Good evening Ladies and Gents,
I’ll be cadet shipping this summer and I was wondering if it would be in bad taste to wear my USCG issued rain gear should the need arise. I don’t mind buying a new set but it is rather solid gear and I’d hate for it to go to waste. Would it be acceptable to just put some duct tape over the USCG stencil on the back?
[QUOTE=tasteless;155321]Good evening Ladies and Gents,
I’ll be cadet shipping this summer and I was wondering if it would be in bad taste to wear my USCG issued rain gear should the need arise. I don’t mind buying a new set but it is rather solid gear and I’d hate for it to go to waste. Would it be acceptable to just put some duct tape over the USCG stencil on the back?[/QUOTE]
Is there a policy against USCG being stenciled on there? If they are offended by that ask them to buy a new set for you. I personally would worry more about being on watch, on time and cuttin’ the mustard.
You’re not at the academy so no, they really don’t care what you’re wearing as long as you can do your job.
You probably don’t want to be wearing USCG insignia if the USCG is onboard or alongside.
This thread doesn’t belong in the professional mariner forum. Try this in the maritime academy forum.
Givest thou not one shite what the others think. As the venerable Ctony said, concentrate on doing the best job you can.
I wouldn’t call it “taboo,” but I admit that a lot of folks would have less-than-positive reactions to it, particularly Coast Guardsman. Foreign PSC may not be delighted, either. I’d recommend saving the Coastie set for home, unless you sew something suitably opaque over it.
[QUOTE=dncartersweatte1993;155325]This thread doesn’t belong in the professional mariner forum. Try this in the maritime academy forum.[/QUOTE]
or the fashion police forum.
[QUOTE=Ctony;155330]or the fashion police forum.[/QUOTE]
That would actually be a great forum. Think, People of Walmart…for mariners
“or the fashion police forum.”
Does this USCG insignia make my butt look big? Does it add or decrease the respect you have for me as a person? Why don’t you like me?!?!
We have several ex coasties where I work. They wear the CG rain gear, even with CG inspectors inboard. They talk and joke with the inspectors and generally make things easier for everyone. So, by all means do wear.
[QUOTE=tasteless;155321]Good evening Ladies and Gents,
I’ll be cadet shipping this summer and I was wondering if it would be in bad taste to wear my USCG issued rain gear should the need arise. I don’t mind buying a new set but it is rather solid gear and I’d hate for it to go to waste. Would it be acceptable to just put some duct tape over the USCG stencil on the back?[/QUOTE]
Even if it is a problem (I don’t think it is), a roll of duct tape is a lot cheaper than new gear. You can probably even match the color.
Thanks for the replies.
I’m just nervous as how I will be treated by the rest of the crew given my USCG background in Pollution investigation and Port State Control. Hopefully, my work ethic will do away with any pre-conceived ill feelings. Follow up question and I apologize for throwing this in the “professional mariner” forum but while I have your ear. Would it be in bad taste to ask the Master if I could spend my first week or two working with the A/B or should I just do it during my down time? Truth be told any deck experience I gained working on the Mississippi doing fleet work probably won’t transfer very well to Blue Water and I’d like a better understanding of what’s going on down there before I ever have to ask someone to do something when I get my 3rd.
[QUOTE=tasteless;155414]I’m just nervous as how I will be treated by the rest of the crew given my USCG background in Pollution investigation and Port State Control.[/QUOTE]
Huh?! Who cares what they think. Unless you actually busted one of the guys you will be working with they probably won’t give a shit. I work with lots of ex-fishermen. They are typically indifferent to the fact I was a BTM used to conduct boardings on fishing vessels. And if for some reason they had a problem, screw them…I was just doing my job.
They will only know what you tell them, which shouldn’t be much since as a cadet no one will really care. Keep quiet and do your best to go above and beyond the skipper’s and the schools expectations.
Um yeah, your going to be a cadet so keep your mouth shut, do what your told, thats it. You are going to be mocked and rode anyways so no reason to give them extra ammo with stories about USCG days. No need to ask for deck work, you will get assigned plenty, have no fear. And if you’re not assigned deck work, again, do what your told to do, as well as you possibly can. Thats it. What the crew likes or doesn’t like isn’t your concern. Your job is to do what the Master, C/M, and Bosun tell you to do, and be good at it.