The need exists ...

[ETC Joe Jester ret]

Dennis,

The need still exists for a closed area for Chiefs outside of the membership.

I'd like to recommend you rename the Chief's Mess the Anchor Room and have it pass word protected.

Then open up a new room Chief's Mess for the subscription paying Chiefs.

Do give this your due dilligence.

[ETC John D Zidek]

I have to agree. There have been some discussions in the open recently that should have been behind a closed door.

"Z"

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I disagree.

First, I've not seen any discussions in the open forum that were not appropriate for that venue.

Second, I have never liked the idea of a closed forum. It's not as secure as people assume, and it leads the membership to exclude non-Chiefs from educational and often inspiring debates.

And finally, (I'll keep it real) the board won't generate any money that way. If you want to have discussions in a closed forum, pay the subscription fee and post away.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

What should have been behind closed doors?

There needs to be one "Closed Area", having two areas doesn't make sense.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Back on 3/27 there were 42 threads with 1218 posts...

Today the same thing...

What does this say about the need?

Wray... :cool:
P.S. Is it just my computer or what.. I get the red X's on the far left side of my screen, I believe where an anchor once was...

[AMTCM John Long]

P.S. Is it just my computer or what.. I get the red X's on the far left side of my screen, I believe where an anchor once was...


Ditto.....

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

I can see the anchors on my computer, but if I log on at school I get the X's as well. I don't know what that is about.

[ETC John D Zidek]

I think that anytime a thread is started that questions a Command's policies it should be behind the closed door. We are suppose to show support of command policies in front of the troops, but if we have issues with those policies they should be discussed behind the door.

I had a student issue that I wanted to ask our Command Chiefs opinion of, My Branch Chief found out I left a message on the CMCs phone and said, "Since I wanted to take the issue outside the branch, then we will let the Command decide the member's fate."

Any threads that discuss specific Commands or its policies could be viewed the same way by that Command. I believe when one of us is looking for guidance on a work / Command issue they should Not be out in the open.
My 2 Cents

"Z"

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

Z,
The nice thing about this site is that you have to use your real name and rate. We (Active duty) are in the global and you should feel free to bang and e-mail to those members that you feel have shown the judgment in their posts that you trust. You might actually get feedback even quicker than waiting for someone else to log in and post. Also, the feedback may be even more candid.
Good luck.

[BMCM Deane Smith]

I think that anytime a thread is started that questions a Command's policies it should be behind the closed door. We are suppose to show support of command policies in front of the troops, but if we have issues with those policies they should be discussed behind the door.

Any threads that discuss specific Commands or its policies could be viewed the same way by that Command. I believe when one of us is looking for guidance on a work / Command issue they should Not be out in the open.
My 2 Cents

"Z"

John...What's wrong with discussing a policy and bringing a solution to the table? Isn't that what Chiefs are supposed to do? We can support a policy and still think that it might need re-worked or done away with. Chiefs need to be able to speak openly about issues that are important. Obviously, we can't put down people/policy at our unit or within our chain of command...but we can still discuss those unit/Coast Guard policies/procedures.

Just like MCPOCG Bowen is a field "Reality Check"...so are we.

[BMC John Phillips III]

Wray... :cool:
P.S. Is it just my computer or what.. I get the red X's on the far left side of my screen, I believe where an anchor once was...

I am not getting the X's but I am not getting the Green light for people online - at least not on and off. Here's what it is saying for me:

"Old Today, 04:02 PM
BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret) BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret) is offline
Senior Member"

Now Wray, I am not saying you're old, the computer is ;), it's saying "unread" for other posts and instead of the gray light, it's saying "offline."

My limited computer skills tells me it has something to do with logging on to one IP address and leaving active cookies there, but I could be wrong.

[ETC John D Zidek]

Obviously, we can't put down policy at our unit or within our chain of command...but we can still discuss those unit/Coast Guard policies/procedures.

Just like MCPOCG Bowen is a field "Reality Check"...so are we.

Some of those discussions about Command Policy could be viewed by the command as putting them down even though we are just trying to figure out how to fix them or make them better for all concerned. I would hate to have someone post something out in the open that they need help with only to have them get hammered by their command for broadcasting unit issues CG Wide.

Yes, they are Big Boys and Girls and if they were concerned about the reprocussions then maybe they should pay the $24 or find another means to get help. Wow that sounded a lot more harsh then intended, but that's kind of what we are saying.

2 Cents

[BMCS Jim Madsen]

I get the red X at home and the green light at work. Must have more blockers at home.

