AHA fixed it. Also just saw your "NO PAPERWORK FS" comment JimmyZ. Paperwork and cooking = Food Service Specialist! Cooking = cook! You have to be good in both! So we will go cook something and successfully run a galley while doing it! FS1 Todd Wall
Not everyone is "Handpicked" although some might be, that's life. When I went through there were six jobs open and six people applied, six people got a job. It was just a matter of what Admiral wanted to chose you. I trained myself buying my own food and cooking at home, taking pictures of what I've done at home and putting it together in a album, at home. My Chief and I were buying ice with our own money, he even tried making his own ice blocks by freezing water in roasing pans and carving them into bowls. I started by making cakes for my crew and for their families with supplies I bought. I had a list of anniversies and would make cakes for them to take home to their spouse. Have you even seen the CG compete at an Army event, trust me they have no money. Other services have U-Haul trucks full of special equip. while they are going to Home Depot to buy pvc to make terrines out of their own pocket. I beat all odds to get where I am b/c I'm not in a "click". I got where I am b/c I can cook. It's not a personal attack, it's just the cards I was delt. Look at the people who went to compete at FT Lee last year, most of them were from the fleet, and continue to remain there. Someone has to do this, (SCA and other out of sea, not rate in my opinion) jobs. Were all in the CG, we all do what were told, and we all do the best we can. I'm not going to be in the CG forever. If the tables were switched, everyones opinion might be diff. Are you happy with your carrer and what you've done? If so, great. Why hate others when they feel the same about themselves.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bistro97,
I hate seeing good cooks (like you, Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Litka and many others) go Warrant. I'm happy for you.. but not for the rating.
Mr. O’Brien taught me much of what I know. He was a great Chef with little to no sea time and tour after tour as an SCA. He went to a 378 as FSO and was successful. I admire the guy and wish he had stayed in the rating.
Maybe this might get the thread back on track:
We need more warrant billets that influence our rating. Why throw away all that great knowledge and talent? Look at Mr. Malero??? Many argue that he is the best Chef in the Coast Guard. What is he doing right now? We need him and others mentoring our young cooks.
I totally agree. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Malero and seeing his magic in the kitchen and that guy can rock. I also learned alot from Mr. Hill and Mr. Carpenter as well, both were my Chiefs and both went Warrent.
the only real problem I see is paperwork. i agree our paperwork school could be better. But if you read the FS manual it explains almost everything word for word. The best way I taught my junior FS onboard (who just relieved me as FSO onboard due to transfer)is that the PVA is like a check book. You have money coming in and money going out. It's not much more difficult than that. They even give you the check sheet on the paperwork program! As far as a perpetual it's similar, just a little more paperwork. what I am trying to say is use your resources. If you have a question refer to the manuals, can't find it call another FSO in the area or call FSAT. That is what they are there for. If we would all take 15 minutes a day to stay organized we wouldn't have nearly as many problems as we see now. Just my opinion!
Everyone keeps saying paperwork...the fact is the FS knows it or not. It is required to know to make FS2...If they do not, then I blame the senior leadership. My thought is that if the Junior FS fails...it is that fault of who recomended advancement to the command.
I will not sign a practical if an indiviaul is not proficient in it. Just doing it one time or having someone explain it is where the problem sparks.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BBooBBoo,
I believe that the job of the indpendent duty FS would be alot easier if they would lets do our paper work and the funding came straight from the bulk funding memo that we do for the month. This would do away with work that really should not apply to small unit like pb's and little tenders, like inventory. Inventory for us is not an issue. We should be allowed to take the bulk funding and spend it, it you use it all that month ok you have next month, but if you have some left other great next month is even better. This would make things easier and funner for those who like to try new things.
24fs24, You hit it on the head. if everyone spent 15 minutes a day making sure the paperwork is complete than there would be no problems. Back in the lat 70's and early 80's large training centers has SK's doing our paperwork untill about 1984 than we took it over at Cape May. I can tell you what a big problem is today, that is most people coming out of high school can not balance a check book. Our paper work is checks and balances. I am on my local School Board and you would not beleive how many kids can not balance a check book. So we need to teach them that. As most of you mentioned here, please don't rubber stamp prac's for your people, teach them and don't let them fail. We have had this problem for years. FSCM, RET
I can tell you what a big problem is today, that is most people coming out of high school can not balance a check book
Part of that may be a perception issue too. I have not written out a single 'check' in probably 5-6 years. My wife writes out one 'check' a month. If we try to tell our 'youths' that being able to 'balance a checkbook' is an important skill, we shouldn't be surprised when they look at us like we are out of touch. Financial Management and budgeting is very important, but it is not the same as when we were young. Heck, we we were young, we needed to make sure every 12-14 year old could count back change becuase they would likely need that in their first job, as a cashier at some country store. When was the last time you saw a cash register that didn't tell the cashier what change was due?
