Day in the life: Coast Guard Cutter Nonrate (270' WEMC)

What is the daily life of a non-rate Seaman or Fireman underway on a Coast Guard cutter like? In this video, I interview my friend IT3 Calhoun where she explains the day to day operations of a nonrated member on board a WEMC (medium endurance cutter).
She spent about 9 months on the Harriet Lane, a WEMC out of Portsmouth Virginia.
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Disclaimer: These views are mine and should not be construed as the views of the U.S. Coast Guard.

[@jacobhipp5646]

I did just shy of three years as a non-rate on a 270. Gotta say her explanation was good. But she was really light on how ruff that job can be. If you get a bad command it’s utter hell.

[@matthew1833]

Was there a reason u had to be on a cutter as a no rate for three yrs or did you want to be there?

[@HS-yw1us]

Thank you guys soo much 👍🙏 you really gave us an idea about coast guard

[@Edward-yw4dt]

I think she did one hell of a job explaining the deck side of a 270. Good job

[@patriotpropertyservicesllc850]

I was an Intel Specialist and got underway as direct support on board the CGC BEAR and CGC LEGARE! Both 270’s. Really miss it! Had a blast!

[@joshnelson5532]

OMG Calhoun!!! I was a Fireman on the cutter while she was a Seaman! She did a wonderful explanation on what life as a nonrate is on a 270. The only thing I would add is being a Fireman vs a Seaman is like night and day experiences, and I think it would benefit you if you interviewed a Fireman to get their perspective. Also, mess cooking is a very notable subject when it comes to being a non rate on a larger cutter. Nice to see fellow shipmates out in the fleet!

[@silenciummortum2193]

How is the food on a cutter?

[@joshnelson5532]

Hit and miss. Depends on who the CS is. They were really good about accommodating to your needs whether it be religious, or diet, what not. It also however depends on the supply. There was a deployment we did where our stores became very depleted and it seems like every meal was chicken and rice. So you wont be eating 5 star meals, but you wont go hungry either!

[@Edward-yw4dt]

It depends on who is cooking. There are some people who love the job and it shows and then there were people who went to cook school because of the big bonus that they could get but they start hating the job and it shows. For the most part it was really good.

[@laynebarrack9929]

Superb and On Point. Thanks for the share!! doc in Galveston

[@mas6532]

Thank you both. My son just got stationed on a cutter and found this insightful, I’d love if you went more in depth on how fast you can get qualified out of basic on a 270

[@sajotoca3603]

3 weeks of you try

[@theodoresweger4948]

Things sure have changes since I served in the Coast Guard, ,served 4 years was a 3rd class Petty Officer was trained as a AT 3. I was stationed at Floyd Bennett Field and Flew as a crewman on UF 2G aircraft Search and rescue, 1959,1963. My best to all that serve or served Simper Parades always ready.

[@thesolarsailor]

I was on the Bear in 1987, this sounds much different compared to then. No barracks, living on the ship 24/7, M-f 6 AM - 4:30 PM workday.

[@marvschultz]

270’ life was good, I served on the Escanaba. Underway however I enjoyed 378’ life much more!! I spent 2 years aboard the Gallatin! I was never a total nonrate though, I had a guaranteed A-school out of boot camp so I arrived to my 1st unit (Gallatin) already a rated nonrate. SNSS.

[@briansetter4002]

Calhoun ? I love you and thank you for your service Ma'am ,

[@mitchellsmith4690]

The passport thing suprised me. Overseas in the Army we usually didn't need them to travel. The exception was MFO, and we has red state department passports.

[@PsychoMotoTherapy]

Hey Julian! Thanks for all the videos. Heading to bootcamp jan 15th. I was just curious what the difference is between Boat Crew and BTM?

[@silenciummortum2193]

Me too! Can you shed some light on this Julian? Thanks!

[@Edward-yw4dt]

Boat crew qualification is when you learn the boat that you are qualifying on and you must learn the specs of the boat and tasks you need to learn like how to tow another boat and how to drive the boat if there is a problem with the coxswain and you have to take over. There is a PQS book that you will get to guide you on your way. As for BTM that’s A whole Nother world. BTM’s are part of the boarding party that goes on other ships and the BTM members do mostly security when you get on the other ship/boat. The Boarding Officers are in charge of the BTMS.

[@cjeppinga]

I hope I get a cutter, and somewhere warm I’m sick of the freezing cold XD.

[@browsman2328]

I went to U.S. Navy PH A school in Pensacola Fla and eventually became a PH2. We had a few Coasties and Marines there also. I assume Coasties go to Navy A school in many cases.

[@MrDe3ds]

Any information on getting to choose your assignment? For example my son lives in San Diego , would they take that into consideration when choosing first assignment? Thanks!

[@quicksilver11-18]

What ports did you pull into on your cutter or how much do you travel in the coast guard in general?

