The Drop Out Rate

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

It occured to me that back in the day (before I was a Chief) there wasn't much talk of new Chiefs not going thru initiations. Looking in from the outside, I could see that a lot of them didn't like it, but they did it. That, of course, was before we started writing policies that indicated it is ok not to be initiated.

Ironic that during a time when initiations were decidedly demeaning to the PCPO, there was greater participation. That was probably due to peer pressure that was unchecked by written policy.

Now that we have improved the process and focused our goals, less E-7s are participating. So, in the end, our improvements might end the whole CCTI process.

I don't know. Maybe the CCTI has reached the end of it's usefulness.

[SCPO Patrick Brennan]

I don't know. Maybe the CCTI has reached the end of it's usefulness. :eek:
I can't believe what I just read. I would turn the tables on that and say that maybe we have failed to make good use of it. Perhaps the issue lies not in the CCTI process, but what the newly initiated Chief experiences on the Monday following his or her acceptance dinner when they go to a Chief's call and they, along with the COTM, are the only ones there. Perhaps we who have been initiated need to look at that nice placque on the wall behind our desk (CPO Charge), read it, then go look in the mirror and ask the reflection whether we are actually living up to it. And perhaps the resolution to your/our conundrum lies in ensuring that the most important part of the CCTI process is that each new Chief fully understands the words on that Charge when it is presented to them at their Acceptance Dinner, because the ideals behind those words are what makes a strong Chief's Mess. And when the Chief's Mess is strong, it is noticeable and the tangible benefit is readily apparent to the PCPO when they are looking at CCTI.
Look back at the thread Stu started on attendance and I think he hit real close to the source, "we have seen the enemy and it is us".

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I think that Dennis carrys a spare stick when he really wants to stir it. Look back at the strength of the Mess when everyone wanted to join. Look at us now when we're trying to convince people to particapate in something that will benefit them.
I needed the CCTI to help break down the barriers that I had created between Chief's and E-6 and below. We now have E-2 calling E-7s by their first names, they won't need to breakdown anything, it's already broke.

Most people simply look at the CCTI in the wrong light. It's the right tool, often misused in the wrong hands.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I've sais it before and I'll say it again...the CCTI should be mandatory!

[MKC Tony Balcer]

Senior Chief Smith,

I know I'm still a boot Chief, I have only been a Chief for a year and initiated for 4 months.

But, I don't agree with you. The fact that it was voluntary is one of the things that encouraged me to do it. That coupled with the guidance from some of the outstanding Chiefs in my Mess. I knew they had my back no matter what and a couple of them went out of their way for me. When I was unsure of something or in doubt I would ask them for help. And when I had a problem with something that was going on, they helped me to pull my head out of my butt.

I had a very tough time with the initiation, without going into any detail, let me just say that one of my charges broke me down and I almost walked out. Again, it was a couple of great Chiefs in my mess that saw my dilemma and came to my aid. When it was over, that night at the dinner all was revealed and I was welcomed. I'm getting choked up just thinking about it, because it is an awesome experience. But, if it had been mandatory I would have just suited up and kept my mouth shut just to get it over with. I don't think I would have gotten nearly as much out of it. To the extreme, I may have just told the Mess to "stick-it".

My personal feeling is that the problem in the Mess, is the Mess it's self. Why is it that when there is a Chief's Call, no one or very few show up? What is more important to a Chief, than a Chief's call? Where did Honor, Respect and Devotion to duty go?

This is the reason we have people dropping out of the CCTI and a poor attendance at the Chief's calls. There is a small amount of apathy and these new guys see this attitude and start to question the importance of the whole process, or they think it's OK not to attend a Chief's function. How do we fix it? Suit up… Show up, encourage others to do the same. Share our positive experiences with the PCPO's and try to be supportive. For Christ's sake, be a Chief!

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Tony...I'm not going to re-state my reasoning in this thread. Read the thread "CCTI - New Requirement?" under the CCTI topic and you'll see where I'm coming from.

I don't understand why you said...But, if it had been mandatory I would have just suited up and kept my mouth shut just to get it over with. I don't think I would have gotten nearly as much out of it. To the extreme, I may have just told the Mess to "stick-it".

What changes in the process when it's mandatory? Nothing. You don't like being told what to do? That can't be it, we've all been dealing with that since we joined (or got married).

