Started my USCG career in 1980 - 1987. (Bootcamp in Alameda Ca). Everybody did law enforcement back then...I was an EM and I was sent to Modesto Ca, Police Academy for all my law enforcement training. Alot has changed in the 44 yrs since I started my career, but the C.G. was my stepping stone to a great law enforcement career as a police officer and eventually to the U.S. Justice Dept ⚖ ...retired in 2012 - Semper Paratus.
It sounds like you had a great career and congratulations on retiring. We are trying to reach out to today’s youth that don’t know what to do or where to go, and show them that any military especially the CG can give them a direction. I don’t regret one day of my career.
Thank you for your personal insights Chief Poklemba. As a retired USCG CWO Bosun I can say that the Boatswain Mate rate was terrific. The CG provided plenty of opportunities for growth and responsibility during my 20 years. As a BM1 I served as Officer in Charge of two small CG stations and served as CO of a 35 person search and rescue station as a CWO. One of the differences in the different military branches, I've always professed, is that the Coasties are always putting into day to day use the training that they have learned. The other military branches are always traning for something that they hope never happens (war & global conflict). Any career be it civilian or military has its good points and bad points. Semper Paratus!
Thank you for dedicating your time to the Coast Guard. The USCG has received assistance in many different ways throughout it’s history and the CG Auxiliary has been a huge asset. I hope it feels your call to serve and thank you again for your time. Semper Paratus!
A rare sight indeed to see a BMC go that long without a Coffee Cup in his hand. Hotel 139, BMC WILKINSON. CC Alameda, Ca 13th District Station Depoe Bay Heavy Weather SAR MLB 36535 (last one) MLB 44407 SRB. 30616 Semper Paratus Chief, JK about the Coffee Cup Crack.
🔴🦅🇺🇸🦅 Semper Paratus Semper Fidelis Thank U 4 serving in the Coast Guard and protecting our shores ‼️ David Staudohar USMC USN SS USCG ret ‼️ American Patriot ♦️♦️♦️‼️
Holy crap Sir! It looks like you have done it all, so thank you for your service to our country! Keep watching, I plan to conduct more interviews with many different rates in today’s CG.
My dad was USCG '46 - 49! every August 4th we raised the flag! Edit: going in 1946, He had prior experience (my grandfathers pharmacy) working with Penicillin G. so my dad (despite knowing he was mustering out) he took his test He made Chief pharmacist mate by 1949. but left for pharmacy school. *interesting side note...he fully intended on signing up for the reserves but the desk was vacant and he had a train to catch. The Korean war broke out 8 months later and corpsman like him would have been the first called up! Semper Paratis!
I got a kick when they mentioned that they were in Auke Bay. I was stationed at D17 from 1982-84 when I separated out. My Alaska service included the buoy tender out of Sitka, and before then, a buoy tender out of Los Angeles. My biggest mistake was going the quartermaster rate. If I had gone boatswain, I would probably have done 20-30 years. Don't get me wrong, I've had a rewarding civilian career, but I often think of what-if's if I had gone boatswain.
Thanks for watching The Coast Guard Lifestyle, of course BM takes second row to MST but we don't hold it against them! take care and stay safe out there. Thank you for your Service.
Although I didn't stay in (I did my 4 & got out) became a Paramedic (10 years), then ER RN (20 years). Many life lessons learned in the CG, many of which I didn't even realize where they came from until later when I thought about it. Some came in handy dealing with an ER manager who was a former Army nurse, retired Major. (If you've ever seen a BMC correct an officer then you know how it went 😂)
I was never stationed in Alaska and really didn't have any desire to go but I was stationed with several guys that had been stationed there either on buoy tenders or air stations and all said they would go back despite the challenges from the cold and heavy weather. I did consider putting in for the ice breaker Poler Star when it was commissioned after hearing how much the others liked Alaska but I had some hiccups of my own.
Thanks for watching The Coast Guard Lifestyle. I learned a saying a long time ago and it still rings true with me even though my wife and I will be retiring in the lower 48 but hopefully still have a cabin in Alaska. The saying is “the worst place in Alaska is still better than the best place in the lower 48”, that is a true statement for many of us, it is a pretty amazing place to live.
Both have positions suited for construction. The USCG has Damage Controllmen, which do an array of jobs with carpentry, welding, plumbing, and also are the primary Ship damage control experts. (Fire, flooding, ect.) If you would like, I can put you in touch with one. I can't speak directly on Navy CBs, as I've only witnessed their work on occasion, but I've always had a huge respect for them. A Navy recruiter would definitely have more information regarding them.
Nice to see a fellow Ohioan. I'm gonna speak to the recruiter coming February
Started my USCG career in 1980 - 1987. (Bootcamp in Alameda Ca). Everybody did law enforcement back then...I was an EM and I was sent to Modesto Ca, Police Academy for all my law enforcement training. Alot has changed in the 44 yrs since I started my career, but the C.G. was my stepping stone to a great law enforcement career as a police officer and eventually to the U.S. Justice Dept ⚖ ...retired in 2012 - Semper Paratus.
