What if you were MCPOCG?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

In the weeks and days that led up to my advancement to E-8 I thought of several things. I was able to reflect on my time in the Coast Guard. I thought of those Senior Enlisted that I have looked up to throughout my career. I even thought about how lucky I was to be making E-8. So, when the cardboard mailer arrived from HRSIC, I opened it knowing that my advancement certificate was inside. Not knowing what else was in there, I was surprised to see a letter from the MCPOCG. I had received one from MCPOCG Patten when I made E-7 and didn't realize that the MCPOCG sent one out when making E-8. As I read the letter it spoke of the history of the Senior Chief Petty Officer, the priviledge of making E-8 and it welcomed me to the top 2% of the enlisted workforce. Wow, the top 2%, that's quite an accomplishment! I felt very proud and honored to be in that company. Then something caught my eye that kind of took back the pride and honor that I was feeling. MCPOCG Welch didn't sign the letter. Now, let me clarify...the letter was digitally signed by MCPOCG Welch, but not hand signed. Now before everyone jumps all over my post let me say, I know the man is busy. Just hear me out for a minute. We're the smallest armed force in the United States, we do more with less than any federal organization. His letter stated that he expected more from me as an E-8 than as an E-7, and he's going to get more from me! But you know what, I guess I expected more from him than a digitally (un)mastered signature when being welcomed to the top 2% of the enlisted workforce. He didn't really make me feel like part of the team. It made me think, what would I do? My answer was easy, I would hand sign all E-7/8/9 letters that left my office. I'd make the time.

Let me make one thing clear...this post is not intended to offend or otherwise put down the MCPOCG. I'm just trying to get a discussion going about this. So, I ask the question...

If you were MCPOCG, would you hand sign or digitally sign?

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

I would hand sign them. I think that as you advance into, what was described as a previous MCPOCG, as the senior enlisted ranks, you have earned a little more than a form letter. As OinC of a unit I have to sign thousands of official documents every year, and I'm at a unit of seven. If you're in a position labeled by some as "head of the enlisted rates" couldn't you find the time to sign a couple of hundred. You don't need to read every one, someone else has already verified their accuracy, just sign it. Maybe then it would be suitable for framing.

[PACS Steve Carleton]

In the coming months, I too will put the star on. I will stand as proud on that day as I did on the day I put the anchor on.

I am in agreement with you two on this, top 2% and not hand signed?

I would definitly handsign all E8 and E9 letters.

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Deane, and others...
Here is another question for you... Would you have been as offended if you simply got your certificate without a note? Was your certificate handsigned? Even the MPOCG can't please all the people all the time. Is it your personal ethics that make you feel offended? You know what I say... Congratulations on making it into the top 2%. Good for you. You should be proud of your accomplishments. Be happy that the MCPOCG took the time to write some remarks in the first place. Here is another one. Do you handwrite every "words of wisdom" that are requested of you? If not... shame on you for being offended.
respectfully,
BMC (E-7) Jim

[BMCM Deane Smith]

First, you're throwing around the word offended. I never said that I was offended and I'm not.

To answer your first question...I wouldn't have given it a second thought if it was just the certificate. We get certificates for every advancement. I'm talking about a letter from the MCPOCG to me. That's different, we don't get that for every advancement.

Your question about words of wisdom...Yes, I hand write all words of wisdom. Even if someone sends me one from out of the area, I still hand write it and mail it back.

As a side note, I also received a letter from the District Commander and it was hand signed.


Jim, I assume from your comments that you would digitally sign? You didn't really answer the question.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Jim, I don't get offended. Annoyed sometimes...offended never. I was answering the question posted by Deane. The MCPOCG didn't take the time to write the "note". It was a computer generated, computer signed, form letter that sparked Deane's question. As for your question...yes I also hand write all the words of wisdom that I give to PCPOs. If they take the time to come and see me, I make the time to write and hand sign a page for their charge book. For the people that I have sailed with in the past that e-mail me a sheet, I print it out, hand write and hand sign it, then mail it back to them. They are asking me for personal thoughts and I personalize that. I don't return e-mailed charges to people I don't know as that defeats the intent of the sheet.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

I didn't really care, and personally I would rather him spend his time working on issues than hand-signing form letters to me.

But that's just my opinion!

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Shawn, I respect your opinion, and I didn't pay much attention to the letter that was sent to me either, but Deane's question goes further than that.

Deane is asking what you would do as the MCPOCG.

You have just sent a letter welcoming a member in to the top 2% of the enlisted workforce. You expect this person to carry out those issues that you are elluding to. The person that recieves that letter may one day be taking your job, or working as one of your Silver or Gold Badges. An assistant of your's asks you if you want to personally sign that letter or you want the compute to do it for you ? ...and you say.....?

