XPO Shopping List and XPO Screening MSG

[BMCM Kevin Leask]

Just want to pass some info in case it had not reached the field yet.

The XPO Shopping list is going to be delayed (actually is already delayed). Expect a ACGENL from EPM this week explaining.

Para 3 of the XPO Screening MSG states that to be assigned to an afloat XPO billet the member must have a prior DWO letter. However, the afloat AO is going to assign BM1’s to afloat XPO billet as long as they have their DWO exam completed.

Kevin

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

When is the general Shopping list going to hit the streets?

[BMCS Terrill Malvesti]

When is the general Shopping list going to hit the streets?

I think it's still on schedule for the end of the month. I'm not sure how accurate it will be if the MAY08 SWE cuts are not factored in.. Maybe the cuts will be out prior to the end of the month?

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Para 3 of the XPO Screening MSG states that to be assigned to an afloat XPO billet the member must have a prior DWO letter. However, the afloat AO is going to assign BM1’s to afloat XPO billet as long as they have their DWO exam completed.
Kevin

Gee just the kind of Christmas present every port and starboard standing 87-foot CPB OinC wants. I guess we lowered "our" standards, but it's still up yours.

[BMCS Burt Ford]

Bruce I bet its the ATON boats that get those guys. The CPB fleet cant afford having a non-qual like we can. I still need an XPO.

[BMCS Ian McVicker]

Damn Burt, I thought it would have taken about a day to fill that job.

Maybe the word got out you were on there:D

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

Burt,

I would if I could!!!!:D

[FSC Jeff Stumpf]

I wouldn't want to work for Burt if they payed me double! He can't fish worth beans we at least the last time I went with him;). Burt how's the new house and job. Detroit is GREAT:eek: but not the same as Kodiak!!! Iwill be back!

Jeff

[BMCS Eric Guerette]

So are we really that short on BM1's with a DWO letter? Or are we short on opportunities for a BM1 and below to get a DWO letter? Either way, it is going to hurt the operational readiness of the Cutters, ATON or CPB.
Eric

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Eric, hopefully Kevin will jump back into this thread with the numbers, but I find it very hard to imagine a shortage of qualified BM1s. What I do think might be a problem is a shortage of BM1s with sea time and this is an avenue to get them what they need for advancement.

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

Should there be more opertunityis for BM2's to earn the DWO certification to fill these billets?

[BMC Seth Tomas]

I'm pretty sure there is ample opportunity for BM2's to earn the DWO Cert. How many 87's and 110's are there in the fleet? PLENTY. EVERY BM2 on these platforms should xfer with the Cert IN HAND! No if, ands, or buts about that one! Unfortunately, I haven't sailed anything larger, and cannot vouch for the opportunity for BM2's/BM1's to certify on larger cutters, but I do know that it is possible!

Maybe I'm seeing things wrongly, but I disagree with allowing XPO's to report to an afloat unit without the DWO Certification!

Heck, its hard enough running port/stbd watches on a PB between the OIC and XPO alone, especially when the XPO may also be the primary BO. 3 certified OOD's u/w is best, IMO!

Seth

[BMCM Kevin Leask]

First off, this was an EPM decision. If you look at the policy for assignment as an XPO there is nothing about requiring a DWO letter. Sometime in the past one of the AO's decided to use this as an assignment tie breaker, kind of like when they were using the DWO exam as an assignment tie breaker for BM2's going to 87's.

We should see the 87 plus ups sometime after the budget is passed, that will provide an additional DWO and more U/W opportunities for our BMC's and BM1's.

As a rating, only 26% of our billets E6 and below are afloat. Of those, about 16% are PB's. When you consider we have @1400 BM2's and @1200 BM1's, that doesn't give many opportunities for them to get sea time let alone a DWO letter. Very few BM2's ever get an opportunity to get a DWO letter on a big white one and BM1's have to compete with the JO's. Last assignment year, 37% of the available afloat billets were given to members already afloat, some were even back to back afloat XPO assignments. Not good for developing well rounded talent within the rating.

We have some pretty sharp kids out there so I would ask that if you do get someone that does not have a DWO letter, you provide every possible opportunity for them to earn it.

Kevin

[BMCS Eric Guerette]

So this is what happens when you combine an on the job training system with optimally manned units, at some point you have to let training opportunities come before operational readiness.
I guess we will have to wait until the budget is signed and the through an assignment year to fix the problem that this creates. Of course that will only fix the problem on the 87's.

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

I know that some if not many that recieve orders to a XPO position would/should seek the TAD opertunity to start on the DWO process. I know of people that have earned the DWO letter on TAD trips so they can sit before the OIC board for Ashore and Afloat.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

I know that some if not many that recieve orders to a XPO position would/should seek the TAD opertunity to start on the DWO process. I know of people that have earned the DWO letter on TAD trips so they can sit before the OIC board for Ashore and Afloat.

