I have always thought that there should be a Property Management course by itself. At almost every unit, property management is a big job, and it is very important. I would like to personally see the Coast Guard develop a 'C' school for property managers, property custodians, and property officers. It should give a cradle to grave run-down on the handling of government owned property. I just wanted to see what everyone else thought before I try drafting a plan and running it through the chain. Thanks for your input.

Kevin Couture, SK1

Question:
Do you think there should be a 'C' school for Property Management?

Choices:
Yes, it would be very beneficial.
It would help, but not too much.
No, it would not be very beneficial.
Great idea, but I don't think it will ever happen.

 

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LetsGoRedSox,

I agree Kevin.

Shelden

I think that this would be benifical to the Coast Guard but the money that would be spent for such an animal would be outrageous. Could you imagine cutting orders for all your custodians at a large unit like the Academy or MLC. I would like to see it but with the money situation as it is I do not see this happening anytime soon.

Good point about the funding, and maybe it's a stretch to have every custodian go too, but that's why I'm soliciting input from everyone. If we can pitch the idea in the right format and it makes sense for everyone, then we should go for it. I would hope that the cost alone wouldn't be enough to shoot down valuable training that in the long run would help us pass our audits.

Kevin Couture, SK1

I think that sending the SKs would be better. That is one of our primary jobs. We are supposed to teach other rates, not necessarily send them to the school. I have to say, personally, that property is not a strong point for me. I have "lucked out" at most of my units and not had to deal with it. Now, when it comes to SWE, I suck at it and it holds me back. I definitely agree with a Property "C" school.

I agree, just sending the SK's would be a much better idea.

But remember money drives almost everything we do. Just think of the amount of money it would cost just to cut Tono's for every SK that would be required to attend, that add's up quick, plus the money needed to develop the course.

The most plausable way to push for a class like this would be to show the overall need throughout the coast guard, a lot of SK's out there dont know very much about property especially since our lovely PMM is so out of date. Plus oracle is just a monster inside of itself.

I would love to see a Property "C" school though!!!

Rob

I would go if it was offered! Having even one well trained person at a unit can make a huge overall difference.

Good question/topic SK1

Well, I think the need is demonstrated clearly enough in the fact that the Coast Guard has not passed an audit in years, mostly due to the general purpose property inventory. And while I will acknowledge that it most definitely will have a large startup cost (i.e. tonos, course development) it will pay off in the long run.

I myself am not that great at property. I have the ability to tell when an inventory is due, I can manage my way through oracle decently, and I can draft the memo saying the inventory was done. That is about the extent of my knowledge. Considering the fact that we are the ones that get hammered for the flaws in the system during inspections and audits, we should be screaming even louder for organized training!

Kevin Couture, SK1

I am would be very much on board for this type of schooling. This is a course that the CG has needed for years. Cost is always taken into consideration but one factor that may help in the long run is sending the instructing team intially out on roadshows to incorporate all units (i.e. - to a Sector where the units they support can send there Property Officers and Custodians as well as SK's to the class). This would help cut cost's intially and would be able to incorporate a lot of personnel. If you would like some help I am willing to through my name out there and assist to see if we could get this done. I like most of the rest of us could use the help with property!!

SK1 Biggs

SUBJ: PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP
1. COMDT (CG-842) IS OFFERING TWO PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
WORKSHOPS TO PROPERTY OFFICERS AND ADMINISTRATORS RESPONSIBLE FOR
THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. THE SYLLABUS WILL INCLUDE
INSTRUCTION ON THE USCG PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT POLICY AND
PROCEDURES, AND THE USE OF THE ORACLE FIXED ***ET MODULE (FAM).
2. COURSE INFO:
A. LOCATION: ESU BOSTON, COMPUTER TRAINING ROOM. THE ESU BOSTON
IS LOCATED AT 427 COMMERCIAL STREET, BOSTON, MA.
B. DURATION: 2 DAYS
C. DATES: CL*** ONE: 09-10 SEP 2008
C. DATES: CL*** ONE: 09-10 SEP 2008
CL*** TWO: 11-12 SEP 2008
D. HOURS: 0800 - 1530
E. UNIFORM: TROPICAL BLUE LONG OR OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM(ODU).
3. REQUESTS FOR QUOTAS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MS. KRISTIN DEVENDORF,
COMDT (CG-842) NLT 20 JUL 2008. MS. DEVENDORF CAN BE REACHED BY
PHONE AT (202) 372-3635 OR VIA EMAIL AT KRISTIN.L.DEVENDORF(AT)
USCG.MIL. PLEASE ADVISE IF STUDENT IS WITHIN COMMUTING AREA. THERE
ARE A LIMITED NUMBER OF QUOTAS FOR THIS TRAINING. IF MORE THAN ONE
INDIVIDUAL APPLIES FROM A GIVEN UNIT, THE SECOND NAME WILL BE HELD
ON STANDBY, IN ORDER TO ENSURE ALL UNITS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
ATTEND.
4. ANY TRANSPORTATION FEES AND PER DIEM IS AT COMDT (CG-842)
EXPENSE. TONOS AND HOUSING INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED UPON
CONFIRMATION OF THE TRAINING QUOTA.
5. WIDEST DISSEMINATION OF THIS MESSAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY
OFFICERS AND ADMISTRATORS WITHIN YOUR AOR IS REQUESTED. INTERNET
RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
6. COMDT (CG-842) POC IS MS. KRISTIN DEVENDORF AT (202)
372-3635.


Just thought you guy's would like to see this. This is the first time I have seen this cl***.

SK1 Hanson

***set and cl*** = way to funny!

Wow what cens*rs*ip!

Well, the workshop seems like a fine idea. Not sure about the timing of the cl*** though. I would love to go, but September is pretty much out of the question for me. Maybe this is something they will do more than once.

Kevin Couture, SK1

In most cases it is not the problem of the SK not knowing the job, sometimes it is a problem of the SK not doing the job because it is a low priority of the command.

USCG should actually hold COs accountable and stress property accountability in PCO/PXO school, instead of just playing lip service and cramming when an inspector comes. The unit does not take property seriously because the CO and XO do not take property seriously because the district does not take property seriously because headquarters does not take property seriously. Start putting black marks on OERs and holding up promotions because of property errors and I guarantee the problem will go away fast.

On another note, I'm disappointed to see that Oracle is still being used. Hopefully an IBM-type replacement is in the works. Hopefully a SAP-type replacement is not in the works.

I'm not a hater of Oracle. I think the recent link to it from FPD makes it slightly easier to access. Overall, for the field users, it is a pretty easy system to use. The only part I don't like is when you add an asset and save, you have to wait for the system to assign a tag number. This could take 10 minutes or a couple of days in extreme cases. I would like to be able to create my own unit unique tag number to solve that problem. My main opinion on Oracle is this: It may not be the best program, but I would rather have this than a new program every year like they do with everything else.

I had command approval, but the timing of this in September, close to Sept 11th (airports and TSA probably going to be a zoo), and as 4th quarter closes is what made me say nay. But ay yi yi, it was mighty tempting.