Crew Chief Selection Policy

Program in Maritime Studies, Department of History

Adopted 3 March 2008; Revised 27 August 2018

Each year, the Program in Maritime Studies holds its annual field schools. In most years, the Program tries to grant two summer assistantships for students to gain leadership experience as crew chiefs.

To become eligible for crew chief, students are expected to have (as a minimum) fulfilled the following requirements:

  1. Completion of HIST 6805: History and Theory of Nautical Archaeology.
  2. Completion of HIST 6820: Research Methods in Maritime Archaeology.
  3. Completion of HIST 5530: Field School in Maritime History and Underwater Research.
  4. Completion of HIST 6850: Field Research in Maritime History.
  5. Is an AAUS Scientific Diver (Diving and Water Safety).
  6. Has completed the MOCC Vessel Operators Course (Diving and Water Safety).
  7. Has current CPR, first aid and O2 certifications.
  8. Is certified to drive ECU vehicles.
  9. Has completed their thesis prospectus (final copy signed by all members of committee).

Fulfillment of the above, however, is no guarantee of conferral of crew chief status. The Program considers appointment from a financial perspective (i.e. availability of funds), and the characteristics of available students. Regarding characteristics, a rough set of subjective criteria is outlined below to indicate those qualities Program Faculty look for when selecting crew chiefs. The final decision lies with the field school Primary Investigator who normally confers with the field school Co‐Primary Investigator and other members of PMS faculty and staff. Desired qualities include, but are not limited solely to, demonstrated professionalism and good teaching/communications skills:

  • Is a responsible, mature individual.
  • Has field experience pertinent to the project.
  • Has a track record of excellence in field work.
  • Has an ability to lead, and be a part of a group of people.
  • Has good communication skills.
  • Has good conflict resolution skills.
  • Has demonstrated respect for the chain of command.
  • Has proven diving proficiency.
  • Takes responsibility for their actions.

In some cases, project PIs may also consider the completion of other history, ship construction, or methods classes in the decision-making process. Other considerations include whether the student has expertise in the site types or actual site being investigated (including potential inclusion in their own thesis research).

The crew chief position is not considered a fundamental position within any given field school and there is no guarantee of its conferral.  It is an earned position, conferred as an honor, on those students who have proven themselves in field‐related areas of their studies. Students should note that a crew chief position is not dependent upon grades, and students with the correct attitudes, appropriate personalities, and field‐ related aptitudes tend to be given priority over those who have not demonstrated the above qualities.  No student should ever consider that they are certain of being crew‐ chief in any given year until officially contacted about their eligibility.

 

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