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Military.com Forums Coast Guard Discussions Coast Guard Auxiliary The “Wannabe” label is getting old….|
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We have met the enemy and he is us. Pogo |
wasn't he the one who visited a Cutter and put on a hissy fit because he didn't have Side Boys to pipe him aboard
I have not heard that one but it is likely. It is 'rumored' that he would have a hissy fit if he visited a CG unit and they weren't flying his NACO flag. As if every CG unit was supposed to have a NACO flag in case he graced them with his presence. Is "The Vig" still around and active or has he been shunted off to the Aux background - only to be trotted out for N-Trains and NACONs? |
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Member |
_________________________________________________ Oh come now, thou ****eth us! That's too funny! ROFLMAO   |
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I have been to N-Trainin '05 and '07 and didn't see the little rascal... I don't think he's used for anything |
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Member |
You know what! I think "wannabe" is probably seen as a derisive term by many members, And because of that emotionally derisive connotation, the underlying message is ignored. So I'd like to find another less derisive description. As I see it, we're looking at a member who, for whatever reason, is determined to stretch the Auxiliary rules to some degree. They wish to appear to be either (pick you poison) military or law-enforcement or USCG. Some form of authority that is not part of our fundamental Auxiliary charter. I would also include in that group the members that really think they are Captains, Commanders and Commodores, such that they believe they have some real authority over other members and act accordingly. It's important to point out that these folks generally are not megalomaniacs. Usually they have been mis-lead by successive generations of leadership who themselves do not understand the Auxiliary purpose and mission. So it's a curable condition in most instances. Incidentally, I put myself in both of those camps during my first couple of years. Our AOR is hugely operationally oriented. Probably 80% of our overall missions are operationally oriented and the folks in control are the “get-some” guys. Nobody ever sat down with me and explained the real purpose and mission because we were all working under the “look but don’t tell” system. We still do. So my position here is very unpopular. Especially when I question skills, tasks and qualifications that have no apparent relevance to authorized Auxiliary operations. So how do we refer to these folks in a non-pejorative way? I have no desire to crush a member's enthusiasm for gung-ho efforts in Auxiliary operations provided that the Auxiliary operations have been clearly defined and comply with our fundamental operational rules. But we need to quickly reign in the "push the envelope" folks because that position is dangerous to them and even more dangerous to our Auxiliary organization. |
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Highly Experienced Member |
 ...gjd |
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Basic Training |
Joe, there you go again... trying to inject nuance and thoughtfulness into the conversation. Kidding aside, thanks for the sensible post. The rest of you should know that when I examine my actions and outlook I'm on the other side of the fence on this topic from Joe. (Joe and I are in the same Flotilla and are both active in the operations program which is generally driven at the Division level). Nevertheless I find his perspective very useful. I think some of this conflict emerges from the fact that our operations activities have developed two separate roles in recent years. Our traditional operational RBS role and a role that is really augmenting the USCG boat forces. While my reading of the history says this has always been the case it has become much more so in recent years. All the discussion about what to call our patrols (and we seem to have settled on MOMs) is reflected in this confusion. The blue light/pretend LE folks are the extreme symptom of this confusion. I'd like to see us have a serious policy discussion how we use operations to promote RBS (beyond SAR) in a friendly, helping manner so that when our fellow citizens see us coming their thoughts are positive. At the same time, and I think this is where Joe and I part ways, the boat forces augmentation -- less the LE role -- is clearly encouraged in the operations manual. We make a valuable contribution in this role. We just need to do it without loosing sight of what makes us effective as a lifesaving organization overall -- the trust and support of the public. One example I can think of is furor that emerged after we had a non-local USCG unit operating in the area. The unit didn't do anything untoward but they did conduct themselves in a manner that is tuned to the type of unit that they are. I heard complaints that I never hear about our local Station... but the public does not know the difference and the local USCG reputation was impacted. With that impact the effectiveness of the USCG and Aux surface operations program likely suffered. If we take this lesson to heart we will always conduct ourselves in a manner that brings credit to our organization and the Coast Guard as a whole. We will treat each other and our fellow citizens according to our Coast Guard values. We will build trust with our local boating community by our actions. Perhaps hardest of all we must self correct behavior among our fellow Auxiliarists and in ourselves that is damaging to our missions. |
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Member |
