 |
- OTHER SERVICES VOICES:
- MARINES
 - NAVY
- AIR FORCE
- ARMY
- COAST GUARD
|
An up close and personal interview with U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
MCPO Jim Caldwell USCG Ret (1970-1992)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE COAST GUARD?
 Graduating in 1969 from High School, Vietnam was going strong. Going to college and working in a gas station was not cutting it, I decided it was time to go into the service. First stop was the Navy recruiter in downtown Portland Oregon. After a conversation I learned it was possible to enlist and be in basic training in matter of months. Going down the hall, there was a Coast Guard recruiter. A Chief, what ever that was. After a short conversation I learned that they were accepting enlistments right away. Down to do some testing, etc. and I was on a plane to Alameda, that was 1970. One question I remember asking was - do you have boats? He said yes, lots of them. It was the best decision I ever made in my young life at 17 years old. 22 years later, I retired after attaining Officer in Charge ashore and afloat positions in one of the finest services in the world.
BRIEFLY, WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
Boatswain's Mate. Starting on a Loran Station, Johnston Atoll, I made it all the way to Seaman! One year later I arrived at my first MLB Station in the Coast Guards 13th District, Station Coos Bay Oregon. I knew immediately that I would be the one of those Surfmen taking those motor lifeboats out on rescues. Another excellent decision.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF YES, CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHICH ONES AND HOW YOU PARTICIPATED?
Not in the normal sense. Got in a few scuffles down on Hotel Street in Honolulu. Does that count?
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
 Tough question, there are so many. I still see the faces of those survivors capsized, tired, hopeless in the surf looking up about to be pulled to safety. I remember the great feeling of taking down boats loaded with drugs off the Florida coast. I especially remember the "high" of departing a command that has excelled in all operations and the feeling of sadness leaving the crew that was well trained and did it all it took to make the unit what it was.
DID YOU RECEIVE ANY AWARDS FOR VALOR? CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED?
I can only reference to this question might be the Coast Guard's Commendation Medal. I was awarded 4 Commendation Medals during my career. The first was for a rescue in 1981 off Cape Disappointment Washington. A vessel was reported overdue and we went out for a night  search with gale force winds in excess of 60kts and 8 - 10 breaking seas. During a spotlight search we located the vessel aground on an island near Baker Bay. No sign of survivors so I swam to the shore and inspected the vessel and searched the local area with no sign of survivors. No survivor found so I swam back out the 44- Motor Life Boat and we continued to search the waters and beach by spotlight. North of the original search area we spotted a single survivor in a large pile of drift wood. Back into the water again. The survivor was in a hypothermic state but in good condition other that that. He was awfully happy to see those spotlights getting closer and finally lighting him up! I got him stuffed into a lifejacket and swam him a short distance the 44- MLB holding position just off shore. The very grateful and hypothermic fisherman was returned to Station Cape Disappointment. The Silver Operational Devices was authorized.
The second award came at the end of my first command as Officer in Charge of station Winchester Bay, Oregon. Within minutes of assuming command a vessel was reported capsized south of the Umpqua River. I was able to assist in the rescue of three survivors in a 30- Surf Rescue boat along with the two 44- MLB's who pulled the survivors off the floating hull. What a way to start the new position!
The third was for outstanding achievement as Course Coordinator and Instructor the Coast Guards "first" Officer in Charge and Executive Petty Office course in Petaluma California. This course was designed to assist in the development and success of those going to OIC/XPO positions. I also served as an instructor with the Chief Petty Officer Academy during off times from OIC/XPO courses.
The fourth award was for completion of tour as Office in Charge of CGC Point Nowell out for Port Isabel Texas. Two long years of fisheries enforcement in the Gulf of Mexico with the best crew an 82- Patrol Boat ever had. We received the National Marine Fisheries Service, South East Area Cooperative Unit of the Year Award for our work in TEDS (Turtle Excluder Device Enforcement).
