MAST with the right attitude, which is "I SCREWED UP AND FAILED TO PERFORM MY DUTIES AS REQUIRED." Carefully explain what you did to try to avoid the situation. Did you stay up watching movies well past the time you were authorized to hit the rack? Think about those things. Captain's Masts are very often "come to jesus" events as some older folks may say. Your CO will look deep into your eyes and determine whether or not you understand your errors and will see if you need a little more incentive to prevent it from happening again. If they believe your lesson has been learned already, they MAY dismiss it. If they believe you just don't get it, they will bring on more lessons! It seems like you must work at a place w/o a live watch. What could have happened in the time you were supposed to be awake and were asleep?

By the way - to answer your question, of course booking you was lawful! Anyone can book anyone at any time! Taking you to MAST is lawful. If the CO believes you were neglectful or had culpable inefficiency, punishing you is lawful. Not everyone who goes to mast gets punishment.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! Of course he had every right to book you. You were 1 hour and 45 minutes late. You said you recieved a Pg 7 for the same type of offense earlier too. Well if you actually read the Pg 7, at the bottom the last line usually states "Any further offenses of this nature will result in further disciplinary action" or something to that effect. This is another offense of the

Next time put in a "wake up". Since this is the second time, I doubt the alarm clock story will carry much weight when extenuating and mitigating factors are considered, unless you are an otherwise stellar performer. Do you happen to have a sleep disorder?

There is always more to the story, so I am skeptical. Talk to your Chief.

Why not have a separate back up system- like a watch alarm just in case? Obviously its to late now, but for the future it might work.

Maybe it's just the narrative style, but as others have pointed out, there are two sides to the story.

The story though is a bit interesting,

What would your rate/rank be that you are standing duty as the inport Officer of the Deck. If I recall from CG regs, the duty of Officer of the Deck (afloat) or Day (ashore) is duty stood by an officer, warrant officer or petty officer.

That your petty officer of the watch (QMOW) didn't notice that the OOD was not up and about at a normal time raises a little doubt as to whether they were standing a proper watch.

In the sea services an underway or inport Officer of the Deck, would be familiar with the system of keeping time. The wake up would have been at 0600 and you'd have been rousted out at 0745. The use of A.M. after the time was discontinued way back in the 1920s.

Makes an interesting story, but for those that will pursue it those little items just don't add up for the Officer of the Deck being placed on report.

I'd also question the COs judgement in keeping you as an OOD. Surprised he isn't exercising the ever popular "loss of confidence" phrase.

I always tell my junior guys: 1 plug-in alarm, 1 battery alarm.

Your mast rep should be assisting you in the process. The investigating officer should've counseled you on the investigation with your mast rep at your side. Like was mentioned earlier, just because you go to mast does not mean you will be awarded punishment. There must be more to this story.

To end positive, your character shows by how you handle a situation like this. Instead of getting down in the dumps, you must rise above and show you are an enthusiastic Coastie with a desire to succeeed.

Good luck.

Having been to Mast myself earlier in my career and also having served several times as a Mast Rep I can tell you that the Captain has his mind pretty well set on the outcome prior to you even entering the proceeding. Understand that he has had ample time to read the 4910, supporting documentation, witness statements, and has spoken with the investigating officer. If you have something pertinent to present as a mitigating circumstance you’ll have that opportunity. Understand that you’re not likely to get too much sympathy as this is a military organization and I’m pretty sure relieving the watch on time is one of the general orders still taught in recruit training. My recommendation would be to take whatever corrective measures and punishment the Capt imposes onboard and make the appropriate changes. Remember people wont remember how you fell, but will remember how you recovered. Stand tall take your punishment and learn from it. I’ve known plenty of folks who have been to mast for various reasons, as long as you learn from your mistakes it can have a positive outcome. Good Luck!

I stood BMOW watches but never OOD. I had the impression that if you placed a wake up call, the burden would be more on the watchstander if you weren't woken up. Maybe that is not the case but my only advice is in the future, back up your alarm with a wakeup request.

I know, thanks a pant load for the late suggestion.

Like others have suggested, in my past, when problems came up I always went with honesty and showing I took it serious.

I wish you luck.

Don

Your transgression isn't failure to properly appear for your watch. Your transgression is failure to commit to the details of your assigned duties, which in turn, burdened your shipmates. You failed to apply sufficient attention to detail to complete your mission. What if your mission was not just getting up, but executing all aspects of a complicated SAR plan? Why should we trust you?

As for mast and the old man ... your best bet is to stand tall, square up and admit readily you effed-up. Tell him that you understand, and are shamed that your inaction impacted your shipmates. Tell him you are prepared to re-address your commitment to your watchkeeping and general duties. And tell him the biggest truth, which is ... the thing you most regret is the official stain on your personnel record of an NJP ... because a clean record is something you can show off, but you can never recover.

CG7,
Mast for relieving the watch late? What else did you do wrong, because mast seems overkill for a late relief. As for your mast, you will first reaffirm that you accept the issue being resolved at mast, then the CO will find whether you committed the offense or not, finally grant punishment if he/she finds you wrong. That you relieved late appears beyond question, don't even put up a fight. Admit your mistake immediately given the opportunity during mast. No BS about alarm clocks, wake up calls or anything else. Punishment serves two purposes: 1. to hold you accountable for what you have done and 2. to ensure you don't do it again. For #1, be able to relate some examples of your good work and maybe a few times you relieved the watch early or took an extra watch when someone was sick. For #2, let the CO know you get it, and have taken steps to ensure you won't be late again. As to how to get to watch on time, do we need to go there? having been there, done that I assume being late has more to do with not enough sleep, not taking your watch duty seriously enough, and not being considerate of your shipmate that you relieved late. I always used as a rule of thumb that for every hour you are late you owe the other person two hours in return. Have you made up for the time you took from the person you relieved late yet? If not, do so. Put aside that this person put your on report.

As for speaking with your CMC or Chief, good idea. Truth and legitimate remorse have a way of getting relayed to the right people. I say that as a Chief and former Silver Badge. The CO listens and makes informed decisions.