[ETCM Joseph Harold]

I had a student issue that I wanted to ask our Command Chiefs opinion of, My Branch Chief found out I left a message on the CMCs phone and said, "Since I wanted to take the issue outside the branch, then we will let the Command decide the member's fate."



Well that is just total BS. You have every right and a duty to go to the CMC for advice. Sounds like your Branch Chief is a bad leader. Does this Branch Chief understand the concept of a CMC?

My .02

[ETC John D Zidek]

Once again the written word doesnt convey the delivery of the spoken word. We sat in his office and he explained to me why he was letting the Command decide the member's fate. I understood where he was coming from and his point. Bottom line was If I had gone to him and explained my position before contacting the CMC then we could have handled it differently, but since the CMC was involved then the Command IS involved. I said I didnt talkto the CMC I left him a voice mail. He said and if he had answered his phone what would you have done?

AAAAAAaaaaaaaaa I guess I would have told him what was going on and asked for his opinion. Big Lesson learned by me. Talk to the Bars before the Stars! :)

Perfect example right here. If that Commander sees this he could easily assume I am questioning his ruling / policy and spreading it CG Wide.
I'm not but from the outside looking in it could appear that way.

The issue wasn't anything big, I was just trying to get a kid a retroactive advancment because of some administraive mistakes that delayed his advancment by 4 months. The individual didn't ask me too, I offered to "See what I could do". If I had gone to the O5 first I might have been able to persuade him to do it.
When it was all said and done the O5 (Former Chief) Said, "You are doing exactly what I want my Chiefs to do, look out for the crew. Do not let this one stop you from coming to see me again."
"Z"

[ETCM Joseph Harold]

Once again the written word doesnt convey the delivery of the spoken word. We sat in his office and he explained to me why he was letting the Command decide the member's fate. I understood where he was coming from and his point. Bottom line was If I had gone to him and explained my position before contacting the CMC then we could have handled it differently, but since the CMC was involved then the Command IS involved. I said I didnt talkto the CMC I left him a voice mail. He said and if he had answered his phone what would you have done?

AAAAAAaaaaaaaaa I guess I would have told him what was going on and asked for his opinion. Big Lesson learned by me. Talk to the Bars before the Stars! :)

Perfect example right here. If that Commander sees this he could easily assume I am questioning his ruling / policy and spreading it CG Wide.
I'm not but from the outside looking in it could appear that way.

The issue wasn't anything big, I was just trying to get a kid a retroactive advancment because of some administraive mistakes that delayed his advancment by 4 months. The individual didn't ask me too, I offered to "See what I could do". If I had gone to the O5 first I might have been able to persuade him to do it.
When it was all said and done the O5 (Former Chief) Said, "You are doing exactly what I want my Chiefs to do, look out for the crew. Do not let this one stop you from coming to see me again."
"Z"

Ok, ok. I will take back my comments about him being a bad leader since you provided more information, but....

Just because you walk into the CMC's office (or CSC or CC) and close the door, doesn't mean you are necessarily talking to the command. I guess it depends on the person in that job, but when I was a Silver Badge, I would take everything said to me in confidence if it was requested as such. Of course if there were any UCMJ issues, I had a duty and obligation to inform the CO and XO, but if it was just advice, then I could talk to the person about whatever they wanted in confidence and try to help them help themselves.

Being in that job is hard. You have to find that balance of workforce needs and command goals. I really enjoyed my short time as a CMC, not sure if I will do it again.

[BMCS Eric Guerette]

Without a closed door area, I will not be asking for advice for any specific issue here, which makes this half the resource it once was. It does not take more than half a brain cell and 2 minutes to figure out the who/what/where of a problem with only my name and global.
I will continue to call my fellow OICs and Chiefs for advice. Even with a strong mess it would be nice to get a CG wide view. I'm not going to search for people here to send an e-mail to, that's just me.
Also, if money is needed to support the site then fine, ask for it. $24 is allot, especially if it's just a few people. I think that this is a worthwhile site, and so do many others. Let's ask Evergreen funds, Navy League, etc, etc.
Just charge $0.01 per post, JPIII would be broke and this site could support ten others.
Eric

[BMCS Eric Guerette]

Sorry for the double post, I just found the other discussion on the money thing. I didn't see how the closed door fee thing had developed. I do agree that the users should support the site, just not with how it's being done.

Another reason why we should have a closed door area is because when you speak you have to consider your audience. It is allot easier for me to get my point across knowing that I'm talking to the Chiefs, not everyone in the world.

Eric

[BMC John Phillips III]

Just charge $0.01 per post, JPIII would be broke and this site could support ten others.

Funny Eric! Damn it, there goes another penny! :p