Washington Post Magazine

First Person Singular
Adm. Thad Allen, commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

Sunday, October 14, 2007; W16

I thought I was too small to play Division I football, and Coast Guard had a Division III team. Strange reason to go to [the Coast Guard Academy], but that's what happened. I was only going to stay five years and get out -- I think that's what everybody says -- but it just starts growing on you, especially when you're involved in search and rescue.

We encounter people every day that have been thrown overboard, that are in an airplane that's crashed in the middle of the ocean, on a boat that's capsized or sinking. It doesn't take very many life-and-death cases where you pull somebody out of the water, you give them back their life, to get pretty stoked about this line of work.

When I was a lieutenant in the winter of 1980, we had a barge with about 3 million gallons of oil that grounded at the entrance to the Brigantine wildlife refuge, just north of Atlantic City. There were two men trapped in the deckhouse on the barge. It was almost a whiteout with the blizzard, and we couldn't get anybody to the barge.

Finally, one of our motor lifeboats was able to get near the surf line and could see the barge. I was in the command center talking to the boat on the radio, and the coxswain said: "I think I can make it. I'm going in." Then there was nothing on the radio for 30 minutes. If [the crew members] couldn't get back to the surf line, they were going to be in peril, too. I remember them coming on the radio saying: "We got them! We made it!" -- and by that time I think I'd aged 10 years. The barge was the Michelle F, and the coxswain's name was Matthew Greer. You don't forget that stuff. It's physical and it's emotional. It kind of takes your whole being.

Interview by KK Ottesen

Thad Allen looks good, does good and has a practical head on his shoulders. GO THAD

I guess that things have changed since the 60s when a Coastie could get booked for appearing in uniform ,out of doors, without a cap.

Guess that it's good to be the king!

That is a publicity picture and he looks casual I don't know if that cuts any ice or not.

not that it really matters, but one normally doesn't wear hats or caps around airplane engines...probably some airdale holding the hat for him somewhere!

Public affair personnel say when doing an interview or having a picture taken its best to have your cover off because your eyes will not be able to be seen.

My apologies to all then. I've been out since '72. During my time in, Officers wore caps during all PR photo sessions - be they inside our out.

ep

I believe this thread is a perfect example of why people don't post like they used to. Do you really care if the Comandant is wearing a cap? We can probably make this into a 5 pager on appropriate uniform/cap wear...

All of you folks who want to argue/disguss the cap situation should try to figure out what the important part of the story is.

Now, as they say on radio talk shows. "I'll take your reply offline".

Stan

quote:

Do you really care if the Comandant is wearing a cap?

Nope, not at all....

Wray...
P.S. As a 4 star Admiral I'm sure there was a reason for him not wearing a hat in this picture.... That's good enough for me.

quote:

P.S. As a 4 star Admiral I'm sure there was a reason for him not wearing a hat in this picture.... That's good enough for me.

As I said, it's good to be the king! :smirk:

quote:

Originally posted by RetCoastieAirdale:
I believe this thread is a perfect example of why people don't post like they used to. Do you really care if the Comandant is wearing a cap? We can probably make this into a 5 pager on appropriate uniform/cap wear...

All of you folks who want to argue/disguss the cap situation should try to figure out what the important part of the story is.

Now, as they say on radio talk shows. "I'll take your reply offline".

Stan

Stan

People dont post like they use too because what they use to post resulted in screaming matches, and personal attacks. What ever they posted is probably better not being posted here.

Anywho:

Folks, he asked a question about a hat. Regs do state that you WILL wear a cover outside. The Commandant isnt wearing a cover, and is outside. So logic would dictate that he is not within regulations. I havent seen anyone post any supporting documentation in support of not wearing a cover outside around planes, or for public appearances. So to me, a member making an arguement about the commandant not wearing a cover is a valid one.

Just my thoughts..

T

It was a good question. And he got some GOOD answers. I like this board because it is a real discussion group. I have learned a lot on this board.

... somehow reminds me of the recent incident where the famous photographer Annie Liebowitz was shooting the Queen of England. The queen was in full royal regalia, and Annie told her to take off her tiara crown for a different look. The queen basically told her to stuff the crown up her "commoner's azz", and walked out ...

We never wore a cover when heading to or exiting a helo with rotors in motion. All other times we wore a cover on the flight line/tarmac.
It doesn't look like a regulation T shirt either for that matter, but then again we wore all sorts of stuff in the 70's including beards!

Well, the good thing is that if anyone is looking for a picture of what the untucked ODU uniform looks like, this one is definitely better than any of the other ones I have seen.

Is that a pearl handle colt 45 peacemaker in his right hand pocket?

lol, reminds me of the discussion a few years ago after a picture for a news story showed a boarding team that included a PO with rolled sleaves and a large tattoo.....

Go back to the original msg......which was a personal story that gives feeling to what the CG does out there.....

A pearl handled Colt would be perfect, & a dime to a dozen says his cover is in his back pocket. And I’ll double that by saying his cover was on prior to clearing the rotor tips or when “flight quarters” were secured.

Don posts

Who really gives a crap if he is wearing a cover or not. The intent of the initial post was to share a interview of the Commandant. If you actually bothered to read the interview it talks about one situation where he had a very good outcome to a bad situation. What if one of you were in distress and that CG station boat came up to rescue you and all of those guys weren't wearing covers or a blouse? My guess you would come on this board to complain about it. GET A LIFE.

quote:

GET A LIFE

Sorry, didn't mean for anyone to get their panties in a wad. I was just asking a question in relation to the Coast Guard that I knew in the late 1960s which had a real fetish for caps being worn out of doors by all hands, from the top on down.

Oh, and I alreay have a life but thanks just the same.