It sounds like you had a great career and congratulations on retiring. We are trying to reach out to today’s youth that don’t know what to do or where to go, and show them that any military especially the CG can give them a direction. I don’t regret one day of my career.
Thank you for your personal insights Chief Poklemba. As a retired USCG CWO Bosun I can say that the Boatswain Mate rate was terrific. The CG provided plenty of opportunities for growth and responsibility during my 20 years. As a BM1 I served as Officer in Charge of two small CG stations and served as CO of a 35 person search and rescue station as a CWO. One of the differences in the different military branches, I've always professed, is that the Coasties are always putting into day to day use the training that they have learned. The other military branches are always traning for something that they hope never happens (war & global conflict). Any career be it civilian or military has its good points and bad points. Semper Paratus!
Thank you for taking the time to watch The Coast Guard Lifestyle! Take care and stay safe. Thank you for your service.
Great interview Chief....you explained the CG from my perspective in every way. From family to education to opportunities. Jamie Minish, CWO Ret. USCG
This was really cool. I was in 1989-1997 and came out as a BM2. Thanks for posting. Semper Paratus.
Thank you for your service! I signed up for Auxiliary, hope they accept me.
Thank you for dedicating your time to the Coast Guard. The USCG has received assistance in many different ways throughout it’s history and the CG Auxiliary has been a huge asset. I hope it feels your call to serve and thank you again for your time. Semper Paratus!
A rare sight indeed to see a BMC go that long without a Coffee Cup in his hand.
Hotel 139, BMC WILKINSON. CC
Alameda, Ca
13th District
Station Depoe Bay
Heavy Weather SAR
MLB 36535 (last one)
MLB 44407
SRB. 30616
Semper Paratus Chief, JK about the Coffee Cup Crack.
🔴🦅🇺🇸🦅 Semper Paratus Semper Fidelis Thank U 4 serving in the Coast Guard and protecting our shores ‼️ David Staudohar USMC USN SS USCG ret ‼️ American Patriot ♦️♦️♦️‼️
Holy crap Sir! It looks like you have done it all, so thank you for your service to our country! Keep watching, I plan to conduct more interviews with many different rates in today’s CG.
Great interview I don’t Evan know how I ended up watching but I’m glad I did
My dad was USCG '46 - 49! every August 4th we raised the flag!
Edit: going in 1946, He had prior experience (my grandfathers pharmacy) working with Penicillin G. so my dad (despite knowing he was mustering out) he took his test He made Chief pharmacist mate by 1949. but left for pharmacy school. *interesting side note...he fully intended on signing up for the reserves but the desk was vacant and he had a train to catch. The Korean war broke out 8 months later and corpsman like him would have been the first called up! Semper Paratis!
Props for the Green Bay Packers banner.
I got a kick when they mentioned that they were in Auke Bay. I was stationed at D17 from 1982-84 when I separated out. My Alaska service included the buoy tender out of Sitka, and before then, a buoy tender out of Los Angeles. My biggest mistake was going the quartermaster rate. If I had gone boatswain, I would probably have done 20-30 years. Don't get me wrong, I've had a rewarding civilian career, but I often think of what-if's if I had gone boatswain.
Thanks for watching The Coast Guard Lifestyle, of course BM takes second row to MST but we don't hold it against them! take care and stay safe out there. Thank you for your Service.
Big difference in the experience of different ratings , thank you for serving our country ❤️❤️🇺🇸♦️♦️♦️‼️
Although I didn't stay in (I did my 4 & got out) became a Paramedic (10 years), then ER RN (20 years). Many life lessons learned in the CG, many of which I didn't even realize where they came from until later when I thought about it. Some came in handy dealing with an ER manager who was a former Army nurse, retired Major. (If you've ever seen a BMC correct an officer then you know how it went 😂)
I was never stationed in Alaska and really didn't have any desire to go but I was stationed with several guys that had been stationed there either on buoy tenders or air stations and all said they would go back despite the challenges from the cold and heavy weather. I did consider putting in for the ice breaker Poler Star when it was commissioned after hearing how much the others liked Alaska but I had some hiccups of my own.
Thanks for watching The Coast Guard Lifestyle. I learned a saying a long time ago and it still rings true with me even though my wife and I will be retiring in the lower 48 but hopefully still have a cabin in Alaska. The saying is “the worst place in Alaska is still better than the best place in the lower 48”, that is a true statement for many of us, it is a pretty amazing place to live.
Go Pack Go !
I was in Juneau 17-19. You work with Chief Sponanable?
I work in construction should I join. the navy seabees or coast guard?
Both have positions suited for construction. The USCG has Damage Controllmen, which do an array of jobs with carpentry, welding, plumbing, and also are the primary Ship damage control experts. (Fire, flooding, ect.) If you would like, I can put you in touch with one. I can't speak directly on Navy CBs, as I've only witnessed their work on occasion, but I've always had a huge respect for them. A Navy recruiter would definitely have more information regarding them.
@Nicholas Poklemba I'm leaning towards the navy because i think the coast guard damage control only works on boats?
@Nicholas Poklemba yes I would like to talk to a damage Controlman
I recall recruits wearing red boxing gloves in the galley at Cape May. Why on earth do Company Commanders now wear State Police uniforms?