I wanted to bring up a topic that has been on my mind now for a while. I myself an almost 8 year BM2, I look pretty young for my age and could say i have enough experience to start working on my 1st class stuff. here is my somewhat complaint or is it. i know of a few now BM1's who are under the age of 26, with a little under lets say 6 years in the Guard. I am 27. I currently work with a couple of BM1's who are in the low 30's with 10 plus years in. maybe i'm just a little jealous or not, but some of these new BM1's I brought up to driving smallboats and now they are 1st classes. it somewhat bothers me to see that, but i can't knock on them for advancing. but personally i know these guys and they dont have the experience i think BM1's need to have. just good test takers. so sound off and either let me know if this is what other people are seeing or is it just me. maybe i just need to quit being envious and just join the club.
BM2

You know, I felt the same way when I ran into my first 4 year BM1. That BM1 is now an XPO for a cutter in Boston. But then I looked a little deeper to figure out if it was a realistic view and ill tell you what the key was for me in accepting those who advance rapidly. Its the past.

There is no doubt that many BM1s are in positions where a failure to lead, or a failure to act might get someone injured or killed. A Bouy Deck Supervisor, a Surfman, a HWX Coxswain are a few who fall into those categories. I dont see any rise in Class mishaps since the CG decided to waive Navrules, or since the younger BM1s were released into the fleet. I am not sure if this reflects an outstanding CG certification policy in those areas, or a little luck, or a little leadership from those senior. If experience was such a determining factor, then why wouldnt you see a rise in Class B and A mishaps to reflect inexperience?

T

I know that these discussions can get pretty sensitive so I will try not to get on anyone's nerves too much, but....

The one job that I think about most when I consider a BM1 who's been in a short time is how well can they supervise the very dangerous conditions of a UNREP evolution on something like a 378' when they have little to no experience themselves? This would mostly apply to a BM1 who went up through the ranks never having been on a large cutter.

Now a guy or gal who made BM1 at a station and continues to serve at a station, I figured they know plenty enough from their own experience and the same for a BM who went up the ranks on various cutters.

Don

I don't like it. At tall. Not just the 4 year BM1 thing, that is clear and obvious. But I will take it a step further....


Bootcamp to BM A school. I have seen some squared away BMs that went to A school, but at the same time I have seen more kids that don't know squat. Everything from calling higher ups by their last names to wearing their crows COMPLETELY incorrect, with the chevrons pointing at his ODU pant zipper, being held on by crazy glue hovering maybe a good 4 inches above where they are supposed to be... I wish I was joking.

The point of the matter here is that we need to stop throwing crows at every numskull that gets a 45 (or 35 or whatever) on the ASVAB. We need a lengthier time in grade.

While I have your attention, I think we should completely do away with BM A school all together. We are Coxswains, we are crewman we are oods we are painters we are buoy deck supervisors we are whatever the Coast Guard needs us to be, but there is one thing we have always been, LEADERS.

You can't teach leadership to a 18 year old kid via a 2 month school and expect him to march out and be a BM3.

With 8 yrs in the C.G., if you are not ready for BM1 now, you never will be. You are hurting no one but yourself. Although your attitude is commendable, it still hurts no one but yourself and your family. Just the fact that you are concerned about it, tells me that you are ready. Hit the books and take the damn test. Dave

Yeah they clear the list so take it already.

It's topics like these that just make me want to advance even quicker. The only thing i agree with is no boot camp to "A" School for any rate, much less the BM rate. There is nothing wrong with a gauranteed "A" school however, not straight from boot. You have to be a non-rate to know how to treat a non-rate.

Respectfully-

having only been in the coast guard for almost 9 yrs I guess I'm one of those baby faced BM1's and as someone who will Take the servicewide for E-7 this year, I know that it will balance out at this point when they factor TIS. But my humble opinion is there is always someone with more experience. we should all hop in the hip pocket of those folks and learn what we can and always have the confidence to be self-objective. Some day a crusty old BMCM will visit the station and say we ALL look baby-faced.
Dave

quote:

Some day a crusty old BMCM will visit the station and say we ALL look baby-faced.

Your dad would if he would come to some units.

Quack, until you brought it up, I had no clue that was littlewave was actually little Dave. Hmmmm, thats kind of cool actually, a father and son team posting on the same thread. A few more months and the Bradley team can join us.

Littlewave

You have got some big shoes to fill, and from your profile, it looks like your doing a pretty damn good job of filling them. BZ

T

Hell, I still look "baby faced" if I shave off all the gray stubbles... I was one of those under 4 BM1's... (at Station Ponce) ... Told the detailers I would re-enlist if I got the XPO billet on a 82'.. I did, & I did...

I stayed "operational" and made E-9 with 14 and a half years in.... Yes, you do need a good test to advance, and the jobs you have along the way will help....

My advise is not to worry about others, but to worry & concentrate more on yourself.... you will do just fine.....

Good luck....

Wray...

I am a 5 year BM2, gonna make 1st off the NOV07 SWE. Have like 6.5 yrs then....did 4 years as a 3rd, was happy, but you know what, It all depends on the person. I know some smart 1st class that have less time then me. I also know some 1st's that have been in forever and are dumb. It goes both ways and truly depends on whether the person wants to be good, or is just strolling along until 20. But I am a baby-faced BM2...... Hope the water is treating everyone well.

-BM2 Sends

quote:

Originally posted by truebm2:
I am a 5 year BM2, gonna make 1st off the NOV07 SWE.

Pretty Ballsy to say that!! You havn't even taken the test yet!

Player05,

Most of what I see is it seems like you young kidds getting butt hurt because you think someone has more "bragging rights" (IE Crows)than you?!

BM2 sends

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

Can anyone tell me what just happened?

..... ....Oh well.

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1F, dduren


Never seen that before!!! Guess we BOTH need a Job!! NOT!

Little Wave--You probably don't remember me, (I think you were in third grade??!!!) but my wife always said your dad had a baby-face!! (As long as he didn't smile!!!!!)

So keep on keepin' on!! Where ya headed next??

quote:

Originally posted by j_duncan:

quote:

Originally posted by truebm2:
I am a 5 year BM2, gonna make 1st off the NOV07 SWE.

Pretty Ballsy to say that!! You havn't even taken the test yet!

Yep. Must stay positive. Better than saying I might advance. I will advance.....Different way of thinking.

7 year 25 year old BM1 here. I know my job and I do it well, but it's all about the money for me. They wouldn't have made me an XPO on an 87' if I didn't know my job. Player05: just hop on the "band wagon" and advance. I don't know if you have a wife and kids but you are only hurting yourself.