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Author Topic: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member  (Read 26792 times)

Brad Beeching

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FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« on: March 15, 2011, 03:42:09 PM »

 ;D If someone would pay my way for me, I'll volunteer to go hunt for more DNA bones in the underbrush on Niku while they search the deep water on the other end of the island...  and I'll bet the bones won't understand a word I'm saying the whole time!  ;D

Brad

p.s.

I would be a bargain! I don't eat much, I can fit into a suitcase, I rarely get motion sickness, and if I put my mind to it, I can actually keep my opinions to myself! AND I have worked with machinery all my life so if we had a malfunction I can at least hand Ric a screwdriver!
Brad

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Martin X. Moleski, SJ

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #1 on: March 15, 2011, 06:44:47 PM »

I would be a bargain! I don't eat much, I can fit into a suitcase, I rarely get motion sickness, and if I put my mind to it, I can actually keep my opinions to myself! AND I have worked with machinery all my life so if we had a malfunction I can at least hand Ric a screwdriver!

To qualify as an expedition member, you must first successfully complete one of TIGHAR's archeological field schools.  After that, you may volunteer and make your case for inclusion on the team.  Candidates are interviewed in person by special sub-committees of EPAC.

It is only difficult, not impossible, to get a berth on an expedition.  I don't have a complete table, but my impression is that there have always been new members on every trip.  There is some relatively small personal expense involved (over and above the tuition for a Field School), as team members must pay their own way to the jumping-off point for the team.

Another way to obtain a berth is to be a Sponsor Team member.  That takes deep pockets.
LTM,

           Marty
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Martin X. Moleski, SJ

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2012, 08:11:02 AM »

The basic answer to this "frequently asked question" (FAQ) is in TIGHAR's home pages.

Watch this page for details on the 2012 Field School, which will take place at an Electra 10-A crash site, 22-26 August 2012, near Kellog, Idaho.
LTM,

           Marty
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« Last Edit: April 01, 2012, 09:19:19 AM by Martin X. Moleski, SJ »
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Andrew M McKenna

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2012, 12:18:41 PM »

Just to add a little flavor to the basics that Marty has outlined below, attending the field school is the best way for TIGHAR veterans, and in particular Ric, to evaluate how you handle being in the field under what will be stressful and uncomfortable conditions.  Nothing brings the worst out of a person than difficult circumstances, and Nikumaroro always presents difficult circumstances.

One thing that some people forget is that any expedition has only one Chief, and the rest of us are worker bees.  If you aren't willing to buckle down and be a worker bee, stifling your desire to be a Chief, you won't do well in the world of expeditions.

Having a specialized skill that is needed by the expedition is another way to gain a spot, and those tend to be medical degrees or technical skills for some particular part of the work that is needed.  One example is when we wanted to try out ground penetrating radar.  We needed a trained GPR technician, but with no GPR specialist found within the TIGHAR membership, we had to look outside members and Field School graduates to find one.

Figuring out some angle of the Earhart project that you can particularly research, be it sextant numbers, archival research, knives, shoes, buttons, compacts, glassware or some similar productive research is also a good way to get noticed and may land you on the EPAC, but won't get you onto an expedition until the membership and Field School requirements are completed and you fit the profile for a good expedition team member.

One exception to the above is the Sponsor Team Member category.  There are usually a few berths available for STM as a result of the reality of fund raising for expeditions.  Ric vets STMs pretty carefully and thankfully most if not all (at least for the expeditions I've been on) have proven to be hard working contributors to the trips.

Finally, let me just say that dogged persistence and determination help.  It took me some 10 years from initial membership to get onto the Niku expedition roster, so you can't take a short term approach if going to Niku is one of your goals.

Andrew
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Monty Fowler

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2012, 05:17:57 PM »

Indeed, Andrew! - nothing like trying to stay focused on the task at hand (digging a hole in mud the consistency of almost-dry concrete, with hand tools); while enjoying the weather (intermittent rain, drizzle, downpours, fog, a bit of rain, did I menion it was a tad damp?); being gazed at by the natives (passing trainloads of Metro commuters); switching off to paw through the mud being screened (yes, it is possible, stop laughing!) for artifacts - which was anything that wasn't a rock or particularly-tenacious clump of mud (my prize find was a golf ball  ;D); and at the end of the day wondering Why?, but nontheless, being ready to do it all over again at dawn the next day.

