Does anyone want to give me any nuggets of wisdom about different units? I am trying to decide what kind of unit to pick. I've already done a support unit and a 175. Does anyone have anything constructive to tell me about MK station life? Thanks.

I have not been to a station, but I can give you some insight on the units I have been to.
I have a feeling myself that my time is up and I will need to go to a station after this unit.


As for a 110WPB, I was one of 4 engineers(I was fnmk, mk3 and mk2 while there). My main duties included standing inport OOD watch, underway EOW watch and boat coxswain. Inport we worked M-F 0630-1300. PT was between 0630 and 0730. Daily duties were doing pms, training new people, and in general parts runs or inventory. Under way, we stood our two watches a day, did a ton of boardings, to which I was boat coxswain. We also did a variety of BECCEs and other drills every few days. It was a great tour of duty and I want to do another one.

Life on a 378 as an MK2 was just about the same. I was in main prop division. Spent the most part of the first 2 patrols getting qualified up to throttle and did a ton of BECCES. We did flight ops about once or twice a day, it depended on the patrol. when not on watch, we had PMS to do, or go over training new people and making sure you keep track of your wandering fireman. There are some long days, and some days that fly by like in all jobs. I really enjoyed my time on the 378 and will do one again if I get the opportunity.

Life in isolated duty.... what can I say.... you are there with 19 of your best friends, what else can you ask for(a little sarcastic here). Daily life was spent doing PMS, snow removal from the runway and roads around the buildings. We had logistic flights every three weeks to deliver our food, and supplies. life was actually good once we got internet and satelite tv. We had a pool table, gym, and a variety of other things to keep you busy in your off time.We even had HALO 2 tournaments involving about 75% of the crew most weekends. The work days were from 0800 to 1600. Fridays were 0800 to 1200 and we were in civilian clothes. You do stand a 24 hour watch once or twice a week, but you do not make rounds from 2200 to 0700. We had fire drills all the time, since it wasnt uncommon to actually have one up there. we were our own involunteer fire department.

Life at a small Aids to Navigation Team. Daily routine is spent doing pms on the boats, trailers, vehicles, and variety of other small equipment. The work list is printed up for the month and the OInC and ops petty officer determine when we will do those items. Boat crews are put together for that days work and the remaining people will continue with their pms or paperwork. It is a great job, but I dont recomend coming here if it is your first job in the Coast Guard. There just isnt enough equipment for an up and coming mk3 to get their hands on and get the knowledge they will need if they may need to go to a ship as an MK2 afterwards.( I know you have been to other units, but this is in general for anyone else who may be reading).
Good luck.

The only station life I know about is 3 months of it, while waiting for a school. I dont like the 2 on 2 off duty.
My favorite unit was a 270, that was my first.
I was in Main Prop. Basically the work is the same as most white hulls.
I have done two 110's, they were enjoyable, but not the greatest riding boat in the Alaska or Maine.
Also was on the Alex Haley, I have alot to say about that cutter, but I won't say it here.
Did a AirSta small boat training unit, that was a good unit, no duty and only one 41 and a 25. Cushy job for a MK2. Stantard 41 Maintenance and alot of hoisting evolutions and waiting for aircraft.

Tony

Thanks to both of you for the info! This AY is the first time I've really picked a unit. I just dont know what type of job to do next. I guess I wont know until I actually get there and dive in. :/

My first tour was the Acushnet. As an FNMK then MK3. It sucked. The crew was great! Boat, and being an engineer sucked.. Bad. Many Many late nights!
Spent the last 3 years at a Surf Station in Washington State. If you get the chance, PASS. As an MK you do not want to be around Surfmen! It was a horrible tour!!! That small group of people are a totally different breed. However, the duty was nice. Area was beautiful. Indians hate the Coast Guard(at least there)
Now, At another station on Michigans West Coast. And I love it. People are great, duty is great, and station life is great! Even though I tried to get underway again. This is a sweet duty as a MK2. Hopefully will be getting fleeted up to the EPO slot next summer! If I can give you one recommendation... If you choose a station.. Choose a smaller station with no girls! The girls at my last unit caused so much sh*t! I could have gone insane! Just my two bits!
Good Luck, and remember you have to make the best of it!

quote:

Originally posted by muliefever:
If I can give you one recommendation... If you choose a station.. Choose a smaller station with no girls! The girls at my last unit caused so much sh*t! I could have gone insane! Just my two bits!

Hey mulifever,
hope you didnt mean anything by this, and I dont take offence... both Unusualmk2 and I are "girls"... I know what you mean though.... but it is all about having the proper leadership to stear those trouble makers into either being gone or staying in and doing their job right. Its the same with males, let me tell ya... been there, delt with that too.

Iv'e heard that if it is your first station, dont let it be a surf station. I dont plan on going to a surf station. I was stationed with one surfman once on the 110wpb who was the biggest A$$ and although I know not all of them are like this, he certainly gives them all a bad name.

I was thinking too, do you think ill have time to do college at a station? probably not at first i bet, but maybe after i get the hang of it? what about getting your gun qual? how much time do they normally give you? what if your REALLY bad at it?

(oh and good call )

You could do online college I would assume. I had time here an the ANT to do it, but didnt. Did CLEP tests instead.

as for the gun quals. If you really really sucked at the 9mm like I did. (best was a 76 and would get worse as time whent on when I fired the 9mm) I didnt do the range for like 7 years. Went out and shot the .40 recently and shot 3 points from Expert the first time up. Its a total different beast of a weapon then the 9mm, much easier to hold and use.

one more day till the list is out... God I hate this transfer stress.

i'm at an ANT right now. d-r-e-a-m billet.

my only qualm is there are like 5 engineers and like 12 BM's. it can get a little annoying. but overall, its great.

