Course Made Good

We're back!!!!!! Welcome to the relaunch of the Course Made Good podcast! I couldn't stay away any longer and can't wait to bring you sea stories, news, and interviews about the work of the Office of Cutter Forces (CG-751) and cuttermen throughout the fleet.  In this episode, I sit down with the Gold and Silver Ancient Mariners, CDR Scott Stiker and BMCM Mike Burch, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the issuance of the cutterman insignia. We talked about what that insignia has meant to them throughout their long and storied Coast Guard careers and what advice they have for those currently serving afloat or considering sea duty for their next assignment.  We close the episode with their keynote presentations during the 8 Bells event at CG Headquarters commemorating the 50th anniversary. I hope you enjoy it! Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Have you ever wanted to obtain your merchant mariner credential (captain's license) but found the process too confusing or too expensive? Perhaps you've been frustrated because your coxswain or underway officer of the deck certifications didn't bolster your application? Then you'll be happy to learn that all of that has changed!  In this interview with CDR Jen Wescott of the Military to Mariner project office you'll learn just how easy it now is to qualify for and obtain your credential. 

I think it's time we had a chat. An open and honest discussion about issues affecting morale and job satisfaction in the BM rating. With nearly 300 vacant billets and retention rates reaching historic lows, we must look ourselves, and our Service, in the face and address the factors driving BMs out of the rating and influencing qualified candidates to seek out others.  There is no better person to have this conversation with than LT Eddie Oropeza from the Office of Boat Forces. From his experience as a BMCS OIC to BOSN CO, and now a Lieutenant at CG-731, he's precisely who we need alongside us in this effort and is behind many of the solutions that you'll learn about in this episode.  Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Join me as I sit down for what has become an annual tradition - a discussion about assignments with the BM Assignment Officers! BOSN Tessier and BOSN Laufenberg get right down to business by giving us all of the information we need to make informed career decisions and set ourselves up for a successful PCS transfer. Whether you're transferring this year or not, there is something for you in this episode. This is especially true for anyone assigned to a leadership role (uh, like all BMs!). Those under our charge deserve the best advice we can give and that means we must keep up to date ourselves. I hope you enjoy the discussion and learn something new! Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

All about the Officer in Charge Review Boards! This episode contains audio from a Facebook live presentation to the FB OIC Study Group on 26AUG21. Join me as I present the new OIC Review Board Coordinator Reference Guide and discuss how this handbook will ensure the boards are conducted more uniformly across our Service. I also talk about the process in general and go over some keys to success if you're about to sit before the board! Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

In this episode we sit down for a chat with BMCM Kirk McKay as he closes out a remarkable thirty year career as a surfman. Master Chief McKay served four times as an officer in charge and held the distinction as the Joshua James Ancient Keeper in his final tour. Join in as BMC Kevin Pryer, XPO of CG Station Grand Haven, draws out some words of wisdom and advice from a true Coast Guard legend as he looks back at three decades of service as a Boatswain's Mate. Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

We close out 2020 with podcast #20, Nav Brief #2 - State of the BM rating. There are so many things to pass to you that have happened over the past several months; bonuses, RPQ changes, SWE impacts, retention, U/W OOD competency requirements....it's all in this episode. I could've spent an hour on each of these topics but I've packed as much info into this one that I possibly could. Happy New Year and I hope you find this episode informative and useful! Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Every so often an interaction with my fellow Boatswain's Mates leaves me so inspired I wish I could start my whole career over again. This was one of those conversations; and one I needed to hear to remind me that even though we find ourselves in uncertain times, BMs are still underway completing the mission and leading the next generation in the pursuit of their craft.  In this episode I had the privilege of speaking with BMC Lorenzo Ladaga, BM1 Shawn McLaughlin, and BM1 Miguel Torres, all from Maritime Safety and Security Team Miami 91114. We discussed the fast pace nature of their work, common misconceptions about career implications from a DSF tour, and how MSST Miami has fostered a positive climate where everyone can excel. Chief Ladaga and I even got to settle a twenty year old grudge that we didn't even know we had!  I hope you enjoy this one because I sure did. My hat is off to these guys and I applaud them for all of their hard work and dedication. Enjoy! Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Join me as I sit down with BMCS Theresa Joyce of Personnel Service Center to discuss the Parental Leave Program. This program ensures our shipmates can focus on the care of a newborn or adopted child while enabling the unit to remain operationally effective in their absence. We discuss how the Coast Guard Reserve bridges these gaps for us and the outstanding value our reservists bring in general. BMs are in the leadership business and a working knowledge of programs such as these makes us more effective in that art. I hope this episode is enjoyable and informative!  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

I recently met with BOSN Seymour and BOSN Brown from the BM assignment shop for a recap of AY20 and a look ahead at AY21. We then had a wide ranging discussion on how assignment decisions are made, and our joint approach to advising BMs on how to get the most out of their careers. We also discuss career diversity, women afloat, RPQs, and even touch on efforts to increase retention. If you're looking for a way to advance your career, we have done our best to bring you information that will be of value.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Dr. Jeff Holguin, PhD. takes a quick break from his work as the Operational Fire Psychology Director for Lacey Fire District in Washington State to talk with us about how Coast Guardsmen can maintain their emotional and physical health during the current crisis. Dr. Holguin's previous chat with us on the podcast remains the most downloaded and discussed episode yet. I'm sure this one will prove equally valuable.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