I liken it to having your XPO sign everything at your unit "by direction". What issues are important enough to take the time to do yourself? Is this an issue that YOU, as MCPOCG, would "make" the time to personalize ? It's along the lines of what Jim was asking.......When we initiate or welcome people into our ranks, are we doing the minimum required, giving them a canned slogan, or are we personilizing it. Do we nod at them from across the mess or do we walk over and greet each other with a hand shake ?

So I'll ask again..... If it were on you, would you sign those letters?

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Wow, I feel like I really kicked the hornets nest here. :) I am quite sure that the MCPOCG is a very busy man. I assume that he actually penned the original "form letter" that you recieved. It is simply a charge that he gives to all new E-8's. I would digitally sign that myself. To answer your question. Why? Simply because he probobly personally knows very few of the new E-8's and he would like to provide his charge equally accross the board. Would it seem fair that he provide more or less advice to one person or another? He may well send a note to members that he personally knows and has some specific input for them. I realize that I am taking this quest beyond the signiture issue, but if someone wants the personal touch, it stands to reason that that is the next step. On another note... Maybe "offended" was the wrong term to use in my previous post. It seems that some have objected to that choice of words. How is "bothered"? Obviously some have been bothered enough to make this an issue. Has anyone talked to Master Chief Welch about it, and gotten his take?

Jim

[BMCM Deane Smith]

ALL -

Stu did a great job of explaining what I was getting at. I'm not going to say it again, read his post.

My question goes beyond the signing of a letter. I'm trying to find out what's important to my fellow Chief's.

I'll give the scenario...It's your first week as MCPOCG. Your office supervisor brings you the form letters for E-7/8/9 and says, hey MCPOCG do you want to hand sign these things or use your computer signature? How would you reply?

I would hand sign because letters that I would be sending to my Chief's would be important enough (for me) to hand sign. As silly as it might sound to most of you, I think hand signing these letters shows a committment to the Chief's.

This may not make sense, but this is the best explanation I can give in this forum.

[BMCS Shawn Vredenburg]

Dean: You have a great point of view. Totally understand it and I think that would be great.

What would I do? First, I wouldn't ever be in that position. If someone was unfortunate enough to select me for that position, they would probably soon regret it (hey...hasn't that happened before :eek: )

But what would I do if I was in that position? That depends on how busy I was. I would digitally sign them if it would give me an extra hour or so a month to pull heads out of O-6 a$$es at HQ. With the number of Captains in the Coast Guard, do you realize how long that would take??

[BMC Ken Gouge]

The digital signature didn't bother me a bit. I was too proud of my accomplishment, and the fact that I was getting the letter in the first place. He does mention in the E-7 letter that one should go through the CCTI, which brings me to the following.

Not to un-bag any cats here but if one has the initiative, they get his autograph and an 8x10 glossy. I felt more pleased given the circumstances that he took the time to tend to that signature personally, and maybe that is part of the game. As has been posted elsewhere there are many who chose not to be initiated, and that might have something to do with it.

As far as the E-8/9 issue, maybe he could find the time to sign those, as they are less numerous and usually less than 100 a month. I still wouldn't lose sleep over it.

Ken

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Not losing sleep over it and you bring up an interesting side note on when the MCPOCG doesn't hand sign something, when someone else initiated something that he feels strongly about.

But Deane's question still stands......

As Deane said, he's not bagging on the MCPOCG or trying to change the way things are currently being done. He simply wants to know what you would do if you were MCPOCG. Is this an issue that you would deem important enough to address personally ?

[BMC Ken Gouge]

Noted,
I am not sufficiently versed in the things that make up his average workday to give an educated opinion. It would be lower on my list of priorities than more pressing quality of life and retention issues that should be addressed.
However, given that it is a one day a month matter, I would set aside what wouldn't be more than 12 hours per year to hand sign.

Ken

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Thanks Ken, I would say that that was a very educated, well thought out opinion, and you have given us all insight into some of the things that would be high on your priority list if one day you got the nod.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

When I started this thread I was hoping to gain a better understanding of what my fellow chiefs thought was important to them. This is bigger than a signature. It's not about being offended or losing sleep or signing form letters instead of taking care of enlisted issues. It's about prioritizing importance, what priority would you make it?

This thread (like many others) hasn't generated the posts that I thought it might when I started it. That's too bad. I guess posting has a different priority for most than it does for me.


Chief Petty Officers are unique for many reasons, principal among them the traditions we share, preserve, and honor.

[BMC Ken Gouge]

It would be lower on my list of priorities than more pressing quality of life and retention issues that should be addressed.

