Author Topic: Confusion on CCG protocol (Read 5611 times)

Colin P · « **Reply #25 on:** November 24, 2006, 12:49:39 »

Although the quality of the aux. can vary, the majority fo fine work, and you can learn certain skill sets there. But SAR is only part of the CCG mandate. There is a shortage of Deck Officers around the world. Byt the time you finish the BCIT course and get a job, you will be near 28, that gives a few years out in the blue to get the time, then apply for the CCG, where you would do month on, month off, so you can have a home life, set up a family, etc. Going navy is also a good career

S.M.A. · « **Reply #26 on:** November 24, 2006, 12:52:20 »

Thanks again. BTW, I was talking about the 13-week Bridge Watchman course at BCIT, not the 4 year Deck Officer's course. Still, I've also seriously considered going back to college to get that other qualification.

Thanks for all your insights.

N. McKay · « **Reply #27 on:** November 24, 2006, 23:01:04 »

Quote from: CougarKing on November 24, 2006, 12:52:20

Thanks again. BTW, I was talking about the 13-week Bridge Watchman course at BCIT, not the 4 year Deck Officer's course. Still, I've also seriously considered going back to college to get that other qualification.

Have you looked into the Coast Guard College at all?

S.M.A. · « **Reply #28 on:** November 25, 2006, 00:04:41 »

Even though I've been through the Coast Guard College's website...

and even if the benefits of having a govt.-paid education at a quasi-military college (well someone said the cadets there do 12 hours of drill instruction) like the Coast Guard College are attractive...

...I'm still gauging whether I really want to go back to college again at my age, especially since I already have a degree (won't say what major) and since the CCGC website doesn't really say whether there's an age limit for cadet candidates for that college. I assume they do, but I may be wrong. Also, I assume that their selection process must be just as stringent as that for RMC Kingston.

Taking a 3-year Marine Engineer's course at BCIT here in BC or even in Georgian College in Ontario seems attractive as well, though I'm not sure about the opportunnities for advancement of a CCG engineering officer as opposed to a deck officer.

N. McKay · « **Reply #29 on:** November 25, 2006, 16:50:20 »

Quote from: CougarKing on November 25, 2006, 00:04:41

...I'm still gauging whether I really want to go back to college again at my age, especially since I already have a degree (won't say what major) and since the CCGC website doesn't really say whether there's an age limit for cadet candidates for that college. I assume they do, but I may be wrong.

Nope. Age limits are a bit out of style since the Charter of Rights came into effect. I understand that "mature students" are far from being unheard of there.

Quote

Also, I assume that their selection process must be just as stringent as that for RMC Kingston.

I've been through the selection process for the CG College (but not for RMC), and I would suggest that marks aren't as important as they seem to be for RMC. The process consists of some written tests -- high-school level math, physics, and languages mostly, an interview, and, if they offer you a job, security clearance and Transport Canada medical exam. The process seems to be geared towards high school graduates. As a thirty-something with a degree and some professional experience I found it a breeze.

Quote

Taking a 3-year Marine Engineer's course at BCIT here in BC or even in Georgian College in Ontario seems attractive as well, though I'm not sure about the opportunnities for advancement of a CCG engineering officer as opposed to a deck officer.

You can do engineering at the CG College as well. My understanding is that they very rarely hire officers from any other source than the College, but that's something you should find out about from someone with more knowledge than me.

Colin P · « **Reply #30 on:** November 25, 2006, 18:30:37 »

We call the preferred hiring of the CG college grads "The fellowship of the ring" (they all wear their class rings) On the West Coast about maybe half of the deck Officers are college grads the rest worked their way up from the deck or came in from the commercial fleet.

S.M.A. · « **Reply #31 on:** November 27, 2006, 23:58:54 »

Colin,

You've heard of CCG MCTS Officers? Those Marine Control and Traffic of Shipping (is this definition right?) Isn't it they don't wear uniforms or do they like the rest of the CCG?

N. McKay · « **Reply #32 on:** November 28, 2006, 07:42:10 »

Quote from: CougarKing on November 27, 2006, 23:58:54

Colin,

You've heard of CCG MCTS Officers? Those Marine Control and Traffic of Shipping (is this definition right?)

It's Marine Communication and Traffic Services.

S.M.A. · « **Reply #33 on:** November 28, 2006, 11:23:41 »

I was only pointing out the MCTS Officers because I wondered why they don't wear CCG uniforms (not just because they're not ship crews, since I believe USCG people in similar positions are still part of the USCG and wear uniforms). Do they consider themselves just like Airport Traffic Controllers? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Colin P · « **Reply #34 on:** November 28, 2006, 14:39:59 »

Just got off the phone with an old shipmate who works at MCTS Vancouver, he said the idea of uniforms for them was kicked around for awhile, but as the centre is not open to the public (except pre-arranged tours) there was no need of them to wear them.

S.M.A. · « **Reply #35 on:** November 28, 2006, 14:55:29 »

Thanks for going out of your way for the reply. Still, I don't agree with that logic/argument since most Coast Guard ships aren't normally open to the public either and the crews (most of 'em anyway) wear uniforms or some sort of common working wear.

Colin P · « **Reply #36 on:** November 28, 2006, 15:50:11 »

Logic and CCG policies aren't always best buddies!

N. McKay · « **Reply #37 on:** November 28, 2006, 20:25:11 »

Quote from: CougarKing on November 28, 2006, 14:55:29

Thanks for going out of your way for the reply. Still, I don't agree with that logic/argument since most Coast Guard ships aren't normally open to the public either and the crews (most of 'em anyway) wear uniforms or some sort of common working wear.

Perhaps there are differences in working environment and culture that make uniforms desirable in a ship but not at an MCTS centre.

