There will be repercussions from these discussions

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Maybe, but I haven't felt any. How about the rest of you? Or, is this just another one of those unfounded assumptions from unproductive, fearful Chiefs?

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I have been contacted by non-Chiefs about things that I have posted here, but only for positive reasons. Again many of the same people "afraid" to make their opinions known here, aren't expressing them in other avenues either. Fear is the factor. Too many people have given too much to allow us the right to express our opinions, for us to keep them to ourselves. What is the value of free speech, if we become a society afraid to use it ? What is the value of advancing to CPO if you're unwilling to allow others to benefit from your wisdom and experience ?

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

I have heard it said, "Never pass up the opportunity to shut up". I believe that there are times when that is good advice. I wish sometimes that I would pay a little more attention to it. My problem is that I see something that bothers me and am far to willing to express my opinion before I hear all of the argument. Sometimes I think the argument is so ridiculous that I don't bother to listen. I have been called on the carpet in the past for expressing my opinion when it differs from others (usually those senior to me). I think that this is simply a good forum, allbeit not as secure as the Chiefs mess, to share "opinion". We all know what "opinions" are like... This is also a good testing ground to see what kind of support that one may get for his opinion before sticking his neck out.

[OSC Will Turenchalk]

I never have worried about "repercussions" in my 16 years in the CG, why start now? :D

[BMC Kerry Wagoner]

I too have been contacted by non-Chief's about articles on this site as well as on Fred's Place. In my case the person was positive with the remarks and felt that this site offered a vast wealth of knowledge and insight into today's Coast Guard and the Chief's as a group.

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

There should be no fear of repercussions from this board. Unless someone is doing something against the UCMJ like endorsing a candidate which may look like it is sanctioned by the Coast Guard, then Freedom of Speech should still hold. I feel as some people and those people are the higher ups review these boards for a new outlook on items and not to hang somebody.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

I have probably had a hundred people contact me or talk to me about what I have posted here or on fredsplace. Twice it has been negative.

Once was when I called out (ie: I called him a piece of $hit on the boards) a whining, sniveling, E-7 who constantly played the role of a victim during discussions, and who just happened to be a District civil rights counselor. He called me at work and threatened to call my Group Commander. I gave him the the Gru Com's phone number, called him a sniveling little punk, and hung up on him.

The second time I used a very poor choice of words to discuss a significant organizational problem (ie: the boat pool) . The words I chose highlighted certain people's failure, instead of focusing of focusing on why they were set up for failure (ie: the organizational problem). I got several negative phone calls for that one, and I sincerely apologized to several people for a poor choice of words. I still stand by my point that the whole boat pool concept is underfunded, undermanned, and therefore is unable to put out the type of product the field needs, but it is not because of the people who work there.

I'm sure I've pissed off other people with what I have written here and fredsplace, but it's nothing compared to what I can do in person :D

[FSC Richard Kuffler]

My feelings on the subject can be summed up by the following quote:

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” Theodor (“Ted”) Seuss Geisel

It's worked for me so far! If everyone kept their opinions to themselves, the only thing we would have is silence. In some cases golden, but silence never worked out a problem, nor has it ever fixed anything, just buried it.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

I can vouch for the fact that these boards are read by people waaaaayyyyy up the food chain. Yes, my intro to the boards was a bit volatile... even antagonistic, however, believe it or not, there was method to my apparent madness.

I slammed this beehive of the Chiefs' Mess to get the bees a buzzing - so I could get to the honey within. While I was able to get to this sweet nectar (i.e.: answers), I got some minor stings along the way as well.

I can't say that they were undeserved. :D

After some had passed my half-read and less than half understood post throughout the Coast Guard (in and OUT of the Mess), I had e-mails and calls threatening physical violence if I were MET on the street or at a unit or at training. I had e-mails and calls promising black-balling even if I ever changed my mind regarding going through the CCTI (as in: "Don't even ask for a charge, you nasty %*&@!!"). I also heard from well-placed individuals that my posts were read all the way up and beyond the CG Chief of Staff.

Luckily, some were able to see the base question inside my diatribe... I ignored the threats of violence and shunning, and cherished the true words of wisdom from those who offered to listen closer to what I had to say. I likened the experience to starting a grill... you gotta get flames before you get anything useful sometimes. I would have never posted if I didn't think there were seeds amongst the chaff... and would have never posted if I weren't willing or able to stand in front of a room of Admirals and Master Chiefs to defend it.

Yeah, I can say that there ARE repercussions to what is said here. Some are very good. ;)

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Jerald, all I see in your writing is insinuation, half-truths, and a poor attempt at being clever. Although, I appreciated you stirring the CCTI pot, I'm not sure you've contributed anything to any of the discussions. Maybe I’m just not smart enough to “get” any of the innuendo you throw about. Or, maybe you just aren’t saying anything worth “getting.”

So, your last post is stating that you received negative repercussions from the Mess? Is that correct?

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

After writing three responses, let me answer by saying a simple, "Yes."

Anything beyond this will just lead me into roads I would rather not travel, and have nothing to do with subduing my passions. I would, however, respectfully request that you please stop calling my integrity into question.

Thank you.

[BMC John Phillips III]

Jerald, all I see in your writing is insinuation, half-truths, and a poor attempt at being clever.

Senior, I have to tell you, I was thinking the same thing as I was reading! You could have gotten away with boldening (if that is a word) "poor attempt."

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

I have not received any negative repercussions from any of my post here but there was a time when an e-mail came but to bite me in the but a little. It wasn’t what I said it was how I said it. It has always amazed me how by just changing a few words that mean the same thing came make things all right. Kindler gentler coast guard I guess. I tend to say what’s on my mind and even thought it’s the truth some people take offence. Why is that I wonder? If the truth hurts maybe you should be doing something to change it. Man it’s so hard being politically correct sometimes. But when it comes down to looking out after our people and doing the right thing I fell it’s my job to take the heat sometimes so our people that work for us don’t have to.