Please explain your thought process and please read the thread I mentioned above.

[MKC Tony Balcer]

Senior,

I do see where you are coming from. I just don't feel that way.

Let me try to explain it. For me at least, I just feel that by doing it "willingly" I was able to give 110% either way. Do it or don't. Whereas if it were something that I were mandated to do I may only put in the required 25-35% just to get by. It's not about being told what to do, it's about wanting to give yourself over to something completely. You can't foster that when it's mandatory.

I guess we just have a difference of opinion. My question is; what can we do to fix it? I very strongly believe in the Mess and what it stands for. How can we bring our numbers up? I don't want guys sitting there drinking their coffee, because it was mandatory. How do we encourage 100% participation?

[BMCS Burt Ford]

Maybe we can look at this in a different way. If we, as Chiefs are not supporting the CCTI, what message are we sending to our E-6 and below shipmates?? Does that Bm3 really have to be a BO, or Coxswain or OOD? Whether, as Deane says it became mandatory or remains voluntary, what message does it send by not going? I lived through it, greatfully and would go again! So I believe the greater good is served by going, weather you think you should or should not. I agree make it mandatory! When you don't go, every person who works for you will remember you did not and when it is thier turn, and it will be one day, they will think if it was not good enough for my sea-daddy, it ain't good enough for me.

[OSC Thomas Jackson]

Whether we make the CCTI mandatory or not is not really the point. The main question is, how do we as Chiefs spread the word to the future PCPO's the importance of attending. If they feel that it is important and worth attending, they will get more out of it. Personally, I wanted to attend to earn the title "Chief" and not be referred to as "E-7", not because of peer pressure, but because of self pride and a feeling of achievement.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I have never understood why chiefs do not want to go through the CCTI. Just like I have never understood why BM's don't want to be OINC's...but, that's another thread.

I said that I wasn't going to re-state my idea on this, but changed my mind. So, below is what I posted in another thread, it explains what I feel about the CCTI and the process.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I'm of the belief that the day you are "Pinned on" at the conclusion of the CCTI should be the first day that you have worn the anchors. In other words, E-6 above the cutoff for advancement to E-7 would go through the CCTI and would be frocked to E-7 upon completion. If the day they are pinned is the first time they have ever worn the anchor and from that day forward is the first time they are ever called "Chief", I think our chief corps would be a prouder, stronger group.

I do realize that this would mean that cutoffs might have to be done differently, but aren’t we to a point that we can accommodate this? I think so. Some E-7’s may slip through the cracks (i.e. late year cutoffs, etc) and not get to complete a CCTI prior to advancement, but the reality is that it shouldn’t affect that many. Almost all new E-7’s wait several months as it is. The MCPOCG has directed us to hold CCTI’s whenever needed, so why not get our E-6 above the cut done before they make it?

So, for arguments sake, let's say that there are no logistical issues. Let's just say that everything would work out with this process.

Do you think this new requirement would be in the interest of the Chief Corp? Do you think we would be a prouder Chief Corp? Or, do you think it would make no difference?

[MKC Scott A. Bjerke]

I agree with Senior Chief Smith.
If you are above the cut and request to go to the CPO accadamy you have to be frocked. So how about this....if an E-6 wants to be frocked they need to go through the CCTI first and be frocked from then on?

[ETC Jeff Rosenberg]

As a yet to be initiated Chief (underway schedules and TADs have kept me away) I wish that the initiation took place at the E6 level, once the cuts are posted, and before the first CPO is made from the SWE cycle. Yes it would miss some of the members who were below the cut and made it, but here I go on 2 years waiting for an initiation. I sent an email to our COTM just a few minutes looking for a date. I’ve gone through, and given all crossing initiations with the exception of the Antarctic, BRING IT ON!

[GMCS Shane Jones]

Jeff,

Bring it on; spoken like a true sailor. That's the attitude to have. Have a great CCTI when your time comes and take care.

GMCS Shane Jones

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

The problem with frocking was explained to me by Master Chief Brayman - we are legislated as to the percentage of E-7s we have on board. If we frock, the people wearing the collar devices are DESIGNATED as E-7s, and count against that percentage. We are too darned small a service to bite the bullet on possibly 150-200 new E-7s that are over the percentage... the service as a whole would be breaking the law.

