Presidential politics

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Is there someone over on the west coast or on this site that can explain the new link on the CPOA National web site regarding the PacArea "Liberty Risk" instruction? Why is the CPOA National President getting involved with an active duty issue to the point of raising concerns over it with the Commandant and MCPO-CG?

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Bruce,

I just went and read the purpose of the CPOA (http://www.uscgcpoa.org/purpose_of_the_chief_petty_offic.htm) and I didn't see where this is one of the purposes of the organization.

I read the instruction, and unless you are in trouble, why should anyone have a problem with the instruction?

It seems to me that this is a more targeted method to correct an individual's behavior without making cinderella liberty mandatory for the entire crew.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Something doesn't smell right about this one. I don't understand how this fits into the role of the CPOA.

If anyone can clarify, please do so.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

I would have thought that if anyone, meaning a Chief since "they" went to the CPOA National President for help, would have instead have taken the issue to Kevin Isherwood the PacArea CMC. The instruction is well written and a useful tool in my opinion.

I agree that this is a smelly mess considering that the CPOA has been uses of it's time and efforts. I think that the association will start to burn a bridge if the President pushes this on "our" behalf. I'll wait till I get back to work and send him an email about it so I can copy Kevin.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I sent the President an email, the response is below...

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Deane, thanks for writing. I have a lot of issues on my plate and I utilize my time well. This issue does not fit into the role of the CPOA, however, as Chiefs who served on vessels during their careers, I am just asking for membership opinions so I can provide them to the PACAREA CMC and the MCPOCG at convention. If you have an opinion after reading the instruction, please provide it to me. If not, okay.

JON ADLAI SHIPP SR.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Typical Shipp double talk. But I guess he is changing his target from whats stated on the CPOA web site. I'll ask him what is wrong with the instruction that people are seeking his help with. Like we said before this isn't a CPOA issue. And I wonder why he's waiting for convention to discuss this, Kevin Isherwood is one of the most active CPOA guys I know and currently the Chairman of the Membership Committee.

BTW, my opinion for his input is to put his focus on the massive aount of real issues facing the CPOA under his leadership and leave the active duty stuff like this alone.

[MKCM Jim Bridges (Ret)]

Amen Bruce, I was beginning to think I was the only one that thought this way, this is typical J. Shipp. I really pity him because he doesn't have a clue as to the duties of the CPOA president, even though they are spelled out in the bylaws, however its not all his fault association members for years have let him get away with this. example: Town Hall Meeting, Selecting convention site, Suggesting that Kodaik CPOAA set-up a phony corporation, with phony names as a way of getting around our bylaws to run their thrift store. I could go on and on, however I think the point is made. I would welcome his rebuttel

Jim

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Only 122 views on this thread, compared to over 1200 on the "CPOA - Did you vote" thread... :confused:

I just don't see much active duty involvement any more.:(

Wray... :cool:

[BMCS Burt Ford]

Jim,
At our last meeting it was passed that our CPOAA ws defunct and no body knew what was going to happene to the thrift store.

As far as involvement this is the first place I have been involved. I lived iin Baltimore and never made a meeting because they were always late in the day when I was taking young kids to Baseball and soccer and staying home so my wife could work. I know excuses but when you drive 45 miles to get home from work and then have to drive 45 miles to go back for a meeting, it gets exhausting. When in Mississippi, it was a 3 hour drive if Memphis had one so I had no where to go.

It goes both ways, we dont see many CPOA ret memebrs here at our CCTIs or chiefs calls. There are a couple reasons for that but it could be argued new chiefs dont see the members of the CPOA. When in Baltimore at my CTI, the last thing the MCPO did was make me fill out the allotment for dues. Otherwise I may not have joined either.

burt

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Wow Burt, the Kodiak CPOAA Chapter really folded. That used to be one of the stronger chapters in the association. Well I guess that the membership woes and lack or participation isn't just on the CPOA side.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Burt,
When I was at Yorktown we would alternate meeings between day & nightime. That seemed to accomodate most folks... Naturally everyone can't make every meeting, but, I believe if properly notified, they can make many.

A problem retirees have, now that I am one, is a communication breakdown. Since retirees are not at work each day, they must receive a "sepecial invitation" for events, such as CCTI, CG Day, meetings etc....

I hate to say this, now that I am a retiree, but I still feel (always have) the majority of the responsibility fall upon those on active duty. If you can't get them to help out and support their own organization, while on active duty, why should the retirees take the ball and run with it.

Wray... :cool:

[MKCM Jim Bridges (Ret)]

I'm sorry to hear that the CPOAA in kodiak has folded and that the thrift store was lost, it was my understanding that it was good for the base & CPOAA. I was told that it had the full support of the command. They were forced to hire a lawyer to combat what Jon Shipp was trying to do to them, in sure that that cost alot of money. When they would not bow to his wishes he, THE Chief Petty Officers Association PRESIDENT suggested they set up a phony corporation, with phony names as a way around complying with the associations own bylaws. When I was made aware of this I ask that he show some class and do the honorable thing and resign, of course having none he refused. I sent a e-mail to all chapters making them aware of his conduct. They will not hold him accountable so he is still free to continue abusing the office of the president and I'm sorry to say that the very members who claim to be so active in the association would not say $hit if they had a mouthful.

Jim

[HSC Chris Fly]

[QUOTE=BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret);18337]Burt,
A problem retirees have, now that I am one, is a communication breakdown. Since retirees are not at work each day, they must receive a "sepecial invitation" for events, such as CCTI, CG Day, meetings etc....

QUOTE]

Wray,
just so you know, CG Day is on the 4th of August pretty much every year.....
(yeah I know each base may be different, I'm just trying to bust Wray's chops!) :D
Chris

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

That's ok Chris.. that is what I did with the registration 101 stuff... sometimes it's fun to stir the pot... and I have a BIG SPOON! ;) :p

Wray... :cool:

[MKCM Jim Bridges (Ret)]

Back some years ago a member was elected national President of the CPOA. Between the election and the swearing in some misconduct of this member was reported to the BOD. When the convention began, we went into executive session to deal with this report. The member was found guilty of misconduct by his peers, the election results nullified and the office vacated. The BOD then opened nominations from the floor, a new president elected and sworn in. We did not condone msiconduct then and we can't now.

Jon Shipp Put his hand on the bible and took a oath to up-hold the bylaws of this association, he then turns around and suggest ways to violated these bylaws ending with this statement "If anything happens you didn't hear this from me." If the members of this association will not hold members accountable for their actions, then I say its time to close the door, Members are saying he's a dictator, that he abuses the office of the President. I think its time for another executive session not another town hall meeting!!!!

Jim

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

I finally got a reply back from Shipp. He acknowledged my input but also said he didn't want to debate the CPOA involvement, since his help was requested by an active duty Chief. I will note that the link originally posted on the national web site has been removed.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Removing the link from the CPOA website just makes me think that he knows it isn't the right forum for this type of issue. In my opinion, he should have told the active duty Chief that this wasn't in his job description and that they should contact their CMC through their chain of command.