I loved field school. Great museum at the College Park, MD, Airport, and a fantastic staff. That Gillespie guy can be quite the character, and Dr. Tom King defines doggedness in the face of adversity.

LTM,
Monty Fowler
TIGHAR No. 2189 CER
Ex-TIGHAR member No. 2189 E C R SP, 1998-2016
 
« Last Edit: May 02, 2012, 01:35:58 PM by Monty Fowler »
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Ric Gillespie

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2013, 07:41:14 AM »

Here's an update on expedition team selection that is being sent to TIGHAR members with the new issue of TIGHAR Tracks.

« Last Edit: March 02, 2013, 07:44:12 AM by Ric Gillespie »
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Thomas Snider

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #6 on: October 20, 2017, 12:57:32 PM »

Hello,
I would love to attend the archeological field school if as it says it is mandatory for an expedition.
Please keep me in mind.
Thank you
Tom Snider
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Martin X. Moleski, SJ

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2017, 05:00:55 PM »

I would love to attend the archeological field school if as it says it is mandatory for an expedition.

I think it has been a while since there was a full-fledged field school.

The last two expeditions have been mixed.

Tom King led an open-registration ship to the island.  All of the passengers paid their own way, I believe.

TIGHAR had smaller groups composed mostly of veteran expedition members.

The two groups were on or near the island at the same time, but each had their own agenda and equipment.
LTM,

           Marty
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Thomas Snider

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #8 on: October 20, 2017, 08:45:17 PM »

Marty,
Thank you for your response. I appreciate it. I definitely would love to go and have no problem paying my way. I do feel I would be an asset with my experience in metal detecting. But overall would be a pleasure to be involved in whatever capacity is needed.
Look forward to talking to you more.
Tom.
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Martin X. Moleski, SJ

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #9 on: October 20, 2017, 09:24:37 PM »

Thank you for your response. I appreciate it.

You're most welcome.

Quote
I definitely would love to go and have no problem paying my way.

I have the feeling that I heard or read that Tom King feels that he has made his last trip to the island.

This was the game plan for Niku IX. 

Betchart has said that they are planning an expedition in 2019.

Quote
I do feel I would be an asset with my experience in metal detecting.

I am not an expedition planner.

I think that the TIGHAR missions are intended to search the lagoon for debris.

That may involve underwater "metal detecting."  I don't know anything about what kind of equipment or expertise that requires.  The Seven Site has been pretty thoroughly cleared and scanned for metal, I believe.  I don't know of another hot spot to explore.  The Village, of course, is full of debris, and who knows what scraps may be mixed in with other things, but it is an enormous area compared to the Seven Site.
LTM,

           Marty
           TIGHAR #2359A
 
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Ric Gillespie

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #10 on: October 21, 2017, 06:38:43 AM »

I would love to attend the archeological field school if as it says it is mandatory for an expedition.
Please keep me in mind.

Thanks Tom. We're currently finalizing how we'll approach the next expedition, but the tentative plans call for pay-your-way participation at an affordable price and discipline-specific field schools for divers and on-shore team members.
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Thomas Snider

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #11 on: October 21, 2017, 09:08:11 AM »

Ric,
Your most welcome. I have no problem paying my way. Would very much help you out all I can regarding my speacilty or anything else you need just to be part of it. My past experience with detecting tells me time and again things can be missed and even the smallest find as you know can be significant.
 If you have room I'm there. I appreciate being involved in such a stellar group.
 I have the best land detectors that are out there and am in the process of purchasing the new At Max , I would be an asset to the land team and follow all guidelines and chain of command. Please keep Me in mind. 
Thank you
Tom
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Thomas Snider

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #12 on: October 21, 2017, 09:17:37 AM »

Marty,
Thank you for all your feedback. I appreciate it sir.
Tom
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Martin X. Moleski, SJ

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Re: FAQ: How to get to be an expedition member
« Reply #13 on: October 21, 2017, 05:50:26 PM »

Marty,
Thank you for all your feedback. I appreciate it sir.
Tom

You're most welcome!
LTM,

           Marty
           TIGHAR #2359A
 
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