Cutterman's Pin

To say that I am proud of my husband is an understatement. At the beginning of our summer together, he came home with great news: he had earned his cutterman’s pin. With five years of sea service, his uniform is now graced with a gold cutterman’s pin. Building upon that, in early July, we started talking about where we want to go next. We toured both Seward and Homer, and we have decided that Seward is our Number One pick. Backed with what we hope to be a very competitive recommendation for his outgoing CO…

What does it take to be Commanding Officer of a Coast Guard Cutter?

STEP ONE: File a packet to screen for Command (Done!!!)
STEP TWO: Submit “Dreamsheet” in October
STEP THREE: Bite fingernails while the Board meets and determine the screening list in November
STEP FOUR: Wait for a call from the detailer time… TBD (hopefully in January or February 2010)
STEP FIVE: Well, that’s a whole bunch of steps that include Brad going to schools, going underway with CGC Munro during Spring 2010, selling our home (wanna buy a great home in Kodiak?), and move from one remote area in Alaska to another.

But the icing on the cake was when our friend (and my colleague), Jim, visited us in July. Jim is a former Coastie who also earned his cutterman’s pin. He belongs to a group of retired Coasties in Washington, DC, who meet every now and then, mentor young Coasties, and talk a lot of shop. Nevertheless, they have shirts embroidered with the Cutterman’s Pin insignia. He brought his own shirt and gave it to Brad. Note: He did not have one made FOR Brad. He gave HIS to Brad, and wished him a lot of luck as he continues his career at sea.

The exchange took place in front of me, and I have to admit my wet eyes and shocked grin kept me standing there, somewhat stupefied by tenderness of the moment. Jim has been a friend and mentor to us both, and his personal gift is a testament to the faith he holds in Brad and in us. We were humbled…and very thankful for the love and support.