I don't have any first hand experience, but from what I've heard DCs are usually found at ANTs that have responsibility for maintaining Lighthouses. The DC's maintain the structural components of the lighthouses. Since many lighthouses have been sold off (with the CG still/only maintaining the optic) you may find less billets availible for DCs at ANTs.
Dc's at ANT's just work on lighthouse structures. Often times, they also do maintenance and projects around the unit, like carpentry in the offices, some welding on the boats, etc.. From what I've seen, they aren't required to get qualified on the smallboats, but I would recommend it. I was at ANT Southwest harbor ME as a non-rate and when I got orders to school, they put me in the DC shop. It's pretty laid back, so it's a good time to hone the DC skills. Plenty of time to practice welding and study time for the SWE. I'll be at ANT South Portland in the spring if you have any more questions.
Originally posted by swabbie: Come on people, DC's are part of the unit and are required to go through training and respond to outages and whatever else is expected of them.
I wasn't implying they weren't required to do training other things. I only said they were found at ANTs that had responsibility for maintaining lighthouses (where their skills at carpentry and such would be put to good use).
DC's do get qualified in small boats as well as climb qualified to work ranges and towers. They are responsible for the structural soundness of the ranges and towers as well as the units buildings. I was at ANT Sault Ste Marie, MI which was attatched to the CGC Buckthorn.
The DC's at our units get underway as much as anyone else in the crew. It is still required to qualify as crewmember, buoy deck supervisor, and engineer. In the ATON world the DC's have an important, unique, and cool job. They get to put their welding skills to the test out on the field, whether it be welding a ladder to a piling or lighthouse, tack welding the rails on a structure, to anything the wonderful world of ATON may have to offer. You will always be fabricating, modifying, repairing, welding, or grinding something. When your not doing that you will be working the deck or the sticks. At ANT's the DC's job is usually independent, so be prepared for a big worklist.
Budzak, things are good here too. Left the Vig, went to CGC Ouachita (Chattanooga, TN), made DC1, now I'm at CAMSLANT in Chesapeake, VA. Maybe try for DCC later. Enjoying land for a while.
