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 Servi

Get your Captain's License now! - Interview with CDR Wescott

Feb 9th, 2022 52m 21s

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

Annual Discussion with the BM Assignment Officers

Oct 11th, 2021 1h 38m

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 inf

OIC Review Board Reference Guide and Program Overview

Sep 3rd, 2021 1h 20m

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 ha

Interview with BMCM Kirk McKay, Ancient Keeper

Jul 18th, 2021 1h 3m

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

Nav Brief #2 - State of the Boatswain's Mate Rating

Dec 31st, 2020 49m 34s

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...

Unit Spotlight - Maritime Safety and Security Team Miami

Jul 20th, 2020 55m 20s

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

Parental Leave Program with BMCS Theresa Joyce

Jun 22nd, 2020 1h 3m

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 operationa

Roundtable discussion with the BM Assignment Officers

May 27th, 2020 1h 44m

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

Physical and emotional resilience during a pandemic with Dr. Jeff Holguin, PhD.

Apr 5th, 2020 52m 19s

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 t

All about the Master Chief Advancement Panel

Mar 16th, 2020 1h 34m

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 Charli

Interview with two BM Company Commanders

Mar 4th, 2020 1h 1m

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 d

Interview with BM2 Sydney Adams, CGC ESCANABA

Feb 4th, 2020 38m 45s

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 pers

What's it like being stationed in Sault Ste Marie, MI???

Jan 21st, 2020 48m 1s

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 penin

Enlisted Evaluation System with LCDR Vanden Heuvel, BM1 Dailey, and BMCS Silvoy

Dec 18th, 2019 1h 35m

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

Merchant Mariner Credentialing with CMC Ed Lewis

Nov 12th, 2019 1h 9m

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 marine

Interview with BM2 Kodi Curles, Surfman, National Motor Lifeboat School

Oct 16th, 2019 24m

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

A conversation about mental health with Dr. Jeff Holguin, PhD.

Oct 2nd, 2019 1h 34m

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 discussi

Interview with the BM Assignment Officers

Sep 8th, 2019 1h 20m

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:

Interview with the BM "A" School staff leadership

Sep 4th, 2019 42m 7s

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 discus

Nav Brief Episode 1 - Taking a Fix

Aug 11th, 2019 30m 16s

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

#5. Nav Brief Episode 1 - Taking a Fix

Aug 11th, 2019 30m 16s

Interview with BMCM Shawn Hoefling - Outgoing BM RFMC

Jul 23rd, 2019 53m 28s

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 s

Interview with BM2 Ben Lind - CG Elite Male Athlete of the Year

Jul 14th, 2019 49m 59s

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.

Interview with BM1 Nick McGowen - Facebook OIC Study Group

Jul 7th, 2019 44m 9s

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 cgbmrfm