Deane, isn't that exactly what I answered in the above statement?
Above personalizing an advancement recognition letter, I would place every other issue regarding the enlisted workforce. That said, I would still make time for it.

It has a prioity to me, just not a high one. Being the Chief, I do all priorities of tasks...

Ken

[BMC Mark C. Lewis]

I would personally sign them. I think it adds the human touch. I was promoted to E-7 this past May and was surprised to get a letter from the MCPOCG and I did not even notice whether it was an electronic signature or hand written.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

I think it is safe to say that all the certificates and most of the letters sent out of HQ are auto signed.... I think if you stop and think about it, do to the shear numbers,TAD, e-mails, other tasks the MCPO-CG may be on, having them sign these by had is really asking for a lot.... Hell I never got a letter anyhow.. at least one that I remember... for advancements...

I did get on when I wrote the Commandant at his home address.. (Got his attention.. ;) and I believe I got a real signature on it too!

I really doubt there are many of us here that can fully understand the responsibilities placed on the MCPO-CG... Hell, we can't even get a short monthly/quarterly bulletin of what they have been busy doing... so.. I guess they are too busy to do that.!

Wray... :cool:

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

One think I think I would do is to educate people that my paygrade is E-9. I would distribute payscales to them to show them the enlisted pay grades only go up to E-9... NOT E-10.

I would then show them my military ID that had E-9(sp) on it... I would educate them the "SP" is for the special pay I receive...

I would then hand them copies of the latest pay scale. I would point out the note at the bottom of the pay scale that denoted the additional pay I recieved as an E-9, while serving as the senior enlisted member of the Coast Guard. On the 2006 pay scale it went something like this:
"4. For the MCPO of the Navy, CMSgt of the AF, Sergeant Major of the Army, Marine Corps or Senior Enlisted Advisor of the JCS, basic pay is $6499.50."

Well, now that I have everyones attention, lets see who agrees, and who dis-agrees.... Should be interesting...;)

Wray... :cool:

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

Signing certificates extends to 1790 and has caused some confusion.

I believe everyone has heard that Hopley Yeaton was the first commissioned officer in the Service. Was he? No one knows for sure, but I doubt it. The only reason Yeaton is touted to be the first is because his name was first on the list not from his status as first commissioned but from geography.

About 1791 President George Washington was not sure who all was in the government and directed the Secretaries to provide lists of those employed. A clerk in the treasury department put together a list of RCS officers and ranked them north to south. You guessed it, Yeaton was in the northern most station.

Most likely, the RCS Master from Virginia was the first. GW always took care of the home boys first. There are a couple dozen RCS officers commissioned on the same day. Poor Hopley, they dug him up and moved him to a State he hated, all based on a myth.

By 1792, GW had become inundated with commission requests and began signing blank commissions. He trusted those he appointed earlier to fill them in when they found someone who would take the job.

GW probably signed thousands of commissions during his tenure as President. Good thing there wasn't a navy yet. If GW signed them with a quill then why cannot someone use a Skilcraft for a bit today.

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

While it’s probably important that we all understand that the difference between E9 and E9(SP), I would direct my attention to policy driven career paths and drop billet priority based on sea/shore rotations.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Eugene; Really...you cant be serious. You want to change the policy that a person afloat has the same assignment priority as somebody ashore.
Just a couple of questions as far as assignment priority. Everything else being equal how would you decide who got the billet they both wanted

On another note, maybe Im not getting something, but. What exactly do you mean by "policy driven career paths".

Honestly, your statement is exactly why we as a service have lost part of our heritage. We've shifted from a "seagoing service" to "a service that goes to sea".

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

Senior,

Here’s how I would pursue assignment policy if I were Top Dog; all things being equal. I would establish and divide career specialty based EPME’s which would provide career direction, policy and guidance in addition to the standard technical requirements. So, if you’re a BM and want to be an OiC (multi-mission), you would follow, and lock into, the “OiC” career path and be monitored by the “OiC force manger” - same with AtoN, white hull or shore side career paths. If you’re an OS and want to be a SAR supervisor, or VTS supervisor, you would follow the mandated EPME for that career path and be guided by that specific “force manger.” Once locked in and qualified, this would be your career path.

Our organization is driven by advance and transfer vice long term career specialties. As our most seasoned folks leave, the organization will continue to suffer the loss of corporate knowledge, and as such, we’re setting ourselves up for the loss of property, personnel, mission readiness and capabilities. Just my .02 cents on the short vision.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

There has been talk along these lines for years... some were suggesting AtoN BM's & SAR BM's....it offically never got off the ground .. now un-offically, who knows....

Years ago the detailers would ensure you had a well rounded career by assigning you to a variety of jobs.. That makes you much more "well rounded" and available for any assignment should they need you....

