 March 11th, 2010 |   I found this via the D13 Flickr page and it struck me as somewhat monumental. Looking at this photo of our Commandant, ADM Thad Allen, makes me wonder of the weight that- by way of his position- is upon those shoulders (other than the four stars on his lapel). PO2 Crawford found a great opportunity here to show the rest of us exactly what may be on ADM Allen’s mind with the blurred picture of a globe in the forefront- a great shot I must say. The photo cutline-
SEATTLE- Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard addresses the crew of the Coast Guard polar icebreaker, Polar Star, one of the nation’s two Polar Class icebreakers, at Pier 36 here [Wednesday] afternoon. Allen discussed such topics as the reactivation process of the Polar Star and the importance of Coast Guard and scientific [arctic] ice operations. The primary missions of the Coast Guard’s icebreakers is to provide scientific and logistical support to various U.S. interests in both Polar Regions. Both Polar Star and Polar Sea have been significant contributors to the program which is led by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Official U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zac Crawford.
March 11th, 2010 |  What is the United States Coast Guard? Seemingly it’s a simple enough question if you had Google or some resemblance of a nautical history book- but the content of those sources doesn’t quite fit the question I’m asking (or rather stating). The question came about as I was listening to NPR the other day and a comment was being read aloud of which had the simple question of “what is the United States Army…?” The question was actually longer than that but I made my way into the Downtown Tunnel in Portsmouth and the remainder of the question was cut short. So with that short but seemingly direct question I began thinking, from a members perspective, “What is the United States Coast Guard?”
I guess I could/would consider this a job; more precisely I guess it’s more of a lifestyle that pays. The CG, especially in the current state of world affairs, is a job that matters- it matters to me, my family, my shipmates, and my county. The Coast Guard is the single service that is always ready, always in “on” mode; when not conducting real missions we’re preparing for them. Even my current job siting behind a computer screen for 12 hours at a time is real world. Though admittedly I’d much rather be out doing boardings or at the very least working in a Sector Response Department my current job is one that’s needed and it too seems to be in an always “on” status.
The Coast Guard doesn’t rest; as you read this we’ll be searching for someone to rescue and/or getting ready to stop a drug running vessel off the coast of some country somewhere in the world. This service is always doing it’s missions- and that’s is why I joined. In 1998 I left the Army, for the most part, because I got tired of training for nothing. At the time the U.S. was in between the two Gulf Wars so nothing was really happening. At the recommendation of my then girlfriend and now wife I looked into the Coast Guard- as it turned out it was a service that never sleeps and I wanted to join.
So what is the Coast Guard? It’s the part of the government that everyone can count on to get the job done; we can be where we’re needed when needed; we’re a service that takes every mission we’re to conduct seriously; we keep bad people out of this great county; we save the unfortunate; and unfortunately we save the stupid as well. The Coast Guard truly is Semper Paratus- always has been, and always will be.
Photo: http://history.sandiego.edu/GEN/st/~pkaplan/index.html
March 10th, 2010 |  The world of General Mandated Training (GMT) Mandated Training (MT) can be a dizzying foray of information to have to process. More oft than not you’ll sit around and ignore the emails from your local training officer telling to make your way to “the portal” and do your mandated training. Only you know for sure you just did it last month (maybe). Well I, by way of a recent ALCOAST (ALCOAST 110/10), am here to lay it all out for you to easily read. There have been A LOT of changes in the realm of MT and not all of them have made their way down to the deckplate for dissemination. And unless you’re like me and spend your entire workday looking at the CGMS board you’re bound to miss something. To start with (and in keeping in order of the message) there are generally three (3) different delivery methods for Mandated Training (MT):
- All-Hands Sessions;
- Facilitated Resident Instruction; and
- eTraining (my fav)
 So how do you know what you’re missing? The easiest way is via CGBI; go here to jump into the “My Readiness” area of CGBI. Next click on the “Skills” tab toward the mid-top and you’re presented with a clickable menu (see picture, note mine is 100%); if you click on the “GMT” link you’ll be given a pop-up with your training requirements. And if you’re the lucky one to be the Unit/Department training officer head on over to AOPS and get the printout of the unit’s training. All of the online training can be completed at the CG Learning Portal.