I really dislike that law...

It bothers me that by tossing an anchor at someone - and paying them as an E-6 - that they count as an E-7. Bothers me something awful. I wish we could fix that. I would LOVE to see something similar to what the Navy does (and we are proposing here), where the PCPOs are frocked at the end of the process - and then wait for the advancement list to catch up.

[MSTC Michael Schmidtke]

Come on Jerry,

Are you in favor of frocking? Myself, not going through the CCTI yet, and was 1 month from being frocked, I'm not a fan (of being frocked)!!! I have almost 16 years in this wonderful service and I'm hugh fan of tradition and keeping up with what our predecesors did in the past.

I'm not one of the those guys that dispise the whole CCTI.....I'm looking forward to the process! I wish that I could have gone through the process when most of you all that post here on a regular basis went through (prior to the process when it was suspended)! I don't want a candy'd down version of the initiation, I want to experience what all the other great Chiefs, Seniors Chief, and Most Honorable Master Chiefs have experienced.

I'll be the first to admit that I was intimidated by the fact the I'm now being called Chief, and I truely don't believe that I warrant the title yet....but being told by another Chief (that has gone through the CCTI) that I deserve it (the Title).....I still don't think that I deserve the title until I complete my CCTI.

That said, we shouldn't put an E-6 through the process until they have offically been promoted.

I was given this website by a good friend and someone that I have the utmost respect for (MSTCS McClintock), but has challenged me everyday since knowing that I was going to be above the "cut" for MSTC.

This is only my second post on this website, and I took to heart what I read on other threads...."don't post unless you have an opinion"....well the other thread I had an opinion....and this one.....well I guess I have one as well.

Looking forward to having many more insightful discusions with you all!

Mike

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Mike...Don't you think it would benefit the chiefs (as a whole) to do all of the CCTI or indoctrination prior to actually wearing the anchor? How is that a bad thing? Wouldn't it make us a prouder, better served chief corp?

I can't think of any negatives to this. The day we put the anchor on would be the first day we would be addressed as "Chief". The first day we were addressed as "Chief", we would have a complete understanding of all that goes into it.

Tell me how this is a bad thing.

[MSTC Michael Schmidtke]

Senior Chief,

I agree, but what about the guys that do not choose to go through the CCTI? In my eyes, the ones that don't go through the CCTI aren't really a "Chief"? I was not previe to what to expect for the CCTI until I offically became an E-7, and was able to log into this discussion board. Those E-6's don't have the access to the information that is needed to make the final decision. Now if everyone HAD to go through the CCTI, then I would say yes, lets start the process as an E-6!!!

[BMC John Phillips III]

We now have E-2 calling E-7s by their first names, they won't need to breakdown anything, it's already broke.

I have a little story from a phone conversation I had the other day with a SN made BM3 (I was a BM2 when he came in), who is no longer Active Duty. He is now a reservist and I was teasing him about me becoming the OINC of the unit he drills at. See we were friends while he was SN/BM3 and I was BM2/BM1. Anyway, I told him, "Yeah when I get there you know you will have to call me Chief!" He said, "I still can't believe how long you made me call you BM2!"

I told that story to a young BM3 and MK3 at my unit now. I explained to them part of the discipline break down and the lack of respect for leadership is that it seems when a new member arrives at a unit everyone wants to be their best friend rather than their supervisor or co-worker. I have always been a leader and co-worker first, then if they can survive that, there is a good chance we will become friends.

Sorry that doesn't have a lot to do with CCTI, but it's relevant to the BMCS Slesh's quote.

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

I went thru CCTI last year. It was great, I had a lot of fun but I expected a lot more then I got. I have been wearing a uniform since '85. I know what hazing is like and I know what an initiation is like. I wish it was like the old days. I would have like to have gone thru a CCTI back then. I know compared to some of you I am a new Chief but I have really have no respect for people who wont go thru CCTI. Its like they want the pay but they dont want to play by the rules.

[YNC Josh Braarud]

I'm also a yet-to-be-initiated Chief. I'll be departing for the CPO Academy next week, followed by a PCS to the East Coast. I've already contacted the Chief's Mess at my new unit to get on the list for initiation this fall.