As with most things that went away.. but, like most things it will resurface again, I'm sure.

Wray... :cool:

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

Our organization is driven by advance and transfer vice long term career specialties. As our most seasoned folks leave, the organization will continue to suffer the loss of corporate knowledge, and as such, we’re setting ourselves up for the loss of property, personnel, mission readiness and capabilities. Just my .02 cents on the short vision.

Eugene, Look around the model is already there. The officer corps is an example of specialities centered. Is the Coast Guard any better off for it?

Of course, the Coast Guard could return to the BM(L), BM(DG), BM(AN), etc. etc scheme.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Eugene,
Good points, however all BM's are not or do not want to be OIC's. Why, good question but not on point here. So with our rating how would we further divide the BM's that fall into that category? As MC Wells pointed out would we have to break down specific special designators i.e. BM(M/M-Ashore), BM(M/M-Afloat), BM(MLE), BM(MAA), BM(RFO).
Im not saying it wont work, because it hasnt been tried. But I am saying that it may be too difficult of a task to take on.

[MKCM Brett Ayer]

Honestly, your statement is exactly why we as a service have lost part of our heritage. We've shifted from a "seagoing service" to "a service that goes to sea".

No disrespect intended, but the Coast Guard was never a "Sea Going Service" The Revenue Cutter Service was a Sea Going Service, the Coast Guard is and has always been a Maritime service.

The Light House Service was not a Sea Going Service, The life Saving Service was not a Sea Going Service, The Boiler Inspection Service was never a Sea Going Service. I can keep going but you get the point. The Cutter service is only a part of the whole.

The only way we can lose our heritage would be to forget the heritage and accomplishments of all the other organizations that became part of the Coast Guard.

Sea duty will always be with us, but so will our other non sea going missions, and they are just as important.

Sorry to get of topic.

Be Safe,

Brett

[BMCS Dave Considine]

No disrespect intended, but the Coast Guard was never a "Sea Going Service" The Revenue Cutter Service was a Sea Going Service, the Coast Guard is and has always been a Maritime service.

The Light House Service was not a Sea Going Service, The life Saving Service was not a Sea Going Service, The Boiler Inspection Service was never a Sea Going Service. I can keep going but you get the point. The Cutter service is only a part of the whole.

The only way we can lose our heritage would be to forget the heritage and accomplishments of all the other organizations that became part of the Coast Guard.

Sea duty will always be with us, but so will our other non sea going missions, and they are just as important.

Sorry to get of topic.

Be Safe,

Brett


Great points MC - well said

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Master Chief, no disrespect taken. However I do seem to remember that for a while some (HQ types) did try to sell that slogan. Additionally, as you said our heritage is long. That's why I said, "part of our heritage", not all, but part.

I agree that all missions are important in their own respect. But, I think the service as a whole has a long way to go as far as heritage is concerned. We may not be losing it, but in the same sense we're not promoting it either.
Except for a few buildings (Munro, Patterson, and Bruckenthal Halls) and a couple of awards (Kimball, Evans, Clark) to name a few. I think we could do better in the effort to teach/preserve our heritage.

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

Senior,

If I may, a secret if you will…..a tour at HQ is an eye opening, career enhancing experience. Why you ask? If I may, I’ll direct your attention here: http://www.uscg.mil/ccs/cit/cim/foia/Healy/USCG%20HEALY.htm

[BMCS R. Scott Pugh]

Eugene - If I may, what does the HEALY investigation have to do with a tour of Headquarters? Would a tour have been different before the mishap?

Scott

[MKCM Brett Ayer]

I think we could do better in the effort to teach/preserve our heritage.

I couldn't agree more. However your comment was not about our failure to recognize and honor those that came before us, it was an attempt to say that sea duty was more important than other duty. It can be more arduous at times, but is not more important to our heritage. Driving an MLB or inspecting a barge is just as much a part heritage as serving on a cutter.

I have no problem with your defense of the assignment process and I feel our current assignment priorities are fair.

And for those that are interested, I am far from a HQ type, this is my first and only HQ tour. I have done big cutter, small cutter, ANT, SAR, Loran, ect.... My point of view comes from someone that has seen the better part of all Coast Guard missions, and none of them have been more significant or more important than the others.

Your comment about “HQ types”, and the term “in their own respect” only indicates that you do not equally value other coast Guard missions. If you feel Sea Duty is more valuable that other duty, then say it. Don’t veil it in witty comments. There is nothing wrong with that opinion, just don’t expect everyone else to agree.

Ok, I'm done hijacking the thread. If we want to continue this, we need to create a new topic.

Be Safe,

Brett

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

No disrespect intended, but the Coast Guard was never a "Sea Going Service" The Revenue Cutter Service was a Sea Going Service, the Coast Guard is and has always been a Maritime service.

