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An up close and personal interview with U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and Togetherweserved.com Member:
EN2 Tim Green U.S. Coast Guard (1968-1972)
WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE MILITARY?
 A good friend of mine was in the Coast Guard. He was stationed in Groton, Connecticut, so he was home almost every weekend. I figured, what the heck, it beats the draft and it would keep me out of Vietnam. Little did I know!
WHAT WAS YOUR SERVICE CAREER PATH?
I received orders to report to the pre-commissioning detail for the USCGC Sherman right after boot camp. After spending a year on the Sherman I reported to Engineman School in the Great Lakes and came out as a Third Class Engineman and received orders to report to Portland, Maine and the Castle Rock. The Rock was a unique ship at best, a salty crew and a terrific skipper. After a few years on the ship it was off to beautiful Southeast Asia for sun, fun and war games. This was not in my plans, but looking back, it made me grow up. I was a different person when I came home. My last duty station was South Portland Base where I was a Second Class Engineman until my discharge five months later.
DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS? IF SO, COULD YOU DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE SIGNIFICANT TO YOU?
We provided offshore gunfire support and boarding missions. I was one of the Small Boat Engineers and was responsible for making sure the boat ran well. It wouldn't look too good if we were making a hasty retreat and the motor crapped out. Being on the ship was a secure feeling, but riding in a 22 foot fiberglass boat in the Mekong Delta was a different feeling all together. Welcome to the War!
WHICH, OF THE VESSELS OR DUTY STATIONS YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO, DO YOU HAVE THE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY?
My fondest memories were on the Castle Rock. My two best friends: EN3 Joe Loiseau and QM3 Rich Brown, were a pleasure to be around. Rich was a volunteer fireman on Long Island, as was I, so we had a lot in common. Joe was a funny guy always joking around. We would all go out together on liberty together and Joe would watch over us because he didn't drink. We had a lot of laughs over nothing special. We spent the Vietnam deployment together and made it home in one piece.
FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE CAREER WHAT PARTICULAR MEMORY STANDS OUT?
 Many things stand out over four years in the Coast Guard, but the one thing that stands out the most was a Vietnamese sailor, who attended Enginemen School with me in Great Lakes. He remembered me when he saw me in Vietnam. We were in Vung Tau and the old Cook Inlet was tied up next to us. I boarded the Cook Inlet with other members of the Castle Rock to see how the Vietnamese were doing with the transition when this little Vietnamese sailor came up to me and said, "Hello" and asked me if I remembered him. Seeing as they all looked the same, I said, "No" and he informed me that he went to Enginemen School with me. It was hard to believe, but it was a very nice feeling to know he remembered me.
OF THE MEDALS, AWARDS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES OR DEVICES YOU RECEIVED, WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
All of the medals that I received had to do with the Vietnam Conflict. Most people did not know the Coast Guard served in Vietnam, so to have these medals proved I was there and I did serve in combat operations.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERSON FROM YOUR SERVICE STANDS OUT AS THE ONE WHO HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
 EN3 Joe Loiseau had the biggest impact on me. Joe was with me in B2 Engine room on The Rock. We worked together, socialized together and we had a great bond between us. While in Singapore, Joe and I were taking our service wide exam for 2nd class. We were returning to our ship when we heard General Quarters being sounded as we approached our ship. Not having any idea what was going on, we went aboard to find our engine room was taking on water. We assisted with trying to stop the large flowing of water which was finally stopped by divers from an Australian Navy vessel moored nearby. Joe and I were under investigation as to why this happened and were detained from leaving. This made Joe and I closer friends because we were in this together.
CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE THAT WAS FUNNY AT THE TIME AND STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
The Castle Rock Sinking Incident, though not funny at the time, did make us laugh later on. We were getting close to the time when we were to leave Vietnam. I was approached and told about the investigation and that Joe and I wouldn't be going anywhere soon. I went up to Joe and told him. He looked at me with this dumb look on his face and said "What do you mean we can't go home?"
At our reunion a few weeks ago we laughed about how we went home in 3 groups, and I was in the 4th group by myself. After 40 years we finally found out what happened in the engine room and what caused the flooding problem.
See Joe, it wasn't you after all!
WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER THE SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB?
 After the service, I went back to the fire department and became a County Marshal. I worked in the Inspection Division, Fire Investigation Division and Education Division. I retired in 2002 having served for 36 years, and am currently working part time as the Fire Safety Director at the NY Institute of Technology.
WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I recently joined the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association and I'm a member of the American Legion, Police Post 1050.
HOW HAS MILITARY SERVICE INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND CAREER?
I feel that all able bodied young men should serve at least 2 years in the military. The Coast Guard made me grow up from being a kid to a man in a short period of time. The discipline I learned in the service help me become a leader, (fire captain, fire chief and fire commissioner) as well as my ability to work on arson related crimes. I've learned to appreciate family values as well as the needs of others. I also don't take things for granted as things can change at the drop of a hat.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR THOSE THAT ARE STILL SERVING?
 If the Coast Guard is your thing, then stick with it. My time was during the time of the draft and the Coast Guard was more appealing than the Army or Marines. The world has changed: the economy is not doing well and if you are in the service you are still getting a pay check, a roof over your head and three meals a day. Funny, if you told me this 40 years ago I'd tell you you're crazy. The most important thing to remember is that you are our first defense against terrorism. I applaud you for that. Keep up the good work!
IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU MAINTAIN A BOND WITH YOUR SERVICE AND THOSE YOU SERVED WITH?
If it hadn't been for Togetherweserved.com, I would not have known about my reunion and seeing my shipmates after 40 years. Looking back at my time in the Coast Guard, I feel it really wasn't a bad thing to do at all! I am honored to have served my country and be an honored Veteran.
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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 TWS Voices HERE.
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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.
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EN3 Joe Loiseau had the biggest impact on me. Joe was with me in B2 Engine room on The Rock. We worked together, socialized together and we had a great bond between us. While in Singapore, Joe and I were taking our service wide exam for 2nd class. We were returning to our ship when we heard General Quarters being sounded as we approached our ship. Not having any idea what was going on, we went aboard to find our engine room was taking on water. We assisted with trying to stop the large flowing of water which was finally stopped by divers from an Australian Navy vessel moored nearby. Joe and I were under investigation as to why this happened and were detained from leaving. This made Joe and I closer friends because we were in this together.