But did they really earn it?The same way that a PCS assigned member does, with the same process? How long did it or should it take to earn a DWO letter?

[BMCS Burt Ford]

Ian no word yet.

Would you really Mark?

And so everyone knows, my afloat XPO was with no letter and I did just fine. I will take someone without a letter with the test passed. There are times when you try to get to a billet and cant(I know Stu check the resume) and there are times when these young BMs see the fast boats and news cameras and head out to another small boat job then they find themselves as a BM1 with out a letter. Look at the data kevin provided. Give me a xpo with good leadership and a desire to be an OINC and I will teach him to be a DWO. I have no issue signing his/her first letter

[BMC Jason Brennan]

However, the afloat AO is going to assign BM1’s to afloat XPO billet as long as they have their DWO exam completed.

What the?????:eek:

[BMC Jason Brennan]

But did they really earn it?The same way that a PCS assigned member does, with the same process?

My answer....A big N. O.

[BMC Jason Brennan]

ALCON: Here is my disclaimer - My answers and opinions are based off my experience and the decisions that I had to make early on in my career. (Not all of my decisions were the best regarding maturity, but we all have to smell the coffee sometime.)

When I joined the Coast Guard I first wanted to be in aviation; however, I was unable to pass the flight physical (I couldn't see the damn dots jump out for the depth perception test), so I decided to be a Boatswains Mate because I wanted to be a part of the action and not limit myself. As a BM3 stationed onboard a 210 I was stuck on going to TACLET and doing cool LE missions, but as I planned for my future I knew I had to make a decision that could affect my whole career:

- Go to TACLET and delay advancement and BM experience or
- Go to a station and become a standard boat coxswain

I decided to pass on the TACLET, and go the station because I knew that it would keep all my options open, and I would gain the valuable knowledge to progress. From the station where I advanced to BM1 I wanted to be an XPO of an 87, but the detailer said I had to get my DWO qual, so I put in for any 110 out of Florida (I was recently married to a gal who had never lived out of Hancock County, Mississippi, and Florida was far enough for her). The detailer called me at my house and said that he had one 110 left and it was in Alaska or I could go to the MSST out of NOLA, or I could jump into the PSP. I had to make a career decision, I chose the 110, my wife cried for 2 weeks, and we both loved Alaska (OK...maybe I enjoyed it a little more, and her, not so much). From Alaska, I got my XPO of an 87 and now I'm the XPO of a Station. I know I need to pull my head out of my butt and sit for the OIC review board.

My point to this lengthy post is, either I was blessed with my assignments, or as a young BM3 I made the right decision to go to the station vice a TACLET. I had to choose want vs. need, and I went with need. If I went with my want, and it put me behind, then I would have to deal with the decision I made and accept the consequences of my decision that delayed my opportunities. Another point to this post is that you have to make a decision, either advance your career by putting yourself out there and except any duty station the detailer has for your need, or choose an area you want to stay in or certain type of unit and possibly suffer the consequences of your decision by limiting your opportunities. One decision that I have made (and I made a long time ago) was not "punching my aton ticket" and advancing out of the opportunity. I've never been interested in ATON ( don't worry...I have a lot of buddies that tell me I'm a fool) and I'm willing to suffer the consequences of my decision. If I'm at some sector pulling weeds next to a non-rate or managing SLDMB's then I only have myself to blame because of my decision.

Many times I have ran across those who have decided to go the other route, get their fix, then come back and complain because they are behind, and some how find a way to blame the Coast Guard. I know there are those who just got a bad case and the detailers dart hit their name on the dart board, but that's how life sometimes is. Its up to you to make a decision to roll with it and get all you can (maybe the unwanted assignment provided you with an opportunity to go to school or spend time with family, etc...).

Some how this post was suppose to be related to the topic, and I think in a long drawn out way it might still be. If not maybe it needs to be moved.

Stepping off my soap box now:cool:

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Bruce, I'd say the amount of time depends on the person and the platform. I could justify giving someone a DWO letter in a matter of hours for a WYTL if they currently held a coxswain qual for a 41' or 47' in that same AOR. I think it's easier to qualify someone as an underway OOD on a vessel smaller than a 175' than it is to qualify them as a coxswain. You're one phone call and a few steps away from that OOD if they have a question....... even on the mighty GREENBRIER, you're never more than 130' away from the bridge. Get someone who has demonstrated maturity, good judgement, and a willingness to follow the nav standards........ they may not be able to drive every cutter in the Coast Guard, but I'd let them drive mine.

If I could choose the trait I wanted most in an XPO I'd take the guy with the adminstrative skills. He can learn to drive and work ATON with time. I'd take a person who passed the DWO test and has basic boat handling fundamentals.