Verbiage

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

For the past few years I've noticed a lot of new verbiage being implemented into our Coast Guard and possibly affecting the way we react, and manage our personnel. This is just a snapshop of some of them [in no order] and I know you have many more which I have not thought of.
Below I am going to say the verbiage and my take on them...my intent is not to insult anyone, if I do, suck it up and be quiet.
To all - feel free to chime in for any verbiage I have missed.


"CHANGING OF THE GUARD" - of course the "Guard" is going to change. But the only time there is a "Changing Of The Guard" is when there is a new Commandant coming into office. Then of course, he can make changes.

"HE/SHE" - god I truly hate reading people saying "he/she".
A HE/SHE is a sexual transvestite. Why can't someone write about a person or position without using "HE/SHE". If you're writing about someone just say he, or she. No big deal.

P.C. - this is such a huge grey area. See "touchy/feely" below.

Micro Manage - used to be back in the days, the leading petty officer and Chief actively engaged their workforce knowing what was on the worklist and develop work schedules.

Personal Chemistry - yea right. As if I care, or can't already tell if a person I am enganing is an Intraverte or Extraverte. I didn't need to go to the CPOA and CWO Indoc schools to teach me how to read people personalities and how to approach them.

Touchy/Feely - where to go with this. It's all common since. But this is the downfall of today's Coast Guard Chiefs and Officers, and it's not gonna get any better soon. Me PERSONALLY believes it begins at the Academy and Cape May. I know all about different generations and all, but that's not the excuse.
Our job was better when the Chief or Officer would do a little creative "counseling". Trust me. back then, PO3's and PO'2 ran the show. You never spoke to the Chief or Officer unless they came to you, or were called into their office. Shit, I recall as a SN, the BM3 was GOD!!!

Loss Of Situational Awarness - I laugh at MOST of the mishaps saying the boat driver lost Situational Awarness. Come on, the guy either screwed up, or the nav equipment malfunctioned or was not turned on or used properly. Say it like it is.

Loss Of Confidence - this is a histoical term when the Queen, King or Fleet Admiral was far apart from the Capt of the ship on the other side of the world, and truly didn't know what their Captains we're doing other then what was told to them by their servants. So going on the said information, "they lost confidence" and relieved the skipper.

GAR Model - Huh? We used to use our "gut check" and plain old common since, and I still do. If it don't feel right, the red lights are already flashing.
I don't understand why we need a GAR Model indicating; green, yellow, or red lights for me to decide whether, or not I do a mission. Don't use the GAR as an excuse, if you, or someone on the Navdetail screwed up just say it!

COASTIE - I hate the name "COASTIE" and tell this to everyone I hear say it.
Coastie sounds like a cereal, not the professionals we are. Please, if you hear your folks saying coastie, tell them we are "COASTGUARD."

Finally - NEW GUARD MENTALITY - Well, I'll say; with 25 years in the Coast Guard "New Guard Mentality" is the sum of all the above thrown into an oven at 350* oven and bake for one hour. A scoop of ice cream is optional.

[BMC John Phillips III]

Below I am going to say the verbiage and my take on them...my intent is not to insult anyone, if I do, suck it up and be quiet. To all - feel free to chime in for any verbiage I have missed.
Ok, I will bite!

First let me say I agree with some of your post, but not all. I don't feel insulted by any part of it but maybe with the acception of the above, which says, "...if I do, suck it up and be quiet." What you're saying is, "here is my opinion and only those that agree with me should reply." Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of a forum like this? Well, that's my opinion, you don't have to agree with it and you are more than welcome to retort.



"CHANGING OF THE GUARD" - of course the "Guard" is going to change. But the only time there is a "Changing Of The Guard" is when there is a new Commandant coming into office. Then of course, he can make changes.
Sounds good to me.




"HE/SHE" - god I truly hate reading people saying "he/she".
A HE/SHE is a sexual transvestite. Why can't someone write about a person or position without using "HE/SHE". If you're writing about someone just say he, or she. No big deal.
I totally agree with you here! Ironically the essay I sent in was revised by someone more pc conscious than I.