[@jacobparis5270]

Do you think you can interview someone from an air station if possible also love these videos very insightful

[@christinastefanou1531]

Do you need to bring all your uniforms on cutter bravos etc? what about your own bedding?

[@Marina-zs2vr]

any tips for not letting information I memorized completely exit my mind when under pressure? I know the required knowledge pretty much at the drop of a hat but I'm still a little nervous I'll just forget all of it in the moment.

[@jeffwattner9737]

Marina I second that but I just don’t know my knowledge

[@Marina-zs2vr]

Military Journeymen ok thank you so much!! T minus 12 days!

[@Marina-zs2vr]

Jeff Wattner haha when do you ship?

[@usfbullsrule]

Are there IT's on a 270' ?

[@angellohmann3120]

Can you update the a-school link please

[@jeffwattner9737]

How long does it take to get qualified?

[@CaptRABriggsJr]

On-line University schooling? College courses a available whilst underway? Thank you.

[@militaryjourneymen]

Yes

[@uakea6679]

Do you have any videos on what a BM does in the RESERVES? what types of drill on that 1 weekend per month? Are you on water or just sanding and painting boats? How can you advance to Coxwain in just the limited time of 1 weekend per month?

[@militaryjourneymen]

Usually on water trying to get qualified 1x a month. Once qualified you will do drills on water or on land doing mandated training

[@militaryjourneymen]

And it can take awhile to become cox

[@chrisbokum]

I’m enlisting and was wondering if cutters have WiFi? My recruiter said I could continue to do my freelance writing side business when I have free time, and if I get stationed on a cutter I’d hope to still do that...but I’m definitely gonna need WiFi to do it

[@benjamintrahan6745]

There's no wifi on cutters, no cell phone service while at sea, and spotty internet connection with the ships computers. If you get stationed at a land unit, youd have no problem with your side gig. However, there are no guarantees as to which unit you will get out of basic training.

[@brycemccarthy244]

@@benjamintrahan6745 the recent state of the CG said they’re adding WiFi to some cutters

[@DanielGonzalez-ft7oq]

If you dont want to leave the base on your free day do you have to?

[@DanielGonzalez-ft7oq]

@@militaryjourneymen Alright thanks, and thanks for responding

[@KendrasEdge757]

You don’t need a passport if your on orders. I flew out of Cairns, Austria after an Iraq deployment on the Warnut and I didn’t have a passport. So if you’ve got orders to Yorktown you’re good. Less that’s changed recently.

[@Muddywatersist]

Is that a new class of cutters (WEMC)?

[@militaryjourneymen]

The fleet of 270s have been around over 30 years - the new ones are the FRC and WMSL

[@matthewb9241]

Omg I hated doing drills

[@johnnyappleseed6655]

What’s her @

[@chiller724]

One thing for sure. 270' life in portsmouth va is awful. Pray you don't get these orders out of bootcamp

[@grantwest4828]

I did, it’s not that bad

[@MHSMOKEEATER]

Hell im married and I wouldn’t mind staying aboard.

[@sebgiannini7864]

Sounds like cush duty, coed nonsense!

[@kariyam2202]

Sorry but i'm trying to listen to what she's saying but she seems disoriented, maybe not enough sleep?

[@paulconnors2078]

Why do new enlisted personnel, regardless of service feel this need to get tattooed? Why not do something really different and NOT get any? Now that would show originality and not brand you for life.

[@militaryjourneymen]

Sure

[@silenciummortum2193]

Paul, ever think they aren’t trying to stand out and more for personal preference, personal expression. Same rule applies: You don’t have to look and you sure as hell don’t have to be satisfied with anyone else’s personal choice. Why don’t you shove off?

[@paulconnors2078]

@@silenciummortum2193 And why don't you kiss my ass?

[@paulconnors2078]

@@silenciummortum2193 Prominent psychologists and psychiatrists have done significant research and writing on the subject and the general conclusions are that those who get tattooed are calling for attention and saying "look at me" and are generally people who feel they'd go un-noticed otherwise. So, go ahead and defend bad personal choices; my guess is you are a walking, talking piece of body art. I did close to 30 yrs. in uniform and NEVER had the slightest desire for ink. So, matey, don't go away mad, just go away.

[@silenciummortum2193]

Paul Connors Thank you for your service, as have many friends and family. Wide studies over large samples size may have concluded that some are looking for attention by getting them but even a plebian brain could surmise that it does not, on any level, conclusively PROVE that all or even most do it for that reason. Has every single service member been interviewed and confirmed that a very high percentage of those fit your desired outcome? Yes or no? Of course the answer is no. So my point stands, unrefuted and unable to be anyhow. On top of that what is more important is that you can have your opinion, sure, but if it truly mattered it would be asked by someone high up enough to take your opinion on it to make a policy change where you feel it mattered. But alas, that has not happened and while your service is sincerely appreciated and lauded, your opinion stands irrelevant. Stay mad bro.