The Master Chief Advancement Panel represents the most significant revision to our enlisted advancement processes in decades. In this episode I sit down for a long form discussion about how and why this initiative was undertaken with CMC Charlie Salls and CMC Ed Lewis. We are even joined at the end by the D-MCPOCG, CMC Rob Bushey, who gives us a candid assessment from the perspective of senior leadership. Fair warning - there is a lot of information in here!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a Company Commander at Training Center Cape May? We go behind the scenes with two of the best! BM1 Doug Curry and BM2 Joscelyn Greenwell give us an in depth look at what the job entails and just how difficult the qualification process can be. We also hear from BOSN Sean Stone, EPM-2, when he joins us to discuss the application process.  BMs bring a unique set of qualifications to any position, and these two have found a perfect fit for their skills in developing the next generation of Coast Guardsmen. I hope you enjoy it! Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

How does a BM2 get certified as an underway officer of the deck on a 270' WMEC? Listen in on my conversation with BM2 Adams to find out! We discuss life aboard the cutter, her focused approach to pursuing her qualifications, and the unique perspective she brings as a female to her position. She also opened up about the challenges of being married to another active duty member and the role that BMCM Diane Bucci (ret) has played as a mentor in her career. It's highly unlikely that you'll ever meet anyone as determined as BM2 Adams and I'm sure you'll enjoy this episode! Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Orders to D9?!? How do I explain this to my spouse? What's there to do for single folks? Will I have to live in an igloo? In this episode, we answer these questions and more as I sit down with four Boatswain's Mates stationed in the upper peninsula of Michigan - in a little town known as "Da Soo".  I recently visited Sault Ste Marie and had a chance to meet Boatswain's Mates from KATMAI BAY, BUCKTHORN, Station Sault Ste Marie, and ANT Sault Ste Marie. What I learned my surprise you and perhaps even change your opinion on what it's like to be stationed here.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Ever wondered what you're supposed to be writing in the future potential block? Why are there character limits? And why can't we use gender pronouns anymore?!? We discuss all these topics and more in an info-packed episode with the chief of EPM-3, LCDR Justin Vanden Heuvel (prior BMC/BOSN), BM1 Garrett Dailey, and BMCS Eric Silvoy.   The Enlisted Evaluations System has recently seen the biggest revision in decades, and the quality of the content has never been more important. Don't miss this one! Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

This episode we are joined by CMC Ed Lewis, the Command Master Chief for the Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, for a high-level discussion on what's behind the effort to provide increased access for military members seeking merchant mariner credentials; otherwise known as "captain's licenses".  If you've ever wondered why boatswain's mates don't automatically earn a credential based on the nature of our work and level of training, you'll definitely want to give this one a listen!  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

In this episode we are joined by our newest surfman, BM2 Kodi Curles, an instructor at the National Motor Lifeboat School. Listen in as she talks about what takes to certify at this elite level and offers advice for those that wish to follow in her wake.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

I am joined in this episode by Dr. Jeff Holguin, PhD; a clinical psychologist and former Coast Guardsman for a far-reaching conversation about mental health, stress, suicide, leadership, and a host of other topics.  This is a long form discussion that I hope will give you reason to examine your own lifestyle and leadership, and to better recognize signs of distress in members of our Coast Guard family.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

The episode you've been waiting for is here! This week I sat down with BOSN Stone and BOSN Radakovich to get answers to many of your questions and talk about how to get the most out of each stop in your career. We cover tons of ground in here: E-resumes, qualifications, specialization, special needs, co-locations, warrant vs. senior/master chief, screening panels, and much more. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for our longest and most anticipated show yet! Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

In this episode we are on location at Boat Forces and Cutter Operations at CG Training Center Yorktown, VA. I am joined by the BM "A" School Chief, BMCS Joe D'Amelio and the assistant BFCO branch chief, LCDR Todd Hartfiel.  Join us as we discuss all things BM "A" School and break some news about a brand new "A" School course that will be offered to those holding a boat crewmember certification.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Join me as we throttle back and discuss some of the very important issues faces our rating. In the first installment of the Nav Brief series, we take a fix, determine our position, and chart a new course together as the world's best navigators and operators.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Listen in as BMCM Hoefling and I talk about our relief week and the lessons he's learned over an outstanding five year run as the Boatswain's Mate Rating Force Master Chief. We candidly talk about the status of our rating and answer questions submitted by the listeners.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Join me as I talk with BM2 Lind about his amazing accomplishments and the importance of physical fitness in our line of work. We discuss how to start your own program, as well as the common mistakes made by those looking to better their health.  Submit show show suggestions to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers nor the United States Coast Guard.

Join me as I talk with BM1 Nick McGowen about the OIC Study Group he and BM1 Garrett Dailey created on Facebook and learn how it may revolutionize the way senior BMs prepare for the review board.  Submit show suggestions and comments to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers or the United States Coast Guard.

In the first episode of Course Made Good, join me, the incoming Boatswain's Mate Rating Force Master Chief, BMCM Michael Ellis, to discuss how my career led me to this position and why I believe a podcast focused on the BM rating will benefit us all.  Submit show suggestions and comments to cgbmrfmc@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during the Course Made Good podcast series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not represent those of the United States Coast Guard or any other government agency.  The primary purpose of this podcast series is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute official policy guidance from the speakers or the United States Coast Guard.