EPO stations

[MKC Jeff Siron]

Along my travels and thoughts as EPO, I have asked several folks on there thoughts of the increase in billets for E-7 slash MKC at Small boat stations. (increase from MK1 to MKC).

Before I pass on info of why I feel all Surf Stations should fleet up to E7 as EPO, I am wondering what the field folks are feeling. As an MK I have felt the importance of the command and the brass nuts of not in the realm of what is going on.

With the new LTPIO program I feel it is imperitive the EPO needs to be hand in hand with what is happening throughout the crew, regardless if the EPO is E6.

Thanks for any input on this matter.

[MKCM Brett Ayer]

Jeff,

There is strong quantitative and qualitative support for this from a workforce structure point of view as well as the world of work. MKC also has one of the highest sea/shore ratios and this would help in that as well.

Although I couldn't support reprogramming all stations to MKC, there are a number that are no brainers in my mind.

While there is nothing wrong with discussing this on this board, my recommendation is for you to draft an issue paper and forward it through to the MK RFMC. I will be glad to assist you, if this is something your willing to take on. I know the last thing you need is more work, but if you have taken the time to think it through this far, documenting your thoughts, and doing a little more research would not be to much additional work.

Be Safe.

Brett

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Jeff,
I think you may know what my opinion is! I do not believe we need E7 MK EPO's at all Station though.

I have to ask. What is the LTPIO program?

Sparky

[MKCM Brett Ayer]

Jeff,

I have to ask. What is the LTPIO program?

Sparky

Logistics Transformation Program Integration Office. Changing the way we look at Coast Guard engineering and logistics.

http://cgcentralweb.uscg.mil/cLink/00000204 This link will only work if you are signed on to a CG Workstation.

Brett

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Thanks MC. I'll have some lunch time reading tomorrow.

CS

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

I think its a good idea, however not at every boat station. Why does a unit that only has one or two RBS's need a MKC. On the other hand why only put MKC's at Surf Units, if a unit is a Heavy Wx station. I believe it should be a Chief.
And what about this, since some 175's and 87's have EM's as the EPO's. If the unit is co-located with an 87' and has a 47' change the EPO billet to an EM.

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

Nick, gotta agree with you. I think an EM Chief would do just fine. As long as the MK staff is strong with MK1's and MK2's. I would gladly give up an MK billet to get an EM billet at my unit! As we forge foward with the all encompassing electronical running boat, we need to do this!

CS

[MKC Tony McKinnon]

I agree there are stations that should be MKC jobs, but as far as adding a EMC AND having a MK1. Seems kind of a waste, have the units that went up to a MKC still retain the MK1 billet that was there? The two I know of didn't. I know some good Em's that can turn wrenches and vice versa, but I think a better idea is adding a EM2/3 to the unit.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

IF the XPO billet is a BM1 then the EPO should be an MK1. IF the XPO is a BMC then the EPO should be a Chief also. And for those stations that have higher billeted XOs then start looking at MKCS for EPO.

[CWO Frank Johnston (MKC)]

I was the EPO at Station Key West. I had 2 MK1's and they gave an EMC. The EMC was for the New RB-M we were going to receive. I had my hands full with a 47' MLB, 4 33' SPC/LE's and a 22' Ambar. Not to mention all of the operations and prototype testing we did down there.

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

I think its a good idea, however not at every boat station. Why does a unit that only has one or two RBS's need a MKC. On the other hand why only put MKC's at Surf Units, if a unit is a Heavy Wx station. I believe it should be a Chief.
And what about this, since some 175's and 87's have EM's as the EPO's. If the unit is co-located with an 87' and has a 47' change the EPO billet to an EM.

But then you have a place like Sta Manasquan that has a Cheif as the EPO yet they have a Sta Small that is open 24/7 and he doesn't have an MK1. Now I'm just an ET here but this seems odd to me.

[BMCS Chris Wright]

** Disclaimer - As I am not stationed there (yet), I pulled all data from CG Central, no guarantees on accuracy **

Station Hatteras, along with their station small Ocracoke, shows two 47' MLB's, two 25's, two 27's, and a 21' along with 50+ people assigned and has an MK1 EPO. I think one or both of the 27's are going away, but they also have a couple Carolina skiffs for shallow water / post-hurricane ops.

BMCM OIC billet, BMC XPO billet, BMC Surfman Trainer billet, and an MK1 EPO

Looks to be a candidate for an MKC EPO upgrade

Chris

[ETC Joe Jester ret]

Looks to be a candidate for an MKC EPO upgrade.

And based on your information, I'd agree.

The upgrades have to be done on a case-by-case basis.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Pat, with a place like Manasquan you have to look back at the history. Shark River was deemed unneccessary and shut down back in the 80s, only to be re-opened during an election year several months later. How many actual cases do either of those two stations still run annually that aren't taken over by commercial assistance? Look at the area that needs to be covered, and ask....... is that station small really needed, or can it be adequately covered from Manasquan.
Then you look to the north or the south and on either side, you have a station that runs PWCS on critical infastructure........ How important is Manasquan?

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Pat, with a place like Manasquan you have to look back at the history. Shark River was deemed unneccessary and shut down back in the 80s, only to be re-opened during an election year several months later. How many actual cases do either of those two stations still run annually that aren't taken over by commercial assistance? Look at the area that needs to be covered, and ask....... is that station small really needed, or can it be adequately covered from Manasquan.
Then you look to the north or the south and on either side, you have a station that runs PWCS on critical infastructure........ How important is Manasquan?


Good points and I didn't consider that. I was just looking at it from a techs point of view. They tried to shut down Shark River a couple of years ago I guess and it didn't fly with the locals. Don't know much about the story. I just look at the other Stations and see an equivilant number of boats, roughly, yet they shut down their smalls in the winter. They have MK1's and Manasuan does not. I'm not trying to get on a soap box for the MK's at Manasquan or anything it's just an observation I have. I find it odd. I don't know what the comparison is by Stations as to who runs the most cases. Maybe I'll inquire once I'm off new baby leave. Thanks for the additioal info.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

It would be nice if we got to the point where we put the right number of boats at the units that needed them, then based the personnel assigned off of the equipment allotted...... You would think that if a unit had X number of boats, each unit that had that number would have the same number of MKs.