Shout out to all MKs

[JBjunior]

Just trying to see how many MKs we have here. Welcome all, hopefully we can get some good knowledge being shared.

[cuttercoasty]

Howdy. 
MK1 here. 
getting tired of the BS at the other site, need to stop by here more often.

[JBjunior]

MK1 here also. I agree the other site is a waste of time mostly. Glad to see another MK here.

[OFFSHORE DIESEL]

Hey, how you dooin?
Do Y'all let Enginemen stop by here? I saw a Coastie wearing a T-shirt that said "Machinery Killer" and I figured you guys, and ladies, might be OK.   

I could tell you sea stories about Winton direct reversible engines with engine room controls (bells). Have you ever scraped your own bearings?
 
I could tell you sea stories about R&R / overhaul Cummins VT12M's in a combat zone.
 
How about doing kits, head, pumps, injectors to a 2-71 Detroit generator engine and have it make electricity in a 12 hour shift, with one helper?

The Coast Guard in its infinite wisdom sent me to EN A school in 1965, and here I am forty years later, still involved.  All of my boats are gone, 'though.

I am part owner of a small commercial marine diesel repair facility in the NY Harbor area and might be able to share some ideas about what you need to do if you want to work after you retire.

Thank you for Your Service
Offshore Diesel NY   

[Cbravo212]

I agree with everyone.  The other site, mil.com has gotten out of control.

I look forward to sharing ideas and thoughts with everyone, especially you Offshore Diesel.

MKC

[EX-CG-GM]

If you guys want this forum to thrive you need to do two things:

1) Post stuff....

2) Recruit others.

This website has a good number of Coasties spanning several generations.  It can be a lot of fun, plus you might pick up some info that will help you in the future.

If nothing else, just hanging around the Porpoise Club can usually bring a chuckle....

[Salty68]

Now they call them MK's. .....I was an EN and did Gas, Diesel, Steam, and Refrigerants ( Marine, Stationary & Auto)..Hey, all of the Refrig's and Walk-in coolers at the Loran Stations ran on Kerosine....We also had to Overhaul & Maintain outboard motors.

I guess that's why they reclassified the rate?

[EX-CG-GM]

Well, don't forget, they also rolled the BTs and MMs into the rating.

[cuttercoasty]

I was up at the local American Legion Post on the 4th and ended up talking to a guy who was a retired Engineman.. I think he said he was a Master Chief and retired after having 45 years in.  He was in his late 70's.  Hillers was his last name I think.. I didnt catch it when he introduced himself, I just happen to see a name tag on his shirt...


Was also sitting next to this retired Senior Chief Boatswainsmate... he annoyed me because he kept saying "we" as us current coasties had it beter then they ever had it.  He kept dwelling on the fact we get BAH and dont live aboard the cutters.  I also had to explain that the pay is compribal to what it was when he was in.  Some people just dont get it.

[MastersMate]

 "I think he said he was a Master Chief and retired after having 45 years in.  He was in his late 70's.  Hillers was his last name I think.. "

You probably had the opportunity to talk with one of the CG legends. ENCM Stan Hiller, most likely. Age sounds about right and he retired with about 45 years or so.

I had the good fortune to be blown up with him, in an old CG Station garage that was being burned down in 1970. Some chowderhead poured a mixture of gas and diesel up in the attic. When we chucked the flare up into the attic, believing itr was just diesel, the reaction was exciting. It propelled ENCM Hiller, ENCM Simons, BM2 South and myself about 30 feet into the parking lot, the chimney took off like an ICBM, and the friggin' garage burned to the ground with little hesitation.

Master Chief had some lively **** going on whenever he was around.

[cuttercoasty]

Now that you say Stan Hiller, I am pretty sure that is what his name tag had on it.

He had just come from the Thomaston 4th of July parade where he was a color guard member and stopped in for a drink.  He was a shorter slim man. maybe 5-7 tall and maybe 150 #.  definetly in his late 70;s. 

He was an interesting and nice guy. 

If I happen to go up to the post again, I am sure I will see him there.

[MastersMate]

Maine, I take it. Most likely him.

If I recall correctly, he irritated the piss out of CGHQ personnel. They wanted him to retire and he decided he would not have any of their ****. Everytime they sent him a set of orders, figuring he'd put in his letter, Stam did what every sailor does. Took the orders. I thin they got him at age 65 or so.

He was, I understand, also the OinC of a 83' wooden patrol boat. Quite a deal for an Engineman.

If you're in Rockland, enjoy the area. It was one of my favorites, way way back when.

I'll have to do some recollection about the time the boys from the YANKTON showed up at the Oasis with the chainsaw and cut the painting of the YANKTO out of the bulkhead and took it to Portland.

[cuttercoasty]

Yup.. Rockland Maine.

I forgot to update my profile while I was out at schools and in the middle of the PCS from Oregon.

I will see what I can get out of him when I see him again.  I would love to hear about some of this stuff you allude to 

[BuoyJumper]

April, aren't you taking your MKC servicewide pretty soon?

[cuttercoasty]

Took it in May....     I got a 73... I didnt study like I wanted to due to the C schools I was in.  In all, I ended up placing 295 out of 430.  Not exactly great but not too bad for the first time I guess, but I certainly intend to do much better next year.

I just got to the CGC Abbie Burgess a few weeks ago, and am finally done going to all those pipeline C schools I was in since the first of March.  Nothing worse then going through pipeline training in the middle of a PCS move... glad I dont have a family because they would have disowned me from being gone so long.