I'm currently on my second tour at a Small Boat Station. The job is demanding and there are may collateral duties that go with being at a small boat station.(240 Gunner, BTM, BO, ETC) Never plan on leaving first thing in the morning on releiving days. Never plan anything on Holidays because there is alway some operation that usually takes more than one boat to patrol even if you are a "one boat Station". In thge pass year on the UTB we have removede three engine due to casualities, switched out 2 turbo, heat exchanger bundle, exhaust riser, conducted far more tun-up than I ever did trying to reduce the exhaust smoke. On the MLB switched out turbo, replaced a head, rebuilt a defected mount, steering ram, spent may hour with EM's repairing a phantom steering problem,removed all cooler for cleaning and inspect and a couple of tun-ups. The RBS has been pertty good to us but it is only 3 years old, just basic PMS. I ranked in the high 50's for MKC so maybee all this work payed off. My previous unit were: WYTL, WPB, ANT, LORSTA, 2 STATIONS

I should have proof read before posting, although you get my point.

hey irmk..... which 110 did you do in alaska? i was on the naushon, and now am on the liberty... i think they are great boats, and this is an awesome area.... they are like hunting and fishing charters !!! and mulie.. when did you leave the acushnet.... i did 2 years on that boat also.... from 05-07. i was in main prop, so we didnt get hammered with work nearly as bad as a-gang.

quote:

Originally posted by canesMK3:
i'm at an ANT right now. d-r-e-a-m billet.

my only qualm is there are like 5 engineers and like 12 BM's. it can get a little annoying. but overall, its great.

try being at a surf station. 10 engineers and 40 of them included in the 40 are 3 cooks and 8 surfman.

Just remember when speaking to the BM types it is important to talk slow and use little words! and only give them what they need to know to much information can be a dangerous thing ! Just kidding I have been lucky to work with some real profeshional BM's and learned a lot from them.

Matt-
Was on the Acushnet from 02-04.I was also Main Prop, Wanted either the Liberty or Naushon after but no cigar.

Cutter Coastie-
You are correct.. Bad leadership and a "slack" work place allowed for 99% of the problem. I should have worded that differently. I stand corrected.

The station I am at now is great! Fleeting up to the EPO slot next year. And I couldn't be happier. The advice I give to all whom will listen is this. Call around to the units you are interested in. Find out how they like it. And go somewhere where there is a ton of things available for you to do. To your liking ofcoarse! If you live to hunt and fish ( like I do) Alaska and the west coast are great choices. And as for commands, they change frequently, so just hope you get a good command and make the best of it. I am sure most MK's will say station life is pretty good. But, I would rather be underway!

quote:

Originally posted by 5914646:

quote:

Originally posted by canesMK3:
i'm at an ANT right now. d-r-e-a-m billet.

my only qualm is there are like 5 engineers and like 12 BM's. it can get a little annoying. but overall, its great.

try being at a surf station. 10 engineers and 40 of them included in the 40 are 3 cooks and 8 surfman.

been there, done that....as a fireman. i figure that's about the closest thing to hell on earth there is.

My first unit was a 180 in Kodiak. Great unit as a FN. Hunting, fishing, and drinking. What more could you ask for? Also being on a 50 year old boat I got to learn alot about being an MK. Also got the oppurtinity to work on deck alot. I learned a new respect for the BM rate.
Next tour was a 110 in Miami in '94. Can you say "AMIO". Operation Haitian Vacation. That was a heck or a tour. Probably my most hectic unit. I got to do all the jobs(small boat, crane, qmow sometimes.) life was hectic but I learned a lot of good skills.
Then off to Station Yankeetown Fl. 3 hours from nowhere. I can say I learned more about leadership there than anywhere else in my career. As a duty section leader/ood/engineer I did it all. The command would leave at noon on Fri and the place was mine till 0700 on Mon.
I loved it. The challenge of haveing a multi-faceted job is not for everyone, but I loved it. From running multi unit sar cases to LE to just hanging out with the duty section. I think this was the most memorable tour. In 6 years there i saw people come and go and enjoyed it all.
Next tour STA Mayport Fl. Can you say ATFP and HIV. I was one of a four man team that escorted SUBS in and out of Kings Bay GA. One 25 and about 100 hrs a month U/W. Eventually the mission changed and I worked with the Reserves guarding ships. Alot of boring hours but also alot of responsibiility.
Currently I'm the EPO at STA Hatteras Inlet NC.
This is the most rewarding job so far. 14 guys in my department.6 acres and 6 boats. Busy but fun. One thing for sure. I would not have a chance of surviving here if I did not have a STA background.
I enjoy the station life. Obviously it's not for everyone but neither is the U/W life. To each his own.

I've Been on a 110, than went to an ANT, and now I am at a surf station. By far the best job was when I was ANT. Like any job you are going to have the good and the bad, I'm not a fan of the 2 on and 2 off.

as for the college question, I finished my AA and could have finished my BS. If you go to a station take advantage of tutions assistance, dont let people tell you will be to busy, make time. As for station life its not for me, I am a MK2 leaving a station now, I am going to Iraq to get some priority hopeing I will make MK1 before I get back and get nice E6 billet that I would not have been able to get coming from a station