Well, no. This is not correct. I wish Dennis Noble would register in. He and I have had many good discussions on this.

The Coast Guard is a "naval" service, meaning sea going. Although it is a popular belief that the Life-Saving Service was the heart of the 1915 Coast Guard this is not true. The LSS was put into the then new "Coast Guard" from a political measure and the RCS officers accepted it because had they not there would have been no Coast Guard. The RCS did not want the LSS, but Sumner Kimball used his influence to put the LSS in the bill only so they would become eligible for a retirement system as Coastguardsmen.

Of course, the LSS had been virtually run by RCS officers (as inspectors) for a few decades by then.

The Light House Service was not a Sea Going Service, The life Saving Service was not a Sea Going Service, The Boiler Inspection Service was never a Sea Going Service. I can keep going but you get the point. The Cutter service is only a part of the whole.

I am sure those on the Department of Commerce buoy tenders would not consider themselves "sea-going." It should be noted that the Revenue Cutters were the first buoy tenders. They set aids to navigation and built small shore signals. The Navigation and Steamboat Inspection service did manage to help keep the merchant fleet operating and its character was sea going. Just because the LSS only went to sea in pulling boats, they were still sea orientated.

The "maritime" nature of the Coast Guard is a relatively new invention of the Coast Guard and erupted in the spate of TQM and M-types (another group of specialists) took over the Coast Guard.

The only way we can lose our heritage would be to forget the heritage and accomplishments of all the other organizations that became part of the Coast Guard.

You've hit upon a point. The other agencies were absorbed (by congressionial mandate) into the sea-going Coast Guard. The base culture of the Coast Guard as a whole is sea-going. If not, then what is it. However, the Coast Guard's heritage is not being forgotten by not knowing its sub-parts but not knowing anything at all except the PR sound bites and trivia (much of it myth).

Just look at the Commandant's reading list. Just how much substantive history is on it? The most commonly read books on the Coast Guard are general overviews that lack depth and known as "popular histories." Actual history books are narrowly written on specific topics. Dennis Noble does this and this is why people like them. They have the depth to give people a better understanding of the era in which they are involved.

Perhaps the administrators will create a history section where it may be discussed and learned by the folks here. That way myths and misperceptions may be corrected and passed along to the troops. Perhaps even handing out "history" coins.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Eugene,
As Scott pointed out what does the Healey Investigation have to do with a tour at HQ? And some may argue that it really is career enhancing. Infact some may argue that, they did learn a lot, but never want to do it again. Can you give me an example of how it is career enhancing. I've never done a tour at HQ, not to say I wont, but right now its not in my sights.

Master Chief,
Where exactly in my comments did I say “that sea duty was more important than other duty"? I never said that nor is that what I meant. I do however stand by my comments that, all missions are important in their own respect. I'll go one further and say something that should be understood. Every job in the CG is important in their own respect. Not just missions.
It's easy to take portions of my comments and write what you feel was my intent from those comments.
As far as the "HQ type" comment, I was merely pointing out that that is where I heard the comment "sea going service" nothing more nothing less. If you took offense to that, well it was not meant to offend anybody.
Additionally, I don’t expect everybody to agree with me. Actually, I like when people don’t agree with me, it generates dialogue and shows me another point of view.

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

Senior,

Did you read the investigation? This unfortunate incident was not only due to poor leadership from top down, but more importantly, the total disregard of CG policy, doctrine and regulations. This said, “HQ types” developed and instituted the very policy which, if followed, would have prevented the loss of two shipmates.

Why might a tour at HQ be important? Think about the above the next time you’re standing on deck and you overhear your LPO asking why they have to follow a “stupid check-list” or be bothered with all these “HQ” regulations.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Eugene,
Did I read the investigation? What type of question is that are you implying that I would not follow a request by the Commandant? Remember he directed everybody in the CG to read the report.

Honestly, I've never heard anybody use the term "stupid check-list" outdated maybe, but never stupid.

You seemed to have been struck by my comment "HQ types". Again the intent of that comment was to inform you of where I heard the phrase "sea going service". Maybe I should not have painted all HQ assigned personnel with that brush. I probably could have selected another title, maybe "Catch Phrase Coordinator".

I wouldn’t be to sensitive or read to much into that comment. But if the impact on you is truly that intense, I apologize and will be aware of that in the future.


All,
I also apologize for this unintentional "hi-jacking" of this thread. So, I will not address any other issue beside the intent of the original thread, in this forum.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Nick, take any topic, anywhere you want to go with it, as long as it remains productive. I would rather see something that is brought up addressed in the same forum, rather than see it unresolved. There is no parking lot here. If someone wants to make any issue it's own topic, start a seperate thread. But I for one will continue to address an post I disagree with, where it's written. For example......

