I went into work the other day for duty, another mundane day of cleaning horrible looking guns, scrubbing ammo, and spending 6 hours on the bridge listening to people babbling in Arabic. I logged onto the computer and opened up my email and paused for what seemed like 30 seconds. It was an email from the US Coast Guard Dive Program manager himself! My heart raced and I opened it up not really sure what to expect. In so many words the man, the big cheese said that he heard I was interested in the dive program and if I wanted it I needed to get him a dive package ASAP. I leaned back in the seat I was in and basked in sweet sweet succulent victory. I was not only given an opportunity to get into the dive program, but by the program manager… amazing. Since I’ve received the email I’ve set up my physical fitness test for tomorrow at 4, and have myself penciled in for my physical when we get back from this impending patrol. Between the ability to get down to San Diego with PACTACLET (pacific tactical law enforcement team) and what may come with the dive opportunity I’m practically floored. Now I don’t want to speculate on the subject, but if the program manager (Chief Roy) can get me into the program like that just happened… who knows… I might pass school and end up working with my good friend Matt in San Diego at the CG Dive Locker West instead of PACTACLET before it’s all said and done. It’s about time my karma made it full circle back to me. I’ve wanted this for so long and now it’s fallen at my feet, there’s no way that I will fail out of this program, I have far to much heart to lose.
Just call me ‘Mudpup’.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Coast Guard, Dive Locker, Diving, TACLET, Tactical law enforcement team
The crew has had enough, and it finally came to a head. Our commanding officer is now under a full fledged Coast Guard investigation for things that have happened onboard our ship. Upon reaching the pier in Bahrain we were met by the executive officer of Patrol Forces South West Asia. He told us that the investigation will be taking priority over our duties, and if necessary keep us in port until this problem is solved. I’m not going to say what I’ve said, what my statements entailed for professionalisms sake. I am however relieved that this has finally been set in motion to be resolved and that there’s hope for a better work environment onboard our ship, the crew certainly deserves it.
I received an email from my dear friend Matt the other day. He’s back from the far east from doing some Coast Guard business over there for three months, quite an adventure. He mentioned that a few people are failing out of not only SCUBA, but 2C as well for “stupid shit” and that my opportunity to get involved in the program may be looking better. Now I’m not holding my breath, but with two of my friends at the unit and it being such a small community, I have a lot more faith in my success. I called my detailer (an officer in charge of my next assignment) and left a brief message discussing my willingness, capability, and desire to get to the dive locker and requested that he email me at his convenience. If this doesn’t pan out, I’ll have to look at my picks I have as a Gunnersmate second class anywhere close to San Diego. Looks like my best bet for a job I’ll enjoy will be Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team or PACTACLET. I’ve already achieved all the pre-requisites to fully integrate into a detachment with minor growing pains. Who knows, maybe after I get back up to speed on my boarding officer knowledge and whatnot they’ll send me to dive school. Lots of opportunities, and I have a lot of good people in my corner. There still may be hope yet.
Between the investigation and my worklist, it’s going to be a busy in port. Thankfully we had the last two days off to sit back and relax. I actually had the time and energy to dedicate about an hour and some change at the gym which left my chest sore… always a good feeling. With the dedication and know how that I have in the gym now, I sure wish that my job didn’t involve being super busy and underway. I just imagine if I was shore side support… man… I wouldn’t even have a neck.
I think I’m at the curve now where I’m starting to get “pings” if you will of missing home. I’m nearly 5 months in and being away from home in the states never really bothered me, but over here in a totally different world makes all the difference. I miss green things, bars, hiking/ trail running, my friends and family, and quite frankly sitting on my butt playing a shoot em’ up video game with a friend.
The movie collection is growing and growing, bordering on spiraling out of control. My life will be over if dvd switches to something else, blue ray excluded, I’m not conforming to that just yet.
I’m working a lot harder at controlling my temper and being more optimistic about life in general. I know it’s not that bad, even if I say it’s not, it just makes it a lot easier to believe it when you’re surrounded by good friends instead of jackasses on a boat who don’t know when to say when with booze, or make bs excuses for their childlike behavior making the boat look bad. For that reason among so many others is why I choose to strive to work with professionals (CG Dive Locker West). Every time I entertain the idea of Matt, Pickle, and I working together again it just makes me smile because I know they won’t let me down. Trust… it’s all about trust.
