CAPTAIN'S MAST

[Char]

HAS ANYONE'S SAILOR BEEN TO CAPTAIN MAST? WHAT HAPPENS AND HOW DID YOUR SAILOR REACT? PLEASE LET ME KNOW

[Hoppi aka Angie]

For someone to go to CO's mast, they messed up big time. When someone goes to CO's mast, they can end up with somthing like the following punshiments:
45/45 1/2 x2 = 45 days restriction, 45 days extra duty, loose 1/2 months pay for 2 months
or
60 1/2 x 2 = 60 days restriction, loose 1/2 months pay for 2 months
or
either of the above and loose the "A" School, along with any bonus the USN was to give them (would be in contract).
or
one of the above and seperate from the USN.
It is the CO's choice what the punshiment is.

[Brenda Sue]

Does Captain's Mast only happen in boot camp - or it can occur anytime during their Navy career?

[Hoppi aka Angie]

CO's mast happens anytime during a sailors career. Above are the punshiments that might be given after bootcamp, I don't know what the punshiments are that happen to someone while in bootcamp.

[Mary, Proud Mom of Nick]

Sometimes at A school they will hold an "Open" mast, Sailors can attend to see what takes place at a Captain's Mast. If your son or daughter ever has a chance to attend one as a visitor, I would encourage it. They can be very eye opening experiences.

[Brenda Sue]

haha - Mary, in the area I live they opened new state prisons when my boys were quite young!!
The prisons were open for public tours before any inmates were housed there.
I took the boys (and all the friends I could gather) and showed them what it looked like on the "other side" of the curly wires!!

hhmmm - don't know if that is what did it - but neither of mine has been in trouble - "KNOCK ON WOOD"!!!!

[Hoppi aka Angie]

So agree with people going to open CO's mast. I have been to open CO's mast and closed CO's mast (no I wasn't in trouble) both very, very powerful.

I don't think anyone can really explain how a sailor feels when they go to CO's mast. I guess it would be like, the person who is in trouble feeling like everything they have worked for is being ripped out under their feet. They have no control over what is going to happen to them, it must be verey scary and hard with the waiting to find out what the punshment will be. BUT if the person didn't do what caused them to go to CO's mast they wouldn't be in that spot. So really the person did it to themselfs and it is now the responsiblity of the CO to correct the action.

[Linda]

Char,

I was a Legalman in the Navy and got out in 1992. I attended many Captain's Masts and Courts Martials. The usual UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) violations ranged from unauthorized absences (UA), failure to obey orders, illegal use of drugs, drunk on duty, DUI/DWI, destruction of Government property, and I even had a case where someone opened another persons mail.Usually the hardcore cases like assault and murder go to Courts Martial and there is a military judge and military jury made up of E-7 and above and officers. Captain's Mast is used for less serious offenses and is up to the CO as to what punishment. They can be held from the day you enter the Navy until the day you get out. It's been too long since I got out to remember what the penalties are.
Hope this helps.

Linda

[Char]

Thank you Linda.

My sailor is going to CO mast this morning. I am praying for him, he went on UA and didn't know what to do (19 yrs. old). He has never been in trouble before. He was scared and confused. I want him to take the punishment like a man.

thank you

[Brenda Sue]

sorry for you Char - hopefully, he gets off easy but hard enough to learn his lesson.

What is UA??

[Char]

Thanks Brenda,

UA is unauthorized absence. He was scared....

[Martha61]

Char,

My son went before the Captain's Mast last February because something that sounded like a good idea to a group of his friends at the time wasn't such a good idea. He was in Power School at the time at Goose Creek. I can't remember exactly what his punishment was, but he lost rank, lost pay, and got held back a class in school. He graduated from Power School in April and I talked briefly with his commanding officer after the ceremony. He asked me if my son walked across the stage. When I answered "yes" he said that is what mattered and I should be proud of him. I don't know how big a mark it is on his record, and, as his mother, it really doesn't matter to me. He messed up, took responsibility and accepted the consequences. I believe he was pretty upset at first, but as time passed and things got back to normal (off restrition and extra duty) he got back in the routine and everything seems back to normal now.

You can read about captain's masts on the internet. The tradition goes back a long way.

Your son will get through this. Mine did.

[Char]

Martha!

Thank you for your words of encouragement! I really appreciate your words....you don't know how I am praying for my son...please if you can, add us to your prayers! Thanks so much and congratulations to your son and thank God!

Charmaine