Just my 2 cents worth I'm a BM, but most of the GMs I worked with, and around have been some pretty squared away cats. Don't think it would have taken too much effort for them to qualify as coxn'
Seems not only are there a number of people not smart enough to be BM's, there are also a number of folks with no sense of humor! I certainly did not mean to start a conversation about whether non-BM's have the ability to certify as a Coxswain, the answer very clearly is "yes they can." The active duty GMC at my last PSU got certified. But because of the nature of our work, the requirements for advancement, and maybe a little of what drives us to be BM's in the first place, BM's are better prepared to be Coxswains. This philosophy also explains why GM's find weapons at stations that are not as well maintained as those kept by GM's. We have not had the extensive training, nor the repetitive work which results in a higher level of competence. Which is why GM's at stations would be a good idea. And would afford those GM's a chance to do other things. Who knows, maybe a few will put in packages for a rating change to BM?
Originally posted by CHGuns: You know I keep hearing how friggin' smart BMs are and yet almost every time I inspected a station or a WPBs Ordnance program that had one as a Weps PO they were doing a terrible job and the constant refrain from the so called jacks of all trades was always about how it wasn't their job and why can't they have a GM do it for them so they could go drive boats.
I guess you never came to my unit. Never received anything below an excellent in my armory.
GM is a SUPPORT rating. Keep 'em at the sector with the rest of the "support".
quote:
ignorance? Reality.
Funny, when I was in Nam we pretty much considered the BMs were there to support us. Since much of our role there was NGFS the BM's didn't have too much to do. Repaint the deck after the hot shell casing chipped the paint, manage the unrep to get additional ammo and supplies, you know, stuff like that......
If you truly think a GM is only a support rating then I suspect you've spent too much time on small boats.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ex_CG_GM,
We just got our first GM2 at our Station to help out!! He will be at our unit in a month or so!
Our BM2 was doing an amazing job as WEPS, no complaints by anyone and i don't think i ever heard him complain about the collateral once!! But his job is to drive boats and do all the BM stuff at the station.
A GM, I feel does not belong at the GRU all the time, that just keeps them further removed from the units and what is going on!! Bottom line its impossible for GM's, MK's, BM's or any other rate that perform a support function to understand the goings on at a Station unless they are intimatly involved week to week and day to day. I count my blessings evey day that we have amazing support at our GRU, wether it be our RFO team or our GM's!! Its nice to see that Boat Forces saw that this was a needed billet.
Originally posted by CG44348: GM is a SUPPORT rating. Keep 'em at the sector with the rest of the "support".
You are 100% correct the GMs should stay at the sector so we can make more ignorant BM1 into BM2's after their weapons fail because of lack of PM's being done. I agree with JerryG's statement as well the BM drive the boats. But why do the drive boats??? TO GET MY GUNS TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO. No matter what you are doing whether it is on a cutter or small boat station you can not do a boarding without our guns. So who is really the SUPPORT RATE????
GET MY GUNS TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO BOATS. lol Larry
I think a lot of people here need to do more research on what the GM's role will be at stations before they come on here saying what they THINK GM's will do.
The only thing I see posted here is real world experience versus an anonymous profile post of a message dtg which cannot be accessed on the internet. Notwithstanding the fact that messages be damned the CO/OinC will utilize their personnel as they see fit what exactly is your point?
They really need to make a "C" school for BMs devoted to proper care, stowage, and all other tasks related to being a WEPO. As of now, you learn what your relief taught you, and what you read in the BM2 PQG. If there was a school, taught by GMs, it would teach we BMs how to do it right, the first time, and it would save heartache on the GMs as well. This is what happens whenever there is a need and some O says "hey, just have a BM do it." We are so spread thin as it is, either having a GM to come do it right, or a school for BMs for us on how to learn how its done right, would serve a greater good. Give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.
I think I remember the message saying that GM's will not be required to be Crew/cox/bo/btm. I could be wrong. I have been a WEPO and passed every inspection with flying colors. Follow the manual and the checklists and anyone can do it. If it were up to me GM's at stations would be part of the boat crews and LE teams. Everyone at a station has a collateral duty. How many times have you seen an MK come back from a patrol only to stay up all night fixing something in order to keep the boat in Bravo status? I suspect that a GM at a station will rarely be in a situation that requires an emergency weapon repair. So why should he not be held to the same standard as the rest of the crew?
Having served 7 outstanding years at the 7th dist armory CCAFS, I seem to recall quite a few GM & BM E-4’s, 5’s & 6’s who couldn’t safely navigate thru the OrdMan let alone a wet paper bag. During the ’96 Olympics in Savannah, GA I watched an E-3, on his own, without any reference material generate a MLS report while underway on an Aux boat. It’s pride & dedication people, the desire to complete the assigned tasking to the best of your ability. Some have it, some don’t.
Originally posted by CHGuns: You know I keep hearing how friggin' smart BMs are and yet almost every time I inspected a station or a WPBs Ordnance program that had one as a Weps PO they were doing a terrible job and the constant refrain from the so called jacks of all trades was always about how it wasn't their job and why can't they have a GM do it for them so they could go drive boats.
Sounds like you'be met some BM's that remind you of some kids that use to abuse you as a child. Trust me, I can say the same about some retard GM's that were sniffing way too much gun oil down in the aromory!! How many collateral duties does a GM have anyway besides cleaning guns? Most SAI's I've seen are BM's or MK's!! Just sit back and support us like a good little GM's so we can go save lives and enforce the laws!! Here, go clean my .40 for me will ya!!
