ryanerickson.com - Latest Comments

Re: Beware of technology while living in the fishbowl

Stan Robbins — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 15:14:43 -0000

Based on the things I have read regarding that C.O.'s behavior I think it was just a matter of time before it came out. One does NOT give a MCPO a "timeout" with no repercussions. Senior enlisteds like that have been in long enough to have developed a strong network and word would definitely get back to the powers that be.

In my mind a much larger problem is the fact that such things are frequently covered up, or the officer is simply slipped into a different position, so their career can continue until the start drawing that mice retirement check.

Re: What is the United States Coast Guard?

palco92 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:51:07 -0000

You are the one's every body laughs at,but when @#$%% hits the fan,you are the hero's.Great post Mr.Erickson,and thank you for telling use are(girl friends or wife )are smarter than use.so they think.

Re: Coast Guard Mandated Training (MT)… hey, it could be worse

palco92 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:48:04 -0000

Thanks Ryan,very interesting to me.i can see Safety is not addressed the
same,for most of you don't have to pay for medical.reason for allot of
safety training for the civilian sector,rates keep going up and up every
year.thanks again~mike

Re: Coast Guard Mandated Training (MT)… hey, it could be worse

Crabby — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:12:40 -0000

I know the teams reworking these things are working hard to minimize the time investment for the recurring 'primers'. I'm pretty sure that these aren't intended displace any unit level engagements, all hands face-to-face, or one-on-one leadership activities in the field.

Folks at HQ know that people are sick of being tasked with peripheral activity. Some things we are simply required to expose everyone to. Can't get around it, so the design teams are trying to lighten the blow for all hands MT. I think it's improved a bit. It'll get better as the teams collect feedback.

Re: New Coast Guard award being introduced for some Haitian Earthquake Ops personnel

ryanerickson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:24:20 -0000

That as it may be the NDR is given to everyone in all services.

Re: New Coast Guard award being introduced for some Haitian Earthquake Ops personnel

peanut gallery — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:21:39 -0000

Hell, why not? Ever see a Marine awarded for knowing how to fire a rifle? If we give a ribbons (CG rifleman/pistol shot) for being able to shoot, they ought to get a medal. Then we have the Katrina ribbon (presidential unit citation) even if your greatest contribution was following it on TV. And my personal favorite...ribbon for simply joining (national defense ribbon).

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

Bill Wells — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:25:41 -0000

The thesis is by a younger Thad W. Allen. Sloan School, MIT 1989
http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/35345
Got to the bottom of the catalog page and click on non-printable version.

There are some interesting insights in the work that seemed to have carried to the present. For example, his thoughts on the Gilbert Study. Read pages 328-330 and a little beyond. They do not sound much unlike today.

He also speaks of draw downs on page 298. There again, there are some parallels to the present.

Although this study is about Coast Guard law enforcement, Allen spends a good deal of paper addressing the budget problems that, by now, are going on some forty years--nearly the same problems.

There is also an interesting quote by Adm. Yost about him having no knowledge or awareness of Coast Guard law enforcement following his return from Vietnam. Matthew Mitchell should read this.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

ryanerickson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:20:02 -0000

The thought behind this being an intentional leak is gaining some steam around the differing sites. I can't say it's not a plausible deed- but I don't think it was intentionally done by the hands (or words) of VADM Papp. That's just my take though. Thanks for the great comments all.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

Stan Robbins — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:12:28 -0000

There is also the possibility that this memo was intentionally "leaked" to start a buzz about the proposed budget. Congress has the ability to increase the budget and I would suspect many Congress critters are up in arms about the proposed cuts.

The fact is that with the proposed budget and the costs of maintaining all the aging assets, the CG cannot afford to continue to do more with less. Look at the number of CG vessels that were to go to Haiti but suffered a variety of problems, causing some to actually have to go into drydock for repairs. If something is not doen, and done quickly, it is only a matter of time until some equipment failure results in personnel casualties. I went through this 40+ years ago when the aging cutter I was on had a fire and explosion in Unimak Pass.

The leak could have been a well planned ploy to start the ball rolling to get a budget increase. If it isn't, and if more money is NOT added to the budget, the only option is to cut some of the missions.

Re: $27.4 billion for USCG’s Deepwater Program… and it’s a good thing

ryanerickson — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:06:27 -0000

It is indeed nice to some some encouraging things being said after all the work that was put into the project.

Re: $27.4 billion for USCG’s Deepwater Program… and it’s a good thing

andrewdwelch — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:35:30 -0000

Funny how a real commitment to making something work well can turn around so many perceptions, don't you think? Thanks for the update on this!

Re: What is the United States Coast Guard?

Mental1 — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:33:26 -0000

Mr.E!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to throw it down! We're the mystery, we're the good luck charm. We are that hope...when there is no hope at all. We are the ones that come through; We are the one who are there. You seldom see us but...we are everywhere.
~Mental

Re: Coast Guard Mandated Training (MT)… hey, it could be worse

ryanerickson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:54:30 -0000

Most of the "safety" training is job dependent and learned on said the job. Much like the civilian sector you are taught prudent safety practices while learning your job; however, unlike the civilian sector the Coast Guard has hundreds of differing levels of participation and work hazards. A Boarding Officer doing his job boarding a local boat in a river is going to have many differing hazards than a Boarding Officer working on drug laden vessels in the Caribbean. Thus an 'across the board' approach wouldn't work.

With that being said though the CG does train all of it staff to watch for safety related issue such as signs of suicide and workplace violence.

Re: Are you a runner and in the Coast Guard? Then make your way to RunUSCG.org!

ryanerickson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:48:28 -0000

Be sure to let us know when you're up and running full blown Ken and we'll be sure to get the word out.

