My CCTI Experience

[BMC Harley Matlock]

Greetings, I would like to start by saying that I am not trying to start any sort of argument about going or not going through CCTI. I would like to say that I just completed the most memorable journey of my life on 13 APR 07. I pinned on E7 on 01MAR and started my initiation on 07MAR. I know that my CCTI was nothing like back in the day but I learned so much that I personally think that the point still gets across. The best thing that I got out of this whole experience is that I became brothers with fellow chiefs in different ratings that I would normally not talk to, not because I didn't like them but I am a BM and there usually is no need to talk to an AMTC. Now I have brothers from all ratings and we will be brothers for life. Nuff said, now I am getting all teary eyed. Thank you all for the experience.
BMC Harley Matlock

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Welcome, Harley.

I'm still waiting for the guy/gal that goes thru initiation and says that it is BS. Just doesn't seem to happen, does it?

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Welcome Harley.

Dennis, here's my 2 cents. I thought my CCTI was BS. You know how? I thought it was BS that it was so watered down, a young child could go thru it. I feel like I got robbed of a memorable experience. Dont get me wrong, it was memorable, I just think it could have been even more so. Why could we not have alcohol? We were all old enough to drink. If you volunteer to go thru it, how can it be called hazing? It almost felt like a church function, no swearing or drinking.

Now before anyone who was at my CCTI gets offended, let me say you all did a great job and it was much appreciated. You put on as good of a program as you were allowed to. I loved it. I just think that I and my fellow brethren who went thru it with me, missed out on something that could have been even better. Over the years I heard many stories about old CCTI's and I guess I expected something like that and when it didn't happen it was some what of a let down. There were 10 of us going thru the CCTI and about 8 of us really wanted it to get down and dirty. We felt like we deserved it and also that it was owed to us. I'll never forget when it was over one of my fellow new chiefs looked at me and said "That's it?"

Personally, I think we need to quit using the word initiation and make the process mandatory.

I am in my bunker and ready for incoming.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Darrell,
Not sure when or where you went through your CCTI, but I was at RTC Yorktown when we had to start with the CCTI vs CPO Initiation...

What many didn't understand was the "guidelines" send down from HQ were just that.. GUIDELINES... I along with the CEA at the time (MCPO Frank Love) and several others organized our first CCTI.. (I had to be talked into it by Frank)...

We DID have a KEG of beer at our CCTI.. and did some other things, carried over from the former initiations.. it was still a much tamer event...

I suspect, where ever you had your CCTI there was the typical over-reaction to things...

Anyone who misses out of a CCTI has lost the memory forever...

Wray... :cool:

[PAC Darrell Wilson (Ret)]

Wray, my CCTI was in 2004 so you know it was watered way down. We only had 2 or 3 retirees in attendance. We also had a memebr there for the sole purpose of making sure it didnt get out of hand. Like there was in danger of that happening.
I know Frank, great guy. I used to run into him all the time in Juneau. His wife retired just before I did and I think they are planning on traveling now. He is listed in the phone book in Juneau.

[HSC Chris Fly]

I went through last fall and while I enjoyed it, I'm not real sure it was worthwhile. I wouldn't call it BS, I just think it could have been a lot better. I enjoyed meeting all the Chiefs in the area, but I think I would have done that anyway as I actually attend Chiefs Calls. The Chiefs that I wouldn't have met because they don't attend Chiefs Calls, do I really need to meet them? My whole problem with CCTI is you have a select group of Chiefs that are really into it and actually supports your fundraisers/events. The other Chiefs just want to give a lot of sh*t but don't want to give a dollar for a carwash or buy a ticket to the dinner, but they ALWAYS want a song! That's what I thought was BS. I guess you always have those type of people in every group, but it gets to me.

I totally agree with the changing of the rules, I don't see any benefit of wearing a tutu at the front gate while handing out doughnuts (I never saw it, just heard stories). I'd like to see more of a mentoring role during CCTI, which I think might be part of the new guidelines. At this point, if you need humility a month of CCTI is not going to give it to you. BUT working with Chief mentor for a month could have huge benefits, especially in this day of junior Chiefs (I'm one).

Just my .02,
Chris

[BMCS Dennis Endicott ret]

Gentlemen-
Good input. But, there's a big difference between wanting to make the CCTI better, and wanting it to go away. There were posters a few years ago that would not go thru it because they felt there was no value at all.

[BMCM Wray Gillette (Ret)]

Darrell,
I still stay in touch with Frank.. In fact, a few weeks ago I sent a charge sheet for his son Mike who went through his CCTI recently....

CCTI's like anything else are only as good as those in charge want them to be... If they are afraid of over stepping the "guidelines" the CCTI will be very low key & restrictive... Frank, when setting up the first one at RTC exercised positive leadership while adhearing (somewhat) to the guidelines.... certain this were obviously not done... others, in the grey area may have been done.

The "hat box" idea is something I personally don't care for.. while some that I have seen on this site are OUTSTANDING, I really don't see the purpose behind it.... I think there could be a better use for all the time invested in them...

As for the lack of retirees, they probably didn't have a clue when the CCTI was to be held. It is the responsibility of the retiree to let the local chapter or mess know he now resides there, then, the responsibility transfers to the mess or chapter to keep him/her (retiree) posted on events...

Wray.. :cool:

[ETC Mark Henry]

I'm looking for fresh Rites activities to run our latest initiates through this fall. Could I get some of you to email me offline with some of your favorite - and most productive - Rites of Passage activities? We've been resorting to everyday Ropes activities lately and I'd like to freshen it up a bit.

Please don't post them here - let's keep it in the Mess. The last thing we need is an Internet database of Rites activities for our PCPOs to google!

mark.o.henry@uscg.mil
USCG TRACEN PETALUMA

[CMC Bruce Bradley]

The MCPO-CG just released Standing Order 1, with the written guidelines for "Chiefs Call to Indoctrination". Yes that was the first change, no more Initiations. It should be loaded up on his page at CGCentral. I'll check and see if it can be released to the internet.

Mark, if you request access through your Chief of the Mess to the MCPO-CG's office there are more pages on the CCTI section with what you are looking for. It's not open to all so those with no business looking, can't.

And Harley, congrats on your day and accomplishment.

[ETC Joe Jester ret]

Chiefs Call to Indoctrination

Man, I had some really negative thoughts about the word ... Indoctrination. Sounded too Orwellan in the title. Hopefully it will be internet releasable and those negative thoughts will be beaten back.

[SKCM Linda Reid]

Great words ... welcome, Chief Matlock!