I saw in the latest version of the force notes a picture of the proposed IDHS pin.

Whatdya guys think of that?

I like it, I wonder what the uniform board decided on it? I think they've met already anyway. Anyone know?
Chris

I haven't heard anything yet. It'd be nice to have something to show for SFIDC school besides a sea service ribbon I originally earned after boot camp.
Cory

Latest word here at IDHS School is that it has been put off again to the next board. Will keep ya'll in the loop.
Bob

I have not seen a picture of it. Can someone post a link?

quote:

Originally posted by NoSpamDoc2:
I saw in the latest version of the force notes a picture of the proposed IDHS pin.

Whatdya guys think of that?

Why does the coast guard need another qualification pin? If you want a pin go to sea, get aircrew qualified, earn it. Just being entitled to wear this because you completed school or went afloat....where is the challenge in that? Everyone will have one and that dilutes any significance or prestige of the insignia. If putting that little piece of tin on your uniform gives you some misguided feeling of self worth than more power to ya. There are real qualification insignia out there which require effort and investment to earn and arent a "gimme". Get operational see how the rest of the guard works beyond the clinic, you might be surprised at how much fun you have. Real qualification insignias come with hard work and dedication. I guass that too hard so we'll make insignia that anyone with a heartbeat can wear. Just my 2 cents, standing by for return fire.
Cheers!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: akwaman,

Akwaman,

You missed the point. The IDHS pin is a significant qualification. It is earned by dint of time in the HS rate, lots of prereqs PLUS attending and graduating from a very tough training program. It has a meaning that you might not understand. As a medical care provider for over 30 years, I know what goes into the IDHS qual. They deserve that designator and they deserve, just like Coxn's, et al, to show the fleet what they have accomplished.

What’s the attrition rate at the CG IDT school? Other than graduating from this training what other criteria are there for this device? I know that when I completed the Navy IDC school they left a wake of folks who couldn’t meet the rigorous of the academics. I’ve got 3 consecutive sea tours under my belt as an IDC, I never needed a pin to make me feel good about my job. Gratification came from earning the title “Doc” from my crew. We all wear the cadeusus to signify our position and training, if all that is required to wear the pin is completion of the course what makes it any different than your rating badge? Should yeomen get some insignia with an ink pen crossed with a toner cartridge for achieving a required career milestone? Going to sea and performing as an IDC whether formally trained or not is a requirement of our rating, it’s in our job description. The Coxswain qualification is performance based and coxswains are required to requalify when transferred to a new unit. Not trying to piss in any ones Cheerios but what’s the point?
Cheers!

No, good points. I can look at someone, see the IDHS pin and know they have a level of training. I can't look at someone else (HS/BM/MK) without any kind of pin and assume a certain level of proficiency. Again, it is the same as a Coxn pin, airwings, whatever.

The pin shows a level of competency. The same as a US Army FMB/EMB, CIB/EIB, Aircrew insignia, Jump Wings, etc. They attended a training course, passed it, and are competent in those ADVANCED skills.

Why do we need a Coxn pin then? You can get it permenantly awarded, so what does that really mean? I was able to drive a '41 for 5 years, now I'm a Coxn for life? Why do we need Wings for Aircrews by your arguement?

I don't have any attrition rates of the school. Contact the HSC there and ask.

Cheers back.

From what I read, from the Force Managers notes is that the criteria are:

1. Successful completion either of the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard IDHS(IDMT or IDC) schools.

2. SUCCESSFUL completion of a three year independent duty tour.(or three one year tours at PATFORSWA or LORAN duty)

I think that was the bulk of the prerequisites.

quote:

Originally posted by Paulmedic:
From what I read, from the Force Managers notes is that the criteria are:

1. Successful completion either of the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard IDHS(IDMT or IDC) schools.

2. SUCCESSFUL completion of a three year independent duty tour.(or three one year tours at PATFORSWA or LORAN duty)

I think that was the bulk of the prerequisites.

You nailed it Paul. But I think the duty had to be done before a certain date as well. Can't remember what the date is but I will do some digging.