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
 Commendation Medal #1. I have to say the most meaningful award any time is for saving lives. I was involved in many rescues throughout my career, this is one that the crew and I were recognized that terrible night spotlighting, swimming and recovering the survivor. That is what the Coast Guard is all about. It's what we did, it's still what they do. Being recognized and awarded for doing an outstanding job is a great honor, in no way can you match it to an underway operations and saving a life. Strange thing is this was one the few times I was actually not on the helm having another coxswain aboard and was able to perform as the swimmer.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 There were two in my life. Two that brought me through the hands on training, shared their experience, knowledge and advice with me, and most of all - trust. CPO Dan Sutherland, Office in Charge of Station Coos Bay and BM1 Steve Krohn, XPO. Both excellent boat operators, boatswain mates, great leaders/mentors. Sadly, both Dan and Steve have passed. At the end of 4 years under their guidance, I did attain the Surfman rating operating 36', 44' and 52' Motor Life Boats. It was time to re-up.
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULARLY HUMOROUS STORY FROM YOUR SERVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?
Do you have a particularly funny story from your service that you would like to share?
For me it was the first time I was on a Motor Lifeboat that rolled 360 degrees over Guano Rock at Station Coos Bay Oregon.  The actual roll-over was not funny, it was actually a weird feeling I will never forget. The funny part was to me was the Surfman on the helm, BM1 Ed Spate. (Sorry if you read this Ed). Ed had either a half shell helmet or lost his helmet during the roll-over. Back in 1970 we did not have the standard survival equipment you see today. In fact all we had at that time was an orange wet suit and a hodge-podge of helmets - I have no idea where they came from. One thing about Ed was his ears stuck out. Here I was upside down and looking at Ed with all the red lights of the gauges, bubbles every where, the surprised expression on his face and those ears. I could not stop laughing underwater. I thought I was going to run out of air before she came upright. Guess you had to be there!
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
 I took a position in building maintenance with the local county government. When I left the Coast Guard I thought I am done with the management stuff. Wrong. With all the experience in the Coast Guard I found it easy to work my way to the top of the Facility Management and now am the Operations Manager of the Portland Exposition Center in Portland. A premier Trade Show Venue, this is a 330,000 sq. ft. facility that sits on 53 acres of ground. Guess what, I am still looking forward that retirement day - again!
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
 The Coast Guard instilled pride, dedication and professionalism in the ranks. A chosen few are selected for command positions. That selected position can be a rough road with many ways to fail. Not in my book, my experience and training said "pick me". That same attitude is what drives me in the management of this facility and the training of the personnel I now have working for me. My Assistant Operations Manager is treated much like the XPO of old. He is trained to do it all. Much like the Coast Guard, I am a believer in training those under you to take your position and not fail. Occasionally I still receive those phone calls that when the wife answers the phone she hears the voice say "Is Master Chief There". She just smiles and says, it's one of your boys!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
I try to keep on current events through Internet media such as the Coast Guard Channel, TWS and good old Scuttlebutt. It seems the Coast Guard just continues to grow in missions and commitment. I would say to all of them to strive to do the best they possibly can. Be a role model for those under you. Teach them to take you place. Continue to raise the standard - SEMPER PARATUS!
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
WOW! Lots of folks I have served with keep showing up. A quick note now and then with old friends is an honor. DARN - a couple of them found me, I swear I paid you all back! TWS is a way to let the friendships of the past continue to reunite and grow. It is an excellent tool I visit several times a week.
Thank you for inviting me to be featured in the TWS Voices section. To all of you that I served with, thank you. To all of you active duty folks - you make me proud, carry on!
|
|
Read other Interviews in the TWS Voices Archive 
New TWS Feature! Create and share your own personal 'Voices' in the 'Reflections' section of your TWS Profile Page  |
|
Share this Voices Edition on:
 |
|
TWS VOICES
TWS Voices are the personal stories of men and women who served in the US Military and convey how serving their Country has made a positive impact on their lives. If you would like to participate in a future edition of Voices, or know someone who might be interested, please contact Diane Ruth, TWS Military Heritage Director HERE.
This edition of CoastGuard Voices was supported by:
CoastGuard.Togetherweserved.com
For current and former serving Members of the US Coast Guard and US Coast Guard Reserve, TogetherWeServed is a unique, feature-rich resource enabling Coast Guardsmen to re-connect with lost Shipmates, share memories and tell their Coast Guard story.