Eugene, how many tours at HQ did those same people who failed in enforcing those policies on HEALY do? Doing a tour at HQ isn't a magic bullet. It isn't going to prevent someone from taking shortcuts. And you don't have to do a tour at HQ to write policy, or even effect policy. Unit commanders write policy for their units all the time. They still need to enforce their own written policy.

[BMC John Phillips III]

I am joining the discussion late, but I think I know where Eugene is going. In a smaller but comparative scale, I was first stationed at an ANT then the same ANT's construction tender. I learned on the tender things that I should have been doing when I was at the ANT. Of course since then I have been to another construction tender and now at an ANT again. But what I think he's saying is if you do a tour at headquarters, you can better understand where the things they hand down are coming from and how they expect it to go in the field.

That being said, if there is a most important part of the Coast Guard, it has to be ATON. :D

Now back on topic (sort of) do any of the previous MCPOCG's have an ATON background?

[CWO Eugene Diotalevi (BMC)]

Man, I must come off like a total asshole! In my my mind, I was just trying to point out that my seven years of sea time was just as important as my shore time...

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

Here's the way I look at it. Everyone who wishes to fill a SCPO or MCPO job should have some staff experience sometime. When I was advanced to GMCS and sent to a district job I did not have the staff experience at first to be that effective. It prepared me for the CGHQ job when I advanced to GMCM.

I recall MCPO Jack Lambert calling and asking me my thoughts on the curriculum of the proposed CPO Academy. I told them that training in staff work should be included. At least, some understanding presented of what goes on in the world of cubicles.

I enjoyed the frustration of CGHQ works because most of the time those with experience were usually found correct in thier estimates and comments. I also felt it was part of my job to protect the fleet and field from the inexperienced forces pushing their own agendas despite what was good for the rest of the Coast Guard. It was the only time when the entire Coast Guard became my "unit" and those in it my troops.

I learned much at CGHQ. Learning the nuts and bolts of high level staff work can be rewarding if you go back to the fleet.

[BMCS Nick Pupo]

Stu,
I agree with you. However I really didn’t want to be accused of “hi-jacking” a thread to push my own agenda, which in this case I really didn’t think I was doing. But, it seemed like some people took exception to my “HQ Types” comment when it was only meant to describe who may have come up with a particular slogan that I heard.

Bill,
As I stated before, a HQ tour may be in my future but as of right now its in my sights. If I do go there, I’m sure I will learn something of value. As I have with every tour/unit I’ve been attached to.

Eugene,
Don’t be so sensitive. You didn’t come off like an asshole, at least not to me you didn’t. However I would be interested in your background just for curiosity sake. Have you posted on the “getting to know ya” thread? It’s a good way, in my eyes to see the amount of experience we have on the board.

“JP3”
Question, how come every time Stu posts it seems like you always follow right behind with another post. Is he really that much of a hero of yours? :D

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

Nick,

To help out with the staff job I completed several correspondence (Navy) courses on management. They were helpful when learning the "language" of the world of cubicles but not radically different from running a division.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I think it is safe to say that all the certificates and most of the letters sent out of HQ are auto signed.... I think if you stop and think about it, do to the shear numbers,TAD, e-mails, other tasks the MCPO-CG may be on, having them sign these by had is really asking for a lot.... Hell I never got a letter anyhow.. at least one that I remember... for advancements...

I did get on when I wrote the Commandant at his home address.. (Got his attention.. ;) and I believe I got a real signature on it too!

I really doubt there are many of us here that can fully understand the responsibilities placed on the MCPO-CG... Hell, we can't even get a short monthly/quarterly bulletin of what they have been busy doing... so.. I guess they are too busy to do that.!

Wray... :cool:

Wray...you said a lot, but didn't answer the question. Would you hand sign or not? It's a yes or no question.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Well, as I said, I have never sat in that chair, so I really don't know how busy they really are....

Let's put it this way, if I could, I certainly would... :)

Wray... :cool:

[BMC John Phillips III]

“JP3”
Question, how come every time Stu posts it seems like you always follow right behind with another post. Is he really that much of a hero of yours? :D

I'll get back to you as soon as he posts here again.
:cool:

[PACS Steve Carleton]

JP3 must have an alert set up on his computer

[DCCS Keith Wilbee]

Ok after much headbutting about this, one of the first things I would do is talk to the Commandant about Evaluations and ask for an email to be banged out to every Coast Guard Officer to be banged out like is being done on other items currently. At some of my past units, Senior Leadership would compare individuals marks against other peoples marks and adjust the marks accordingly, or compare the marks to past sets and adjust,because the average wasn't right with relation to past sets. I have been taught not to look at past marks because every marking period is different, and not to consider those marks when doing evals. But then I got in these serious headbutting arguments about evals. I lost the battle.

