Over the past few years it seems a goodly rift has been torn between the prior Coast Guard and the present Coast Guard.
The general tone is that of either contempt or disregard for the past by the present. Even your commandant has stated that this is not his fathers CG and a goodly number of posters has expressed a general dislike/displeasure for the past CG personnel.

We are a "new" CG", we are "better, smarter, doing completely different things in ways much better than you old *******s ever thought possible. Seems to be the party line.

So then, in the "old Guard" the missions were,

Search & Rescue with sea and air assets
Ice breaking and polar operations
Aid to Navigation servicing
Law Enforcement, for fisheries, drugs, maritime safety, environmental regulations, etc. etc.
Merchant Marine vessel safety and Licensing
Military Readiness operations and training
Oceanographic and weather observations
Semper Paratus - being ready for whatever mission might be assigned.

So then, the organization survived and thrived since 1915 doing those services with the equipment available. However, by the general tenor of posters over the last few years, this "new" improved Coast Guard is doing different missions, and better than the ********s of the past.

Just what pray tell are you doing (if you can mention it without going to jail) that is so different than the earlier prescribed CG missions.

Other than some new "gadgets", what is it that makes you so much "better" ????

No but is the new CG different I beg to differ CG is no differnt than the old CG

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...SNORT...Huh?

Sorry, MM, Thought this topic said "This Old Coast Guard".

I was just looking for Bob Vila.

Time to go back to work earning my high-paying volunteer Mod salary...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ



Seriously, after spending a good chunk of the day trying to get my new Treo set up, getting CGMS3 to work right (ongoing for about a week or so now) and now getting used to the new image (Vista), I think I'd rather go back to the stylus & clay tablet (aka SWS II) that I came in under.

It's just moving along too fast these days...

quote:

The general tone is that of either contempt or disregard for the past by the present. Even your commandant has stated that this is not his fathers CG and a goodly number of posters has expressed a general dislike/displeasure for the past CG personnel.

I generally don't get mixed up in these forums for this very reason. I could argue that people in todays Coast Guard get equally tired of being told how the "new" guard isn't as good as the "old" guard. What did the Commandant say that was so bad? Todays Coast Guard is different than his fathers, and I am sure when you were in it was different than your fathers.

quote:

Other than some new "gadgets", what is it that makes you so much "better" ????

As far as I am concerned nothing makes us better, just have a different way of doing it, because of our new gadgets. This is a natural evolution. What worked back then, may not work now. I have been in for 23 years and todays Coast Guard is alot different then when I joined.

Also, please tell me that you are not making assumptions about how the entire workforce of todays Coast Guard feels about retired personnel based on conversations on an internet forum. If so, you are really painting with a wide brush there shipmate.

quote:

We are a "new" CG", we are "better, smarter, doing completely different things in ways much better than you old *******s ever thought possible. Seems to be the party line.

Certainly have different tools available today. And there is no doubt there has been a significant culture shift.

As for "Smarter".....considering some of the semi-literate posts I see here I think I would have to argue that one.

I'll hold off on any more comments until some of the new breed chime in.

I'm anxious to read posts from active duty members too.

I was active duty in the 50s, 60s and 70s. I know that we did our jobs in a highly competent and professional manner. The work hasn't changed all that much, a lot more LE and security nowadays.

Technology has changed for the better. I have more electronics in my present job than I ever dreamed of having in the Coast Guard. Does it make me "more professional"? I know it makes my job safer and interesting.

I agree with JagsGators its the natural order of things. The bad guys get more advanced we have to keep up with the bad guys. GPS and satalites become more accurate more lives are saved. As far as the new guard being smarter? I'm right out of High School, low grades and a low asvab to go along with it. But I have noticed more and more recruits coming in with BS and Masters degrees, but I tell you what that means very little when it comes down to common sence. As for the old guard/retired personnel I look up to the way you used to get crap done. If it wasnt for you the Coast Guard would not be what it is today.

I think MM said he was looking for comparisons of missions being performed today versus his list.

Ain't no Ocean Stations anymore!

Being from the "new" guard, I can say that there have been many a time where "old" guard people have looked down on me just because I did not have to get underway right away or because we "have it so easy" now a days...

I have respect for all, new and old alike, as long as they deserve it. Times have changed, that is true; but I think the message is that we are no longer the red headed stepchild of the military (yeah, right!). September 11th and Katrina, among others, have placed the Coast Guard into the limelight.

And yes, there will always be a good coastie and a well... not so good coastie.

As one that now occasionally works at sea, I have to agree that all the high tech assistance devices that have arrived do make my work at sea a helluva lot easier, and I hope safer.

The missions is what strikes me. The past comments about doing things now that have no relation to what occured 20 years or better ago. Jeesh, check the CGHQ site every morning, the photos of drug seizure, SAR cases, training all that "stuff" look the same look familiar to the press photos of a long time ago. Where is the difference ??

That you are able to do the things you do, with the junkyards that you have to work with, says a whole lot good about the present day Coast Guardsmans resourcefullness.

If the general missions are still pretty similar, then what has set up the party line that the old guard ****ed it up royally, we're going to have to fix it ??

Weather Stations, indeed, a long and, at the time, extremely useful program with worldwide benefits, and some outstanding liberty ports from time to time.

To me....anything after the 1950's is the "new Guard". Anything before then we can start talking "old Guard". Just because we went from sliced cheese to Cheese Whiz on the mess deck doesn't make anything old or new.

