I'm going to be joining the CG soon. Still waiting to find out when I leave for boot and I'm very interested in becoming a BM. Soooo I'm going to throw out a question to all the BMs out there.
What is your favorite aspect of being a BM?
Thanks!

If you want to be in charge then go BM. The best thing I like is working with the younger members.

I was in back in '82 to '88. As a BM at a small boat station, it was nice to see the completed work when the 41 UTB or Station was looking sharp.

It was the collateral duties that I really enjoyed the most though, ie: Cox'n and Boarding Officer. Having your crew respond in the clutch during a major SAR or a drug bust...a lot of pride for the teamwork accomplished.

I guess I blame it on my days of high school football when I wanted to be on the field but was too damned skinny to get much playing time. So later with the Coast Guard, it was nice to be on the "Varsity Team" and being part of the group that got things done.

As far as cutter life, though I was a Seaman and striking BM, like I mentioned with the station, getting the cutter looking great was a pride probably like what a construction worker has when someone comments on what a nice looking house they built.

Don

Which is more fun when you are a BM. Land or cutter duty?

Shooter, it depends on what your idea of fun is. If going out in the middle of the worst storms the coast can throw at you and getting your ars pounded for 10, 15 or 20 hrs, being in charge of your own boat, crew and the people you are going after and being responsible for all concerned is your idea of fun (and alot of us do!!) then the stations are the greatest things in the world. Whatever you do, enjoy it!! Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Shooter247:
Which is more fun when you are a BM. Land or cutter duty?

I think that varies greatly depending on the crew and command.

As far as general work, both could be great and both can really blow. Pros of each for example, on a cutter, depending on the size, you can see parts of the Caribbean, Pacific, Europe, etc, where as at a station, you usually don't travel outside of your AOR.

At a station, as a BM, you aren't quite so low in the chain of command. You tend to have more responsibility (ie: SAR/LE cox'n) and that is generally a rewarding thing.

Don

My favorite thing about being a BM?

We look damn good holding a cup of coffee.

quote:

Originally posted by prayforsurf:
My favorite thing about being a BM?

We look damn good holding a cup of coffee.

ROFL. I thought it was close encounters with helos and rotor wash.

--M

My favorite thing about being a BM is driving boats!! There are a lot of other good things, but driving boats is the best in my opinion!

quote:

Originally posted by Shooter247:
Which is more fun when you are a BM. Land or cutter duty?

Cutter Duty... Hands down for me :-)

Hmm...hopefully me not drinking coffee won't effect becoming a Bm...

Hmm...hopefully me not drinking coffee won't effect becoming a Bm...

After a few duty days or 4-8 watches you will change your mind.

We look damn good holding a cup of coffee.

Boats you can take my cover, Just don't take my coffee cup.

BM1 Thomas

Hahaha. I'm sure you look good pulling a person out of the water too. So next question: most memorable BM moment.

quote:

Originally posted by Shooter247:
Hahaha. I'm sure you look good pulling a person out of the water too. So next question: most memorable BM moment.

We aren't supposed to water-ski behind the boats... shhh

:P

Driving small(ish) boats, hands down. Everything else is just meh.....

There's a certain.... language.... associated with being a BM. It has served me well on the streets when I really need to impress upon someone that they will do what I'm telling them to do or bad things will happen. Cheers.

There were alot of things I loved about BM. The biggest being the opportunities. I spent over 2 years on a 180, 2 years at a station, 2 years at an MSO, two years as an XPO of an ANT, and 2 years on a 110. A coastie cant by much more rounded career wise than that.

I am painting along side SAs one day, doing a boarding the next, and working on Oracle the next day. And each one of those assignments made me what I am today. Contrary to popular belief, my MSO time qualified me for the job I am in today.

T

Learning how to do so much so often with so little. Responsibilities given to young petty officers unheard of in other services.

I initially learned from knuckle draggin, beer drinkin, arse kickin old salts who demanded it be done right the first time. It was not below them to put a boot up yout arse to get the point across. Rates did not come quickly back in the day. By the time your turn comes to lead you will have developed your own style of leadership. The BM rate offers you more oppurtunities for that leadership role which will serve you well in military or civilian life.

Not having served in the days of chest candy. Looks of gratitude on peoples faces, a letter of thanks from a mother whose husband and son you just found, a job well done from the CO, pride in your unit. It was all part of the job. Some times the job becomes so routine that the boss forgets to say, job well done. Remembering that will go a long way.

The fact that I do EVERYTHING ELSE besides drive boats. No wait, I don't actually like that at all.