I was wondering if anyone would mind sharing with me what they're work hours and typical week have been at their small boat stations?

I'm 5 months into my first "Independent Duty" assignment after a 270. My OINC wanted someone "green" for the job. I can't help the feeling he wanted someone he'd be able to walk all over. The previous FSO was a first timer too. He was doing three meals a day 5 days a week and being micromanaged on how he could stack things in the refrigerator. After chugging a bottle of painkillers he is currently on the long waiting list for a medical discharge; a shame because he's one of the best guys I've worked with in the kitchen.

Since he's still around we are doing 3 meals a day, 2 on 2 off, except for no breakfast served on weekends. I've been learning the paperwork on the fly and its been a headache fitting in paperwork and shopping between meals. There's still plenty of micromanagement. I need to spend less time at the store but also shop for more days at a time, and I shouldn't be doing work on my off days. I've asked to work Monday through Friday and I keep getting that old time management speech. Also, without any forewarning the paperwork and budget were a mess when I reported so it has by no means been a smooth transition.

From all the other cooks I've spoken with the norm seems to be breakfast, lunch, and prep for dinner monday through friday, and focus on paperwork and shopping in the afternoons. When I've seen people double billeted then dinner was covered but not weekends.

I left my last ship with a LOC and I know I'm a good worker. There are a few personality differences here too but I am hating life. Any input is appreciated. My opinions don't count around here unless I can back them up with someone else's. Hopefully this doesn't come off too whinny.

Hang in there, stay positive. Nothing in the world can defeat persistence, not even boatswain's mates. The new manual allows shore units w/ 2 or fewer FS assigned to run open galley for dinner & weekend as long as there's no UPH attached. Of course you will need your OIC's approval & that it seems from your post will be the hard part.
Be confident, take good care of your shipmates, stay informed & keep working hard...I wish I had better advice for you, but for independent cooks, sometimes knowing you did your best is the only satisfaction you get.

I'll be the last one to say that INDFSO is a walk in the park, but you should not be hating life. Some people may see this as running to Mom, but I always tell people that if they feel they are getting the short end of the stick to call FSAT or the RFMC. I've personally heard the RFMC say he's got no problem telling an OIC when he is screwing an FS, and he'll do what he can to help them out. Granted it will always be the OIC's Station/Cutter, but some times it just takes someone in the right position with the right experience to help them see things straight. Never hurts to ask for help, but it can hurt to not ask for it.

I can not agree more. A call to the FSAT is the best way to proceed here. They prefer to address an issue before it gets big. They are all a great bunch of folks, and will help out to the best of their ability.

Ian

Have you had a formal sit down with your XPO/CO to discuss your concerns? I would suggest you do that as the FSO/Dept. Head, and bring them an alternative plan/schedule that you feel would benefit you and the station. If that goes nowhere then definately run it up. Our senior leadership is outstanding, and won't hesitate to back us up. I would do what I could to resolve the issue myself first though. I'm not implying you haven't, just wasn't clear from your post. Good luck, and try to stay positive!!

If and when you do go to the command for a meeting, go with a list of concerns and possible solutions. Don't go unprepared, Have your questions ready to ask, they probably want to see if you have a back bone. Once you show that you are confident and competant, they might back down and give you breathing room. Only go to the top if they don't back down. Talk to your FSAT FSC and let them know what you are doing, and ask them for Ideas on scheduling and practice those questions before you go in. Practice how you want the meeting to go a couple of times (don't let arrogance or anger in at all or you will lose) think of there possible responses, taken from past conversations with them. I won't promise that you will get a chance for your perfect meeting to happpen but you will know the things that you want to cover and be able to slip them in to the conversation.
Good luck

i agree with pretty much everyone here...I myself am an Ind. Duty FSo at a SBS. Its tough man, I'm not gonna lie. You've got ALOT riding on your shoulders that most if not all at the station there just don't see or understand. Deal with it daily man, I know where your coming from!! Best thing I can say is make sure your sh*t is straight. Nothing worse then having an issue and thinking it's resolved and then having you BM1 or BMC find a mistake in what YOUR supposed to be the subject matter specialist in. Make sure those I's are crossed and those T's are dotted and eventually things will calm down. Been here almost 3 yrs now and I can't even begin to tell you how much of a roller coaster ride it has been...not to mention I'm on my 4th OinC and 3rd XPO....you wanna talk about changing the rules in the middle of the game. You'll be fine man...just keep your head up, your wits about you and that Rhino skin thick and youll do just fine. Need some help with anything, look me up....ill be glad to help where I can!

I agree with everyone here, you deserve to have a fair meeting with your OINC/XPO. Remember, it is Your show, you run it the way you want to, within reason obviously and by Coast Guard guidelines, NOT by a disgruntled old man's way of thinking. If your paperwork is done correctly each month and you produce good quality food, and your galley/messeck are clean then you are fine and he can't do anything about it.
For me personally, I would put the food in the freezer my way, regardless of who he is and the way he likes it. You are the one going to the store, placing orders, and breaking the food out so he has NO say so in that matter. Hang in there, sometimes it takes these lessons to make a better person/FS out of someone. You're doing great, don't let em get you down.