To join CoastGuard.Togetherweserved.com, please click HERE.
|
|
Graduating in 1969 from High School, Vietnam was going strong. Going to college and working in a gas station was not cutting it, I decided it was time to go into the service. First stop was the Navy recruiter in downtown Portland Oregon. After a conversation I learned it was possible to enlist and be in basic training in matter of months. Going down the hall, there was a Coast Guard recruiter. A Chief, what ever that was. After a short conversation I learned that they were accepting enlistments right away. Down to do some testing, etc. and I was on a plane to Alameda, that was 1970. One question I remember asking was - do you have boats? He said yes, lots of them. It was the best decision I ever made in my young life at 17 years old. 22 years later, I retired after attaining Officer in Charge ashore and afloat positions in one of the finest services in the world.
Tough question, there are so many. I still see the faces of those survivors capsized, tired, hopeless in the surf looking up about to be pulled to safety. I remember the great feeling of taking down boats loaded with drugs off the Florida coast. I especially remember the "high" of departing a command that has excelled in all operations and the feeling of sadness leaving the crew that was well trained and did it all it took to make the unit what it was.
search with gale force winds in excess of 60kts and 8 - 10 breaking seas. During a spotlight search we located the vessel aground on an island near Baker Bay. No sign of survivors so I swam to the shore and inspected the vessel and searched the local area with no sign of survivors. No survivor found so I swam back out the 44- Motor Life Boat and we continued to search the waters and beach by spotlight. North of the original search area we spotted a single survivor in a large pile of drift wood. Back into the water again. The survivor was in a hypothermic state but in good condition other that that. He was awfully happy to see those spotlights getting closer and finally lighting him up! I got him stuffed into a lifejacket and swam him a short distance the 44- MLB holding position just off shore. The very grateful and hypothermic fisherman was returned to Station Cape Disappointment. The Silver Operational Devices was authorized.
Commendation Medal #1. I have to say the most meaningful award any time is for saving lives. I was involved in many rescues throughout my career, this is one that the crew and I were recognized that terrible night spotlighting, swimming and recovering the survivor. That is what the Coast Guard is all about. It's what we did, it's still what they do. Being recognized and awarded for doing an outstanding job is a great honor, in no way can you match it to an underway operations and saving a life. Strange thing is this was one the few times I was actually not on the helm having another coxswain aboard and was able to perform as the swimmer. 
There were two in my life. Two that brought me through the hands on training, shared their experience, knowledge and advice with me, and most of all - trust. CPO Dan Sutherland, Office in Charge of Station Coos Bay and BM1 Steve Krohn, XPO. Both excellent boat operators, boatswain mates, great leaders/mentors. Sadly, both Dan and Steve have passed. At the end of 4 years under their guidance, I did attain the Surfman rating operating 36', 44' and 52' Motor Life Boats. It was time to re-up.
The actual roll-over was not funny, it was actually a weird feeling I will never forget. The funny part was to me was the Surfman on the helm, BM1 Ed Spate. (Sorry if you read this Ed). Ed had either a half shell helmet or lost his helmet during the roll-over. Back in 1970 we did not have the standard survival equipment you see today. In fact all we had at that time was an orange wet suit and a hodge-podge of helmets - I have no idea where they came from. One thing about Ed was his ears stuck out. Here I was upside down and looking at Ed with all the red lights of the gauges, bubbles every where, the surprised expression on his face and those ears. I could not stop laughing underwater. I thought I was going to run out of air before she came upright. Guess you had to be there! 
I took a position in building maintenance with the local county government. When I left the Coast Guard I thought I am done with the management stuff. Wrong. With all the experience in the Coast Guard I found it easy to work my way to the top of the Facility Management and now am the Operations Manager of the Portland Exposition Center in Portland. A premier Trade Show Venue, this is a 330,000 sq. ft. facility that sits on 53 acres of ground. Guess what, I am still looking forward that retirement day - again!
The Coast Guard instilled pride, dedication and professionalism in the ranks. A chosen few are selected for command positions. That selected position can be a rough road with many ways to fail. Not in my book, my experience and training said "pick me". That same attitude is what drives me in the management of this facility and the training of the personnel I now have working for me. My Assistant Operations Manager is treated much like the XPO of old. He is trained to do it all. Much like the Coast Guard, I am a believer in training those under you to take your position and not fail. Occasionally I still receive those phone calls that when the wife answers the phone she hears the voice say "Is Master Chief There". She just smiles and says, it's one of your boys!
