The way I see it, all who want to complain about the "Dinosaur Points" have two options. #1 write a better test. #2 Keep complaining until you have the necessary points to carry you through your lack of test taking skills. There, that said, we all went through the same system. Bottom line, you can have all the dinosaur points you want, but if you dont write a good test your going to be right there next year taking the same test over again. If you dont make it, or didnt make it, be responsible for your own actions and try harder next time. Good luck. Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Wray:


Quit your whining... When I made Chief, I was taking the service wide exams with guys that had twice the time in rate & service I had.. I made it with 7 1/2 years in.. Back then, enlisted guys could remain on active duty until age 65. (talk about Dinosaur's)

The way to win at this game is to do well on you SWE... If you write in the top 10 you will make it.. I think I wrote # 7 or so when I did..... and for the record I only had 4 ribbons.. a good conduct, national defense, rifle & pistol.

It can be done.. and I only took my E-8 & E-9 SWE exams once.. made it first time on both.

Good Luck.. study hard.

Wray..

Wray you were a good test taker, myself I take a bad test you study an hour I study a week. I learned by doing you know. I agree every SWE comes out people wine about the old timers well in my opinion it is us old timers that keep a lot of the young test takers out of trouble. You don't like me in the guard then study hard. Remember in the BM Rate where the rubber meets the road is out on the water you still need the experance. So after you study get u/w.

esterowpb, I dont think there is any question about Wrays career path or his U/W time. I, like him, took every service wide BM3-BMCM only once, and I did it without a high school diploma. It just depends on how much work you are willing to put into it and how bad you want it. except responsibility for yourself, and your actions. Dave

The dinosaur point system was a thing of the past. Things like awards, TIS and TIG were a big factor to launch you on top of the boots. The new guard now reflects a more rounded way of computing, where studying and good performance pays off. Using sea time as an incentive for those additional points also help as you can see in the pie illustration.

"I shall, so far as I am able, bring to my seniors solutions, not problems".

We are Boatswainmate's, we don't point fingers and blame others. Especially those that have served honorably in our Service. If something is tough, we work harder. If somthing isn't right, we fix it. We are leaders, but leaders by example.

I don't believe the advancement system is broken, but I do know this. Complaining about it isn't going to convince anyone to change it to make it easier for you to advance. In this case the squeaky wheel will not get the oil.

I wish you the best in your advancement, now get back to work Boatswainmate, you've got another 4 months before the cut-off list is released. The Coast Guard doesn't just take a break while we all eagerly await your advancement.

I read the last three post from young and old both and couldn't aggree more.

mtbottle well said!

Brian, experienced sounds so much more dignified than old. Just kidding, hell I am old.
I have never forgotten the courtesy and kindness you showed to a OLD retiree while you were at Depoe Bay. I still have the pin. Thanks again. Dave

quote:

Originally posted by surfmn253:
I read the last three post from young and old both and couldn't aggree more.

mtbottle well said!

Brian, your so nice. HAHAHAHA.

Craig

Dave, I was not as lucky as you.. I took my BMC exam 3 times.. Back then they were given every 6 months.. the first time I took it knowing I was way too junior to make it... just took it for experience.. the second time I didn't doo too bad, but still got knocked way back down the list... I then found out the secret.. After the exam I went through many manuals trying to think of the questions.. I made up my own list.. The 3rd time I took it, my list of exam questions was almost like I had a copy of the exam.. I would recommend all do that as well..

I did the same thing for my BMCS & BMCM exams, but didn't need the list of questions.. Made it on the first go around..

Corb, while I was on Anvil, I took my E-9 exam in Galveston while undereway duing hurrican Alicia ops... After the exam I came back (got u/w) and wrote about 120 of the questions.. Going through the manuals right after the exam will really help.. If I hadn't done that I probably could have only remembered 10 questions.. A lot of the time if you don't know the correct answer, you can get close to it by eliminating the incorrect answers... Trust me, I was not the worlds best test taker.. My point was, if I could do it, anyone could. As I have said several times before, I think one of the most important factors to help you advance is staying operational. Getting the MAA job at Yorktown won't do much for your career....

Wray...

The thing that helped me the very most, besides studying my butt off was the "good ole boy network" It seemed that everyone that had ever taken the test had a few questions written down. I got ahold of all I could, but the biggest help was the study guide I had. I dont know if you can still get them through Navy Times or not. they used to run about $30.00. A bargin at twice the price. I'd say that over half of the test questions were word for word right out of the study guide. It had about a thousand questions and answers. If you can still get them, It's well worth it. Good luck to all. Dave

Wray You are right. I have stayed operational my whole career. It has helped me I have seen a lot of people come from non operational billets and have to play catch up. In a nut shell people get promoted fast or slow for a lot of different reasons. I think it is important to have a mix of young BM's and old. I think the guard does well in keeping that mix balanced.

Dave I reapect you and am honored that you remember me from that experience. I look at myself as growing up in the Coast Guard since I joined at age 18. So I also think of you as a grandfather since I learned many lessons from people who learned from you. So thank you for hte kind words.
Brian

quote:

So I also think of you as a grandfather since I learned many lessons from people who learned from you.

Hey Dave! He just called you OLD.

Yeah but I respect my heritage!

"Yeah but I respect my heritage!"

Hey Stan he just said you don't respect your heritage!!

later

cliff

Damn you guys like to stir the pot

Cliff-

Once I figure out what heritage he's referring to I'll get back to you on whether I respect it or not!

surfmn-

When you are three years older then dirt and have been retired from the CG for 35 years you tend to get bored. Stirring th epot helps relieve boredom.....

Now that I respect! I look forward to that time.

I got news for you guys he IS old!!! Oh and he is also a "grandfather"!!! As well as a hundred other names I could call him. ....But i won't

Dave,

Your dad is younger then my brother (and probably me!) I know your dad knows my bro but don't know if you ever met him before he retired or not.

Durn smart alecky kids.....