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My Career |
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Like all coast guard members we all start at Cape May, boot camp. There are three barracks there that house roughly 300 recurits in a building. This building was mine, Healy Hall. The road in the picture is where our company J-163 did plenty of Intensive Training each morning before the sun came up. |
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To the right is a typically scene at boot. The company commander walks though the ranks to collect the Performance Trackers aka written proof of recurit screw ups. |
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Again another memory that everyone has. A good CC doing his job. Leaving you standing there thinking what the hell did I do? |
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The Hamptons in New York
Small boat Shinnecock was my first station after boot. I hated it because people there were pissy. There was no leadership, except for one person. As I type the people who were there three years ago are still there same rank, and no motivation. The time spent there was important for my development and my understanding that there are stations out there that stink. One piece of advise that I will take to my grave is from my FS1. In a discussion of how BM3s treat you like shit, my FS1 simpley stated, well when you are a EM3 you need to remember that, the way you fix this problem in the Coast Guard is by you fixing your behavior when you are there. I have and at our station people respect me and trust me. Thanks FS1, you at this point have been my best leader, again thanks. |
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Yorktown, Va was my third station within a years time. I went to school for 5 months to become an Electrician. I love it, if at anytime in my career I could relive my life this would be the time, it was fun. I never drank, nor did I do anything wrong. I made the friends that I never had and will remember those who have taught me something very important in life. To all those I say thanks. Let me explain the picture, the long T looking thing is our 1/2mile pier, it was fun to walk on and meet all the old Vets who like to fish there. |
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Oh the Air Station in Detroit, really Mount Clemens Michigan. Here my job is to make sure all the electrical in the Hangars and Admin, area are up and running.. I was lucky enough to get stationed with a friend from school, between Sotelo and myself we keep the Air Station with lights, power, and smarts. Of course the Electricians in the Coast Guard are the smartest people ever, lol. I have been here for 2 plus yrs and will be leaving in the summer of 2006. I will be taking my most proud reward, and will be starting my longest career. I will be taking Heather with me and my first career will be making Heather love me. Then after that the coast guard will be my concern. |
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USCGC BOUTWELL |
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The CGC Boutwell is my next station. It is 378' in length and is 54' in width. There are roughly 166 coasties on board. The ship's main missions range for Law Enforcement to Search and Rescue. My job will be to join a team of Electricians to maintain and prevent any problems that may occur on this moble station. If you can image everything that is in your house that is electricial, ie toaster, hair dryer, tv, range, fridge, or even your lights these are all powered by an power supplier DTE or American Power. There is no power company in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, therefore we EMs will also be in charge of the power supply units (generators) to ensure the normal function at all times.
Some of the Boutwesll's port call for the ship is Dutch Harbor AK. If you are familiar with the Discovery Channel "The Deadiest Catch" you will understand that the Coast Guard is out with those crazy fisherman during the bad weather, this will my first patrol and will be expecting some of the worst seas american sailors see. On other port calls we will head to the south...Coasta Rica, Mexico, and Panama. This is a new station and I am excited about the new position and about the new side of the Coast Guard. I will have the privilage to serve beside some of the best people and to do what the Guard needs of me. My soon to be wife, Heather is excited but on the same side is worried about my well being. The air station has provided a nice life style but Heather and myself understand that this is where I am too be for many reasons. I will be underway up to 3 months at a time and Heather will be in California going about her career and continue with college. I am truly thankfull to find someone who is understanding of my career and proud of her to want to continue with hers at the time. She is the greatest. |
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