Chief Mate Juggles Priorities to Meet Mission

Photo By Leslie Hull-Ryde | Michael Cook, chief mate on USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), takes on the responsibilities of some of the most demanding positions aboard any ship in the U.S. Navy including: executive officer, damage control officer, security officer, safety officer, training officer, anti-terrorism officer, and department head. (Photo by Che Cuellar)  

U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

02.26.2021

Story by Leslie Hull-Ryde 

Military Sealift Command Far East

Some of the most demanding positions aboard any ship in the U.S. Navy including: executive officer, damage control officer, security officer, safety officer, training officer, anti-terrorism officer, and department head.

On board most Navy ships, someone is responsible for each of those jobs, and they often have strong backup, like a deputy or assistant, and a team of Sailors to help carry out all related tasks.

That’s not the case on USNS Yukon (T-AO 202).

On the fleet replenishment oiler, one person does all that.

“As the USNS Yukon chief mate, I fill the role of executive officer for most ship-wide evolutions and am also the ship’s damage control officer, security officer, safety officer, and training officer,” said Michael Cook.

“Consequently, my duties are quite varied.

“I have a critical assignment in almost all operational evolutions the ship performs.”

Getting it all done—safely and effectively—requires adroit multi-tasking skills.

“The many collateral duties you are responsible for guarantee that there is always at least one program under your purview that needs extra attention,” said Cook, who was born and raised in Scituate, Mass.

“There is no shortage of work to do, and time spent focused in one area may preclude making progress for a bit elsewhere, but it all gets done, thanks in large part to the team on Yukon.”

Cook is used to staying busy, juggling many important tasks, and seeing them through to completion.

He started working for Military Sealift Command immediately after graduating from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass., with a Bachelor of Science in marine transportation six years ago. Since then, Cook has served as the chief mate aboard MSC’s submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) and as the cargo officer aboard the ammunition ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14).

Through one of the leadership development opportunities offered by MSC, Cook spent 10 months enrolled in the U.S. Naval War College’s College of Naval Command and Staff in Newport, RI. He graduated from the program with a Master of Arts in defense and strategic studies.

In addition to all his Yukon responsibilities, Cook serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve. His most recent tour on active duty was as the ordnance officer for Task Force 53 in Bahrain. He often transfers his MSC experience to his active duty assignments and vice versa.

How would you describe your responsibilities?
During vertical replenishments, I control the helicopters that land and retrieve cargo on our flight deck. When the ship arrives and departs from ports, I direct line handlers to tie up and cast off the ship. In the event of a fire, and most other emergencies, I coordinate the ship’s firefighting, dewatering, and collision response efforts to protect the ship. Finally, during security incidents, as the antiterrorism officer I implement the ship’s nonlethal and lethal measures to deter or neutralize the threat. I am also the department head for Yukon’s deck department, made up of those crew members who navigate the ship and operate the cargo equipment and deck gear to accomplish Yukon’s mission as a cargo fuel provider for the U.S. Navy.

How does your position contribute to mission accomplishment?
The chief mate is essential to Yukon’s readiness as I ensure the ship is trained and equipped to execute its mission. As the training officer, I draft ship-wide training schedules and monitor personnel training qualifications to maintain Yukon’s dual compliance with U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy training standards, requirements that ensure the crew is adequately trained to safely accomplish its mission. I oversee the inventory and inspection of lifesaving, damage control, cargo, force protection, and deck gear, and restock materiel shortfalls when they arise so that Yukon has the authorized allowance of equipment onboard. During cargo and ship maneuvering events, and drills, I assume a leadership station either on the navigation bridge or in the helo control tower, or I supervise from the deck plates.

What's the most difficult or challenging part of your job?
In my experience, prioritizing projects and balancing the demands of different responsibilities is one of the more challenging aspects of the chief mate position.

What's the most gratifying part of your job?
Watching a well-developed whole-of-ship plan to accomplish the ship’s mission come to fruition is extremely satisfying. Whether the operation be an underway replenishment, a complex navigational transit, or a major maintenance evolution, when Yukon pools its resources and talent together toward a common goal and succeeds, it justifies the countless hours of hard work that went into planning and training for that event.

What would you say to others who may be interested in supporting MSC?
MSC is admittedly not the first community the general public thinks of when it considers the U.S. Navy. In fact, the logistics piece of U.S. naval operations is often an afterthought. Nonetheless, MSC delivers the combat power and endurance the Navy and other armed services need to accomplish U.S. strategic objectives. Therefore, supporting MSC, whether as an employee or benefactor, is an outstanding opportunity to positively impact national defense. Moreover, as an employee, you will be offered ample opportunities to learn, grow, and advance if you show, through actions, aptitude, and a desire to learn and take on responsibility.

• Date Taken: 02.26.2021
• Date Posted: 03.01.2021 02:15
• Story ID: 389987
• Location: U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY