Good day to all,

I wanted to pass on some information about the ME rating.

First and foremost, any rating can apply. Review the ME EPQs and billet
map to see if this might be something more aligned with your career desires.
There are some rumors flying around that some are being told they won’t be “let
go” from their legacy rating for a lateral. The RFMC’s will work with HQ programs to
determine a healthy number at each pay grade for each rating that they can let lateral;
some can lose more than others. The lateral selection panel will determine who
becomes an ME.

Make sure you do your homework regardless as to whether you remain in your legacy rating
or make a change to ME.

For more information on the ME rating, check out the below links:

www.merating.blogspot.com

http://cgportal.uscg.mil/lotus/myquickr/me/welcome

My intent is not to sway you in either direction but to ensure you have all of the information you need to make an educated decision.

regards,

Kevin

Kevin? Kevin who?

I sure hope Mfan comes on here to say something!

I guess I need to get more computer savvy. Not really sure why my sign on changed and my service affiliation (AF? whats up with that?). Anyway smart$#@, this is Mfan, the BM RFMC.

Kevin

In the past several days I've gotten quite a few e-mails similar to your post, Master Chief, and talk around the shop has rumors flying. Then, yesterday, I was talking (in person) with a Master Chief who said the ME stand-up is in serious jeopardy - that there are hardly any applications coming in (he gave an exact number, but I won't quote here on the boards)and that HQ is growing afraid it may have to get delayed or cancelled.

Is there any truth to these rumors? What happens if it does get delayed? Is there a possibility some people could get select-and-direct into a new rating, ie. "Hey, you're a BM who's done three consecutive LE billets, you're currently assigned to a billet at the MSRT which is due to get mapped over the the ME, and you've got all the qualifications, so guess what - like it or not, you're about to become an ME."

Very respectfully -
BM2

Boats;
MC Leask still having issues signing on, he asked me to answer for him.

Select and Direct? Technically yes, it is possible, but every indication is that NOBODY at the top end wants to use that tool, and we (BMCM and I) seriously doubt there is much chance for that tool to be used.

As far as numbers - it is too early in the application process to know if there is a problem. Presently though, there are 'what-if' discussions going on.

Now - for the 'example guy' you used, he has to understand that he probably IS ALREADY an ME, and that no matter what, he is gonna be in that billet until he is tour complete, and that going back to a 'real' BM billet will have other challenges.

When MFan can figure out how to spell that darn password, he may add more.

Mighty - How goes it? In the middle east sweating my a$$ off! Question for the BM RFMC - we have several PS's in our unit that have put in packages to lateral to BM rather than ME. The packages go to the BM RFMC, not ME RFMC. For Reservists, there is a supplemental advancement list for both BM2 and BM1 through November 2010. If a PS goes BM, is it still effective 1/1/2010? When does the time in grade start? Say a PS3 goes BM3, does their TIR for advancement to BM2 start from the day they made PS3 or when lateraled to BM3? Should they still take the October Reserve SWE for PS2? If they do take the SWE and advance to PS2 on 1/1/2010, do they lateral to BM2? When will they find out if they are accepted as BM's? The few folks I am talking about are Tactical Coxswains, some of whom have passed the BM2 end of course test and have DWO passed. Pretty motivated group of folks, will make good BM's! Some want to go active duty, alog with a couple of our BM's.

As for any shortage of personnel that want to be ME's - I doubt it, but if so there are a pretty good number of Reservists with strong LE backgrounds that I am sure would consider EAD contracts or active enlistments. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is very attractive to some of our younger people still pursuing their degrees.