Re: Are you a runner and in the Coast Guard? Then make your way to RunUSCG.org!

runuscg — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:39:49 -0000

Hi Sean,

Thanks for the suggestion and we'll definately look into setting up something like that. Right now the club is in it's IOC (Initial Operating Capability) - and we're still building out standard practices. Once we've firmly established ourselves and gotten more than just the SF Bay Area involved we'll be looking to expand what we offer - like local running maps, training groups and more.

I would like to say that we have many casual and first time runners in our group - they just never seem to want us to post anything online about them! Here in Alameda, CA we have teamed with Health Safety Work Life to try to boost participation in the monthly fun runs (free) that occur the last wednesday of every month and include walker, joggers, and usually a couple competitive types. The local running club we partnered with offers beginner running programs, training groups and more.

I could go on forever, if anyone has questions just email: ken@runuscg.org - we're looking for people throughout the Coast Guard to be members and especially to help us build the club up in other districts.

Re: Coast Guard Mandated Training (MT)… hey, it could be worse

palco92 — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:48:16 -0000

This is interesting,were is the training on safety?did i over look this.i know working in the civilian sector,this is priority.over anything else.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

Bill Wells — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:05:23 -0000

The upcoming commandant would not be the first to run into a group of unsupportive officers; a group that would ambush his projects at every turn. It is just the nature of the Coast Guard since the "Young Turks Rebellion of 1964." I know. This would take some 'splainin' but believe me on this one.

I like memo leakers. They provide a useful historical service. If nothing else someone in the future will see it, and then begin asking questions. Whether the cloistered attitude of the Coast Guard will give any answers is another question. The Coast Guard still has information (un or minimally classified) squirreled away that is decades old but it refuses to let it go. I know this because I tried of six years to get information about the Coast Guard's role in Vietnam only to be told that I only wanted the information for personal interest reasons.

A big duh! on this one. Most people research and write history because they have a personal interest in the subject. Maybe I'll re-post my denial letter. I would not be leaking anything.

If the documents have any currency for national security then shame on the leakers, but this budgetary stuff will show up on some web site soon enough. As 'jimmysunshine' noted, perhaps the VAdm knows about it. He would not be the first to leak information to cause a public storm. I know from 1895 to 1905 the New York Times and Baltimore Sun were regular recipients of leaked information and it carried on from there to the present.

I disagree with 'Edgar Friendly.' Just what real part is the Coast Guard playing in the "wars" in Iraq and Afghanistan that could be considered gutting? I bet if every Coast Guardsman was brought back tomorrow they would not be missed.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

Edgar Friendly — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:51:57 -0000

The issue of who leaked the memo is irrelevant. The issue is the logic and judgement of the prospective Commandant to gut the Coast Guards security and anti-terrorism capabilities when our Nation is in the middle of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as a global war against al-Qaeda.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

jimmysunshine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:32:19 -0000

Or (D) was leaked with VADM's knowledge to build political support ahead of budget approval.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

AnnoyedCoastie — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:03:23 -0000

I agree Ryan, it angers me that a CG officer (yes-a CG Senior officer allegedly leaked it!) would be so insubordinate as to forward on a memo because he didn't agree with VADM Papp's plan to deal with a drastic CG budget cut. When we are each selected for Commandant, we can decide how we want to utilitze the CG budget, but until then we should trust in a very accomplished CG officer's vision as to where the CG should go into the future with our aging fleet and limited funding. I support the proposals in the memo, but the first thing I thought about when I read it was how immature this move was, and I hope the officer that leaked it (who originally forwarded it around via email to other Coasties) feels some repurcussions from their actions.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

ryanerickson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:56:33 -0000

Points A, B, and C are very well understood.

Re: Are you a runner and in the Coast Guard? Then make your way to RunUSCG.org!

slawler — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:12:15 -0000

They should set up some sort of community that uses the nike plus system to track runs, share distances, and build a community. Of course, these guys are extreme runners and are way to much for me...unless they stop at Dunkin Donuts on their way.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

Cosmo deMedici — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:12:51 -0000

The odds of someone from DHS leaking an internal USCG proposed budget building memo are slim to none. As DHS wouldn't have it, recall it was an internal USCG “brainstorming” document on how to deal with a radical budget from OMB. OMB sets the top line and has program examiners to oversee the budget build/execution. As I understand it, the DRAFT OMB top line came down and USCG HQ leadership asked the field leadership how they would try to live within it in order to prepare for the Washington budget fights. Thus, the good VADM attempted to give a frank answer to his own leadership as any officer would do when told to produce something like this. The source of this “leak” was someone in the USCG that: (A) wanted to make a point with OMB and/or Congress; (B) Did not want the VADM to get the top job; or (C) both.

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

ryanerickson — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:16:57 -0000

John- that's a great point. For future correspondence within the CG it
may very well come down to the question "if this got out..."

Re: Betraying my trust- the Coast Guard memo leaker

JWillis — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:46:41 -0000

While the content of the memo was probably not something that will negatively impact the Coast Guard and it's mission, there is a bigger issue here.

Your statement that 'you could also consider this a norm on the Hill' is so true and THAT is what could really effect our future. I'll start by assuming that it was someone in DHS who leaked the memo and will speculate that it was done for political purposes, since in Washington everything is political.

Next time someone is tasked with writing a scenario like this, how thorough and honest are they going to be if they think about the fact that it could wind up in the hands of a reporter. Would VADM Papp have written his memo differently if he knew it was going to be given to the press?

Incidents like this make people less willing to put their thoughts on paper, and builds mistrust towards the media and the civilian leadership. As a small proof, note my assumption earlier that it was someone at DHS that leaked the memo and not a member of the Coast Guard. I realize it was an internal memo but find it hard to believe that no-one at DHS was aware of it.