You NEED to make RATE! Don't try and buff it for the next two years, you may just get bumped out of the waiting line. Why should the CG lateral you when other members have put in the time and effort and demonstrated that they can do their jobs, along with LE duties?
Yes. You are an LEO. So are most of the PS out there and some AD members who are doing the LE bit most if not full time, TACLET, etc.
By sitting and just staying an E3 for 5 years (by the time laterals happen), you will show that you have zero initiative.
I don't know how much time you have in the LE world, but cops take every advantage to train. You should adapt that to your CG job. Just trying to study a guide is worthless and shows me and the rest of the CG that you are doing the lazy job of trying to get over by doing the minimal to pass a test. That's not someone I would want working with me. I don't care how much time you have "on the street".
SNBM, Im reporting to Islamorada as a reserve MK1 around the first of OCT. I'll be working with you a bunch I imagine. I also will be running a boat CBP down the street. I just came off active duty so I'm looking forward to getting down there and getting to work. Like you I'm also interested in the new rate. I am waiting to see what the requirements are. By the time they get their stuff together I should be a MKC. Hopefully they need some MEC's. I guess we'll see.
Yes, the XPO told me you were coming as soon as you finsihed FLETC. Also, your new co-workers, Vince, Tony, Alex and the rest of the MIA guys mentioned you as well. You have a great crew. There great to work with and you'll have a lot of fun. I work with them on a weekly basis and have a great personal and working relationship with them. I work the middle and upper keys, both on the water and land. I just had my patrol boat at the CG station. The trustees/inmates were going to wax it, but Hurricane IKE put curve on that and had to move the boat to Miami. Don't worry, they also do your midnight as well . I'm sure we will be working a lot together, both as an MIA and a coastie. Look foward to meeting you when you come back down.
BTDT,
I didn't post to get criticized. I just wanted advise on different options. I've been doing the job since 1993. If I would have gone initially SELRES as a PS through the direct Petty Officer Program, I wouldn't be posting anything. This is the same program most LEO's do when they join. Again, as I've said before, it was not an option at the time. I know I need to make rate, but don't talk as if I don't have initiative to do the job. Everyones circumstances are different. You don't even know who I am and your saying that I'm lazy and that I'm someone you would not want to work with. It's amazing on the things people can think and say when they have too much time on their hands. If you want to help please do so, but don't critisize. Thanks!
SNBM-- BTDT is on your side. If you're taking it as criticism, then it makes you go hmmmm...
It's funny, but the CG may not look at your personal circumstances when it comes to make decisions about your continuing career in the CGR - the service may decide you can't cut it. I've seen that happen.
I agree with you. It's not that I don't want to make rate, I do. When I drill, I work duty section. My drill weekends don't involve training, they involve working a duty section. Chasing down go-fast vessels that are smuggling Cubans, warning shots/disabling fire crew etc. etc. Just your typical Florida Keys boating enforcemnt, which there is a lot of. I work hard when I'm there, because I'm an asset. Unfortunately I'm limited, because of my rate status.
Anyways, I got the point. It doesn't look good to be SN for 3yrs, especially at my age. I understand, therefore I'm going to take the extra time to study and pass that BM3 test. Then work my way up from there.
My drill weekends don't involve training, they involve working a duty section.
....that is something that NEEDS to be addressed! The SOLE purpose of your drill time is for training. PERIOD. If that training HAPPENS to benifit the unit, that is a plus. You are not alone in this, as a lot of folks are spending too much time augmenting and not enough training.
Back to the original thread, I am considering applying when the time comes. I will wait to see the billet structure and more info before I can say for sure though. Im curious to see how many PO1 and Chief billets there will be and where those billets will be located.
The one thing you have going for you is your rated. That puts you slightly above the SN who doesn't hold a rating.
Now, if you have the pre-requesites for the ME rating, you need to remember that needs of the service trumps everything else. I'm saying this not to discourage you from advancing in the BM rating, but, a reminder that as a rated person, you possibly hold all the qualifications necessary for ME3. Keep your eye out for what shakes out and put in for it whenever it becomes clear enough to show you meet the qualifications. Till that time, be a rate grabber, advance as far as you can.
Joe; Regardless of what I picked for my screen name, I am NOT "mighty" and the poster is not rated. Contrary to his screen name and the fact that he incorrectly posted he has "already striked" BM, he is NOT a BM. He is not a SNBM. You do not get rated until AFTER all requirements are met. The BM3 course is one of those requirements (the most important one as far as being 'rated' goes). He is currently just a Mark I, Mod 0 non-rate. That is not a slam - just a fact.
To all those thinking of making the switch to ME. It sounds like one of the big issues that might make or break folks in the lateral process is if they have attended the BO course, not OJT, but ATTENDED. Even if you are a current BO, but got the cert through OJT, you still may need to ATTEND the BO course to qualify for a higher pay grade. So, with that said, it would be a really good idea to put in yesterday for BO school if you haven't been there yet.
The FBI would refer to that bit of advice as a Clue.
RgR that Senior, Hint taken... box checked, what else do I need to do? Seems hints and clues and slowly being leeked out. Unfortunately I didn't pay much attention to the latteral process in the recent changes. From what I understand eventually we will need to put together a package doccumenting and explaining why we are good enough and qualified enough to lateral over into a new rating. Would reccomendations from COs and DivOs be a good idea to start gathering... or are they not necessary for the process?
There should be a message that will lay out the lateral process. Sounds like it will have guidelines that will need to be met for specific ranks within the ME rate. Not sure about reference ltrs, if they will be needed or not. But I would start sucking up every LE related C-school you can, to beat the rush.
I don't have my notes in front of me, but I think sometime around Sept '09 is when the lateral request packages will be due.
Also now is a good time to start getting in shape. ME will be a young members sport. If you aren't currently coming in in the top quarter percentile of your stations work-outs, it's time to hit it, and that might just get you buy. (another one of those FBI clues)
There also will be NO badges issued, or off-duty carry. So don't waist your time looking through Gall's or Streicher's for a cool paddle holster. Instead, study you're LE manuals. I anticipate that they will become your Bible, like the PERSMAN is to a YN.
. I'm sure we will be working a lot together, both as an MIA and a coastie. Look foward to meeting you when you come back down. 