Micro Manage - used to be back in the days, the leading petty officer and Chief actively engaged their workforce knowing what was on the worklist and develop work schedules.
I agree with you here as well, but I will add that this can be done without giving the subordinates the feeling that they are being "micro-managed." I think what you are talking about and actual micro-managing are two different things. Unfortunately "nowadays" it seems to be too far to one side or the other. Supervisors are either too actively engaged or totally not. There is a happy medium.




Personal Chemistry - yea right. As if I care, or can't already tell if a person I am enganing is an Intraverte or Extraverte. I didn't need to go to the CPOA and CWO Indoc schools to teach me how to read people personalities and how to approach them.
This is common sense but it's good to know the terminology. "I am a people person damn it, I take the reports from the engineers to the people!" Sorry I was having an Office Space moment.



Touchy/Feely - where to go with this. It's all common since. But this is the downfall of today's Coast Guard Chiefs and Officers, and it's not gonna get any better soon. Me PERSONALLY believes it begins at the Academy and Cape May. I know all about different generations and all, but that's not the excuse.
Our job was better when the Chief or Officer would do a little creative "counseling". Trust me. back then, PO3's and PO'2 ran the show. You never spoke to the Chief or Officer unless they came to you, or were called into their office. Shit, I recall as a SN, the BM3 was GOD!!!
I have always had a problem with anyone referring to anyone other than God as God or not capitalizing the G, but that might be my pet peeve verbiage (wow pet peeve might make the list as well!) I apologize for the religous moment. Ok, back on track, unfortunately in todays society, you have to be cautious how you treat people and aware of the things you do and say as far as offending or given the perception of discrimination; another area where common sense comes in super-handy! It is possible to be respectful of all, without being too touchy feely. There's nothing wrong with chewing a little ass when the situation calls for it.


Loss Of Situational Awarness - I laugh at MOST of the mishaps saying the boat driver lost Situational Awarness. Come on, the guy either screwed up, or the nav equipment malfunctioned or was not turned on or used properly. Say it like it is.
Quite possibly the most over-used verbiage in todays CG. :rolleyes:

Loss Of Confidence - this is a historical term when the Queen, King or Fleet Admiral was far apart from the Capt of the ship on the other side of the world, and truly didn't know what their Captains we're doing other then what was told to them by their servants. So going on the said information, "they lost confidence" and relieved the skipper.
I wonder if they tried to get Columbus on LOC.


GAR Model - Huh? We used to use our "gut check" and plain old common since, and I still do. If it don't feel right, the red lights are already flashing.
I don't understand why we need a GAR Model indicating; green, yellow, or red lights for me to decide whether, or not I do a mission. Don't use the GAR as an excuse, if you, or someone on the Navdetail screwed up just say it!
I think the GAR model is a safe and effective tool. It gets everyone involved in using safe practice and of course "common sense." Gut checks are great, but complacency and invincibility come with age and none of us are as good as we once was. (for the record I don't like country music)


COASTIE - I hate the name "COASTIE" and tell this to everyone I hear say it.
Coastie sounds like a cereal, not the professionals we are. Please, if you hear your folks saying coastie, tell them we are "COASTGUARD."
My mom's email is Coasties_mom@something but I'm still not offended. Also, my 7th grade teacher used to always say, "why hate, it takes too much energy to hate." Of course this was before the word hate was used in the context of "being a hater." or as in, "why are you hatin'?" But I digress.


Finally - NEW GUARD MENTALITY - Well, I'll say; with 25 years in the Coast Guard "New Guard Mentality" is the sum of all the above thrown into an oven at 350* oven and bake for one hour. A scoop of ice cream is optional.
When you joined, I am sure there was a "New Guard" and an "Old Guard." The only difference between todays New and Old Guard and then's would be today's New Guard doesn't have to accept the response, "that's the way it's always been."