I'll admit that I'm very nervous about the whole thing. The financial outlay has really given me the heebie-jeebies. However, while I was in the First Class berthing on ALERT, I learned to implicitly trust the Chief's Mess on board. We may not have agreed with what they said, but we also knew that we weren’t necessarily privy to everything. From what I’ve learned while lurking on this board for the last month is that trust is a big part of the CCTI.

I’m also enthusiastic. We recently became shellbacks on our last patrol, and the Chief’s Mess played a big part in running the line-crossing ceremony. In the end I had a great time and they made sure of it. Like ETC Rosenberg said before, BRING IT ON!

[BMC Ken Gouge]

I have to agree that the only thing throwing a wrench in the frocking idea is the ones who do not wish to participate.

I disagree with "we are legislated as to the percentage of E-7s we have on board." I think the logic is somewhat disjointed from the topic.

This wouldn't be a problem. It goes back to the idea that the Commandant can promote E-7's, but the CCTI makes Chiefs. By members participating in the CCTI at E-6, and then completing the rites of passage, they are becoming a Chief. They will still have to wait on EPM to make them an E-7.

I think it would add much more meaning to the entire process.

Ken

[DCCS Todd Holcomb]

Good afternoon shipmates. This is my first post on this site, so if I run on to long let me know. I am currently at TACLET South and finally got to go through the CCTI on 26 May, after 3 years of not being able to participate due to deployments. Now that I have done it I can't for the life of me see why anyone would drop out!!!!!! Sure at times it's aggravating and you have to lay out a little moolah, but not enough to cause you to miss a car/house payment. It was well worth it and I wish I could've done it before now!

YNC Braarud, don't get the heebie-jeebies about how much $$$$ it's gonna cost(it's not that bad, we've all probably blown more on a port call), look at it as a chance to shine. Don't be shy, step up, take charge of the PCPO's you're with and have a helluva good time :D . I learned a lot and found out a few things about myself as well as others. Just remember they can't kill you, but everything else is fair game!! :confused:

I will be xferring to Group Moriches in July and look forward to being part of, as I've been told, a great Chief's mess.
Todd

[YNC Josh Braarud]

Thanks, Todd. I'm looking forward to it.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Todd,
Welcome to the Long Island Chief's Mess. Glad to see you went thru the CCTI. That answers the main question our Mess had, were you going to participate. Now that we see you have, we look forward to you being on the other side.
Again, look forward to working with you.
Nick

[DCCS Todd Holcomb]

Senior,
Thanks, I look forward to being there and working with you all. I also look forward to being on the other side.
Todd

[ETCS David Teague]

I am not so sure that the CCTI should be mandatory or not. I agree that one might not put forth and get as much out of it if it were mandatory. I do know I have witnessed a lot of different treatments of people. I saw a Navy Master Chief asked to leave the CPO Club in Mayport, FLA because he had managed to "escape" having to do the CCTI for the Navy. In contrast, the last CCTI I attended in Portsmouth Va had a LTJG in it who was an E-7 before getting his commission and wanted to be known as a Chief. So as a LTJG, entered and completed the CCTI. That was a lot of fun, mostly because he was in what I would consider the true spirit of the Chief's Call. I do know one thing, how can we require the new E-7s to attend the CCTI if we ourselves won't support it? I have been watching our number dendle over the years. It appears that some of our own might be feeling they have more important things to do. :confused:

[ETC John D Zidek]

I havent been initiated yet, nearly 19 years behind me and not sure if I will go beyond 21. Having said that....I made it Sep 05 and there were people here that made it the same day and were able to particapate in the Fall 05 CCTI, I was not informed by anyone when it was starting or how to become involved!!
I'll be honest here, it was no secret that I was still sitting on the go / dont go fence, but If ANYONE in the Chiefs Mess had given me that piece of information I possible would be sitting here as an initated Chief.
I have kicked it back and forth over and over again in my head and talked to others about CCTI.

I came up with 2 things that really stand out. I would love to hear your comments on them. I know there are some of you out there that wont comment because I havent been thru and thats ok with me and I will let it go at that.....and yes I know that if I was initiated then I probably wouldn't even be asking

so here it is:

1 Just an observation, Of all the people that I have met over the years that have gone thru CCTI, I have NEVER heard a single one of them say "I wish I didnt do it!" Everyone of them took something positive away from it.