A complete outsiders thoughts:

A) Do a quick reality check for yourself. Think about the number of hours the rest of the unit spend there each week working, and how many more 'being there.' Don't even think about asking YOUR hours to be substantially less than that. (If most folks are WORKING 60 hours a week, it would be pretty silly for you to ask/demmand for a 40 hour week.)

B) Unlike some others have posted, I would say it IS the CO/OinCs galley, and he 'loans' it to you. Don't push that issue. If he wants the milk jugs on the right hand door, put them there. If you can't see a health or money issue in what he wants, go with it. If you do see a health or money issue with it - bring the facts/backup to him.

The above are not accusations - not saying you are doing good or bad. Just giving you thoughts to review!

quote:

For me personally, I would put the food in the freezer my way, regardless of who he is and the way he likes it. You are the one going to the store, placing orders, and breaking the food out so he has NO say so in that matter. Hang in there, sometimes it takes these lessons to make a better person/FS out of someone. You're doing great, don't let em get you down.

As a OINC or CO you are responsible for everything at the unit 24/7 365 until relived and as such he has the say so in everything that is done at the unit until he is relievd.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mightyz90_93:
A complete outsiders thoughts:



B) Unlike some others have posted, I would say it IS the CO/OinCs galley, and he 'loans' it to you. Don't push that issue. If he wants the milk jugs on the right hand door, put them there. If you can't see a health or money issue in what he wants, go with it. If you do see a health or money issue with it - bring the facts/backup to him.
QUOTE]

Agreed, however even OinC's and CO's have to ultimately answer to one man and he wrote COMDINST 4061.5a
as long as FSO's handle themselves accordingly, and of course repectifully then there should be minimal problems with FSAT helping out a JR. FS2 in need of help by giving the OinC a call.

I stress the respectful part. A lot of younger folks forget that.

GLC

agreed!

Yes, the CO is ultimately responsible for everything at the station. WE however have the title FSO for a reason, we do our own relief for a reason. If you seriously believe that the CO should be telling the FSO which side of the fridge to put the milk then there is a problem. WE prepare food, maintain the cleanliness/sanitation of our area, conduct the inventories, order the food, load the orders, conduct annual audits, collect/account for every penny, transmit funds, keep the cash log, complete monthly reports, conduct our own training programs, etc, etc, etc... have you ever seen a CO tell the EPO at a Station where he has to stow his wrenches? c'mon guys we work hard and deserve a little more respect than that.

I have never seen A CO/OINC tell EPO at a station where to put his/her wrenches but again i have never heard or seen a Co/OINC tell a FSO where to put his/her milk? I know one thing if the OINC told the EPO such a thing he/she would have no choice but to say Iye Iye.

Every one in the armed services voluntarily chose to be a part of a dictatorship. Another words everyone does what they are told, from all the way up to the 4 stars down to the E1's. I am not saying I agree with what is happening with the Junior FSO, but again I don't agree with some of the orders that I been tasked with in the past. BUT I followed them, because it is my duty to follow LAWFUL ORDERS that might be given from time to time fromt my superiors. the best advice is "Do right, Do your best, and care about others," quote CAPT Kelly command
philosophy.

Who does your marks? Who reccomends you for advancement? Who determines your liberty? Do you really want to get into a ****ing match with this guy? Good food, clean galley and keeping your nose clean, that way you stay out of sight and out of mind. There are some battles you cant win. It sux but hang in there.

At no point did I say not to follow orders, or get into a ****ing match with the CO, and I don't need a lesson on the chain of command. You seem to be missing my point. If the CO is micro-managing a perfectly functioning galley making the galley personnel miserable, it is within their rights, and I would hope that they (FSO/Dept. Head) would, respectfully bring the issue to the command to resolve it. My suggestion was not to go to "battle" with anyone, unless you consider voicing a valid worklife concern to the command with an alternative solution, a battle. Here was my original post to our struggling shipmate.

"Have you had a formal sit down with your XPO/CO to discuss your concerns? I would suggest you do that as the FSO/Dept. Head, and bring them an alternative plan/schedule that you feel would benefit you and the station. If that goes nowhere then definitely run it up. Our senior leadership is outstanding, and won't hesitate to back us up. I would do what I could to resolve the issue myself first though."

quote:

Originally posted by big_vito:
At no point did I say not to follow orders, or get into a ****ing match with the CO, and I don't need a lesson on the chain of command."

You may not need a lesson on the chain of command but some of our junior folks do.

quote:

Originally posted by FS4life:

quote:

Originally posted by big_vito:
At no point did I say not to follow orders, or get into a ****ing match with the CO, and I don't need a lesson on the chain of command."

You may not need a lesson on the chain of command but some of our junior folks do.

You responded directly to my post...I had no way of knowing you were giving training to junior folks. Good call on the training though, never can get enough.