"Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?" - Gordon Lightfoot
Posted
Thought this might be an interesting discussion and maybe informative for someone new to the Coast Guard.
My question is, if you were up for a new assignment and you had your pick of any cutter, more so which type, what you ask for and why?
For me, I'd either ask for another 378' WHEC or if the new one was ready, maybe that one. My reason is that I really have fond memories of the missions and port calls we did on the Chase back in the 80's. I felt a lot of pride for our cutter and the crew was great.
As far as the WMEC's and WPB, I was never at sea on any of them but to be honest, I am not sure how much I would like the rolling and pounding on the smaller cutters.
I give a lot of credit to the Black Hull crews but I never was on one and I just feel I'd like a WHEC more.
If I could pick ANY cutter regardless of what my current rate is I would choose a 180'. However, since those are almost obsolete my 2nd choice would be either a 175' or 225'.
The work was hard but rewarding. I wouldn't change the experience I had on a black hull for any CG experience.
Of course that is all subjective. The Command is a HUGE influence. My command aboard the 180' was phenomenal to say the least.
Unfortunately I will never be on a black hull again and that totally bums me out. Eh.. choose your rate right?
I've been out of the loop since 1972 but I'd probably pick any of the WAGO oceanographic reasearch cutters (Acushnet, Evergreen or Rockaway). That is, if the Coast Guard is still in the oceanography business. Otherwise, a Polar Icebreaker would certainly be nice.
I'm stationed on a 179' and believe me, is the most fun you will have u/w in a CG cutter. The crew is very small, so you know everybody. You depend on each other. The missions/taskings are awesome and the Command tends to be more approachable. The only downside is the space/confort, but the dynamics and patrol tempo gets you into "it" and most of the time you will overlook this issue. Believe me, it's a lot of fun...but like i said before, it depends of how good your command is.
definately a 378 if I had a choice, Nice ride and you get to travel to different ports. Did not really like the PB life, in and out to much no routine and the ride is not very fun when it gets sloppy, at least in my opinion
I enjoyed the 180s..but i was never a non-rate on one..so i am just speaking as a cook..now the sherman really was ok for the most part..i was a non-rate on there..and would have enjoyed it more..if i had,nt wasted so much time being homesick...all in all..there all good.
I would,nt trade those times for anything..i know to many college kids ..out of work...with loans to pay.
"Sign on, young man, and sail with me. The stature of our homeland is no more than the measure of ourselves. Our job is to keep her free. Our will is to keep the torch of freedom burning for all. To this solemn purpose we call on the young, the brave, the strong, and the free. Heed my call, Come to the sea. Come Sail with me."
I was on a 378 when they were new. For a GM that was great duty. Exteremly good living conditions, lots of different types of weapons and we got to see lots of new places. Vietnam actually gave me a chance to practice my trade, as opposed to the limitations of annual refresher training.
On the other hand, I was also on a couple buoy tenders. The best part there was the small crew size and the closeness that was developed as a result.
Square & Black.......... On my WLIC & WLR's I didn't have to hold onto my coffee cup like I did on a WPB.... My State rooms were great, tight crew, great liberty ports (most of the time) & definately job security & satisfaction. ALways worked hard... played harder!
Of course we didn't catch the nice fish like we did on the Point Charles.. Hard to beat trolling in the gulf stream, off the coast of Florida......
I think I would have to go with a 110 WPB. Of all the Cutters I served on I think the WPB's had the greatest crews. You really had no choice but to get along with the small crews on board them.
WPB in D7. Fast-paced AOR, good port calls, decent homeports. The size of the cutter and crew is ideal and results in unequaled camraderie. On two PBs I got to go with a band of 15 shipmates to Barbados, Isla de Margarita, Antigua, St. Barts, Anguilla, BVI, St. Croix, St. Johns, St. Thomas, PR, Dom Rep, Jamaica, Bahamas, Key West, Miami.
I enjoy the CPBs as well, however, the ride can be down right brutal and the not uncommon port/starboard OOD watch (with the CO in the rotation) is not ideal. Great for fishing though