I have never liked the verbiage, "I will flip you for it." with the accompanying flip of the collar. I can't think of any others at the moment.

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I never liked the word "verbiage."

[BMCM Deane Smith]

You forgot one...

Sector Reallignment - Some say this is a Changing of the Guard, some say it's a New Guard Mentality. I say it's a combination of some Touchy/Feely, Micro-Managing Coastie that has Lost His/Her Situational Awareness.

These are just my opinions and may not necesarily be PC, so please don't run a GAR model to determine that you have Lost Confidence in my abilities to have Personal Chemistry with the Sector staff.

[BMC John Phillips III]

BMCS Smith, that's some good stuff! That POIC class must have really helped your creative writing ;)

BMCS Endicott, me neither.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Well don't forget the Vertical Alignment. Which even comes with it's own special visual aid for us old Chiefs. Just extend your arm, palm up and extend the middle finger upward.

[BMC James M. Clark]

Applying the GAR model to every activity is idiotic, although I do think it is necessary as an operational tool for a junior or otherwise inexperienced member to evaluate what exactly that funny taste at the back of their throat is. In some situations (mostly those that involve the safety and well being of your shipmates), learning from your mistakes just isn't good policy. Also, keep in mind that the voice of experience isn't always on every boat crew that leaves the dock in the middle of the night...

The term that most irritates me is "Team Coast Guard". The Coast Guard is the Coast Guard, and includes Retirees, Active Duty, Reservists, Civilians, the Auxillary, and even our families. Singularly we are a Coast Guardsman (sorry, not PC) or a Service Member (more PC). In small groups we are a Crew (much more than a team - I usually consider the crew I'm attached to as family). As a whole we are a Service. When I go home, I am still a Coast Guardsman, and I sleep well at night knowing that my family has the watch.

Teams work at fast food resturants, and when they go home, they don't represent all that it is to be a McDonald's employee. Well, maybe they do, but they probably don't brag about it. I've never seen a bumper sticker that says "My son works at Inatech". I don't mean to belittle minimum wage service employees or cubical commandos, however I do resent our service to each other and to the Country being placed on the same level as faceless corporations.

I have other rants also, but they are usually in my head as I'm pretending to listening to somebody blather (also known as training).

[OSCS Jimmy D. Belcher]

Deane you caould not hacve said it any better. I thought P/C was how I was getting this message across. You know the original PC was Personal Computer

[BMC John Phillips III]

In small groups we are a Crew (much more than a team - I usually consider the crew I'm attached to as family). As a whole we are a Service.

James, where do shipmates fit in in that equation? I, for one, believe as Coast Guardsmen and women :D, we are all shipmates. But I do still find it amusing when a sand peep or an airdale refers to someone as shipmate.

[BMC James M. Clark]

When I refer to a crew, I mean the crew of a unit, and not necessarily that of a boat crew or air crew. I suppose you could say that other members of a crew are your shipmates. Some folks use shipmate and friend somewhat interchangably. I feel a shipmate is a bit more than that; I'm more inclined to your point of view that we are all shipmates to one another.

[BMC John Phillips III]

I guess I should add, I don't like it when people use "shipmate" in a negative regard. It takes away from the good meaning of it.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Well I hate MENTOR. It's been done to death and we only started using it a couple of years ago. I think that it must have more meanings than Aloha. It has become a catch all for ever woe facing us. Have a problem child ? Well have you tried MENTORing him....../her. Well if by MENTORing you mean, a swift kick in the A$$, not yet, but I'm am willing to try anything once.

Does anybody remember when we didn't have "buzz words" and we all just said what was on our minds?

Oh yeah......Delta. You got a Delta. I'm glad somebody decided to spare my feelings and re-name an error, deficiency, or gig. It's not that bad.....it's a Delta. Anything wrong with that purposal ? No No nothing wrong, but there may be a couple of small Deltas that we need to look into.

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

Hey everyone, that's what I'm talking about. Keep them coming.
Stu, you're reading my mind, and I feel you hit it with "buzz words" and I'll add "catch phrases." All these fluffy words used instead of what really is going on.
SAY IT LIKE IT IS!

