Welcome Aboard! A New Coast Guardsman’s First 24 Hours

DATE: September 29, 2005 11:50:41 AM PDT

Welcome Aboard!
A New Coast Guardsman’s First 24 Hours
By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathanael T. Miller
Naval Media Support Center Marianas

Aboard the USCGC Galveston Island (WPB-1349) - (24 Aug 2005) - During the 1980’s, the U.S. Navy’s recruiting slogan was “It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.” That phrase could easily describe the first 24 hours Coast Guard Fireman Colby Rhodd spent on board his first ship—the Guam based 110-foot cutter Galveston Island (WPB-1349). With the ship underway off the coast of Guam, the young man from Meriden, Kansas, was literally swept out to sea to spend his first-ever night on the ocean.

Rhodd arrived on board the Galveston Island after 8 p.m. on the 22nd of August, and quickly went to sleep following the long flight from the U.S. mainland (he said he slept “great” as the cutter rocked in the gentle swells that night). Rhodd was introduced to his shipmates during morning Quarters on August 23rd by the cutter’s Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Lt. Jerry Dubay. To “make [him] a part of the crew,” Dubay presented Rhodd with a ship’s ball cap and T-shirt. Rhodd’s training began immediately following breakfast.

At 9 a.m., after having Rhodd aboard only 13 hours, Chief Petty Officer Alaun Buckely took the new crewman into the ship’s engine room. Wearing hearing protection against the noise of the Galveston Island’s powerful diesels, Chief Buckley soon had Rhodd bending low around the roaring engines, checking oil levels. “I don’t think you can really judge a person before the first 72 hours are up,” Buckley said of his newest ‘Coastie.’ “But my first impression is pretty good. He’s eager. Seems to want to learn.” Rhodd said he was having fun.

Fifteen hours into his first day Rhodd was on deck training to hoist the “G.I.’s” small RHIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat) back onto the cutter’s fantail. The RHIB is hoisted by a hydraulic crane mounted on the Galveston Island’s stern quarter, and must be steadied by several lines to ensure it does not swing out of control. Decked out in the required life jacket and hardhat, Rhodd’s shipmates began teaching their new guy the proper safety techniques for handling the lines as the RHIB was lifted from the Philippine Sea.

Eighteen hours since arriving—about 2 p.m.—Rhodd found himself dressed in “flash gear”—protective clothing worn while operating shipboard fire arms. Gunnery training was being led by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse Gitchel. While going over the gun’s operation, Gitchel explained various safety procedures to be followed in the event the weapon malfunctioned. “You don’t

do it this way, and somebody’s going to die,” Gitchel repeated frequently to Rhodd. Although he had difficulty hitting the target, Rhodd did not feel badly about his shooting. “I’m just listening up, trying to learn as much as I can,” He said. Gitchel rotated the entire crew of Galveston Island through the .50 caliber training, which took a few hours. Rhodd took the extra time to stay with Gitchel and keep studying the gun’s operation and the various misfire procedures that were practiced.

After the gunnery training, Rhodd had few minutes to catch his breath and talk about how he ended up on board the Galveston Island. “I didn’t get interested in a sea service until high school, but I always knew I’d end up in the military. I just didn’t know which branch,” Rhodd said. However, once in high school, Rhodd made his decision early on. “I saw a commercial about the Coast Guard. I called up a recruiter the next day and set up everything. I’ve had all the paperwork set up since I was 16, just waiting to turn 18 and go.”

At 7 p.m, with only an hour left to go until his first 24 hours on the cutter were up, Rhodd sat down to dinner. “So far everything’s going really good,” Rhodd said, smiling. He said he found the day’s level of activity surprisingly intense, but “everybody’s really nice, making me feel welcome.” Thinking over his first day, Rhodd said that his favorite part had been “the gun,” and that he was “excited to be a part of the crew.” For Fireman Colby Rhodd, life on the CGC Galveston Island should indeed be an exciting adventure.

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