Yeah - dont count on the no sea time thing happening. As for comparing the IS rating with a potential LE rating there are other issues. For a rating to be created and succesful, one of the many things that need to be looked at is a common sense and equitable distribution of paygardes and associated skill sets. The IS folks will probably be able to satisfy that. For an L/E rating, just to shoot from the hip, maybe the big difference is BTM and BO. That isn't very wide range of skill sets.
I remember in 2003 debating whether to stay in or not. My command knew I was gonna get into Law Enforcement and encouraged me to reenlist because there was going to be a new LE rating established in the immediate future. 4 years later...
LE jobs...consider the DOG. Designed to let you, regardless of rating, work in LE for your entire career, according to what I've read about its concept.
Yes you can work in LE you whole career, unfortunately there are quals/pracs/sea time/etc... that will prevent you from advancing unless you actually work in rate. That is why every other tour I dip back into rate, then back into the LE world. Hope I can continue on this trend...
The discussion of an LE rating goes back to the early days of the LEDET/TACLET program and probably since the CG started doing LE. We had numerous roundtable discussions about this possible Rating and the truth of the matter is you will still need MK’s, DC’s, BM’s and just about every other rate to conduct boardings in the CG. The ALEC qualified personnel are supposed to be your subject matter experts. One of the things we suggested was as long as members maintained their ALEC qualification they should receive extra pay much like the BO and DTL pay TACLET members receive. As far as the DOG and ALEC program you can meet your requirements for advancement in numerous ways. For example you can meet your sea time by serving at a TACLET. You can meet many of your practical factors by serving at an MSST. For the rest when I was an OIC & AOIC of a LEDET I always found opportunities for my guys to get their practical factors signed off by other units in the area when they were inport. And if there was a function that was equal to the CG practical factor on a Navy Vessel (such as a PC) we would let them qualify or complete the practical factor on the PC and use that to sign off their practical factor. Many ways for a creative Chief to skin a cat all you have to do is a little research.
Cajun; I always like that comment "....since we started doing L/E..." What would you call require vessels entering our waters to pay the appropriate taxes required by our laws? Seems to me "..since we started doing L/E.." means since day 1....
The rest of your comments are great though. Heck same things apply even outside of L/E on some of your subjects. I had two OS2s complain to me they couldn't do some of their EPQs becuase of their location. An OS2 off an Alameda 378 said they couldn't get their SAR stuff done and the OS2 sitting next to him (from Sec S/F) said he couldn't get his "CIC" stuff done. The foreheads of both of their Chiefs hit the table 3 seconds after the OS2s said this. MC
Very true cajun, I did accomplish alot of pracs as a DTL. But as a BM, that will not get you through an OINC review board. Even if you ace the board and the members feel you don't have enough experience you will not receive the qual, and as a BM, you will not advance.
Originally posted by Mightyz90_93: Cajun; I always like that comment "....since we started doing L/E..." What would you call require vessels entering our waters to pay the appropriate taxes required by our laws? Seems to me "..since we started doing L/E.." means since day 1.... Your right since the creation of the Revenue Marine Cutter Service in 1790 we have been doing LE. And I bet there were Sailors *****ing about this back then as well. So I stand corrected (Not the first time and not the last). The rest of your comments are great though. Heck same things apply even outside of L/E on some of your subjects. I had two OS2s complain to me they couldn't do some of their EPQs becuase of their location. An OS2 off an Alameda 378 said they couldn't get their SAR stuff done and the OS2 sitting next to him (from Sec S/F) said he couldn't get his "CIC" stuff done. The foreheads of both of their Chiefs hit the table 3 seconds after the OS2s said this. MC
You know I always found it funny how most junior members just don't network like the Chiefs Mess around the Coast Guard do. We have things like this board and so many other tools for them to network but most just don't do to their maximum benefit it until they reach the Chief level. And before someone gets upset note I said MOST not ALL.
Back on track though I always thought Members of all rates bring so much to the boarding team that simply having one rate doing that job is a waste. I used my teams to the their maximum ability in their perspective rates. So like I said you will always have all the other ratings in the CG involved in boardings.
Scoot I have seen a lot of 1st Class use their TACLET DTL experience to pass OINC boards. I know it is hard but it is certainly possible. I doubt if you ace a board you won't qualify. If you do then all you would have to do is contact your local Gold Badge and bring it to their attention.
Roger that. All the experiences I gained as a DTL will go to the board with me. I am heading back into rate this tour, and carrying my ALEC quals in my pocket waiting for any changes that may come if the program ever takes off.
Have you read the COMDT's new Maritime Security Strategy? With the emphasis on operational capabilities and enforcement, it seems a perfect time in the CG to implement the LE rate.
From MCPOCG Bowen's Notes for Feb 07, on the topic of "big ticket" items that MCPOCG Bowen plans on "focusing on improving". This is ranked number 2 under "Leadership Training":
"Law Enforcement Professionalism- I believe every boarding officer or boarding team member should have baseline training at the Maritime Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA). This is formal versus On the Job Training and G-3 is working toward implementation. We are also having trouble sustaining competencies (trained, experienced personnel) at our higher level Law Enforcement response teams. There are a couple of ways we can approach this… one would be to change a host of personnel policies (that impact other programs and people) so that experienced personnel can stay within the law enforcement community and still advance, or we could create a rate for at least the higher level units. After many briefs/meetings on the subject at all levels, along with visits to the MLEA and the Special Missions Training Center, I personally believe that the ultimate answer will be a rate. There is a working group formed by CG-1 and CG-3 actively working this issue. As a final thought, for all of our Sectors, cutters, and multi-mission stations, I believe there is a need for a robust Advanced Law Enforcement Competency Program (ALEC)."
Why is there no LE Rate? Why doesn't the Coast Guard have an LE rate, every other branch has an LE rate, called MP. Being that this is a LE agency, there should be a MP Rate. I am a BM, but the only reason I went BM was because I was told that they were really the only ones that do LE besides MK and GM. I didn't join to paint or drive boats. I have two years left and once I am out, hopefully they have an LE rate introduced. I will switch in a heart beat.
I personally spoke with the BM afloat detailer in person, and asked him about it. He said that the E-10 and O-10 both were huge fans of the LE Rating, but the problem was how to merge people over at different paygrades. How would you start that 'natural pyrmaid' of seniority? He said it is definitely on the chopping block and it may be coming sooner than people think.
I hope it happens soon. This would open many doors for transitions on to other LE jobs, primary in our sister agencies within DHS. Also we would get the respect and validation as a true LE agency and not as collateral duty as it is today, where your rating is first.
How would you start that 'natural pyrmaid' of seniority
Frickin' Select and Direct ... we aren't that big of a service ... the LE rate wouldn't be that big either, for starters. And it doesn't have to be staffed the first FY year either; the fleet could fill it by attrition over the course of several years.