Not for example -
"the coxswain was "navigating" down an unknown channel during low tide at a high rate of speed in foul weather and lost situational awarness, ending running aground tearing the off both lower drive units from the engines."
Oh - and another to add. It seems every CO/OIC seems to use now to CYA -
"the coxswains qual letter has been pulled pending results of investigation board."

If said boat driver above did this mishap, of course, pull his letter pending investigation. What I'm getting at is now every mishap says the letter is pulled; regardless.
Re-read the mishap messages yourself...

[BMC Mark C. Lewis]

I am not sure what the policy is in other Districts or what the policy is now, but when I ran aground in D7 several years ago it was standard to pull the coxswain's letter. I was transitting outside our AOR at clutch ahead and there was an aid missing. Nothing came of the investigation.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

But standard practice doesn't mean written policy. And neither one , always makes temporarily relieving someone the right thing to do. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty. Pulling someone's quals and then investigating is a CYA, and only in appearance anyway. I would rather see you stand behind the people that you qualified and the reason that you qualified them in the first place. Where is the love. What kind of message is sent when we say, "I have complete trust in your abilities and maturity when dealing with my people and my assets, until something goes wrong, and then I'll wait to see what the investigation shows before trusting you again." ?

Sometimes bad stuff happens to good people. I say stand by your people until the facts show otherwise. Then take responsibility for your part in whatever happened.

And Mark.....seeing as how we're talking about verbiage and I am a defender of all things AtoN....... the "Aid" to Navigation is just that. Don't blame the Aid.....blame the bottom, that's what you hit.

[BMC Ken Gouge]

I saw a mishap report about 2 years ago that I wish I had saved. It explained an incident similar to the one above, but the cox'n didn't really have a particular "at fault" moment in the whole thing. Don't recall the exact story, but what I do remember was the OIC comments.

Not quoting, but they said - it was a bad situation, which the cox'n never lost awareness of. He wishes he had done things differently, but hindsight is 20/20. The investigation will be conducted IAW... but I have full faith in my cox'n's judgement and abilities or I wouldn't have signed his letter in the first place.

I hate the he/she thing too, and have caught myself using it much to my dismay. Non-rates are seaMEN and fireMEN, but boatcrewMEMBERS have evolved recenly. We are still cutterMEN and nominate people for Coast GuardsMEN of the year. I would think that the women in our service probably care less about this issue than the men that are trying to avoid ticking someone off do.

What do you "guys" think about @$$ as a PC way of typing what you really mean?

[BMC James M. Clark]

We are still cutterMEN and nominate people for Coast GuardsMEN of the year.

I thought that had changed to Enlisted Person of the Year. I for one prefer Coast Guardsmen of the Year.

What do you "guys" think about @$$ as a PC way of typing what you really mean?

No matter how you spell it, your are using an explitive. You know what you meant, and I know what you meant, you just didn't spell it correctly. If I were inclined to be offended by such language (which I am not), it would be offensive even if mispelled.

I'm not real big on acronyms, either. Like the CGA to the NSS to the IAMSAR. I actually found an acronym dictionary on the broken remains of CGWEB the other day. Boy was I glad, too, because for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what somebody was talking about. Even in the context of the email.

[BMCS Burt Ford]

How do temporarily relieve some one? Why not just say member is being pulled out of the duty cowswain rotation pending........

I ran a 49 aground while servicing buoys(TRLBs) in the ice in the middle of the channel. I told OAN I would run aground in that channel. $4000, shafts and props later i sent a mishap. I was OINC. Chief of Staff had a CWO do an investigation after my comments said it was expected and we knew we would run aground at some point during the operation. And that buoys marks shoals, as an aton unit and we run aground and sometimes causes damage.....He was not happy. CWO supported everything I said in mishap. I never lost a qual but my mentor said............

