Was there ever a concensus reached on the future of the PSUs? With them moving over to the DOG, they now appear to be more high profile. Are they going to be deploying again overseas to places other than Cuba (I think they used to go to Kuwait), or are they going to be used more at home and Cuba for homeland security?

Still primarily for OCONUS Defense Operations but can be used for INCONUS missions like hurricane relief or PWCS missions.

MST3BM,
The info you seek should not be shared here. Movement of units, their mission capabilities, etc., etc., etc., is not supposed to be posted on a site like this. If you are at a PSU, ask during your next drills. If not, ask a recruiter, your supervisor, or FOT. Also, read the latest message traffic on OPSEC, it lays out some pretty clear guidlelines on CG memebers posting info like you requested. What is open information is that we are now part of the DOG, which is made up of Deployable Specialized Forces units. I strongly encourage anyone considering a PSU to first visit the unit and talk to the folks.

I was referring only to what MarineBm posted. I definitely was not asking anything OPSEC classified about who goes where, when, how, their mission, etc.

But thank you Arctictraveler for the warning about OPSEC. I generally assume that anyone who posts information here would abide by OPSEC, INFOSEC, and all of our securty precautions including myself, but I probably should have made that clearer. The information I posted is already visible to the public in newspaper articles and even wikipedia. I am certainly not asking for ANY information that would jeaprodize the security of you, me, or anyone else in uniform. But thank you for the concern. I do appreciate it.

Anyone ever find themselves wondering what happened to the simples things, like maybe "Aye, Aye, Senior Chief"?

Senior Chief,
Maybe I am totally off course on this but this is an open forum open to all and not a Wardroom or a Chief's mess (or even the O or CWO forum). This our home as well and we treat each other with respect. But..
It is not USCG e-mail and unless you end your correspondence signed, don't expect the respondent to search through your profile to research who he is talking to.
In official correspondence you have a formal greeting and ending. At a BS session away from work on your own time you choose who to hang out with, and all are equal. We should be nice, but don't expect absolute formality.

And as for OPSEC, of course keep FOUO and above off the site. But as for PSUs, expect to go overseas at any time and expect to go anywhere the USN has a force protection mission. Page 5 of the Navy Times shows where those units are and you will see that the Persian Gulf is a very busy place and the USN is always changing and expanding its mission. As for units going, when, and where, that will be up to the Reservist Magazine to publish and article, or for Title 10 solicitations to disclose.

iamlivid,
Thanks for your post. I have never once on any thread leveraged my rate or ever implied that anyone should do what I say because I am a BMCS. Occasionally I will sign a post with BMCS so that readers will know that I have a little knowledge of a particular topic. Like signing a post "BMCS, PSU 301". Kind of says I know a little about a PSU and a little about the BM rating and all that we do. Be never have I "pulled rate" or otherwise told anyone I am right because of my rate. Since 1974 I have enjoyed being "Brian", I have had it a lot longer than I have had Boats, Senior, or any other thing I am called. Now as far as OPSEC, anyone who is a active member of the military, whether active duty, Reserves, Auxiliary, or civilian is bound by our rules concerning OPSEC. They are fairly strict, and have recently been clarified. My intent with MST3BM was to let him know that to adequately answer his questions, it would need to be done in a different forum than here. It was also meant to be a warning that members covered by our current OPSEC rules need to be careful. Just a shipmate looking out for a shipmate. If MST3BM is considering a PSU, he/she really needs more detailed info than we can share here. Seems a shame, because far too often I talk to people who do not get a clear understanding of what we are or what we do. I like your mention of the Reservist Magazine, perhaps they could do a more detailed article on PSU's. I know there have been a few, but never one that really lays it all out. Maybe they could start a series about all units Reservists typically drill at.

Senior Chief
Thanks for the support. I want to keep this forum light and fun and informative. It feels like this is a main source of info for many between drills.
As for the Reservist, there was a letter to the editor a while back complaining about all the press and photos that the PSU got. I understand the lack of info on other USCGR activities but the PSUs are very active and provide great photo ops.
I recommend that anyone at Boat Stations or Sectors that have a strong reserve program write an article and include photos. Some places have great programs, strong leaders, great development, and do great things on their "weekends" and deserve to use it as a recruiting tool to attract people to your program. I would like to know more about good programs CG Reserve-wide. At times it seems the Reservist is looking for articles and I am sure they would love the info.

The Reservist is ALWAYS looking for great pics and articles. It may take awhile to get them in print, however it's up to US to get them the info. We should not whine when it looks like the Green side gets all the pics (they don't).

Can't place blame when no one speaks up.

CWO, keep working on that tan.

quote:

Originally posted by arctictraveler:
Maybe they could start a series about all units Reservists typically drill at.

Yeah, I would really like to see this. Cover a different reserve unit each issue. In-depth persay, like a day in the life at a PSU unit, a small boat station, etc..obviously only from a reserve enlisted or reserve officer stand point.

To the MightyZ (Master Chief), sorry for referring to you as a Senior Chief -- low res slow speed computer, didn't look at your profile.
To everyone else -- great ideas on articles. Write one, get approval up the chain, attach photos, and get it to the reservist!

I'd like to echo that. I work in the CGHQ Office of Reserve Affairs (CG-131). The Reservist Magazine is published my staff mates. All of you should know that there are only 2 staff members on that magazine, which I find incredible since they put out such a quality product. That said, they do not have time to create much content for the magazine so they rely on our reservists to submit content to the magazine. At any time, contact the editor direct to get your story or hi-res images published: CWO3 Edward J. Kruska, Editor, The Coast Guard Reservist (CG-1313), E-mail: edward.j.kruska@uscg.mil. I think you'll find him to be one of the most cooperative and responsive Coasties on the planet.

Hope this helps,
-GR

quote:

To the MightyZ (Master Chief), sorry for referring to you as a Senior Chief

No worries - as long as you are not VADM Papp or ADM Allen. One of those two calling me Senior would worry me a bit!

I'd like to double what Mr R said about the mag staff and Mr Kruska. I have met very, very few people who epitomize what a Chief is better than he does, even as a CWO now!

What would be really cool is an issue of the Reservist, tied in with an issue of the CG magazine, which explains what every rating does, and what the CG units Reservists drill at are like. Gather as much info as is possible, review it for OPSEC, then put it out. Some will say that allot of info is already available, but if it was adequate we would not see constant pleas for info on this site. Make them special issues, and make sure every Coastie has a copy. Then give a copy to every serious recruit prospect. How much money would we save by better aligning our people to the ratings and units they want and would best perform in? The cost of putting a few recruits through "A" schools they don't want or belong in would pay for allot of magazines.

quote:

I'd like to double what Mr R said about the mag staff and Mr Kruska. I have met very, very few people who epitomize what a Chief is better than he does, even as a CWO now!

And to think I knew Ed as a lowly PA2 in Chicago...