I agree with you Daren, that there is a component of the surface operations that might have a mission on the harder USCG side, depending upon their AOR and the circumstances of engagement with the local/regional USCG. And here in our AOR that is certainly the case. But I argue that this is not the mainstream mission of the Auxiliary surface operations cadre. And I also argue that the mainstream mission of surface operations and the entire rest of the 75 percent of the Auxiliary missions, pay a high price in money, resources and people, to support this small, elite group. So I continue to argue that the normal surface operations need not achieve qualifications and standards that have almost nothing to do with their day-to-day missions. By continuing to train to the elite level, we exclude many facilities and members who would otherwise participate in normal Auxiliary surface ops. And I continue to argue that those members striking for such an elite group, should put in at least one year of general Auxiliary membership with qualifications achieved in mainstream missions (including "normal" surface ops), before moving to the elite operations area. And I continue to argue that we need to identify those people and assets that wish to achieve this extra capability as a smaller, optional, sub-set of Auxiliary surface operations. Make this step an optional step for those who wish to achieve that qualification. Right now it's all or nothing. |
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Basic Training |
I think there are three separate issues here: qualification, qualification maintenance, and facility requirements. In terms of initial qualification it does not seem to me that our current training is elite. Looking through the crew training I am hard pressed to find any items that I would move to a second elite "E" level crew. Coxswain may be different but I'm not in a position to judge. Let's look at the list and decide what is "E": Section A: Crew Efficiency Factors, Risk Factors and Team Coordination BCM-01-01-AUX: Crew Fatigue BCM-01-02-AUX: Personal Physical Requirements And Policy BCM-01-03-AUX: Team Coordination Training BCM-01-04-AUX: Complete The Incident Command System (ICS) Courses Section B: Physical Fitness, First Aid and Survival BCM-02-01-AUX: Crew First Aid Responsibility BCM-02-02-AUX: Sun And Heat Related Factors BCM-02-03-AUX: State The Symptoms And Treatment For Shock BCM-02-04-AUX: State The Symptoms And Treatment For Anaphylactic Shock (Allergic Reaction) BCM-02-05-AUX: Demonstrate Direct Pressure, Pressure Points And Tourniquet Method To Control Bleeding BCM-02-06-AUX: State The Signs And Treatment For Burns BCM-02-07-AUX: State The Symptoms And Treatment For Hypothermia BCM-02-08-AUX: Type III PFD, Anti-Exposure Coverall Or Dry Suit Swim BCM-02-09-AUX: Identify Boat Crew Survival Equipment BCM-02-10-AUX: Use The Emergency Signaling Mirror BCM-02-11-AUX: Describe The Use Of Hand Held Distress Flares BCM-02-12-AUX: Describe The Use Of Aerial Flares BCM-02-13-AUX: Operate The Personal Marker Light (PML) or Strobe Light BCM-02-14-AUX: State Survival Procedures In Event The Boat Capsizes or Swamps Section C: Marlinespike Seamanship And Boat Nomenclature BCM-03-01-AUX: Identify The Different Parts Of A Line And The Hitches Used In Line Handling BCM-03-02-AUX: Tie Various Knots, Hitches And Bends BCM-03-03-AUX: Secure Lines To Cleats, Bitts And Posts BCM-03-04-AUX: Assist The Coxswain With A Pre-Underway Check-Off Aboard An Auxiliary Facility Section D: Boat Handling BCM-04-01-AUX: Assist In Anchoring The Boat BCM-04-02-AUX: Assist In Weighing The Boat’s Anchor BCM-04-03-AUX: Identify Common Navigation Lights Section E: Communications BCM-05-01-AUX: Operate A VHF-FM Radiotelephone BCM-05-02-AUX: Use The VHF-FM Radiotelephone To Give A Position Or Ops Normal Report Section F: Navigation BCM-06-01-AUX: Identify The Basic Parts, Symbols And Abbreviations Found On A Nautical Chart BCM-06-02-AUX: Identify Common Aids To Navigation Used In Small Boat Piloting BCM-06-03-AUX: Identify Local Landmarks Used In Piloting On A Nautical Chart BCM-06-04-AUX: Plot A Position Using Latitude And Longitude BCM-06-05-AUX: Plot A Magnetic Course On A Nautical Chart BCM-06-06-AUX: Measure Distance On A Nautical Chart BCM-06-07-AUX: Compute Time, Speed And Distance BCM-06-08-AUX: Determine The Depth Of Water Using A Fathometer And/Or Sounding Pole Section G: Mission Oriented Operations BCM-07-01-AUX: Participate In A Man Overboard Evolution As A Pointer BCM-07-02-AUX: Participate In A Man Overboard Evolution As A Recovery/Pickup Man BCM-07-03AUX: Bend A Heaving Line To A Bridle And Pass The Heaving Line To Another Boat BCM-07-04-AUX: Pass A Towline (Bridle) To Another Boat And Take In Stern Tow BCM-07-05-AUX: Stand A Towing Watch BCM-07-06-AUX: Connect A Towline To A Trailer Eye Bolt Using A Shackle Or Kicker/Skiff Hook BCM-07-07-AUX: Take A Boat In Alongside Tow BCM-07-08-AUX: Moor A Towed Vessel BCM-07-09-AUX: Identify The Different Classes Of Fires And State The Fuel And Primary Extinguishing Agents Associated With Each BCM-07-10-AUX: Locate And Operate The Boat’s Dewatering Equipment BCM-07-11-AUX: Operate A CO2 Fire Extinguisher (Simulate) BCM-07-12-AUX: Operate A Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher (Simulate) Section H: Auxiliary Specific Tasks BCM-08-01-AUX: Basic Knowledge Of Boating Skills BCM-08-02-AUX: Perform As A Crewmember During A Night Navigation And Piloting Exercise (Waiverable by DIRAUX) BCM-08-03-AUX: Dockside Oral Examination BCM-08-04-AUX: Underway Check Ride |
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Member |
That's because you are not thinking outside of the box here. You are atill thinking in USCG be-like, look-alike mode. I could remove or combine/condense 75% of those qualifications based upon real-world Auxiliary safety patrol expectations and still not compromise the effectiveness of that mission or the safety of the crews. In fact it would enhance the safety of the crews which I argue is our first priority. And I would replace a bunch of that stuff with mission and purpose guidelines, public relations skills and observation/reporting skills. |
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Our last tow was in 1996. Due to the large number of commercial towers in our AOR we are out of the towing business. I would lkke to see a revision of our training regimen to something more relevant.
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Member |
I would argue further, that the vast majority of the Auxiliary patrol efforts are not conducted in dangerous waters. That is to say, there are areas where Auxiliary facilities patrol in open ocean, or in known hazardous waters, but that is a small minority.
Therefore I would argue that skill sets should be based upon the actual conditions in geographical area of operations. The concept that any Auxiliary coxswain should be able to command any boat in any conditions so we all need to be elite trained is completely bogus anyway and therefore unnecessary. We all know in the real world, that simply is not the case. Even though I am a fully qualified coxswain in my AOR which has it's own special set of gotchas, and even though my set of personal skills which includes running our vessel up and down the Oregon and Washington open coasts, I am not permitted to run my opfac out of Oregon Coast USCG AORs without additional checking and verification by the local area station OIC. And that's a good thing. Because as the Auxiliarists who do run out of those dangerous ports know, that's a whole different ball-game. So the sub-set of enhance crew and coxswain quals I am proposing would also apply to those areas designated as particularly hazardous. But to keep it simple, I would again suggest that AUXILIARY basic crew and coxswain qualifications be grossly simplified and consolidated based upon real-world Auxiliary (NOT USCG) mission expectations and that our current set of quals be re-configured to better reflect the Auxiliary mission but kept in line with the expectations of the USCG small boat program, perhaps enhanced somewhat and that would become the optional enhanced sub-set of the basic BC qual program. This concept lets a lot more Auxiliarists and opfacs into the BC program and so provides a greatly enhanced ability for safety, goodwill and observation,,, OUR PRIMARY MISSION but also allows those who want to achieve greater skills and a closer participation with the USCG to satisfy that desire. |
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Member |
What you propose makes way too much sense, but it is nice to know I am not the only voice crying out in the wilderness.
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Basic Training |
As one that was in the Marine Corps and now is part of the Coast Guard Team in the Auxilliary, I can tell you both Good and Not So Good are in the USMC/CG Aux. The CG Aux here in South Texas is a fine group to be with. When I wear my ODU I take the same pride I did when I wore my Marine Corps uniform. To me it is the same.
Semper Fi / Semper Paratus  |
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Member |
I notice firefighting isn't on the list except for extinguishers. Too bad.
On rare, or not so rare, occasions we have been known to fire up the dewatering pump and squirt grass fires along the various rivers in the AOR. It's handy because we can keep a fire from spreading until the FD navigates all the weekend traffic to the scene. As far as boat fires the SOP is just like the Station's, get the people off and let it burn. Plastic boats get down to the waterline fast and put out all sorts of nasty stuff nobody should try to breathe, even with PPE. We still do dewatering but mostly the pump box is a handy place to sit in the boat. Of course, a P-3 will trump a "super-soaker" any day of the week |
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Basic Training |
As I think my prior post would suggest I agree we need more training on purpose, soft skills and observation training. I would add the mission and purpose guidelines, public relations skills and observation/reporting skills to what we already have. I think you'll find it far easier to claim a 75% reduction than to actually mangage that reduction. Want to take up the challenge? I put the whole list in the last post to make the reduction easy.  |
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Member |
Other than the water depth, these should be custom made to the AOR. I'll never see a submarine in the Cumberland River but, I need to know it's light configuraton. Most salt water sailors get lost in the btrown water of inland boating but, the brown water sailors need to know all about the salty stuff. That's elitism  Pencil whipped 'cause I have dyslexic fingser |
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We have met the enemy and he is us. Pogo |
Want to take up the challenge? I put the whole list in the last post to make the reduction easy.
The following is Part 2 of a 3 Part "Modest Proposal" I wrote in Feb 2003 and posted to the now defunct HalfDeck Forum. Part 1 dealt with changing facility requirements. Part 3 dealt with Coxswains. This part, Part 2, deals with the Boat Crew Quals. Feel free to fire away.
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