Here it is:

http://www.uscg.mil/comdt/mcpocg/Rate-Force_Notes/docs/HS.pdf

The req are:

1. Completion of one of the three schools(AF, Navy, or CG).
2. One of the below tour combinations:
a. Three years of duty as an underway IDT.
b. Two LORAN tours
c. A combination of one 1 year LORAN tour
and two years of IDHS sea duty.
d. Four years as a SOLITARY IDHS at a
station or group(no other corpsmen or
providers).
3. Personnel who are not already qualified to wear the badge by the above criteria MUST go to the Coast Guard's IDHS school to qualify for this badge. I guess that means that if someone who went to the Air Force school does not have the required time, he/she would have to get to the CG School to qualify?


I am a bit confused about something though... please see section D- Issue and Procurement. Despite everything that was stated above, it seems as if it will be awarded upon GRADUATION from the course Unfortunately, I have known several people to pass the course and fail big time(relieved) in the field. Hopefully this is a typo and the badge is not awarded until the corpsman has met all of the criteria as originally written.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Paulmedic,

quote:

Originally posted by Paulmedic:

I am a bit confused about something though... please see section D- Issue and Procurement. Despite everything that was stated above, it seems as if it will be awarded upon GRADUATION from the course Unfortunately, I have known several people to pass the course and fail big time(relieved) in the field. Hopefully this is a typo and the badge is not awarded until the corpsman has met all of the criteria as originally written.

Paulmedic-
That was my whole point in previous posts. I'm not adverse to the insignia but make it have some significance and prestige, eg. make it difficult to qualify for. The way it looks right now it apears to be a gimme. Maybe they should consider temp entitlement upon completion of training and permanent entitlement upon completion of the 3 years mentioned above. If you give it to every graduate of the training without further requirement it cheapens the significance of the insignia thereby becoming a "gimme".
Cheers!

Just a thought here. Why are we debating this so hard when the uniform board turned it down anyway?

Wasn't aware it was shot down. Word on the street was it was going up before the next board

quote:

Originally posted by akwaman:
Wasn't aware it was shot down. Word on the street was it was going up before the next board

We have a LT here that was on the board that conveened a couple of months ago and she said they shot it down. I am sure it will be brought up at the next one as well though.

I had no idea it was shot down. There are so many stink'n badges now days that I am surprised that this one was shot down.

IMHO, if I may add it, is that 'personal pride' in doing a successful 3-year tour on a afloat billet, doing the best you can to make sure that your crew is as close to 100% fit, medically speaking, that your administration records are as up-to-date as possible, and the crew calls you 'Doc' with confidence, and at least earning an achievement medal is all the 'badge' one needs...just my thoughts.

It's still nice to be recognized for the hard work we've done once we get back on land. It's kind of like the pride people take in wearing the permanent cutterman's pin, people know that you've been there and paid your dues. I would think it's the least the CG could do for us in comparison to what the other services do.

Do I need a pin that remind of the responsibility I had and the job I did on my '210? Of course not, but does a BMC need a pin to remind they were an OIC? I doubt it, but they have one and I bet feel enourmous pride in wearing it.
HSC Fly

quote:

Originally posted by Chancremechanic:
IMHO, if I may add it, is that 'personal pride' in doing a successful 3-year tour on a afloat billet, doing the best you can to make sure that your crew is as close to 100% fit, medically speaking, that your administration records are as up-to-date as possible, and the crew calls you 'Doc' with confidence, and at least earning an achievement medal is all the 'badge' one needs...just my thoughts.

AMEN Brother!

"Originally posted by THREEFLYS: Do I need a pin that remind of the responsibility I had and the job I did on my '210? Of course not, but does a BMC need a pin to remind they were an OIC? I doubt it, but they have one and I bet feel enourmous pride in wearing it.
HSC Fly"

Fly, I think none of us no matter how **** hot of an IDC can compare our duties to those of an OINC. I'm proud of my service, sea time, and cutterman's insignia but I don't let the uniform wear me. It's not the unifoprm that makes the man, it's the man and how he conducts himself that defines who he is and how he will be precieved by his peers and others. I don't need another trinket to remind me that my years afloat were the best of my career. I'm just honored to have had the privelidge of serving in Uncle Sam's Finest Yacht Club.
Cheers!