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

According to the English department at Washington State University, when refering to male or female, it is appropriate to use the term "he" in your writting. Once upon a time, I submitted a term paper and the whole PC he/she thing was caught. Years ago, when I went through the CCTI, a YNC called me out because I did not include /she in something I wrote. I reffered her to the English department at WSU.
PC has gone overboard. Whatever happened to salt and backbone?
Just because someone gets their feelings hurt does NOT constitute discrimination or sexual harrassment.

[BMC John Phillips III]

Here's another one, "Can Do attitude." You see that in a lot of awards, it's funny to, cause if you come in to work everyday and do your job, I guess you have a "Can Do attitude!"

What's even funnier is, while reviewing the new performance factors for Petty Officers, I noticed that the 4 block has the following criteria:

JUDGEMENT- Demonstrated analytical thought and common sense in making decisions. Used facts, data, and experience, and considered the impact of alternatives. Weighed risk, cost and time consideration. Made sound decisions promptly with the best available information.

I laughed and thought there will be a lot of people struggling for a 4.

[BMC Chris Gempp]

Struggling, thats putting it mildly.

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

That's funny. I forgot the "Can Do" attitude. Now when my boss asks - "LT, can you do this?" My reply; "can do."
According the way this phrase is written all over the place, if I keep responding "can do" I should earn at least 6's, if not 7's in my next set of marks.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Many years ago on Long Island a YeoMAN called my boss and refered to herself as a YeoPERSON. He went ballistic and said that she was not a YeoPERSON but a YeoMAN. Actually, they both got it wrong. She was a YeoPEOPLE. PERSON cannot be used in any context when refering to a female. Why? Glad you asked. PERSON has a SON in it. We all know that a SON refers to a male family member.

Quote "JUDGEMENT- Demonstrated analytical thought and common sense in making decisions. Used facts, data, and experience, and considered the impact of alternatives. Weighed risk, cost and time consideration. Made sound decisions promptly with the best available information."

Funny, I thought that common sense was dead.

Obituary of Common Sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, by the name of common sense.

Common sense lived a long life, but died in the United States failure on the beginning of the new millennium. No one really knows how old he was, since his birth records were lost long ago in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories, helping folks get the job done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits had no power over Common Sense.

He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as to know when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, and that life isn’t always fair.

Common sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn), reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids), and it’s okay to come in second.

A veteran of the industrial revolution, the Great Depression, and the Technical Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, whole language, and “new math.” But his health declined when he became infected with the “If it only helps one person, it’s worth it” virus.

In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of well intentioned, but overbearing regulations.

He watched in pain as good people became ruled by self-seeking lawyers. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero-tolerance policies.

Reports of a six-year old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition.

It declined even further when schools had to get parental permission to administer aspirin to a student but could not inform the parents when a female student was pregnant or wanted an abortion.

Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, Churches became business, criminals received better treatment than their victims, and Federal Judges stuck their noses in everything from the Boy Scouts to professional sports.

Finally, Common Sense threw in the towel when a woman failed to realize that a steaming hot cup of coffee was hot and awarded a huge settlement.

As the end neared, Common Sense drifted in and out of logic, but was kept informed of developments regarding questionable regulations, such as those for the low flow of toilets, rocking chairs, and stepladders.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.

He is survived by his two step-brothers: My rights, and Ima Whiner.

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Author Unknown

[DCCS Keith Wilbee]

Ok, OK, heres one I just heard lately, and its been a long time since I posted.

May the God of your choice bless you!

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Why not.....May the God of your choice bless you, as long as you're okay with that.

[BMCS Roland Ashby]

Why not.....May the God of your choice bless you, as long as you're okay with that.

You got to be kidding???? What next, take "In God we Trust" off of all money. Oh wait, they are already trying to do that.

OK, I guess we should remove "One nation under God". That's right they are trying to change that too.

sorry for the rant, but this kind of crap is just starting to drive me nuts. the next thing you know illegal Immagrants will be marching on DC demanding their rights :mad:

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Roland, I guess you don't watch too much TV, the illegals are already marching, demanding their rights. Their rights? THEIR RIGHTS? What about OUR rights.