[HSC Schon C. Russell]

MCPOCG for a day, well as I can tell by the thread there are so many issues that need to be brought up that one day would not work. I agree with a lot of them, and not with some, the one issue I would like to add, and if I had the chance, I would try to attack this issue.

We are a sea going service, we have multiple requirements for getting underway, going overseas, attending C schools, and the most important advancing. You need to make weight, you need to meet all the requirements for advancement, and yet the Medical and Dental community continue to fight to get people current every year. There are some people out there, because of "operational commitments" have not seen a physical for more than 10 years, or have been into the dentist for a meer cleaning since they came in. We have this awesome tool, CG Centeral, that even tells you when you are due for immunizations, or any other medical or dental requirement. With all that there is still no requirement, or insentive to be current. So I would run up the chain that if you are not qualified for world wide assignment with regards to Medical and Dental, then you should not promote. We have systems in place for certain rate, i.e. Aviation, if you aren't current, or FFD, you don't fly, and you don't get paid. So make it across the board, and require all the Coast Guard the same.

That would be my goal in one day, is to make it a requirement, with the caviat that you don't promote, unless Medically current.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Schon, does all this go back on the member to ensure that they complete everything? Some of the field obstacles to getting where you want us all to go are called Tricare. We're lucky if the HS shows up once a year to check our records or help us get the paperwork from the Docs who don't write in our records. Sounds like you want all of us to finish putting your rate out of a job.

And please don't point me to yet another e-CoastGuard program. Unless you have more terminals for everyone and time off in the workday to do all that stuff.

[GMCM Bill Wells (Ret)]

Schon,

A million years ago the Coast Guard had a solution for the physical/dental problem. They had mobile vans and trailors that used to tour each district to the places without sufficent care or some very lousy contract doctors and dentists.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Schon, I won't write off your proposal, but my records aren't up to date. We have dental here on base and I go every four to six months. That doesn't mean that I can update myself in CG central.
If I were you I'd keep raising this topic. There is no one in the service that is so operationally nessaccary that they couldn't find time to get to dental or medical. It may be the persons health, but its the Command's responsibility to make sure people adhere to policy. If you find a Command that's preventing someone from going to medical, that should be addressed. But I think that you're more likely to find people unwilling to go to medical or dental, or someone who isn't documenting those visits. In any case it should be addressed.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

My last physical although a single morning was a 2 day travel process with a $500 travel claim to support my going. Being there at 0630 meant that I had to travel the night before. And yes I got everything done and then it took 6 months for the results to show in DA. And I had to make several calls to the clinic to ensure that it was done before my record appeared before a HQ board. So it's not all on the members, but that's the way Trcare takes you these. Just wait Stu you'll see once you get to the river.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Bruce, we have a primary caregiver and dental provider right there in Natchez. You're also supposed to get the Command physical prior to reporting. Then it's only every five years, so I'm not seeing the problem. I'm sticking with where there's a will there's a way.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Thats like the story I got before getting here. Did find out last week from MLC thast there are no dental contracts, we can see anybody (active duty) with no preauthorization provided the bill is under $500. Which was good to hear because the local we were told was "under contract" is a hack.

BTW, unless they changed the regs, the command afloat physical is an annual.

[CWO Chris Sparkman (BMC)]

BTW, unless they changed the regs, the command afloat physical is an annual.
Master Chief's, this may be an age thing.......oh did I type that out loud? :eek: :D

As for the physical, I try to set mine up when I go to a C school at one of our lovely TRACEN centers. Hell, seems like I'm going to one of them at least every 4 or 5 years.

My last physical I got done at the Chief's Academy. They did tell me it was all about me and taking care of myself :)

I'll be heading off to New London in the next couple months. I may try to set up another physical even though my 5 years is not up, at least I can get it done in one sitting and on Coast Guard time.

CS

[HSC Schon C. Russell]

All are great points, MC Bradley your point of records not getting reveiwed is an ongoing problem in the HS rate and that is on my side of the house.
Very true with the Tricare issues, finding care, getting care approved, or having to go so far out the way that it is not operationally sound. Furthermore, getting the information from a contract Doc, into your record let alone into the CG web based programs is a bigger issue. My point is that yes we, as in the HS Corps need to step up and hold our independants in charge of these remote units accountable and force them to get out to their units.
We also are moving toward the self maintain era in which each person is accountable for their own pay, People soft accounts, and medical readiness.
That shouldn't put my rate out of business, it should actually make us work harder. If we had more of the Coast Guard paying attention to their Medical and Dental readiness, and started to flood us with calls to get them taken care of, we would need more Corpsman, Doctors, and Dentists in each support unit.
As I stated in my first email a day of being the MCPOCG wouldn't be enough time to fix these issues. I can say that starting with me, my independants, and my Corpsman in-house, I am working on making sure that when you leave my clinic your information is in your record correctly, your MRS, and DENCAS is correct so that when CG Central reads this information you are no longer in the red.

