Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/386902
Underway with a Boston Vessel Boarding Security Team As the first city to create a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve unit, Boston has been headquarters to the rich tradition of protecting the waters of New England. From Joshua James and Ida Lewis to the over 4,500 shipmates who protect the waters today, the 1st District and Boston have always held great pride in their mission. A prime example of this was on display with a Reserve Vessel Boarding Security Team (VBST) who got underway in Boston Harbor June 21. This group is charged, in part, with ensuring the safety of our ports and waterways. That's no small task. Boston is one of the principal ports on the east coast and historically has led to the growth of the region through both commerce and immigration. According to Massport in 2013 alone, the port of Boston processed over 11 million metric tons of cargo, 52,000 vehicles, 380,000 cruise passengers and countless recreational boats. "Experience breeds calm," said Chief Petty Officer Stephen Gregorczyk, a maritime enforcement specialist (MEC) who is employed as a full time Massachusetts State Police officer. "We have corrections officers, state troopers, police officers and environmental police on our team. That civilian experience plays a big part in our ability to build a plan and work as a team." Gregorcyzk through his contacts secured a state police boat for the patrol and teamed up with fellow reservists MEC Sean Roberts, MECS Matthew McClintock, and ME2 Benjamin Hendricks for the patrol. This resourcefulness gives the Reserve team a chance to get underway and approach a variety of vessels, conduct safety checks, look for obstructions in the water, monitor suspicious activity, or just talk with the locals in an effort to get to know the people they serve better. Through recreational and commercial vessel boardings, terrorism training, environmental protection and law enforcement, these individuals illustrate the Coast Guard's commitment to the people of Boston with tenacity and dedication. Having a clear approach that isn't clouded by emotion in an operational unit is key to its success. Whether faced with a tragedy like the Marathon bombings in April 2013, conducting safety checks on a liquid natural gas container ship or simply interacting with locals, it is imperative that they maintain a professional demeanor. However, a team doesn't just acquire these skills without effort. Like every other part of the Coast Guard, the Reserve VBST has training to fulfill and challenges to overcome. To accomplish their mission, the VBST has taken a highly structured approach that ensures every member of the team is not just qualified, but ready to deploy seamlessly with their active duty counterparts. Close contact with the active duty side is of primary importance. "Communication between the two groups enables one hand to know what the other is doing," said Roberts. Members who are new to the team will find a three-tiered training plan that helps new personnel navigate their way through qualifications and provides seasoned team members with the ability to take on more responsibility including training their shipmates. The plan ensures each team member, no matter what their experience or rank, has a defined path towards advancement and an active role in helping shipmates attain their career goals. Training is further broken into seasons. The weather in Boston can be volatile October through April so the team focuses on qualifications such as use of force, firearms training and policy and procedure. With clearer skies comes the opportunity to get underway, according to Roberts. The resourcefulness and the ability to pull from civilian experience ensures that reservists are training in real life situations, not just on paper. Between January and June 2014, the Reserve and active duty VBST boarded over 400 recreational and commercial vessels. But their impact reaches further than just the boats they inspect. Boardings act as a force multiplier. For every boat or ship that's boarded there are people who will hear about it, see it or talk about it. Roberts explained that visibility alone lets the public know that the Coast Guard is always looking out for their best interest. The VBST is a team who are dedicated to fulfill the demands of both their civilian and Coast Guard jobs. To them, the Reserve isn't a one weekend a month, two weeks a year job. "But it works both ways," said Gregorczyk. "Our civilian training helps us do our Coast Guard job but the Coast Guard training also helps us be better at our civilian jobs." — Story and photo by PA2 Jennifer Robertson, 1st District Public Affairs Vessel Boarding Security Team Senior Chief Matthew McClintock supervises Chief Sean Roberts and Petty offcer 2nd Class Benjamin Hendricks as they inspect a recreational boat in Boston Harbor. 20 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2014