Any 1940's CG veterans out there?

Bosun,

Keep in mind that the people that post on here are only a small sample of the old and new guard. I actually take every chance I get to speak to the retired CG guys that I come across, just so I can hear their stories. The reason I want to hear them, is because one day, that is going to be me, and I hope that someone will want to listen to my stories then.

I guess it's like this in a lot of professions. If you watch football, the commentators that are retired players always talk about how the hits were harder, and the men were tougher in their day. The newer guys talk about how exciting and high scoring their generation is.

For some reason, there is a natural sense of having to defend ones self when dealing with older and younger generations. However, the younger generation is going to have to realize that one day, they will be in your exact shoes. They will try and stay in touch with the CG generations of the future, and some of them will be ignored. Hopefully, most of them will be listened to and appreciated.

I appreciate all of you guys that have been here before me, and those that will will be here after I hang my uniform in the closet for good. For the most part, I think that most of us in the Coast Guard today feel similar to myself, although I wouldn't want to speak for all of them.

Next week, I am meeting up with a CG vet in Martinsburg, VA. He served from 1958 - 1962. I was hoping that he had some pictures that I could look at, but I guess he lost everything he had in a house fire a few years back. This is the same guy that I emailed you about, that was trying to find one of the old flat hats. I guess I will have to settle for some sea stories instead.

In the office I'm in, one of the things I wanted to do was to get some old CG pictures so that I can show some history to the next generation that walks through the doors. So, if any of you have some that you could email me, I would greatly appreciate it.

r/

Kevin

Kevin, Drop me another note with what RO address your working out of.
Regards
Semi Geezer

I think I can sum it up with a line commonly used in reference to picking up women; "The players change, but the game remains the same!"

quote:

Any 1940's CG veterans out there?

That would be Arnie Adams, aka ackack. I can't remember if he was pre-1940 as well.

I don't know him personally, only from the forums ... beginining with Soapbox.

quote:

Originally posted by JoeJester:

quote:

Any 1940's CG veterans out there?

That would be Arnie Adams, aka ackack. I can't remember if he was pre-1940 as well.

I don't know him personally, only from the forums ... beginining with Soapbox.

I remember Ack. I haven't seen him post up in a while. The other guy who may have posted here once (or someone might have did it for him??) was CWO Earl Wallace. He was mid 30's into the 40's or 50's. I have his phone number. He is the oldest Coastie I personally know.

Well something I don't see on your list are the immense regulatory and response dutys of the "M" world. Hundreds of Port State Control boardings every month, pollution resoponses, T-boat inspections, facility inspections.

Life has changed a bit for some of the guard since OPA 90 vand MTSA among others.

Mastermate,
Give me a date for your "Old Guard". I'm curious if your "Old Guard" is you or those before you. I imagine those that served before you thought they were "Old Guard" when you were a wee lad. I also think its funny how you think its the new guard doing the finger pointing at the 'Old Guard" for messing it up, do you have an actual quote from someone on that? The majority of posts I read when it comes to finger pointing is from prior service members that critize active duty in so many areas. Examples: Awards, marks, CO removals, uniform changes, policies changes (tattoos, smoking) etc etc etc. Without getting into the actual right or wrong on any of those subjects, there are a whole bunch of topics related to how messed up the "old Guard" thinks the "new guard' is. Everyone believes that what they "were" "are" or "going to" do is the best way, I guess it comes down to pride.

Who are you quoting here? We are a "new" CG", we are "better, smarter, doing completely different things in ways much better than you old *******s ever thought possible. Seems to be the party line. AND However, by the general tenor of posters over the last few years, this "new" improved Coast Guard is doing different missions, and better than the ********s of the past." Do you have any actual post topics in mind? I don't know if I have ever read anything like that here on military.com, other then being a "new" or "differant", and I actually think I've been apart of four "new" Coast Guards during my 25 and still counting years.

The CG has progressed as the world has, especially in the areas of science and engineering, we have moew advanced gadgets we have better educated service members, and that does not mean smarter by any means, but better educated due to the the science and technologies used, take my rate. When I first came in we had the 3/50 and the 5/38, mostly mechanical and hydrualic and just a couple of electrical componenets, more man power then brain power used to keep them up and running, you could actually strike GM back in the days. Now however its all electronics and some hydralics, "C" schools are several months long to get qualified on the gun systems, does it mean I'm smarter then my old GMC was? No, but does mean I have to be better educated. The Coast Guard is very traditional and needs to stay that way but at the same time needs to progress in areas to better combat the issues of today.

quote:

Originally posted by JerryG:
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...SNORT...Huh?

Sorry, MM, Thought this topic said "This Old Coast Guard".

I was just looking for Bob Vila.

Time to go back to work earning my high-paying volunteer Mod salary...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ



Seriously, after spending a good chunk of the day trying to get my new Treo set up, getting CGMS3 to work right (ongoing for about a week or so now) and now getting used to the new image (Vista), I think I'd rather go back to the stylus & clay tablet (aka SWS II) that I came in under.

It's just moving along too fast these days...

Would you also go back to the bow & arrow you were originally issued?

Let me try to post something that is actually ON-TOPIC:

A mission no longer performed, as I stated before, is Ocean Stations. This used to be a HUGE part of the CG role and explains why we had close to 30 WHEC's in the late 60's early 70's.

One that either did not exist, or was minimal while I was in was the whole pollution role.