If you are in the red, and in my area, give us a call we will set you up with an appointment.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Schon, you guys took good care of me when I was up there this past spring, so I should still be in the green. Damn is that GAR thing following me everywhere. And beside if I didn't take a shot at you to keep you honest who would.

And Sparky, I was wondering when you little turncoat offier want-to-be was gonna chime in on me on something. Yes the age thing is creeping in and almost to the point of an annual physical anyway. Which if I was staying afloat I could knock out 2 birds with on visit. But the command afloat is an annual requirement. But then again that's a cutterman thing. I had a big enough shock at my last physical when they hook me up to EKG and stuff and HS didn't connect things up right the fisrt time and kept redoing the readings and looking scared. When he said I'll be back in a minute I was expecting the Code Blue pipe. And Sparky give me a shout when you get out here, my cutter is just accross the bigger water from Canoe U.

Okay sorry to digress, back on topic if you were the MCPO-CG for a day.

[BMCM Stuart S. Slesh]

Sorry, can't let it go......
Bruce, I was on a mission to prove you wrong with that annual requirement. It kept getting harder to do that with all the medical people I talked to and the Manuals agreeing with you. I can now add that to the long list of things I did not know. I had one in the three years I was on HAWSER, and no one said boo. I would be curious as to how many people are actually in compliance with this. Lucky for me, because of Schon's post and your response, I'll remain one of the ones who is.
As long as your physical is current, I'm being told that a corpman, or your primary care giver can do the annual. Its then sent to MLC for approval. Because of this discussion, I was also able to go to CG-Central and see we people at my next assignment are currently doing. Overall I'd have to say health care is available and accessible on my part of the river. Thanks to the both of you for the lesson.

[AMTCM John Long]

If you guys are close to an Air Sta, can't you get your PE's done there without all the hassles?

[HSC Schon C. Russell]

If you are close to any MTF with a Medical Officer you can. But........ crew's on Tricare Prime Remote can not, and the HS in charge of that Unit should be keeping a close liason. To assist with this?

If you all need any Medical or Dental questions answered drop me a line on Global I will help you out.

So I will try to help out again, What would you do if your were MCPO-CG for a day?

[BMCM Deane Smith]

So I will try to help out again, What would you do if your were MCPO-CG for a day?

I appreciate you trying to get the thread back on track, but this thread isn't about what you would do if you were the MCPOCG for a day...go back and read the first post.

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

Yes Deane I would make it a point to hand sign each one and then take them to the Commandant for him to do the same. I knew that these had turned into an auto sign process over the years. I fact I won a bet with my Sector Commander when I advanced to BMCM. We had to use the blank version on the web since the official certificate was in the mail and I made the comment that the computer must have been low on ink and it slowed the process, The Captain said that he'd bet they were late because the ADM was a busy man and was a day or so behind in signing.

If I remember correctly we bet a cigar and I need to remind him of it. So thanks Deane for getting us back on track and jogging the Alzheimers. And Stu glad I could add to the info store.

[DCCS Keith Wilbee]

Got me too. I thought it said what if you were MCPO of the CG.

If there is 1000 do you still hand sign them? E-7, E-8, and E-9 would all have to be signed.

[DCCS Todd Holcomb]

I had to go back and re-read the first post. Yes I would sign all 7/8/9 "letters" that came from me if I were MCPOCG.

Todd

[BMC Mark C. Lewis]

I hope I would sign each and everyone, but how realistic is that. The MCPO-CG is a very busy person.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

Go back and look at an advancement list. How many 7/8/9's usually make it each month? I'd sign them at work, at home, on a plane, etc.

We all know that the MCPOCG is busy. I'm just saying that I would clear 20 minutes and hand sign them once a month. Some months would only take 5 minutes...

[DCCS Keith Wilbee]

I would have rather had a hand signed one. Your right Deane there probably isnt that many each month, except for June. Id hand sign them. I could do that for my Chiefs Corp.

[ASTC Ronny German]

When I made Second Class, ADM Loy and MCPO Patten were in town and presented me my certificate and pinned on the chevrons. The certificate was hand signed by the Admiral, something I cherish to this day. So I'm with the rest of you and feel that making Chief is one of the greatest accomplishments in your career, and to have a signed certificate from the MCPOCG would make it that much more special and personal.