Andy...you are killing me!

Like cutterman8, I can't believe where and how far this post is gone and is going. I appreciate his enlightment on the origination of the idea and for me, believe he has summed it up fairly succinctly. Many have weighed in, registered their thoughts on the change and expressed their feelings as hoped by Wray, when he originally began the thread.

Unfortunately, as all to often happens here and on similar forums, it turned personal and although I have enjoyed many of the comments and thoughts posters had, it is disappointing to me the disrespect being shown the Master Chief of the Coast Guard. Realizing that I place myself in peril of a similar fate, I don't feel that attacking him personally by referring to him as Skippy lends anything worthwhile to the discussion. Rather, it demeans the individual and the office he holds.

Whether you agree with his ideas or the things he is doing really doesn't matter, he has a job to do that only a few have had an opportunity to experience, leaving the rest of us to only speculate how we might have acted in this regard. I am fortunate to number both Wray, the poster who initially authored the "Skippy" reference and the MCPOCG as close friends which is perhaps why it was so disappointing for me to see the discussion veer off in this direction, and the reference continue to be used in recent subsequent posts. I've discussed my feelings with Wray but felt that I still needed to put something here.

I have no idea why Master Chief Bowen refers to himself as Skip rather than Chuck, Chaz or one of the other more common nicknames for Charles, his given name. It's never been important for me to know and I've never asked him. Perhaps it's a family connection or something from early on in his Coast Guard career or maybe it's something else. It doesn't really matter.

What does matter is that anyone who knows the Master Chief, knows that he's not on some personal ego trip. He has a creditable background and he is working for a man and an entire enlisted workforce that are very demanding and want the very best of what he has to offer. Both expect much from him in the short 4 years he is in office, and he's delivering. He openly communicates up and down the line and is the most highly visible MCPOCG we've ever had. He has a boss that listens to his ideas, respects his experience and respects the men and women he serves. He is getting stuff done and those of us who know him best know that there is not a minute of the day that goes by that he isn't trying to find a way to make the Coast Guard a better place for everyone, active, reserve and retired. To refer to him as Skippy, whether joking or not, demeans us all. V/R,

Frank Love
MCPO, USCG (Ret)

Interestingly enough, my brother-in-law's given name is Charles. And his nickname? Skip.

His father was named Charles and the nickname avoided confusion.

Heard Coastguardsmen referred to as Coasties many times over the weekend by some retired navy sailors as well as from a retired national guardsmen. Coastie sounds very endearing most timesI hear it? Not at all like a breakfast cerial. Also hear a lot of folks called Skip and Cap on channel 16?

Tight lines mates,

Dick

In Alameda we were Scumbags or Dingleberries, but became Coasties. The Coasties on the Escanaba (WHEC 64) used the terms sailor and shipmate often. I heard the term puddle-pirate (my personal favorite) my first trip to St. John's Island -- but none of them offend me.

Guardian just seems a bit formal for someone who really works, and Coasties really do (even those of us who hated to admit it). From brown shoes to the Mud Dogs on the black hulls. Guardian sounds to me like someone who stands around with spit-shinned shoes, looking very important... you know, like those guardians at banks and highrise office buildings.

A note to sanrayo: Perhaps we on the Escanaba weren't squared away, most of us had our clothes written on in marker. I don't think anyone on the ship had a stencil kit.

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

What happened to the plastic name tags?

Dick-

In the days of dungarees and chambray shirts the last name was stenciled on. Once you started buying replacements you usually went to the magic marker.

I think I still have my original stencil kit from Cape May circa 1969. You remember when they had you stencil all your gear in 30 seconds with about 100 people screaming at you. How many sets of Dress Whites got permanently ruined during that ritual?

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.

It has already been said but bears repeating. Cutterman, Seaman, Fireman, Airman, Damage Controlman etc, etc, etc.

Guardian, in this Coast Guardsman's opinion, sounds like someone you'd see in a suit of armor at Medieval Times, not in Service Dress Blues or ODUs.

I'm curious. Did the PC police actually conduct a survey of female members and determine the term "Coast Guardsman" to be a problem on the basis of instilling gender bias? Female coasties, please respond with your feelings. My opinion is that the term Coast Guardsman transcends gender. It is how we serve, not what anatomical parts we have under our uniforms, that define the nature of our call to duty.

After all, we're all Human, not Hu-persons.

Charlie Gris, LT, 1 Each, USCG

quote:

Originally posted by Ex_CG_GM:
Dick-

In the days of dungarees and chambray shirts the last name was stenciled on. Once you started buying replacements you usually went to the magic marker.

Hey Stan,

I had my stencil kit and all my stuff stenciled at Cape may back in 77, but when I arrived at the Honor Guard and on my dress and work blues I wore a very groovy plastic name tag. I think it might have came in around that time with the blue maytag repairmen uniform. I had seamen at the honor guard that wore the chambry shirt and dungaree bell bottoms, so I'm thinking 77 was the change over.
Of course you old timers will have forgotten more than I ever knew about the guard.

Peace,
Dick

Dick,

I saw guys starting to wear the blue work uniform in lieu of the dungarees and chambray shirt around 1972. I refused to change over as I didn't want to look like a service station attendant.

Morning Pat,
I didn't mind the blue work uniform. It was made of some pretty durable material and was generally pretty comfortable after 20 or so washings. The boondockers, and the white military sneakers they issued in bootcamp were not the best or most comfortable. Just now I remembered how fast they processed us through the clothing line at Cape May throwing everything into our seabag. Good memories now!
Had a ball in the sound this weekend.

Peace,
Dick

Read part of a citation for volunteer medal and it read " for being a caring GUARDIAN." Its already started.

When I joined in 75 I was issued that cheesy Navy work uniform - remember the lighter colored jumper and the darker pants? It didn't last long though - the dark blue work shirt came out around the same time to go with the light blue short sleeve shirt and wash and wear pants.

Curious- How is mcpo of cg picked? By enlisted or officers?

Joe, he is picked by the Commandant....

Wray...

I remember talking to a Navy guy a few weeks back...there is a joke about the Coast Guard that is commonly known by the Navy Community.
The Joke is that the Coast Guard has a
5'2" height requirement; incase the Ship sinks
you can walk back to shore.

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

Yes Omar, if you stay in you will hear that several more times... eaven after you retire.

Wray...

I am so happy to be a retired COASTIE! For the life of me I dont see how someone could be offended by the word COASTIE! During my whole career I never had an identity problem. I knew who I was and what service I was in and everyone called me a COASTIE. The funny thing about the movie Guardian, that script was reviewed by MOPIC then sat at Disney for about 5 years because they didnt think it was very good. Then along came something called Katrina and all you saw on every news channel was an orange helicopetr with a a bunch of COASTIES in it. All of a sudden Disney blew the dust of the script and decided to make it into a movie. Thanks but no thanks, I'll pass on being called a Guardian.

I'm not in, active nor retired, but I feel I have to say something. I've always wanted to go into the CG but can't because of medical PDQs. I always wanted to be a COASTIE. From my outside view, being a Guardian is more the action you perform while being a Coastie. 'Guardian' seems to pop up because of the word Guard, but I don't think it should be a title. I too am reminded of an insurance agency or a bank. It would be a good recruiting slogan though... By signing with the USCG you will be depended upon as a Guardian of your home coast. Sounds better than 'Want to be a Coastie? Join us.'