I have noticed that the SK side of this forum is somewhat "dead" we should always represent and be proud of what we do you might not recognize me because I changed my username I am the artist formerly known as member 12851824 well you understand I was the last person to post in the Striking Test thread, so don't take my basic training title as a lack of participation in the these forums I'm here at least once a day. Tell me more about yourselves, or/and experiences being an SK in the USCG.
Wow 75 views with no response , I expected much better, oh well I guess I'll just lurk from now on like everybody else can't say I didn't try to get acquainted.
Alright, I'll man up. I agree with you, this board seems a little slow lately. I guess not much going on in the rating??? Not sure the reason. I did recently ask a question about where I can get a copy of NAVSUP 502 and 503 and really got nothing. They are transportation manuals, and should cover a lot about shipping questions, but I guess nobody uses them. I have a striker who wanted to know where to find the information about when to use certain colored tapes. His texts reference these two manuals, in addition to one other that is no longer available. Oh well. Any ideas? Not much up with me. Just submitted my dream sheet today, looking to get underway and crossing my fingers as a pri5 guy. That's it, take it easy SK's
Well I enjoy being an SK. I have been in for 5 years and have had independent duty billets back to back. Right out of Boot Camp I went to a small boat station, so I decided to strike SK. Upon making third the SK1 that I struck under got transferred and they left me there to fill a second class billet. When I was tour complete I got yet another independent duty billet in D11. There was an issue with my orders so I got short-toured and am due to transfer. It gets lonely, I feel like I should change rates and be a YN since I do so much admin work. But I am hoping for the best.
Your striker is probably looking for info. on the colors of tape to use for MTRs...Red for Priority 3, Blue for Priority 6, and White/FIRM Tape for Priority 13...The info. is in the SPPM if I'm not mistaken...
I think this forum appears dead a lot because we're a relatively small rating, and overall awareness of this forum is... lacking. As well, I don't think many people want to attach their name to anything here anymore (that's not just this particular forum, but the Coast Guard forum as a whole) because there is always that one ******* that brings work to the forum, or vice versa.
That said, I'm an independent duty SK1 that took independent duty because I thought I'd learn something. I learned something alright; I'm not doing this again, and I won't recommend it to someone for career-development purposes. Maybe this only applies to shore-based IDSKs, or maybe it's just the particular District I'm in, but this is certainly not the place for professional development. Some days I'm not entirely sure why this unit has a Storekeeper.
That's okay though -- I don't mind free time -- but it's not what I came here for. I came here to learn, and better myself. I didn't entirely expect to make SK1 so quickly after I got here, either. So now... I'm in a job that I don't particularly like, (and that's not to say I don't enjoy being a Storekeeper, I do) I'm a paygrade mismatch, and I probably won't get short-toured out of here because it's independent duty, and a hard spot to fill. I'm okay with that, because I don't advocate sending SK3s from "A" School to independent duty positions anywhere, which is probably what would happen.
So my experience? I was one of those jerks that went to guaranteed "A" School, I think I was class 06-02. In July of 2002 I reported as an SNSK to ISC Ketchikan, in Alaska. Was stationed there for almost two years, is where probably 80-85% of my base SK knowledge came from. It was a great place to be an SK3 (by the way, it took me almost a year to make SK3 from SNSK, I can tell that story a little later though...). We were understaffed, our civilian that ran the warehouse retired, and so we handled all aspects of shore-based logistics. I learned a lot in those two years, and left there very confident and bound for USCGC Polar Star (2004-2006).
Shortly after reporting to the Star, I made SK2. I didn't even know I was making it until about three days before, thanks to being TAD, and then having some sort of terrible plague or something from Yorktown, and being SIQ for a bit. I made two south trips on the Star, and over all it was a great tour. I love being underway, and hopefully will go back after I leave here. I learned another large chunk of my knowledge while I was on the Star, but a lot of that solely applies/applied to the Polar classes. From a logistics perspective, they were total nightmares of ships, but hey, at least it kept me busy.
So that places me in my current spot. Independent duty. Over the years I'd heard a lot of "it'll teach you a lot" and "you'll love it, because it'll keep you busy, and you'll learn a lot of new things." Well, it has taught me some things. Foremost, it's taught me that I don't like, or necessarily agree with independent duty positions even existing. Second, it's definitely taught me to appreciate working in a shop environment. When you don't have anyone else around that really knows your job, it's tough. I'm not looking for sympathy, or hugs and kisses, or someone to coddle me and tell me I matter, but a little empathy here and there does wonders for my morale.
As far as the job itself goes -- I think more than anything else I've forgotten much more than I could have possibly learned while I've been here. I have a purchase card, and a filing cabinet. I'm sure you can see where that's going. I do more housing work than anything else here. In fact, I would dare say that housing is actually my primary duty here, and being a Storekeeper is a collateral. C'est la vie, I suppose. I made the choice to come here, and now I get to deal with it for probably the next two years. Things could be a whole lot worse.
Jaded? For sure. Angsty? Definitely. Unhappy? No, not really. I love my job as a Storekeeper. When I'm actually doing it. When I'm not being hindered by the latest "tool" being handed to me by the upper echelons to do my job. When I'm not having to explain to someone here at the unit that, in fact, no I cannot actually unlock your account in FPD. That's a headquarters (or FINCEN, whatever) function now, but I digress.
So you asked for background and experience, and you got some bizarre stream-of-consciousness style post vaguely recounting my experiences, and more touching on my disdain for my current position. I hope it's at least close to what you're looking for.
Storecreature and easonj, I am familiar with both of your posts/ideas. I too am independent duty at a station and couldn't have been more disappointed with what I reported to. However, I made the most of it and have also made myself a valuable member of the crew, not just a support person for the command. It is relatively rewarding, but like you easonj, I was not at all happy at first. I've come a long way in these three-plus years and it is now okay. But I wouldn't do it again! Like storecreature said, go to school for free! That is what I did and now have my Associates Degree after coming here with no college. Our school program is what kept me sane here throught he early days. And now look what I have! Make the most of it. It will pass and better days are coming.
Good to hear about your schooling, keep at it. ~That's awesome!
6 months to a year after you transfer you'll miss your old unit and job or lack of. In addition to school, volunteer, get on an honor guard team if your area has one and make it your best tour. My independant duty tour was my best ever! Make it what you want it.