Now that you know what the computer says you need here’s what the message has listed as the actual training you’re required to have:
CAT A (everyone)
A. THE CURRENT REQUIRED MT CATEGORY (A) LIST IS AS FOLLOWS:
COURSE TITLE INTERVAL
(1) INFORMATION SYSTEMS SECURITY ANNUAL
(2) SUICIDE PREVENTION ANNUAL
(3) SECURITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING AWARENESS ANNUAL
(4) PRIVACY AWARENESS ANNUAL
(5) SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION (SEE PARA B) ANNUAL
(6) SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION/RESPONSE (SEE PARA B) TRIENNIAL
(7) HUMAN RELATIONS AWARENESS (SEE PARA C) TRIENNIAL
The message is below for further clarification.
Continue reading »
March 9th, 2010 |  Some of the most dedicated health nuts I’ve come across are fellow Coasties who’ve, for all intensive purposes, put me to shame in the “always on” physical fitness mode (i.e. cross fit). For some of the other fitness folks out there, the ones who enjoy running (’cause let’s face it, cross fitters are in a world of their own) I’ve found a great site for you.
Though admittedly I think I’ve posted this find once before for the life of me I can’t find it. So with that in mind I bring you a place to go as a Coastie runner: RUNUSCG.org. In a nutshell it’s a central site with a goal to “get as many Coast Guard employees as possible running and competing under the Coast Guard banner.” And who’s a sponsor of RUNUSCG? None other than your Coast Guard Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) program (though I’m sure they’ll take more if you’re interested). The organization (it’s more than just a site) is run by fellow Coasties as well; LT Ken Burgess, ENS Jason Scott, and LT Charlie Epperson are listed as the board members.
So if you’re looking to run with some Coast Guard pride, or perhaps a some new workouts, or a forum (they have one of those too) to discuss running as a Coastie be sure to check out the site.
March 9th, 2010 |  On February 25th, 2010 the Associated Press released a piece by Eileen Sullivan titled Coast Guard pick wants to refine homeland mission; a piece based on a leaked memo authored by the USCG’s perspective Commandant VADM Robert J. Papp Jr. As a reminder VADM Papp is slated, upon confirmation any day now, to take the seat as the Coast Guard’s 24th Commandant replacing ADM Thad Allen in May 2010.
Since it was released I’ve had ample time to digest the several articles and blog posts stemming from the AP story and associated memo (marked ‘Sensitive – For Internal Coast Guard Use Only’). There’s also been quite a bit of offline discussions on the subject both in and out of work.
However, no matter where those conversations start my thoughts end up right where they were on the early morning hours of February 25th when the story hit the wire- pissed off. I’ll admit at first I was upset with the author who wrote the piece but after further thought I realized if anyone should have your/my anger directed towards them it should be the individual who- for all intensive purposes- betrayed the trust of our organization. Sure “leaking” information is part of the American political culture but when it comes to the American Military culture it’s this guys opinion that you’re hurting your own.
Personally I could care less of the content of the memo (it’s easy to find) as it’s not my place to pass judgment- I don’t know the whole picture. But when someone turns on the faucet of letting internal information slip from their control where does it stop? One can safely argue that this memo leak didn’t sink any of our ships but if something like this, something that I suspect was entrusted to our senior leaders and staff in the Coast Guard and DHS, works its way out of an office how do we, members of the USCG family, known that the leaker(s) won’t leak items of a higher interest or classification? I’m not talking about the Aldrich Ames’ of the world (I hope) but none the less it hurt me.
I guess you could also consider this a norm on the Hill and consider me being worried for no reason- but none the less I am. I may also be a tad too sensitive on the issue of anything Coast Guard related but that’s the result of having such passion for this organization; a passion that further reaches to my love of writing about it…
/end rant
Any thoughts from the peanut gallery?
March 8th, 2010 |  As the trend goes it seems as though all things become part of the social media scene whether we, or they (‘er, Tiger Woods) like it or not. Following said trend- and not necessarily in a bad way- a Mr. White (we’re not talking Reservoir Dogs here) created the Facebook group revolving around the Coast Guard MH-60T that crashed last weed in Utah on it’s return trip from Washington State. The group, The Support Group For Coast Guard 6028, is stating to gain some traction. I joined over this past weekend with only about 30 other “groupies” and as I write this the group is sitting at 301 people. I recognize quite a few people in there that I’d expect to be part of such group including some family members.
If you wish to tell the crew something or just want to let the Coast Guard know how much they’re appreciated this would be a good place to do it.
March 8th, 2010 |  Click to enlarge won't you? Do you ever wonder what it is I exactly talk about on here? Well you should because I sure has heck do… but that’s were the fun little tool of Wordle comes in handy. Head the the website, enter any web address- such as ryanerickson.com- and you’re presented with a cool little graphic depicting the topics of your site… the larger the word the more it shows up on your site. And apparently I talk a lot about the Coast Guard; hmm- who would’ve thought that?
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