Comparisons with the USCG don't hold a lot of water in matters such as this, since the USCG is a military service and the CCG isn't.

Ex-Dragoon · « **Reply #38 on:** November 29, 2006, 07:10:13 »

I think trying to make the CCG into our version of the USCG will be a loosing battle at best. Our CCG will resist any change to make them otherwise. Try and expand the Navy and get us the ships to do expanded patrols and aid to navigation missions (i.e. icebreaking).

Colin P · « **Reply #39 on:** November 29, 2006, 10:09:56 »

As I mentioned, the real reason to restrict uniform wear ashore was to prevent a whole bunch of shore types wandering around festooned with gold braid.

N. McKay · « **Reply #40 on:** November 29, 2006, 11:27:10 »

Quote from: Ex-Dragoon on November 29, 2006, 07:10:13

I think trying to make the CCG into our version of the USCG will be a loosing battle at best. Our CCG will resist any change to make them otherwise. Try and expand the Navy and get us the ships to do expanded patrols and aid to navigation missions (i.e. icebreaking).

Patrols make good sense, but why do you suggest the navy doing icebreaking?

STONEY · « **Reply #41 on:** December 11, 2006, 04:12:22 »

It should also be pointed out that in the CG things differ a lot from region to region so what Colin says happens on west coast may be totally different in another region. In Maritimes region MCTS and Operations Officers were issued uniforms and for a time all wore them. Then a couple of people raised a protest and it was decided that it wasn't compulsory and so most people stopped wearing them. Others chose to continue and so today you have a mixture of both. The politically correct also raised a stink and management caved and said under the Charter no dress code of any sort could be dictated and so today you can wear just about any thing you want to work . While I wear a uniform most of the time many where I work wear clothes I wouldn't wear out in public let alone to work in an office. Many of those who do wear uniforms wear all different matter of dress or mix and match. CG truck drivers in area for example may wear a CG hat,Jacket & Shirt with an old pair of jeans and any footwear from sneakers to rubber boots. UPS or Fedex are more military than the CG.

Cheers

S.M.A. · « **Reply #42 on:** January 05, 2007, 16:41:28 »

Alright, no matter how NON-military they are, their formal uniforms are still very navy-like in nature such as the ones in the pictures I posted below from the CCG Pacific Fleet's website. BTW how often do these crewmembers get to wear them- I assume not out in public like Marcom people, but probably at special, formal events where CCG officers or crewmembers may be invited?

Colin P · « **Reply #43 on:** January 05, 2007, 16:48:41 »

Gad there so much gold braid there they will have to do a stability calculation when they all stumble up to the bridge.

Coast Guard College, a.k.a. "Fellowship of the ring"

Colin P · « **Reply #44 on:** January 05, 2007, 16:59:24 »

This is more like it:

http://www.pacific.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/photos/cgatwork/images/ccg85.jpg

http://www.pacific.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/photos/cgatwork/images/ccg77.jpg

http://www.pacific.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/photos/cgatwork/images/ccg68.jpg

http://www.pacific.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/photos/cgatwork/images/ccg54.jpg (2nd from the left is ex-RCD, started work student, convinced him to go military for awhile and then he came back to be a rescue diver.)

http://www.pacific.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/photos/cgatwork/images/ccg2.jpg Used to be friends with the girl in this picture.

http://www.pacific.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/photos/cgatwork/images/ccg21.jpg

Will have to talk to the webmaster he removed my picture of me in a "Rathat" diving helmet.

S.M.A. · « **Reply #45 on:** January 05, 2007, 20:16:29 »

Colin P,

So when are you supposed to wear them-those uniforms with the braids- only at special formal events?

BTW, I didn't know that CCG crewmen were issued berets. Also, no offence, but what are the shaving regulations- especially with the guy in braids in the first picture you posted?

Colin P · « **Reply #46 on:** January 10, 2007, 00:53:30 »

Here are some rank insigna's for the CCG. I have a 41 page document I need to read through but you have to wait a day or two. Can't link you directly as it is CCG Intranet, even I can't see it directly although I am still in the federal service, thankfully I have friends in low places.

S.M.A. · « **Reply #47 on:** January 19, 2007, 23:43:39 »

Colin P and all,

Here's a little tribute to the Canadian Coast Guard using the Canadian national anthem, which was prepared more for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, but I think it applies for you main CCG personnel as well.

English version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VK4wXCEumlw&mode=related&search=

French
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etEb-MixlaA&mode=related&search=

I hope you enjoy it too.

Cougar

S.M.A. · « **Reply #48 on:** January 26, 2007, 00:14:19 »

Hello all,

I have another question- Once a crewman is "hired" by the CCG as a crewman one of the cutters or Icebreakers or rescue ships, do they have a choice where they are assigned? For example, could one choose to be stationed at CCG Victoria or CCG Pat Bay or CCG Kitsilano or CCG Prince Rupert? Just curious...

Colin P · « **Reply #49 on:** January 26, 2007, 10:42:01 »

I believe the ships crews are pooled out of Victoria, likely as a deckhand your first job will be on the larger ships. The smaller stations are generally full time staff and hire replacements from the local community. When they accept you, the HR department will phone you and say: "There is a slot on CCGS "Whatever" leaving for 28 days in 2 days can you be at the dock tomorrow?" I suggest that when offered you snag it regardless of how inconvenient the timing may be. You will likely start as a causal filling in for regular crew off on leave/training. The first trip is very important to your career as a bad comment to the HR staff from the Bosum or Chief Officer will scupper your chances of being hired again. It will take up to a year of off and on before you will likely get a chance at a regular shift and then 5 years of regular service to become full time. Now sometimes you luck out and fall into a job, but likely you will have to work at impressing people to get an offer.

News:

Author Topic: Confusion on CCG protocol (Read 5611 times)