USCG Alum

[MakoMike]

Dave,
We met at least year's RISAA show. We chatted for while, mainly about your participation on Noreast.com. You introduced me to Frank Blount. Ringing any bells?

[BobT]

Mr Waldrip I also salute you sir. But I would try hard to talk anyone into going aviation. I got such a fantastic high after lifting someone aboard the chopper after they had been in the water for hours or had been injured on a ship. Yes……the flying can get bad at times but it’s worth it. I just finished a book by Spike Walker called “Coming Back Alive”. I couldn’t put it down. If anyone has a chance to read it, you’ll see what the guard is all about. Again…….I salute you sir.

AE2

[relentless]

Bob,

Being one of those airdales you would love to read Nights of ice also by Spike and Working the Edge. I read all three and loved them. Being stationed in Kodiak it was great anchoring in the same little holes as boats int he book and fighting the same elements. Are you still in and are you at CC Air? Do you know Merin Holcome by chance, his wife and mune became good friends in Kodiak. Aviation is good but.... boy is that advancement list some long. There is not a bad rate out there as long as it is wht you want to do and go at it full tilt. We all work together well because without those helos flying my ass down to Cold Bay to fix a buoy in King Cove, it would have been 36 hours of steaming way each way vice the four sitting hunched up with my ATON gear. If you ever get a chance to go to the Rock do so and everyone here should read those books because they will not put them down.

Thanks and have a good night

Dave

[BobT]

Dave....haven't read them but I will now that I know about them. No...I'm not in. I was in from 1962-1967. Flew out of CGAS St. Pete. I think my next stop, if I stayed in, would have been Kodiak. It seamed that everyone who got transfered went there. My buddies that were killed were in an HU16-E. The 7240. I still have a picture of that bird hanging on my wall just to remember them. Yes.....we all worked together and stuck together. Promotion wasn't to bad when I was in. I was up for E6. All aviation was a "critical rate" back then. Good Luck....God Bless.... AND STAY SAFE.

[Navy Chief]

Dave

Active duty USN here. Just thought I throw my opinion in (as a good Chief Petty Officer always will), The Coast Guard is the real deal, War against Terror, War against Drugs, National Security, the whole thing.

The one thing that I would like to say is that if you are going to join one of the "sea services" then make it a personal commitment. Some people join as a way to pay for college or to get away from the folks, whatever. That is not the reason to join. The reason to join is "to be the best I can be and serve my country". The reason to join is that you love the sea.

Enlisted or commissioned the rule remains the same: Listen to your Chief and listen to your Warrants (Relentless). These are the guys that have done it. Become a MASTER MARINER.

2 more years and I'll be driving USS Kayak out of Cody, Wyoming. You, will be the one protecting and defending our coast. Make a difference! Stand the watch!! All engines ahead Flank!

Good luck, fair winds and following seas.


.

QMC(SW) Glenn H. Tillett, USN

[relentless]

Great to see another member of the mess in here. Great advice Chief and glad to see you in here.

Dave

[HighTide]

Damn straight, Chief