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Interesting how our constitution guarantees the rights of it's citizens. Hmm an illegal would imply someone that has broken the law and should be prosecuted and since they aren't a citizen they have a guarantee of human rights but that is it. Gotta love the ACLU and it's influence on this country. Yes I do know they do the jobs that nobody else wants and if the labor they did were hired out to citizens of this country then we would be paying outrageous prices for an number of things but still, this is crazy. There is a process to become a citizen and that procedure should be enforced. I must say though, immigration is one of the most undermanned government offices in this country.

[BMC Ralph Williams]

Talk about outrageous prices!! :mad:

Gas prices over $3.00 a gallon. :eek:

Guess I'll be hitchhiking to my next unit. :p

have fun,
Ralph

[BMC Mark C. Lewis]

Gas is $3.30 per gallon for regular gas

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

And our next 2.5% pay raise is supposed to cover the increases in our cost of living right?

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.


Was that before the rising costs of gas? Not to mention those in the Baltimore area. BGE (utility Co.) is really jacking up their rates this summer. 75% increase!

Where I go here in Baltimore area, 2.69 to 2.71. 4/15/06

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I know we are way off track here, but I just have to jump in. It could be worse. We could be living in Europe where the price of gas is over $5.00 a gallon. When I visited Germany back in 1985 I thought the price posted on the local station was a mistake, there’s no way it could be over 5 dollars a gallon, but it was.

That’s there problem, not ours. I cringe when I hear talking heads say that since Europe is paying so much, we should too. If they wanna pay that much, let ‘em move to Germany.

I lay most of our current problems on the enviro-freaks that will not let our oil companies drill off shore, in ANWAR or build more refineries. I am sick and tired of protecting the Whales and Spotted Owls. I want cheap gas for my full size van and pick up.

BTW did ‘ya ever notice that the people that are complaining the most about the abuse of the environment are the ones that drive huge SUVs and fly in gas guzzling planes. If they are so concerned about the use of fossil fuels, let them walk everywhere in their bare feet, freeze in the winter and roast in the summer.

Still waiting for our semi-useless ELECTED leaders to do something about this.

The people I really feel sorry for are our junior enlisted folks, the elderly and those on fixed incomes that have to have gasoline to live.

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

Getting back on course... I've noticed a lot of folks using "lol" What in the heck does lol mean?
I've been trying to figure it out but can't. I'm sure it's something simple.

[MKC Art Bailly (ret)]

lol= Laughing Out Loud

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Another Forum word
Derailed = Not on topic anymore. Example "This thread has been derailed"

[BMCS Burt Ford]

Okay here in Kodaik we have a "big red" lighted sign when you come on base. It list what is happening on base. You all know what they look like. When the Movie "Fun with Dick and Jane" came out it was listed like this.....(date and time may be wrong) Thursday 1930 Movie Fun with **** and Jane. PG.

Now we cant even list certain words when the are titles of a movie. I hope Dick Chaney never comes here imagine that..."Guest Speaker at CCTI will be VP **** Cheany". You think he has to put those **** in his signature?

Gimme a break!

[LT Arthur Nelson (MKC) (Ret)]

Now that's what I call PC and CYA.

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Okay, I give up. Please tell me what is so obscene about “Dick”. I just hope that NASCAR driver Dick Trickle never shows up at Kodiak , that could cause the PC police to go into shock.

I don’t suppose somebody took a picture of the billboard, I would like to see it.

[ETCM Joseph Harold]

Okay, I give up. Please tell me what is so obscene about “Dick”. I just hope that NASCAR driver Dick Trickle never shows up at Kodiak , that could cause the PC police to go into shock.

I don’t suppose somebody took a picture of the billboard, I would like to see it.

I'm sure it is an automatic function to prevent obscenities from being displayed on the board. Sort of what is in a lot of forum software.

[BMC John Phillips III]

Has anyone said, "Tiger Team?"

:rolleyes: