Stribling, Grady, CWO3

Best Friends
Capt. Donald Hoffer USCG Lt. Butch Aurich USCG CWO Allen Coates USCG LTJG Ron Liedner USCG

Best Moment
When my daughter was was born at the South Weymouth, MA. hospital.

Worst Moment
The worst experience during my tour at the 1st District Office was the commute. I'm thankful for being able to move into on base housing at South Weymouth's Naval Air Station. We were able to "ride share" but the winters were ruthless which made traffic conditions miserable.

Chain of Command
-Commander, First Coast Guard District -Deputy District Commander -Chief of Staff -Div. Chief of Engineering: Capt. Donald Hoffer USCG -Branch Chief of Naval Eng.: LCDR Al Rodriques USCG -Naval Eng. Branch Type Desk Officer and member of the 1st CG District Commander's Inspection Staff: CWO2 Grady H. Stribling USCG.

Other Memories
So, you may be wondering what does a Type Desk Officer do? First of all, I spent my entire career up to this point, trying to learn as much about my rate, Electrician's Mate, as I could. When I accepted the appointment to Chief Warrant Officer, I was discharged from the CG as an enlisted man and took the oath of a Commissioned Chief Warrant Officer with the designated specialty of Naval Engineering. My sleeve designator was the "propeller" which was taken from the Warrant Machinist Specialty no longer used in the CG. This came about due to the phase out of the old Cutters that were steam propelled. The Engineering Ratings of Machinist, Boiler-tender, and Engineman were combined in the Rating of MK (Machinery Technician). Consequently, the Mk and EM Ratings were combined for the selection path to CWO which had two Specialties : Naval Engineering (ENG) or Marine Safety Specialist Engineering (MSSE). The first duty station of a CWO Naval Engineer is normally the "Main Propulsion Assistant" on a Cutter. However, I was assigned to the 1st CG District Naval Engineering Branch (ene) with the title of Type Desk Officer. My duties: 1. A member of the 1st District Commander's Inspection Staff performing condition and readiness inspections of a unit's Engineering Department. 2. Provide assistance for cutters having engineering emergencies and technical problems. 3. Combine ship's work lists with standard naval engineering work items to form specifications for shipyard availabilities. Manage the assigned budget and work progress while the Cutter was in the shipyard. Act as the Contracting Officer's Representative. The Cutters that were under my jurisdiction to support were the CG Bouy Tender, Bittersweet, and Lightships, Nantucket 1 and Nantucket 2, my experience as an Electrician's Mate was always at beckoning call. I enjoyed my tour of duty and traveled from Boston to Woods Hole, MA. and along the north east coast to Bar Harbor, ME. A trip to the CG Yard at Curtis Bay, MD. was always on the agenda. You were always the good guy when you were able to assist a unit but you didn't make any friends when you gave a unit "less than satisfactory" when observing a fire drill during a District Commander's Inspection. I enjoyed my tour of duty in the First Coast Guard District but when it came time for my transfer, my Detailer at Headquarters, informed me that I was going to CG Group Duluth, Minnesota.. . . . "NOT"was my reply. Now was the time I went in to see the "Boss", Captain Donald Hoffer, who requested my transfer to the First CG District Naval Engineering Branch (ene) when I made Warrant. It wasn't long, my Detailer at HQ's called me and said I was now being transferred to CG Group Mayport, FL. as the Group Engineering Officer. Now that was what I wanted to hear. Looking back on my accomplishments as a new Chief Warrant Officer, I appreciate all the help I received in adjusting to my new duties. I departed the First CG District after successfully completing several shiyard availabilities and the successful installation of a new refrigeration system with walk-in cooler / freezer boxes on Nantucket 1.