Visit our Popular Forums

Rivetedude · 10-13-2005, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2916s

Actually, as of when I retired, all the "prior service" folks went to Cape May, New Jersey for charm school. Not a terrible place, kind of grey all winter. Food was actually pretty decent for military chow.

Town is very touristy in summer. Dead in winter. But, if they give you liberty, Atlantic City is right up the road.

By the way, what's your rate?

mike

Funny you should ask. I was an FC2 in the Navy which WAS an FT2 in the Coast Guard...which is NOW ET2. There was a lot of "merging" going on in the Navy when I left there as well.

I've been to Earl, New Jersey for ammunition onloads and offloads in the Navy. Anything like that? Earl was a very depressing place to visit. People stationed there though loved it. Of course you literally had to walk a mile down one pier to another pier where you had to walk another mile back out to a small shack just to smoke a ciggarette. By the time you got back, you wanted another! The Navy really did take safety to the extreme. I quit smokin' though. Now I've just got to lose the 30lbs I gained!

wheel interested · 10-14-2005, 11:20 AM

Well Rivetedude,

That sounds so exciting to make such a change in career and location. I'll miss dropping by the dealership to see you when I visit Jackson Center next. Keep us posted. The Coast Guard is really cooool!

You don't happen to get seasick, do you?!

Congratulations and smooth sailing!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivetedude

Well folks, I'm having a life changing moment here. Looks like I'm going to be saying "Goodbye!" to RV Sales and "Hello again sweetie! How have you been?" to the armed forces. No, not the Navy again. I've decided this time to become a Puddle Pirate. That's Coast Guard in case you didn't know. They're going to let me in with the same rank and job as I had in the Navy and I'll be shipping out to a "Mini 4-week Bootcamp" at the end of October. No, I'm not letting any grass grow under my feet.

After my Mini Bootcamp, I'll be sent to my permanant duty station. Here's the kicker. I'll get to live in my Airstream while wifeypoo sells the house and meets up with me. I have no idea where I'll be sent yet, but I sure am glad I decided to keep the Toastah. If I didn't, I'd either have to stay in a barracks, or onboard the boat! I also found out that the Coast Guard might not have a barracks available, and normally under those circumstances, I'd have to rent an appartment. I'd be up the creek trying to do that AND pay the house payment! The Airstream is turning out to be a savior!

Anyway, wish me luck you finest of friends as I venture forth into my new life. The uncertainty of a sales career in a shaky economy is about to be replaced by a steady paycheck with free medical. I'm not saying goodbye, as I intend to keep my Airstream and actually plan on having more time to use it. What I am saying is If you bought something from me, STOP CALLING! Ha Ha!

This is "The Dull Darned Salesman" signing off....and "Electronics Technician Second Class, USCG" signing on. Thank you and good night.

PS.- I've only got 14 years to retirement! How many 28 year olds can say that!

Rivetedude · 10-14-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheel interested

You don't happen to get seasick, do you?!

Naw...I did 6 years in the Navy from '95-'01. Should be ok.

wheel interested · 10-14-2005, 05:47 PM

We just went to Ludington and took the AS over to Manitowac Wisconsin and on and around some of the "lakes." Over our shoulder from the ferrry at the dock we saw this tucked away in the back of the parking lot. We were in the Navy.

Great Lakes IL,, Bainbridge MD, and Norfolk, Va, on shore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivetedude

Naw...I did 6 years in the Navy from '95-'01. Should be ok.

Rivetedude · 10-16-2005, 10:11 AM

Hey is that?.....What.....Yes!....It is!.....It's ME! (In a couple months)

Rivetedude · 10-19-2005, 12:09 PM

I leave for sure on January 5th. I drove all the way to Columbus (200 miles round trip @ 12 mpg) to learn January 5th...oh...and get a stack of papers to take home and sign. Jeez! They're killin' me!

Rivetedude · 11-16-2005, 10:52 AM

Just figured I'd give you folks an update. I went yesterday to MEPS and got inspected, detected, injected, infected, and neglected. Suprisingly enough, they found ME physically fit enough to join the Coast Guard! I passed my weight requirement litterally by a single pound!

My bride is sitting in a meeting as I speak with our realitor getting the numbers straight to list our house. If we get it sold right away, I may not have the luxury of Lumin' in Alivinum for very long as the title of this thread suggests.

Either way, the Knowns are that I'm going to Cape May, NJ on January 5th for a 4-week "Charm School" and I'm physically and mentally qualified to join the Coast Guard. The Unknowns are:

1. Am I getting E-5? Recruiter says everything looks great to retain E-5 but they may want me to take ET 'A' school anyway.

