MAG and DMAG Cadet positions created to clarify Corps disciplinary procedures
By Jack Clark, ‘19
The Texas A&M Maritime Academy at Galveston is constantly growing the Corps of Cadets. This past year marked the beginning of many new changes compared to recent years. Under the new disciplinary system there has become a need for 2 new positions to clarify rules and to act as a guide for cadets. These jobs aim to make the disciplinary system more clear and fair.
The new positions available are the Master Advocates General (MAG) and the Deputy Master Advocates General (DMAG). The new leadership position’s main purpose will be to advise cadets as they go through the process of having a hearing in a Cadet Captain’s Mast.
A Mast is a disciplinary procedure that analyzes the consequences, if any, of a cadet who has broken the Corps of Cadets instruction manual. In a Mast usually a representative from the company, and battalion staff are present along with the Corps Commander. As Cole Manders, the Corps Commander, ’17, said a Mast is, “cut and dry. It is not a court.”
A Mast is a way to solve an issue within the authority of student leadership, without having to go to the Commandants office. If a cadet wishes to appeal the outcome of a Mast he can only appeal to the Commandant’s office and not to another Mast.
MAG and DMAG would be 2 cadets who are well versed in the Corps policies and procedures. Any cadet could seek their knowledge in order to gain better insight on the proper protocol leading up to and during a Mast. However the MAG and DMAG should be able to help and aid any Corps member who has a question about policies within the Corps of Cadets.
The positions will officially begin duty in fall 2017. To avoid any bias the MAG and DMAG will be selected under the supervision of the Commandants office, and candidates will have to prove proficiency in the Corps policies and procedures by taking an exam.
While the MAG and DMAG are there to aid cadets through the disciplinary process, their job is not to give any form of consul other than preparing cadets for the procedure. This means that the MAG and DMAG cannot sit in on the Mast, speak for the cadet, or question any of the sanctions imposed by the cadet captain.
Since last semester the frequency of Mast has significantly decreased. One of the reasons is because the amount of demerits it takes to get a Mast has risen to 75 versus the 50 needed last semester.
When first indoctrinated into the university freshman have many questions about the rules and procedures. Having a Mast Advocates General and a Deputy Mast Advocates General can help smooth the transition between the structured and non-regimented life.
The first couple of weeks for the freshman is a game of trial and error, as they learn how a chain of command works. Those who lag behind in the structure of the Corps will not be left behind under some of the guidance of the MAG and DMAG.