2 Here is my big question (Braces for impact) If Every new chief should go thru CCTI because We all need to learn what is taught there, then why isnt it incorperated into the Chief's Acadamy??

I will be going thru but I will wait until after this spear season is over.

[OSC Mike Tylman]

Having been initiated for over a year now and running a 14 man shop in a brand new command with responsiblilities that my personnel didn't really have to deal with before has given me this point of view regarding the initiation.

It's quite simple.

If a member decides not to participate in the initiation then the chief's mess can do nothing less than accept responsibility for failing to provide the necessary leadership and more importantly failing to provide the inspiration necessary to become a really good chief.

Anybody can put on a set of anchors and walk around saying, "Look at me, I'm a chief." Any intiated chief will instantly recognize that person as somebody who doesn't know it's not about him/herself.

If our junior enlisted personnel actually inspired to be like the chief's they work for then I believe the issue wouldn't be "Should I or shouldn't I get initiated?", it would be "I can't wait to get initiated, what can you tell me about it?"

The question for us as a mess is, what are we not doing or what are we doing wrong that we are failing to inspire those that seek to attain the responsibility of a chief?

How many messes in the new sectors have departments that routinely fail to have anyone participate in Chief's Calls? Are they initiated? If they are, what's the excuse this time? Even better, what have you done to bring your fellow chief back into the Mess?

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Hello all, I've been quiet for a few weeks not.

Mike, well said. To all, Mike is one of my fellow Initiates.

I think he is on to something here, and a few others have touched on it as well. The problem, in my humble opinion, is not in the CCTI. It is in the fellow Chiefs that go out and talk to the newly advanced E-7's. Why are we waiting to talk to these newbie’s? Why wait until they have been formally advanced. We should start grooming them when they are close to making E-7. I had Chiefs at my unit "Hounding" me as soon at was known that I was going to make it, or at least very close. It was those Chiefs that convinced me. I too was very concerned about the financial part of it. They told me that I would just have to trust them and not to worry about it. They told me if I had any problems they would front me.

It was that total commitment to the CCTI process that I could hear in their voice and in their words that changed my attitude and I’m very thankful they did. Thanks Bob.



Mandatory, , , hmm, I don’t think it would ever happen.

However, If we who have gone before get more involved with those that are about to start.

Then I think we could turn this around.

[YNC Josh Braarud]

I went through the DC Area Fall 2005 CCTI and was glad I did. One week later the Baltimore Mess held theirs and I went to see things from the other side of the fence, plus a former shipmate of mine was a PCPO. It was very enlightening and I must say that both were pretty equal, all things considered.

One thing I've noticed is the difference between current active Chiefs in the Mess, and people who have since gone on to either retire or have promoted out of the Chief paygrades. I understand the CCTI is differentnow, and they may have a gripe about it being "easier" than when they went through, but the reality is rights-of-passage evolve over time. Do some research about the line-crossing ceremonies and how they have changed. At one point in the 1800s the Navy removed all "hazing" from the Shellback ceremony and it was way easier than what I went through last year. I personally believe that you can't bitch about the CCTI if you aren't willing to take part in some way, or God forbid, even take the time to sign my charge book. Evolution through integration is my motto.

As far as I'm concerned, the CCTI will never end for me in many ways, because I'm always learning what it means to be a Chief. Finishing the CCTI is like graduating from "A" School in that it gives you just enough information to do the basic job. To be an expert takes time. That's why I've signed up to be a sponsor one of the PCPOs going through this Spring, and will continue to suport the process.

Just my two pence.

[SKCM Linda Reid]

2 Here is my big question (Braces for impact) If Every new chief should go thru CCTI because We all need to learn what is taught there, then why isnt it incorperated into the Chief's Acadamy??


This question has been brought up and considered (and swiftly rejected) by the Academy staff, I understand. The main reasons were (1) the schedule is already very crunched with all the things they are trying to include and (2) it would preclude the E-7's shipmates and family members from being with him on this very important day.

[ETC John D Zidek]

Thank You Master Chief

[BMC B Walker]

undefined I agree with Senior Chief Smith. As a PCPO about to go before initiation in 2 days, I have already taken away a great deal from the initiation process. I think that if the first time someone is called a Chief is after initiation, it would have greater meaning.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

The First Coast Chief's Mess just conducted CCTI last Friday - and it was my first experience on the OTHER side of the fence.