2. Where am I going after Joysey? Still don't have a clue on that one, but I should have 2 or 3 choices BEFORE I leave. I will chime in and let you know. If I'm in your area, I'll expect replies as to where the good spots are to camp while I seek a permanent domicile.

Thanks all!

wheel interested · 11-16-2005, 09:24 PM

They should be sending you out as an entertainer for the troops.

At least Santa will know what chimney to slide down to find you this year. Have some great holidays and do continue to keep us posted.

Oh...shouldn't you be changing your signature to "The Travelin' Salesman?"

pinkflamingoes · 11-17-2005, 03:43 AM

Lots of Coasties end up here in Alameda, CA drop a line if'n you're here I'll show you around town.

Stay safe!

ingrid

overlander63 · 11-17-2005, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivetedude

1. Am I getting E-5? Recruiter says everything looks great to retain E-5 but they may want me to take ET 'A' school anyway.

Thanks all!

For you landlubbers, and folks not familiar with ranks and pay grades, this would be a 2nd class petty officer, kindof the equivalent rank to a sertfgeant, IF I remember my ranks correctly.

Rivetedude · 11-17-2005, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overlander63

For you landlubbers, and folks not familiar with ranks and pay grades, this would be a 2nd class petty officer, kindof the equivalent rank to a sertfgeant, IF I remember my ranks correctly.

You are exactly right. More definitively, I'll be an ET2 which stands for Electronics Technician 2nd Class. In the Navy and CG, they put the job and rank together. And yes, Second Class Petty Officer is the same as Sergent in the MC or Army.

Rivetedude · 12-01-2005, 07:12 AM

My recruiter asked me for a "Dream Sheet" yesterday. Now for those of you not familiar with the military, a dream sheet is three choices of duty station. Maybe that's where you'll go...maybe not. Here's my choices:

Click image for larger version

Name: Duty Choice Map.GIF
Views: 129
Size: 67.8 KB
ID: 16774

Click to Enlarge. Desired areas are highlighted in black.

First choice includes anywhere in District 7 with the exception of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Second Choice includes anywhere in the North Carolina Sector of District 5.

Third Choice includes any Gulf Coast unit or station in District 8.

I left things pretty wide open. I sent that map along with a description to my recruiter. I told her to call and give me some feedback before she submits it. I'm just not that familiar with how the Coast Guard structures their territory, but they seem to be everywhere!

norbert · 12-01-2005, 08:32 AM

dream sheet? has anybody ever gotten what they wished for? haha.....i know i never did...get your kicks and ship for six....
norby

norbert · 12-01-2005, 08:45 AM

i had a shipmate that spent 14 years at NAS brunswick....he shipped over, and they gave him orders to the ol' tico....his nickname was cryin charlie....
norby

rseagle · 12-01-2005, 05:36 PM

My experience with dream sheets in the USAF was that you always got the opposite of what you wanted. If you tried to trick the personnel center with reverse psycology and picked what you didn't want, you always got those.

I don't know about the USCG. Maybe you won't get District 17!

Rivetedude · 12-02-2005, 06:08 AM

I thought I left it pretty wide open enough that surely there'd be something open. I mean let's face it, I picked the entire Gulf Coast and half of the Atlantic Coast. Yep, sounds like District 17 for sure!

norbert · 12-02-2005, 06:19 AM

im bettin on district 13...
norby

Rivetedude · 12-02-2005, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norbert

im bettin on district 13...
norby

Nooooo! Too glum and rainy there.

No offense intended to our members who reside there.

norbert · 12-02-2005, 07:13 AM

no hurricanes...just a tsunami every once in a while.....

dustyrhodes · 12-02-2005, 08:57 PM

Congratulation Petty Officer Ben. If you help the department of homeland security as much as your posts have helped me on my Airstream then the country is safe indeed.

Good luck on your dream assignment. I have no idea how that works. I am Army Reserve and we get no dreams, just shifted around with little or no notification. I was activated 15 months ago and told that I was going to Ft. Stewart, 2 days before I was to report my orders were changed to Redstone Arsenal.

The provider that I replaced with the rest of our soldiers from the facility that I work in are all safely back from their year long deployment to Iraq. I fully expect to be sent somewhere else until REFRAD. If only I had gotten my AS before I was activated. Although I have to say it has been a great project while not on duty.

Again Congrats and Good Luck,
MAJ Jennifer Rhodes