The Anchor

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Good afternoon, since September of 2000 the ISC Portsmouth Area Chiefs Mess and I have been creating The Anchor, a newsletter for the enlisted men and women of the Tidewater Area and whom ever else may be interested. Attached is The Anchor for October 2006.

Now for the disclaimer,

The Anchor is produced by the men and women of the ISC Portsmouth Area Chiefs Mess for the enlisted men and women of the Tidewater Area of Virginia. It is strictly informal and should not be considered as the authority for any official action. The views and opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the DHS or the United States Coast Guard. Contributions and suggestions are encouraged and should be directed to SKC Raymond Kurtz at (757) 413-7381 or e-mail Raymond.G.Kurtz@uscg.mil.

[BMC John Phillips III]

Hey Ray, I have a joke that would be great for the funny farm ;)

Come on guys, I gotta be me! :D

I like how you worked that Cats are smarter than Dogs in there... :rolleyes:

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Bring it on.

You know I have gotten more from putting this together than the people that read it. So much fun.

I had a guy with absolutely no connection to the Coast Guard contact me about an article I had written about the Erie class of gunboats and the connection to the Coast Guard.

There was also one of our commanders that used articles from it as part of his staff meetings.

Please let me know what I can do to improve it, I am always open to suggestions.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

Raymond,

How do you distribute this in the Portsmouth Area? This is the first that I have seen this and think it might be something useful over here at the LANT/D5 Building

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

In order to answer your question I have to give you a history lesson into how all this started.

In August of 2000 while working at the ISC I received a copy of the Juneau newsletter, (I forget what its called.) I realized something like that would be nice to create. The first issue was in September of 2000 and had a limited circulation, just the immediate members of the ISC Mess. As it got going and as time went by I added additional members to the distribution list as people requested access to it. At one point I even had a retired Air Force guy on the list. After I attended the CPOA I added their names as well.

Even though The Anchor is geared towards enlisted personnel, I will not limit the distribution towards just enlisted, anyone can get The Anchor.

If anyone wants to be added to the distribution list, just let me know and I will include them.

Also, please feel free to pass this on to anyone you know.

[BMCM Dale Steinmetz]

Ray,
I am a member of the Juneau Chapter, and I believe the newsleeter was called "Ask the Chief". At the time TCCM Terry Jones was COM.
Just a FYI

Dale

[SKC Eric S. Highland]

Ray,

You asked for some thoughts regarding your newsletter that might be points to consider:

First off, let me say that I think it is great you and your co-horts have taken this on.. I don't want you to think that all of my suggestions are criticisms.. because they aren't... they are simply for your consideration.. kinda like a buffet table.. take what you want and leave the rest...

1. I didn't really see any Mess type news in there. You know like CPOA meetings, BBQ, Fundraisers, CGEA activities, Phone numbers of the COTM, CPOA et al. Time and place of next meetings...

I think you would do well to add these things. I know distribution isn't limited to the Mess, but it is in fact geared to the Mess and by the Mess.

2. Maybe a paragraph or two from the COTM about current issues affecting the Command and Crew.

3. Maybe an advertisement for coins, or lic plates or whatever it is your local CPOA is selling to support their cause.

4. Nautical terms are always great! Maybe have a "nautical term of the month" like "Loose Cannon" or "Above Board". Some hilarious nautical terms are out there and they seem to fit the "style" of "The Anchor"

5. Maybe a list of your SOQ's for the year and even possibly the nominees. Positive recognition is always a good thing!

6. Finally, how about a blatant plug ( i saw the subtle one) for this website!

Great job Ray! Keep up the good work!

v/r

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Ray,

You asked for some thoughts regarding your newsletter that might be points to consider:

First off, let me say that I think it is great you and your co-horts have taken this on.. I don't want you to think that all of my suggestions are criticisms.. because they aren't... they are simply for your consideration.. kinda like a buffet table.. take what you want and leave the rest...

1. I didn't really see any Mess type news in there. You know like CPOA meetings, BBQ, Fundraisers, CGEA activities, Phone numbers of the COTM, CPOA et al. Time and place of next meetings...

I think you would do well to add these things. I know distribution isn't limited to the Mess, but it is in fact geared to the Mess and by the Mess.

2. Maybe a paragraph or two from the COTM about current issues affecting the Command and Crew.

3. Maybe an advertisement for coins, or lic plates or whatever it is your local CPOA is selling to support their cause.

4. Nautical terms are always great! Maybe have a "nautical term of the month" like "Loose Cannon" or "Above Board". Some hilarious nautical terms are out there and they seem to fit the "style" of "The Anchor"

5. Maybe a list of your SOQ's for the year and even possibly the nominees. Positive recognition is always a good thing!

6. Finally, how about a blatant plug ( i saw the subtle one) for this website!

Great job Ray! Keep up the good work!

(1) I am going to be more pro-active in getting the info you suggest and posting it in future issues.

(2) Good point and again I will me more pro-active in seeking those out.

(3) I would love to, I will try to fit them in future issues.

(4) Not too long ago I went through the complete nautical terminology from Alpha to Zulu. I will probably do it again in the near future. I am a trivia fanatic and try to include little tid bits people can use, if nothing else, just to spice up conversation.

(5) Good point, problem is with so many commands in this area it would take up an entire issue just to list all of them.

(6) I try to work in plugs for the website when I can. I realize the link is buried in the back of the issue, I’ll try to figure out a way to move it to the beginning.

Thanks for your support.

[SKC Eric S. Highland]

Ray,

I'm glad you took my response the way it was intended. I think you are doing a fine job with the "Anchor". Bravo Zulu Ray!

v/r

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

I have been thinking of going to a bi-weekly issue of The Anchor. The reason is that I have so much stuff to put in it that it's difficult to cram it in just 20 pages. I would rather not go beyond 20 pages an issue because it becomes difficult to read. I would hate to not be able to put something in that I think is important because of space limitation. Also, is if there is some sort of special event going on I would be able to advertise it.

What do you think? Please select one.

(1) Leave as is, once a month is sufficient.
(2) Increase the page count past 20 pages to allow for more material to be inserted.
(3) Change to bi-weekly.
(4) Other.

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Ray
Nice job overall. If you wanted to keep it within 20 pages you could narrow the history to CG History. Being a history buff I like seeing all that info but it is an option for you. Are you going to continue to post new issues on this site?

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Absolutely, now that I figured out how to use zip files. I use to limit the history portion to just Coast Guard history, but it became too limiting, I do try to stick to just American history. Hey, you never know, you might be sitting in a bar playing the NTN trivia game and something from The Anchor might come up, just might prove how smart you are. :)

[ETC Pat Kaschube]

Well then how about,,,,

October 4
1992 -- Miami's Louis Oliver returns an interception a record-tying 103 yards for a touchdown against Buffalo, tying the mark established by Vencie Glenn against Denver on Nov. 29, 1987.

From the NFL history site. Not a Dolphin fan by the way.

http://www.nfl.com/history/date/0928-1004

[SKC Raymond Kurtz]

Well then how about,,,,

October 4
1992 -- Miami's Louis Oliver returns an interception a record-tying 103 yards for a touchdown against Buffalo, tying the mark established by Vencie Glenn against Denver on Nov. 29, 1987.

From the NFL history site. Not a Dolphin fan by the way.

http://www.nfl.com/history/date/0928-1004

It's a little late for that one, but you just gave me another resource to use. Don't let it bother you that a Miami player tied the record, I have to keep my opinions (a very difficult proposition for me) in check when creating The Anchor. I even have a quote by William Jefferson Blythe Clinton that I might use in a future issue.