It was WAY enjoyable!!

However, after all the candidates arrived at 0700, one just threw his hands up and said, "copulate this fecal material" and left. He thought it was a bunch of BS...

All I could think of, was, damn... if _I_ can find the wisdom in going through it, ANYONE should be able to see it!!!! Thus far, I haven't met ANYONE that disapproved of CCTI more than I did... and now I will stand next to nearly anyone and support the system... but this guy couldn't see why he should go through...

I hope he changes his mind!

[BMC Chris Gempp]

Sounds like he'll never go through...

[BMC Ralph Williams]

Why would anyone just give up in the last few hours of the process? :eek:

I guess everyone gets something different out the process, HECK I had a blast through it all, mind you alot of late nights and early mornings, but it was all worth it.

But just to give it all up the last day!! :confused:

Maybe he needs a brain surgeon. :rolleyes:

[OSC Chip Hoynes]

Mandatory, heck no! That would take away the special meaning of being a "Chief". The fact that we volunteered to go through all that "guff" made the Acceptance Ceremony all that better. I don't think anything will ever top that. My wife, kids, Mom & Dad, and brothers were all there (and one of my brothers is a GM3 and sang the Star Spangled Banner).

No, if you made it mandatory then no one would respect the term "Chief" because everyone would know the CG made them go through it. Every E-7 would then be a "Chief" no matter what.

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

Nope, to make it to the 0700 hr and then throw his hands up in disgrace and leave... I don't want him in my mess.

[ETCM Joseph Harold]

copulate this fecal material

I love that term. Can I use it?

:D

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

Not if he has copy rights.

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

No sweat! Use it at will. I was considering "forcibly copulate..." but it didn't match the intent of the original comment of "FThisS"

[BMC Ralph Williams]

I just don't understand why someone would give up the last day. :confused:

[MSTCS Jerald P. Motyka]

By the last day, I had already figured out about 90% of the wisdom behind the "crap" and had completely decided to have a damned good time. I guess I won't figure it out. :confused:

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Of course if you realize that the "crap" is just that and have fun with the experience, you really enjoy yourself.

Ask the PMCPO-CG about a certain PCPO Carleton that appeared before his court.

[BMC Mark D. Emerson]

I was one of the PCPO's that participated in the CCTI that the member left at the final hour. The Chief of the mess asked him to leave since he did not particiate, never made a hat box, wasn't involved in the process. He chose not to participate and complete the CCTI by his actions well before the morning of the CCTI.

[MKC Brandon Andrews]

I'm glad that the COTM told the PCPO to leave. Both going thru my CCTI, and the 2 that I have seen since, there were a few folks that just didnt seem to get the point. Help was offered and help was given but this is something that you have to do for yourself. You cant just ride the coat tails of the other folks.

[ETC Aaron Cordell]

;) ;) I am new to the Chiefs ranks and I have read the pros and cons for the CCTI. For me it wasn't a question of choice. I believe in tradition and the CCTI is steeped in it. In the past it was a test of moral character to withstand the maelstrom of pranks and demeaning behavior that a PCPO had to endure and adapt to make them tougher. It has changed to encompass the camaraderie of the Chiefs and the networking pathways that are unspoken. Some of those who were initiated in the old fashion are disgusted with the fact that demeaning behavior and "Hazing" aren't things vital to the process anymore. I have expected that and more as I started my CCTI. I have been put to task, to recite from verse of historical significance in the tradition of a Coast Guardsmen. I have still received my fair share of humbling at the hands of my brothers and sisters, but it has been with purpose and guidance. I feel the biggest problem that the CCTI is in for, is the fact that it is still difficult. It is easy to turn away and continue on with your business and never spend another moment thinking about what it truly means to be a Chief other than the paycheck. I feel it is a disservice for our brothers and sisters to take the easy path and abandon tradition that has been handed down. I am proud to be a Chief in the United States Coast Guard. We are given a chance to continue the tradition and I am one for standing up and taking the difficult path because it is just that. It is a choice, and I hope that everyone makes the right one.

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Welcome to the board Aaron. Been a good road hasn't it.