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[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

There are 4004 Chiefs in the Coast Guard. Broken down, it works out to be

3102 E-7s

610 E-8s

291 E-9s

1 E-10

So, how come we have less than 50 members on this board?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Dennis -

I assume that you (and I'm sure a group of fellow chiefs) started this.

How did it go out originally? I got it from Keith Wilbee and I sent it to all members of our local CPOA. Has it just been spread by word of mouth?

I would suggest (if not already done) sending the link to all CMC's and the MCPOCG. As with all of our important issues, the MCPOCG and CMC's should know what the chiefs are saying.

I will forward it to my District (13th) CMC, unless you tell me that has already been done.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

Deane,

When we came up with this idea, I sent emails to my District CMC, the Chiefs Academy Master Chief, and the E-10, asking for advice and funding. My CMC wished me luck and the other two didn't answer.

I'm a little discouraged with that whole network. I'd like to see this site take off via word-of-mouth.

Having said that, I'd rather swallow my pride then see it die from lack of interest. Forward it to whomever you'd like. It certainly couldn't hurt.

[CPO Jarrod January]

Hi Dennis
It looks like it is spreading. I like the idea. I'm president of my local CPOA chapter and plan to blast it out to the list.
Keep plugging.

[BMCS Gary Chalker]

It will catch on Dennis, look how long it took for Fredsplace to gain significance. My guess is that right now many view as "Guests" to get their feet wet and feel comfortable. Keep "Sallying the rudder" and it will keep moving... Gary ;)

[PACS Steve Carleton]

I had no idea this was here until I received an e-mail from the E-City Chapter President yesterday.

I will admit that I was very cautious and guarded at first, I didn't want to read a bunch of B'n and M'n on everything.

So far, I will admit that I am pleasantly suprised on the topics and the varied opinions and suggestions of the members on this discussion board.

[AETC Ken Summers]

From what I see, you are getting good coverage for the CPOA membership. I forwarded this to my unit mess in hopes of bringing some of those non-CPOA members on-line.
Many of the challenges that face us as Chiefs are common accross the rates. This forum for professional, honest discussion should mirror what is happenning in each of our Mess's. By putting it out to all Chiefs, we help validate each others perceptions.
Thanks for continuing to plug away at getting this to each and every Chief.

[admin]

:)
?There are 4004 Chiefs in the Coast Guard. Broken down, it works out to be
3102 E-7s
610 E-8s
291 E-9s
1 E-10
So, how come we have less than 50 members on this board

As of 08:35 PST July 2 2004 there is 94 members

Being around this stuff for several years and maintaining several CG related sites I consider the progress of this site as quite amazing for the very short time it has been in existance.

It is really a hard nut to crack. Especially to the active duty types and that is quite understandable as your schedules do not allow for you to sit in front of the PC all day doing this.

I have found the greatest participation is from retireds and former Coast Guardsmen, but with the formers especially you can get a bunch of kooks that just want to sit around and bash the Service for whatever reason.

Take Fredsplace, It took him better than a year before it caught on and Fred had a lot of "ins" with the Guard from the GetGo and now also has the backing of Military.com. His format is really directed to "all hands" while this one is very specific which will limit, naturally, the participation. One otherr good thing about this site is not using screen names, I get a better feeling replyng to what I perceive to be human rather than a something called nutcase1832 or whatever

Even as popular as fredsplace is, a lot of the oldtimers do not visit as much, nor do they use the forum as it got to the point of garbage and kooks. We will keep them weeded out here and not even give them a foothold. The site used to have its own peronality now it does not seem as personal. Besides they have a very large staff now

I would say that you are doing very well, do not give up, it serves a good purpose and it will grow over time.

Another thing that may help is to request suggestions as to what the members would like to see on the site besides the prime reason, the forum.Dennis I would be happy to ad a suggestion form if you so desire

Spread the word - Keep it going - Its worth the effort

Ken Laesser EMCM (ret)

[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

Congratulations to us. We have met the 100 member mark and now have 2.5% of the total Chief's Corps. Although, it is a small percentage, it is still a significant event considering the short duration that this forum has been in place.

If the forum will continue to be useful, we must increase our membership. That will only happen through your efforts. Please encourage your mess and other chiefs that you know to participate.

[BMC Ken Gouge]

Senior,
I don't even know where I stumbled across this site. We have the regular Cutter connectivity problems, and being new here I was surfing around looking for alot of my old "Favorites". I beleive it came up as a response to something I searched for on Google.
I love it and I'm passing the word.

Can't sit in front of the workstation all the time, but it does kill a duty night without numbing the mind.

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

I get a better feeling replyng to what I perceive to be human rather than a something called nutcase1832 or whatever

Going along with what ADMIN posted. How are nut jobs being weeded out. Is there any security against somebody just stating they are a Chief and then posting away when in fact they may be just a non rate with less than two years in?

[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

Jimmy,
Good question. If you remember, you had to respond to an email sent to your global address before you were able to post. The board members will not approve anyone that applies that does not give the global email address of an active duty or reserve Chief. Even if a SN Gooblatz tries to register with your name and email address, the verification email will be sent to your inbox. We assume that any chief receiving an unsolicited email will inquire further before responding, or will simply delete it.
We got it all figured out, man!

[OSC Will Turenchalk]

Senior,
The word is spreading, just be patient. Kudos to Master Chief Reid here at HQ for getting the word out. Thanks for the site and I see big things coming from it.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

Just exceeded 5% at the 200 member mark. Still a long way to go, fellow chiefs. We must have a much higher percentage to be considered representative of the CG's Chief's Corps. Please do what you can to stimulate and promote membership.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

If I read the stats correctly in the secretive place I go to read the stats, new memberships have broken down into the following:

June: 85
July: 43
Aug: 55
Sep: 55
Oct: 71

We are averaging, to date, 77 new memberships per month. If we take a conservative number of 50 expected new memberships per month, we should be at about 10% of the Chief's Corps by end of year.

I don't know if that's good news or not.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I think that's great news. I am watching the numbers going up daily now. I think that it is really starting to take off and the 10% mark is very conservative. I have been on-line where 32 guests have been on viewing different threads at one time, so I have to say that it is well worth the effort. Waiting to see new growth and more active posters.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Not only are the numbers going up, but we are seeing new names coming into some of the discussions.

I look forward to the spirited discussions that are sure to follow.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

The final new membership count for October was 105. That is the biggest month so far. The closest to it was June at 100.

You gotta believe that those CCTI charges did a lot of it.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott (Ret)]

Our membership has recently exceeded 10% of the total Chief's Corps. Although active participation is still very low, we continue to see new Chiefs engage in the discussions. It appears that CCTI charges have contributed a great deal to those new memberships and we ask that you continue prompting our PCPOs to register and post.

We are also at about our 6 month mark since the web site was created and are still averaging about 60 new memberships per month. Although we saw a drop in registrations and participation over the holidays, I anticipate a renewed effort in the month's to come. Please continue to pass the word and engage the process. If you have ideas that would improve this forum, don't hesitate to bring them up.

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Well what I did was create a link in my "Signature" in outlook. I have a small picture in my signature, when clicked on will take you here to these forums. Although, I have to redo it since my profile just got wiped and moved to different server. (hmm, need to fix that tomorrow)

:D

And my PCPO Stuff starts this Thrusday. CCTI for me will be Feb 25th. I will be passing the word to all that I can as I get around with my book.

[PAC Jamie Devitt-Chacon (Ret)]

Hello to my fellow PAs, hello to my good friend Ron, and greetings to all.

I just found this site a few days ago, and I don't see anyone in San Diego on the board, although in all fairness, I could have missed it. I have to say, I really like the honest comments and debates. I'm glad I found it and I look forward to seeing more of the same.

I am recently advanced, and I start the CCTI process today. I hope to convince a few of my fellow E7s to check out the board, and hopefully some of the CHIEFS will check it out as well.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Jaime,

I welcome another PA to this valuable resource. I have enjoyed every discussion, argument and disagreement I have had on this board. Do not let that disuade you from posting and engaging the members.

I have a Charge for you, that I will give to you after you receive your instuctions from the Mess.

Again, welcome to the board

[PAC Jamie Devitt-Chacon (Ret)]

Thanks, honorable Chief Carleton. I have received my instructions and await your charge.

PCPO

[FSC Richard Kuffler]

Ronald,

Good luck with your CCTI. I just finished mine Dec. 3. It was a blast! Enjoy every minute of it! :D

[admin]

61 new memberships in January.

[admin]

23 new memberships in February. That's pretty low compared to other months. Let's hope it's not a developing trend.

[admin]

39 new memberships in March.

[admin]

32 new memberships in April

[admin]

37 new memberships in May.

[admin]

16 new memberships in June.

Also, we've started pruning memberships from those that haven't signed on in over 365 days.

[admin]

21 new memberships in July

13 new memberships in August