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
at the base chapel. Many questions were asked of him and he was able to answer them all without hesitation. He also was instrumental in facilitating my thirty-year waiver requests (three in all) insuring that my waiver requests received prompt attention. The Coast Guard may take justifiable pride in producing such fine officers as Captain Nye. He is a true gentleman and I wish him well in his retirement. — CWO4 James T. Gorton, USCGR (ret) To the Editor: Just a note to let you know that I enjoy your magazine and read it from cover to cover each time I receive it. I also want to thank you and your staff for including the Commandant's Retiree Council flyer in Volume LXI Issue 1, 2014. It's a great tool for recruitment and I know for a fact that it's being used Coast Guard wide. I recently had many copies available at the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association Convention in Norfolk, Va. One other thing, on page seven of this latest edition you have a picture of CGRFMC Eric Johnson Deckplate Soundings but the caption say's its Master Chief Allen. Thank You. Keep up the great work that you and your staff do. Yours in Service, — BMCS Jack Crowley USCG (ret.) To the Editor: As an avid reader and occasional contributor to the Reservist magazine, I'd like to take this time to pass along some of my thoughts regarding the wearing of our uniform. First, let's review some of the Coast Guard Uniform Regulations, CIM 1020.6 (series), which defines the composition of authorized uniforms and appearance standards. As outlined in the manual, "Coast Guard uniforms are distinctive visual evidence of the authority and responsibility vested in their wearer by the United States, and that Coast Guard personnel must present a proud, professional, and consistent appearance that will reflect positively on the individual, the Coast Guard, and the United States." The regulations also state, "that all personnel serve as a positive example (a mentor) for the proper wearing of Coast Guard uniforms and that exemplary military appearance should be the norm for uniformed personnel." It is this later portion of the discussion that peaks my interest and hits home with me after serving for more than 25 years in two different services, both as an enlisted person and as an officer. When I reported to US Air Force boot camp San Antonio, Texas, in January of 1986, it was a cold, dark evening but that didn't stop the Training Instructors (TI's) from quickly moving into my personal space and calling me out on numerous flaws, including an improperly buttoned shirt, poor grooming standards, and an overall horrible appearance. In October of 1992, it was déjà vu all over again when I reported to Officer Candidate School (OCS) at then, Reserve Training Center Yorktown. I was a little older and more experienced in wearing a uniform, but nonetheless my appearance was not pleasing to the officers receiving me that morning. Similar to the age-old analogy that a home is as only as good as the foundation upon which it was built, I credit my six years enlisted service as setting the stage (foundation) for the rest of my career with regards to the personal pride and high standards I place on wearing "blue." Aside from the Coast Guard regulations that govern the proper wearing of the uniform, I contend that to continuously set the example and wear the uniform as it is intended requires an added effort and dedication on the part of the member. Sure, you can meet the minimum standards of wearing the uniform and be in compliance with the regulations (right out of the bag or box the blouse or shoes came in), but the added effort of a prideful shipmate who takes the uniform to the next level is obvious. I remember reading a Navy Times article (circa 2000) highlighting senior enlisted careers. One of the chiefs interviewed in the article commented that (and I paraphrase), "half of your day is already done, if you simply get to work on time and look good in uniform." That comment stuck with me, and I have routinely used it to advise not only my daughter, (soon to be OS2 Roxane Sheffield!) but shipmates I have had the honor to serve with. Something else that has firmly stuck with me from my enlisted years is the culture that I experienced while serving in the Air Force. Back-in-the-day, uniform guidance for the Air Force was outlined in AF Regulations 35-10. No matter the rank, location, or time of day, it was not uncommon for members to respectfully challenge each other – whether in line at the chow hall (that's what we call a "galley") or working on the tarmac – if someone had deviated from the proper wearing of the uniform. The common phrase would be, "you are out of 35-10; your boots need a shine, straighten your gig line, or put your hat on!" Each day we would stand in formation inside the B-52 aircraft hangar for personnel inspection and receive the plan-of-the-day. Now, the inverse of that is being assigned to a unit (present command excluded) that conducts few PI's or perhaps forgoes PI's altogether and instead leaves the "PI's" up to the senior enlisted and officers to "informally" conduct. While this has caused some angst from time-to-time – when having to call someone out on a wayward uniform in front of their peers, or attempt to nonverbally convey concerns by a long stare or raised brow – the formalities and embedded practices garnered from PI's cannot be discounted; but I digress. I am a very proud Coastie, but I did want to convey a service culture that I have maintained which has personally helped me preserve a keen awareness of how I present myself in uniform and how others do the same. My initial enlisted indoctrination (if you will), combined with my training and experiences in the Coast Guard has ensured my uniform not only meets the regulations but is worn with pride and respect. In closing, the intent of my article was to simply highlight the fact that it takes effort day-in and day-out to ensure we are representing the US Coast Guard, and that meeting minimum standards is just that. Being in compliance is acceptable, but with an added bit of muscle power and effort we can bubble to the surface, shine (pun intended) and serve as a mentor. Please remember, YOU are what's in a uniform! — Cmdr. Andy Sheffield, USCGR Continued on page 50 